Krag Collectors Association Forum

I just purchased a Krag, I have always wanted one. Overall the gun is in good shape, no drill marks, original stock looks all original ( I have not gone over the individual parts to verify if it is a mix master or correct). My big problem is the barrel is shot and I don't think it is safe to shoot. If needed I can post some bore scope pics.

Basically I am looking for some advise on what I should do. I am a shooter so all my guns have to be able to go to the range. Is this gun worth more the way it is and I should just sell it to someone who can appreciate it in its current condition or should I replace the barrel. I know replacing the barrel will take away from the value of the gun but if the value of the gun isn't much different in it current condition and if the barrel is replaced.... that replacing the barrel could be an option.

Thanks for any input.

'EddieB' - Welcome to the KCA Forum.

Re-barreling a Krag is an expensive proposition, unless you get a good buy on a usable barrel and can do the install yourself.

New Criterion barrels are very pricey and require fitting, front sight install and bluing.

I have cleaned and shot some pretty gross Krag barrels, safely, and with better accuracy than expected, using jacketed bullets.
Sometimes, you get a nice surprise.

Rather than re-barrel, it is probably better to look for a Krag with a good bore.

Don't over-look a possible inexpensive 'Sporter', that still has a full-length barrel.
This can be an opportunity to combine the best parts into a nice Krag for shooting.

BTW - Forum members enjoy pictures of "new" Krags!

Was about to post pics of the bore, until I realized you can't post images unless it is hosted on an external public server. Will have to look at this tomorrow.

'EddieB' - Not True! You can post your pictures directly on the KCA Forum. (Pictures on a public server are a total nuisance)!

Just go below the typing window, hit the tab marked attachments and then the button labeled "add files". A window will open allowing you to chose images.
(Do this for each attachment, up to five. Program can find pictures on your hard-drive. Keep picture below 1MB in size. Below 200 KB posts even better).
Select picture on your hard-drive by clicking on it. Hit 'Open' button and image will attach to your message.
(They show in reverse order - last pic selected appears first).

Now that was simple, the FAQ says you need to to the external server thing.

Here are some picks of the barrel, it actually looks better in the photos then in person. These are picks AFTER I attempted to clean it. I used a bore brush wrapped with Big 45, several time. Any suggestions? I will post pics take with a bore scope.

Is there any value, other then the parts, for a Krag with a bad barrel?

Here are some bore scope pics. Can barely find the edge of the groves.

I don't use a bore-scope, too scary! Looks like a colonoscopy.
Many Krags have poor looking bores. Early corrosive (mercuric) primers, primitive jacket alloys, and nasty early smokeless propellants played hell with the early barrel steels.

I have shot some disgusting looking Krag barrels and they performed better than there was any reason to expect. They stabilized jacketed bullets OK and maybe the shooting improved bore appearance.

I like nice bores. They are easy to clean. A rough bore may shoot well but never can look clean.

I don't see any harm in trying five or ten rounds through your Krag and seeing how it does on a 50 yard target. (I would try a starting-load with 165 to 180 grain 'flat based' jacketed bullets).

So... I was able to take the gun out and fire 20 rounds down range. Good news is the gun didn't blow up, bad news, not the most accurate. Once I figured out how to get the bullets on the target I only had a few rounds remaining. I was shooting at the bullseye and this is the group. The white marks are tape on the rounds that missed. Overall the barrel didn't look any better then it did before.

Here are the gun pics that I took as well.

Here is a few more