awp101
.401 Bobcat
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Post by awp101 on Aug 17, 2014 9:19:07 GMT -5
I've got a stripped .455 HE frame and 1917 barrel that I'd planned to build into a full size .45ACP but warhawk's keeps haunting me: I've gotten some good advice on the S&W Forum but I thought I'd ask here as well. Right now I'm thinking 4" barrel with the half lug like the Mountain Gun and .45 Colt cylinder machined for moons. I had planned a .45ACP only but it just makes more sense to have one that will run both. Blued with stags and a Tyler T-Grip but maybe a satin nickle by someone like Accurate Plating. The barrel I have could be used even though it's not a full half lug but I don't know what it would run to cut it and have a new front sight added and I'm afraid that by the time I had that done, the barrel installed and plating done I'd be looking at the cost of a Mountain Gun (or more) anyway. Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? Thanks!
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Post by medicdave on Aug 17, 2014 10:06:20 GMT -5
Not sure how crafty you are or want to be but you could do a good bit yourself at home and save some $. My brother and I just got this tool from Jedediah Starr trading and it give a fairly square muzzle cut and a guide for filing in a dovetail sight. www.jedediah-starr.com/closeup.asp?cid=90&pid=918&offset=0We're about to start turning an old bargain single six into a back pocket storekeeper using it. Should also be able to hand ream your .455 cylinder to 45 colt with a rented reamer if you go slow and take your time. Lots of ways to do smith work on the cheap and still come out with a good end result. I've got a couple of Smith double actions on here we've done all the work to and will be putting up a talo super in the single action section later as well that I would put up against anyone's work. Just plan what you want research it out and go slow.
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awp101
.401 Bobcat
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Post by awp101 on Aug 17, 2014 10:30:25 GMT -5
That looks like a handy piece of kit to have! Thanks!
All I have is the barrel and stripped frame so I'll be rounding up the parts including the cylinder.
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Post by medicdave on Aug 17, 2014 10:34:53 GMT -5
Ah gotcha, rounding up parts is half the fun. Happiness is a big parts box and some time to tinker! Sounds like you've got a fun project ahead of ya.
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awp101
.401 Bobcat
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Posts: 2,645
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Post by awp101 on Aug 17, 2014 15:23:23 GMT -5
Tinkering I can do as long as I remember not to get heavy handed. I can install the innards and possibly do the timing but the barrel install will have to be done by a 'smith. I've rebarreled a Mauser and a Martini Cadet or two with a home brew action wrench but I don't want this to be my first effort rebarreling a revolver.
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Post by warhawk on Aug 17, 2014 20:30:20 GMT -5
Glad to be an inspiration The sixgun pictured above is a 1926 vintage 44 Special, barrel has been cut to 3 3/4 inches, custom sights added, apparently an action job, and it was re-nickeled. All this was done by a previous owner. I added the elk stag grips. It's a keeper for sure.
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awp101
.401 Bobcat
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Posts: 2,645
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Post by awp101 on Aug 17, 2014 20:37:49 GMT -5
That's right, I forgot yours is a .44. Can you tell me anything about the front sight? Brand or make? Is it the type that uses a dovetail in the barrel with a block the sight base screws into?
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Post by warhawk on Aug 17, 2014 22:03:05 GMT -5
I sent pics to a knowledgable S&W collector, he says the sights are custom made. The front sight is all one piece.
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awp101
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Post by awp101 on Aug 18, 2014 8:15:50 GMT -5
Oh wow! That's some serious work!
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Post by medicdave on Aug 18, 2014 11:36:22 GMT -5
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awp101
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Post by awp101 on Aug 18, 2014 19:26:25 GMT -5
Here's that tool I mentioned rigged up for the cut and dovetail. We're going to do a few practice runs heading back to the final length for practice first. Looks like it'll do a fine job. Using the Williams shorty ramp the dovetail should be hidden underneath. Clean and definantly easier than silver soldering. Now I recognize that tool! I thought it looked familiar in the link you posted but there's a guy on the Ruger Forum that's got a couple of threads showing his alterations to Blackhawks and he's posted pictures of cutting dovetails using that tool. I though it was something he'd fabbed! Are the outside edges straight enough to use as a barrel cutting guide?
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Post by medicdave on Aug 18, 2014 19:34:37 GMT -5
Yup I stole the idea from Sharps40, took a bit of tracking down to find it. It looks like it will be close enough. Your still going to want to leave the barrel a scosh long to clean up with your crowning tool. The one were working on is 6 1/2 inches, final length will be 3 3/4 so were actually coming to cut, crown, and dovetail 3 times, 2 for practice and then the real one.
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awp101
.401 Bobcat
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Posts: 2,645
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Post by awp101 on Aug 18, 2014 19:51:39 GMT -5
Good old Sharps 40! He's a different breed of cat, no doubt about it! So probably a 1/16" or so extra? I may just pick one up and some black gas pipe to practice on. EDIT: I'd be curious to know how long it takes to cut the dovetail by hand once you've done it a time or two.
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Post by medicdave on Aug 21, 2014 23:04:00 GMT -5
Larry Potterfield cuts one in a midway video in about a minute and a half. The first trial one took about 45 minutes for us lol. Big thing is correctly sized good quality files. It takes a very slim tapered triangle file to get in to the angles after the plunge cut is made.
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awp101
.401 Bobcat
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Posts: 2,645
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Post by awp101 on Aug 22, 2014 19:46:10 GMT -5
Larry Potterfield cuts one in a midway video in about a minute and a half. The first trial one took about 45 minutes for us lol. Big thing is correctly sized good quality files. It takes a very slim tapered triangle file to get in to the angles after the plunge cut is made. Isn't video editing amazing? I need to break down and get some good files. Maybe turn my Harbor Freight stuff into knife blanks... Had an interesting thought this afternoon (and it didn't hurt much) regarding this project. Maybe a 4" .38/44 HD "tribute"?
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