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Post by potatojudge on Mar 23, 2024 23:09:37 GMT -5
Years ago, I had a local master jeweler repair some delicate hysteroscopic instruments for me with laser micro welding. Results were great. These were rods running inside something like a 2-3mm diameter sheath with a broken sheath needing welding without zapping the inner rods. Point is, some of these micro welders are phenomenal.
I imagine a similar approach then dressing down the part by hand would be something you could do locally, but shipping just a cylinder to someone like Harton for repair isn't too difficult either.
Alternatively, Ruger will probably fit a new cylinder for a reasonable price.
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Post by potatojudge on Mar 23, 2024 16:20:01 GMT -5
Who makes these quick release rings? Yep. Apparently the owner doesn't have any experience using these on pistols so I think we're the test subjects. They're the same as the No 1 rings, that is the same height front and back. The M77 ring sets use two different height rings.
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Post by potatojudge on Mar 22, 2024 22:34:17 GMT -5
I can't say this is how I envisioned the analysis of the gun going lol, but it was interesting to see opinions in the absence of a name attached.
In the case it had the look of a Clements gun, then as I inspected it everything looked and felt right. Then I looked at the hang tag and it was on consignment as a Clements gun. Having spent some time on this forum comparing others' builds and comparing to Clements builds I have at home, I'm as certain as I can be that he did the work.
For the price of admission just the Bowen rear and FA style front were worth it, but the rest of the gun has been made tight and right as well.
Now I need to decide what to do with it. Enjoy it, pass it along, or have it refinished back to a gloss blue.
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Post by potatojudge on Mar 21, 2024 22:43:43 GMT -5
Nicely done forcing cone. Countersunk base pin.
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Post by potatojudge on Mar 21, 2024 22:42:25 GMT -5
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Post by potatojudge on Mar 21, 2024 22:40:39 GMT -5
A marked gun by the same maker, I hope the pic shows how plum it has turned. In the hand it’s obvious but not ugly.
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Post by potatojudge on Mar 21, 2024 22:39:29 GMT -5
A distinctive front sight profile
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Post by potatojudge on Mar 20, 2024 15:32:33 GMT -5
Good deal with that trigger. Wonder if the lug is pinned.
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Post by potatojudge on Mar 20, 2024 11:09:53 GMT -5
I watched it but it soon outpaced what I'd pay. Plus I don't really have a need, and loading the rounds sounds like a bit of a process.
The Damascus barrel AND front sight is pretty cool though. I'm not sure if that's a friction fit/glued on sleeve or what. I know in Bowen's book he talks about laser welding the muzzle end to fuse the two parts but as clean as that transition is I can't imagine those layers are welded.
At that price it'd be cheaper to buy a wall hanger 28 gauge with a Damascus barrel or an orphaned barrel set off eBay and have Ronnie cut it up into barrel sleeves. Hone the shotgun barrel for uniformity, turn the barrel blank to friction fit, then use a screw on front sight base and Belt Mountain set screw base pin to provide backup security of the sleeve.
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Post by potatojudge on Mar 20, 2024 10:45:19 GMT -5
Who did that case color job? Gtscustomizing Restorations on FB is how I found him. I follow them too and their CCH has its own character, but looks like quality. They posted a shotgun I think yesterday where they said they were going for darker colors and it looked great.
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Post by potatojudge on Mar 20, 2024 10:24:36 GMT -5
The finish appears to be a matte blue with the main and grip frame turning plum. The machine and finish work is very clean.
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Post by potatojudge on Mar 19, 2024 21:25:30 GMT -5
I ran across this at the LGS- an unmarked custom with a claimed gunsmith but no paperwork or provenance. The work is well done and the sight upgrades alone were worth the price of admission. Since there’s no more knowledgeable group on custom single actions, I thought I’d post it and see who y’all think is the builder.
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Post by potatojudge on Mar 16, 2024 10:48:34 GMT -5
As much as I like the Roberts, I'd look at the 25-284 for a long action. Build the gun around these Bergers seated with the bullet base at the neck/shoulder junction: bergerbullets.com/product/25-caliber-133-grain-elite-hunter/There's no guarantee that your barrel will like those bullets, but it also allows for traditional bullets or Hammer Bullets, and at a greater RPM which is a good thing for 75 grain coyote loads. The other drawback is a shortage of top shelf Roberts or Mauser brass. Lots of great 284 brass out there now. Downside to the 25-284 is barrel life. If you're having a barrel maker fit and chamber the rifle you'll need to shop around for someone who has the profile, twist, and reamer that you want. Sometimes you need to find a gunsmith that is known for 25 cal work because they'll have a better reamer selection optimized for modern designs. Lastly, you're probably going to lose the featherweight feel doing this. If the new barrel is even a little beefier and the bore is smaller you'll have a heavier, weight forward rig. If you're just looking for something different JES could always make it a 338-06 or 35 Whelen for a couple hundred dollars.
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Gussied
Mar 14, 2024 21:02:08 GMT -5
Post by potatojudge on Mar 14, 2024 21:02:08 GMT -5
Fine then just a minute or two with the Dremel and nobody will ever know the grips are a transplant
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Post by potatojudge on Mar 14, 2024 20:43:50 GMT -5
I think the factors above plus an economic downturn play a part. Inflation has been a killer for anyone not getting regular pay increases. Add to that increasing cost of gunsmithing and the relative price of a custom is much higher than inflation would suggest.
In the last decade factories have made more and more of what were once custom as production models, so the need for custom work has decreased. Factory mid frame 44 specials, factory 454 and 480 negate a real NEED for a custom build. BFR and FA substitute some of that need also.
As much as I like a full custom, my needs are fully met with tuning and some parts upgrades.
Going on I think 9 years for my Dustin gun... at this point I'm just curious if I get the 2015 price I put down a deposit for to or the 2024 price, or if I ever get the gun at all.
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