awp101
.401 Bobcat
TANSTAAFL
Posts: 2,645
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Post by awp101 on Aug 27, 2014 18:22:22 GMT -5
Won this on a popular auction site. I was the only bidder and the cost was reasonable to me even with the shipping and transfer fee. Royal Canadian Engineers issued, barrel later cut to 3.5" and the whole thing parkerized. .45 Colt doesn't fit but moonclipped ACPs are good to go. There are two holes tapped into the top strap that I'll find some filler screws for and then I'll file them flush. I'd LIKE to strip the park but I don't know what condition the metal will be in afterwards to determine if I blue or nickle it. The N Frame Magnas are numbered in the 129K range and will go in favor of either the proper stocks or stag depending on which way I go with this.
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awp101
.401 Bobcat
TANSTAAFL
Posts: 2,645
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Post by awp101 on Aug 27, 2014 18:23:16 GMT -5
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Post by whitworth on Aug 28, 2014 5:27:19 GMT -5
Great score! Congratulations!
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Post by magnumwheelman on Aug 28, 2014 7:04:32 GMT -5
cool gun...
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awp101
.401 Bobcat
TANSTAAFL
Posts: 2,645
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Post by awp101 on Aug 28, 2014 12:42:20 GMT -5
Looks like I'll have to pick up a Model 25 cylinder as this is probably the original .455 shaved to take moonclipped ACP rounds and from what I'm finding, these cylinders weren't heat treated to take the ACP. Local shop has a like new 25-5 cylinder that we think will work. If it does I'll send it out to TK Customs for the moonclip treatment so I can run ACP or Colt as the mood hits me.
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Post by jayhawker on Aug 31, 2014 20:22:47 GMT -5
I would think heat treated for .45 Colt would be fine for ACP. Target loads or handload appropriately.
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awp101
.401 Bobcat
TANSTAAFL
Posts: 2,645
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Post by awp101 on Aug 31, 2014 20:31:21 GMT -5
As I understand it, the .455 cylinders either weren't heat treated or were only treated to the levels the .455 produced which is roughly 14K PSI vs 19K for the ACP. Same as you, I feel a later heat treated cylinder originally chambered in .45 Colt will be just fine.
Another option is a 1917 cylinder. It's already in .45 ACP and can be chambered for .45 Colt. I'll have to see what the parts guy has and wants for them. One of his guys is a S&W nut and has told me he'll have a proper .38/44 Heavy Duty cylinder for me to check out for my HD build.
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awp101
.401 Bobcat
TANSTAAFL
Posts: 2,645
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Post by awp101 on Sept 3, 2014 20:22:52 GMT -5
I had the most difficult conversation with the S&W guy at the parts place/gunsmith today. Long story short, after telling them I already knew it would be too long to fit without shortening the barrel shank and recutting the forcing cone the he repeated it back to me after 5-10 minutes of measuring, fiddling and discussion. Then said the work would cost more than it was worth and I should just handload lower pressure ACP and go about my merry way.
I believe I'll be ordering one from Numrich. The cost will be about the same after shipping and then I'll have someone else do the barrel work. There's some endshake but I don't think I'll need a new yoke. That should be taken care of when the new cylinder is fitted. I think...
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Post by medicdave on Sept 3, 2014 23:52:15 GMT -5
Don't pass up an excuse to get new tools! Should be able to shim out the worst of the end shake if it's still there with the new cylinder.
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awp101
.401 Bobcat
TANSTAAFL
Posts: 2,645
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Post by awp101 on Sept 4, 2014 19:40:55 GMT -5
This might be the solution: Fix the endshake then do this. Hmmm... The next new tool I want is a bandsaw!
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Post by revolvergeek on Sept 16, 2014 15:46:13 GMT -5
Very interesting old project gun. Congrats on picking it up!
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awp101
.401 Bobcat
TANSTAAFL
Posts: 2,645
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Post by awp101 on Sept 22, 2014 17:04:48 GMT -5
Thanks revolvergeek! I found out the holes drilled for the rear sight don't match anything S&W put out so I think I'll be doing some modifying to an adjustable N or maybe K frame rear sight to make it work and then adding a front sight similar to this: I'm not even sure that's a S&W barrel (at least the barrel didn't leave the factory that way!) but after seeing what medicdave did with his single six sheriff and what Sharps40 has used on his builds over at RF I think something can be made to work.
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Post by medicdave on Sept 22, 2014 20:58:11 GMT -5
There's a fella making reproduction wondersights on ebay for $49 shipped that might be worth a shot.
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awp101
.401 Bobcat
TANSTAAFL
Posts: 2,645
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Post by awp101 on Sept 22, 2014 21:18:03 GMT -5
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Post by medicdave on Sept 22, 2014 21:34:48 GMT -5
Might run into sight height issues those are kinda tall and only take their inserts. Marbles and williams make steel shorties that screw on and use regular dovetail insert for a good bit less. The pinto has a williams on it. I'm using a 5/16 ramp and sight height almost ate my lunch. Had an old jc higgins 22 dovetail sight that was low enough to modify. Maybe a dovetail and a xs sights post. They make them in a few different heights for the 10/22 and Rossi lever guns.
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