|
Post by boxhead on Jul 20, 2012 14:22:06 GMT -5
While I do enjoy reading Gary's monthly Gun Notes I found this one a bit at odds to what many others in his field do and some here own.
"I get a lot of questions these days about the possibility of using the New Vaquero for some of our older cowboy guns where we used the older Vaquero with the larger frame. There normally is no problem as long as it is just the cowboy guns they are interested in. A couple of years ago we brought back our Ultimate Vaquero in a 5 shot version on the older vaquero called the Ultimate Vaquero 2. It is for those that want a bit more power than the older Vaquero could safely handle but like the old classic lines of the single action Vaquero. We also brought back the Backpacker in a new version called the Backpacker 2. This also is built on the older Vaquero, has a beefier 5 shot cylinder and new barrel along with new internals. We build both of these guns in 356 GNR, 41 Magnum, 41 GNR, 44 Magnum, and 45 Long Colt. I have seen pictures of the older vaqueros with hair line cracks in the upper right hand corner of the frame when chambered in calibers like 454, 475 Linebaugh and 500 Linebaugh so I try to stay away from those cartridges in the Vaquero".
Has anyone else ever heard of this issue? Actual cracking of the cylinder frame so described, given all of these out there with builders such as, and forgive me if I am wrong here, Linebaugh, Harton, Clements, Gallagher and Stroh?
|
|
|
Post by 2 Dogs on Jul 20, 2012 14:39:48 GMT -5
Box, you know good and well anything can be broken. There are lots of hand loaders out there, not all of them are all that skilled at it. Then, even the skilled ones can make an error. Plus, the fine men you mentioned above are not the only ones building 5 shot guns on Rugers. Reeder chooses not to, he doesn't feel they are strong enough. Keep in mind, he does not block his bolts. Not to mention even Reeder is about a year out....
|
|
|
Post by AxeHandle on Jul 20, 2012 14:51:35 GMT -5
Now that is interesting... I called myself reading that page and completely missed that statement. Might be interesting to see some older Vaquero Conversions run through a little NDT to see what we can see... FWIW the statement is in the most recent copy of GunNotes www.reedercustomguns.com/gunnotes/gunnotes114.htm
|
|
|
Post by tek4260 on Jul 20, 2012 16:58:31 GMT -5
This is the same thing he told me when I asked earlier this year about a 480 Blackhawk to go along with my Vaquero. He was pretty atimate that it was not safe and that I should check for cracks often. The thing that bothers me is that he told me the reason Ruger came out with the New N|Model is that the OM frame wouldn't handle the pressure of the 44 Magnum and they were battering to pieces. This was when I asked about him building a 480 on an OM Super. The same answer I got from him a few years ago on his web site.
This is just what I was told by the man himself and is not meant to be Reeder bashing. FWIW, I'll still own one of his revolvers in the future. I have handled some at a recent gun show and they seem like a good deal for the money and turn around time.
|
|
|
Post by kings6 on Jul 20, 2012 17:17:52 GMT -5
Why would an original full sized frame vaquero be any different than any other 5 shot conversion on a NM blackhawk? There may be a reason for a difference but I have not heard of one.
|
|
COR
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,522
|
Post by COR on Jul 20, 2012 17:42:53 GMT -5
Never heard of it before. I'm not saying it never happened but it seems a tad farfetched, given how many have been built and used extensively with no reports of cracks. The Linebaughs build one gun at a time and hand fit them, there turnaround times show it. Gary's shop mass produces the firearms with a much shorter turn around time. By keeping tolerance tight you reduce the chance of such things happening, it's all in the Linebaugh writings for you to see. Gary and John are friends and he has said himself that he "builds guns" but he's not an artist like Bowen and Linebaugh...Any more questions? For a guy that has nothing but disdain for Gary you sure don't miss a beat when he has a comment and you'd surely never miss a chance to add your 1 1/2 cents worth of negativity to a post that mentions "Reeder"...I'm betting late a night you sneak down to your computer and look at all his revolver pics...yep Craig, You are a closet Reeder freak. Just come out Craig, come out of the closet... ;D We will all still repect you. I'm not a psychiatrist but one could even call it a "Reeder Fetish"... Maybe you can get on that show for weird addictions?
|
|
|
Post by Frank V on Jul 20, 2012 18:17:39 GMT -5
Now & then I see someone on a forum ask "what's the heaviest load I can load in my gun"? I shudder when I think of them actually loading starting at the top & going up.
