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Post by contender on Dec 29, 2023 22:38:47 GMT -5
I missed the part about it being a gun from 1957. That could make it "interesting" if modifications are done,, such as replacing the barrel. Some of those .357's from that era are rare & valuable. I'd let a collector know more about the gun before working on it. THEN,, make an educated decision as to what direction would be best to fix that forcing cone problem.
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Post by LeverGunner on Dec 29, 2023 22:39:52 GMT -5
That's about the worst I've ever seen pictures of.
I've used the Brownells kit before and it worked just dandy. I sold the tooling or I'd offer to loan it to ya. It's very easy and not much chance of messing things up.
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Gunny268
.30 Stingray
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Post by Gunny268 on Dec 30, 2023 0:03:01 GMT -5
contender...Yes, it's an old gun with a 5-digit serial #78XXX. Its collector value has got to be zilch because Cooper's dad bought it out of a pawn shop back in '04, CHEAP! It didn't even have a rear sight assembly for a while (till I installed one). A SBH grip frame (NOT ORIGINAL) was already on it, but no SBH hammer. The old man took it with him on every fishing trip and it looks it. Coop, I suspect, just wants to correct the "can't hit nuthin with it" situation so he can sell it with a clear conscience.
EDIT...I forgot to mention earlier that I did slug the bore - .3568 (pure lead), A .352 (minus) pin gage was the largest I could slide down the barrel from the muzzle to then poke out into the frame window.
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Gunny268
.30 Stingray
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Post by Gunny268 on Apr 25, 2024 22:03:18 GMT -5
Well, it's now 5 months later and Coop came back to me and offered the gun for $150. I took the deal. Spent this week doing a complete disassembly and careful scrubbing with oil and #0000 steel wool (to remove what I’m guessing was a paste wax shell). I was impressed with the condition of the bluing. I spent about $80 for the tools to cut the forcing cone and with much trepidation, I went slow and careful with the cutter. Photos are attached because I’m such a noob at this. Forcing cone, per David's intel, is deeper than .160 but less than .200.
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Gunny268
.30 Stingray
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Post by Gunny268 on Apr 25, 2024 22:09:12 GMT -5
This is the gun and my hasty attempt at marksmanship at 25 yds on a 3" bull. (Sitting position with wrists supported on my knees.) Also, I've got to swap out that huge grip frame for something that fits my itty bitty "Samichgrabbers".
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nicholst55
.375 Atomic
Retired, twice.
Posts: 1,050
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Post by nicholst55 on Apr 26, 2024 0:53:45 GMT -5
That definitely shows potential! Good job!
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Post by bula on Apr 26, 2024 7:10:07 GMT -5
Love happy endings ! Congrats on seeing it thru.
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Post by bradshaw on Apr 26, 2024 7:14:11 GMT -5
Gunny268.... reckon you now have yourself a shooter. Looks to be good work. Contender may jump in to tell the Super Blackhawk grip frame, hammer & trigger ain’t original to the revolver. A black-anodized aluminum grip frame will restore original configuration and better fit your mini paw.
A diet of .38 Special will accelerate anatomic familiarity.
And remember, the Peacemaker lockwork mandates hammer-down on an empty chamber for holster carry. David Bradshaw
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Post by contender on Apr 26, 2024 7:21:34 GMT -5
Kudos on salvaging the original barrel. As shown,, the advice of the bad forcing cone and a few methods of correcting it,, has proven that the accuracy issue was the forcing cone. And often,, a simpler method like you've done is cheaper & easier than the replacement process. The grip frame originally an XR3 for a gun of that vintage. (You may already know that.) They can be a little pricey if looking for minty one & original grips. Warms my heart to see an old & worn Ruger get it's good life back. Now the big question. Are you gonna share this info with your friend now that you'd done the thing you suggest he do? EDIT; I see David was responding at the same time I was. And he's right,, I missed the hammer & trigger differences. All SBH stuff.
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Gunny268
.30 Stingray
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Post by Gunny268 on Apr 27, 2024 16:36:11 GMT -5
contender...We discussed it and he's happy with his SP101 & GP100 for wheelguns. Not even interested in single actions. I told him his soul was lacking. He just laughed and told me my soul was just plain old. He's in his mid 50s and I just started my 70s. I kinda had to agree.
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Post by crobloc on Apr 30, 2024 20:12:10 GMT -5
Gunny268... Great job! Glad you could save the OM Blackhawk. Enjoy it.
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