Vern, Thanks for the reply and the ratio of brass to silver. Do you use MAP gas and oxygen?? or something else for the heat source?? As a welder, I have a oxy/acy setup, and use a brazing tip. Havent had the pleasure of using a MAP gas setup, but I hear its small, portable, relatively cheap, and can be purchased at home centers and hardware stores. Would it heat the barrel to a high enuf temp???