Post by tinkerpearce on Aug 24, 2017 10:41:32 GMT -5
A couple of years back Linda bought me a S&W .38 Double Action 2nd Model as a cheer-you-up present after the fire in my shop destroyed the building and wrecked our house. Made in 1884 according to the serial number I thought it was a neat little pistol, but the grip sucks for someone with large hands. Researching then I came across the Double-Action Safety Hammerless model. I remember these guns could be had for a song in my youth and started looking at pictures. I fell in love with the 2" 'Bicycle' model, which of course is the most expensive variant. I complained of this and Linda said, 'So make your own.'
Next thing I knew she was on Gunbroker and had procured a pair of .38 DA 4th models, one blued and one in nickel with antique Mother-of-Pearl grips. Of the two the blued gun was in better shape but Linda loved the Pearl-handled gun so I set to work. I shortened the barrel to 1-5/8" because to me that looked better than 2", and after all this was in no way meant to be a serious gun. Re-crowned the barrel then addressed the grips to produce something more ergonomic for my big meat-hooks. I went through several iterations, learning how to make grips as I went along and finally made a set out of some scrap walnut that I was pretty happy with. I also went through a few front sights getting the right height; with a 2-3/8" sight radius the tiniest errors are magnified, but broken band-saw blades are just the right thickness and thankfully I have plenty of those. The sights are tiny and the sight radius short, but interestingly it is so short that the front and rear sights are in the same focal-plane and surprising accuracy can be achieved.
I cleaned up and refinished the gun in an 'antique gray' that I am fond of for vintage guns using Van's Instant Blue. I suppose this does not protect the gun as well as professional hot-blueing but so far that hasn't been an issue; I have no problem with maintaining my firearms.
I worked up a load for the gun since commercial ammo in this caliber is ridiculously expensive and limited to a 147gr. LRN. Choices for .361 bullets are few and far between, so I tried Hornady 147gr. HBWCs with eh theory that they would 'bump up' to caliber, and this works quite well over 2.7gr. of Unique with a CCI small pistol primer. Recovered bullets show good rifling marks on the back half of the bullet and accuracy is at least as well as I can shoot. This load is gentle enough for a S&W top-break; no idea what the velocity is but unscientific tests showed adequate penetration.
The funny thing is that when I made this I thought it would be a range-toy/conversation piece, but I find myself dropping it in the back-pocket of my jeans when going out to the workshop or around the property. The trigger pull is on the heavy side but is relatively short and glass-smooth. I find it easy to put shots where I want them- nailed a field-rat in the back yard with the first shot at 8 yards- and the gun is very controllable in rapid-fire. I also converted the nickel gun for Linda, but that's another story...
Seven-yard rapid-fire target:
I suppose it's not an entirely rational choice as a carry-piece- certainly I have more suitable modern guns- but I love this little revolver but I am quite confident in it and what I can do with it, so what the heck. Variety is the spice of life and all that.
Next thing I knew she was on Gunbroker and had procured a pair of .38 DA 4th models, one blued and one in nickel with antique Mother-of-Pearl grips. Of the two the blued gun was in better shape but Linda loved the Pearl-handled gun so I set to work. I shortened the barrel to 1-5/8" because to me that looked better than 2", and after all this was in no way meant to be a serious gun. Re-crowned the barrel then addressed the grips to produce something more ergonomic for my big meat-hooks. I went through several iterations, learning how to make grips as I went along and finally made a set out of some scrap walnut that I was pretty happy with. I also went through a few front sights getting the right height; with a 2-3/8" sight radius the tiniest errors are magnified, but broken band-saw blades are just the right thickness and thankfully I have plenty of those. The sights are tiny and the sight radius short, but interestingly it is so short that the front and rear sights are in the same focal-plane and surprising accuracy can be achieved.
I cleaned up and refinished the gun in an 'antique gray' that I am fond of for vintage guns using Van's Instant Blue. I suppose this does not protect the gun as well as professional hot-blueing but so far that hasn't been an issue; I have no problem with maintaining my firearms.
I worked up a load for the gun since commercial ammo in this caliber is ridiculously expensive and limited to a 147gr. LRN. Choices for .361 bullets are few and far between, so I tried Hornady 147gr. HBWCs with eh theory that they would 'bump up' to caliber, and this works quite well over 2.7gr. of Unique with a CCI small pistol primer. Recovered bullets show good rifling marks on the back half of the bullet and accuracy is at least as well as I can shoot. This load is gentle enough for a S&W top-break; no idea what the velocity is but unscientific tests showed adequate penetration.
The funny thing is that when I made this I thought it would be a range-toy/conversation piece, but I find myself dropping it in the back-pocket of my jeans when going out to the workshop or around the property. The trigger pull is on the heavy side but is relatively short and glass-smooth. I find it easy to put shots where I want them- nailed a field-rat in the back yard with the first shot at 8 yards- and the gun is very controllable in rapid-fire. I also converted the nickel gun for Linda, but that's another story...
Seven-yard rapid-fire target:
I suppose it's not an entirely rational choice as a carry-piece- certainly I have more suitable modern guns- but I love this little revolver but I am quite confident in it and what I can do with it, so what the heck. Variety is the spice of life and all that.
