Post by gk2410 on Jan 27, 2012 9:27:09 GMT -5
For years, I was fascinated by the work done by a few of the premier ‘smiths on the single actions, and I fell in love with the “lightweight” conversions that included scalloping the frame rails, recoil shield, and loading gate, and modifying the barrel to a 4” length with a dovetailed front sight.
My first acquisition was in caliber 45 Colt, and was all done in-house by Turnbull Restorations on their Open Range (USFA) platform. That one had a Bisley hammer, the standard dovetail front sight, and a unique (to me) serial number.
I have a lot of 38/357 ammunition left from my LE days, so asked Todd at Turnbull about a similar gun in .357 magnum. Due to the high demand of the USFA guns, and the unusual caliber, it took Todd over a year to find the necessary components. The only thing we couldn’t get was another Bisley hammer, which Gary at USFA said aren’t even on the radar for the near future.
The second gun has the same weight reduction cuts on the frame, recoil shield, and loading gate, the same 4” barrel length, and a dovetail front sight – but this time I succumbed to whimsy and provided Todd with a mercury dime to cut and install for the blade. Add premium one-piece grips, and a unique (again to me) serial number, and you have a beautiful companion to the first gun.
I can’t speak enough about the product that Turnbull provides. I have some USFA’s, and love them, but Doug’s people takes the USFA components and hand fit each piece. They also do the best case coloring you’ll find anywhere, and the original Charcoal bluing sets these apart from their modern sisters. And the lock work and action – like a bank vault!
I’m already thinking about a .44 special…. What can I do different on that gun…..
My first acquisition was in caliber 45 Colt, and was all done in-house by Turnbull Restorations on their Open Range (USFA) platform. That one had a Bisley hammer, the standard dovetail front sight, and a unique (to me) serial number.
I have a lot of 38/357 ammunition left from my LE days, so asked Todd at Turnbull about a similar gun in .357 magnum. Due to the high demand of the USFA guns, and the unusual caliber, it took Todd over a year to find the necessary components. The only thing we couldn’t get was another Bisley hammer, which Gary at USFA said aren’t even on the radar for the near future.
The second gun has the same weight reduction cuts on the frame, recoil shield, and loading gate, the same 4” barrel length, and a dovetail front sight – but this time I succumbed to whimsy and provided Todd with a mercury dime to cut and install for the blade. Add premium one-piece grips, and a unique (again to me) serial number, and you have a beautiful companion to the first gun.
I can’t speak enough about the product that Turnbull provides. I have some USFA’s, and love them, but Doug’s people takes the USFA components and hand fit each piece. They also do the best case coloring you’ll find anywhere, and the original Charcoal bluing sets these apart from their modern sisters. And the lock work and action – like a bank vault!
I’m already thinking about a .44 special…. What can I do different on that gun…..