I'd bet anything can be cracked, broken, blown up, I'm just surprised we don't hear of it more often.
Probably why hand-loading will void some warranties. Frank
|
|
|
Post by bigbores on Jul 20, 2012 18:25:59 GMT -5
Reeder won't build anything bigger than a 5 shot 445 SuperMag on the Ruger maximum Frame because he fills there a little light/weak for the 475 and 500 Maximums, even told me he's seen a few fail.
Also talks about heavy weight bullets causing some of the failures he's seen. Lee, Max and others here have shown this to be false.
I think Gary has a lot offer but just like with everyone You should figure out who to listen who to ignore and then make up your own mind and if new info comes along make adjustments!
|
|
webber
.327 Meteor
Posts: 585
Member is Online
|
Post by webber on Jul 20, 2012 18:35:03 GMT -5
"Now & then I see someone on a forum ask "what's the heaviest load I can load in my gun"? I shudder when I think of them actually loading starting at the top & going up."
why would one ask a question like that then work up from the "heaviest" when the word itself means just that "heaviest" not the "lightest" which would denote being able to work up since it is not the "heaviest".
I would like to have that explained to me. I know what "heaviest" means myself. h-e-a-v-i-e-s-t meaning t-o-p not bottom or middle. Parrelled as to good, better and best. If it is best it can be no more.
|
|
|
Post by whitworth on Jul 20, 2012 19:09:10 GMT -5
Reeder won't build anything bigger than a 5 shot 445 SuperMag on the Ruger maximum Frame because he fills there a little light/weak for the 475 and 500 Maximums, even told me he's seen a few fail. Also talks about heavy weight bullets causing some of the failures he's seen. Lee, Max and others here have shown this to be false. I think Gary has a lot offer but just like with everyone You should figure out who to listen who to ignore and then make up your own mind and if new info comes along make adjustments! That load Lee and I are so enamored with only runs about 35,000 psi. The Max will live a very long time at those levels.
|
|
|
Post by AxeHandle on Jul 20, 2012 19:18:13 GMT -5
Whoa now CraigC.... I can take it with the best but your writing, "...none of his true-believers had a comment then...." The later you add, "...I've made no "axe-to-grind" rants in this thread..." Now I'm thinking... Surely you didn't mean that the way I took it but based on your history I'm sure you did. I'll say that I'm sure I speak for a lot of the regulars when I say, You want it to be personal... I'll consider the source and chose to not to get down in the pit and wallow in it with you.. Get over it!
|
|
dmize
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,825
|
Post by dmize on Jul 20, 2012 19:22:36 GMT -5
Ok I will attempt to be "objective here" but please work with me. I had a guy come into the shop with a blown up Cobra engine and wanted to know if I would build him a "better one". I did some mental arithmatic, I know for a fact that Ford puts all the "good stuff" into a "stock" SVT engine to begin with and if this internet reading axx clown blew that thing up he could probable blow up a NHRA Pro Stock engine and therefore declined doing the work,I even stood and traded barbs with him, BOTTOM line yea somebody else probably built an engine for him BUT when he grenades that one,THAT guiy has to deal with the fallout and NOT ME.
|
|
|
Post by Lee Martin on Jul 20, 2012 19:25:44 GMT -5
Every time the name "Reeder" is mentioned it evokes so many responses. I just wish "Martin" stirred as much excitement Joking aside, if Gary isn't comfortable with those rounds on the Vaquero that's his choice. We should respect it. Personally I feel that frame is every bit as sound as a NM Blackhawk. Just comes down to cylinder fit and tolerances. He's a business man though and I can't blame him covering himself. -Lee www.singleactions.com"Building carpal tunnel one round at a time"
|
|
|
Post by AxeHandle on Jul 20, 2012 19:31:13 GMT -5
I guess we are seeing the same kind of liability cautions out of Bowen too aren't we.... Not the exact stuff but the same sort of liability based slant..
|
|
dmize
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,825
|
Post by dmize on Jul 20, 2012 19:31:41 GMT -5
With all due respect,considering the number of "Martin's" in circulation as compared to Reeder,Linebaugh Huntingtons and etc. etc. I think you do a pretty respectable job the way it is......
|
|