Post by maxcactus on Aug 13, 2009 16:47:14 GMT -5
A couple of the recent posts (Axe's FUBARed/drilled Blackhawk and that thread on barrel removal) and magazine articles got me to thinking.
For several years I worked in a large well-stocked firearms shop here in No. Kalifornia. I saw a LOT of different guns in all state of repair, etc. One thing I do not remember ever seeing, and probably wasn't smart enough to take advantage of at the time if I had, were broken/damaged revolvers.
I have no delusions of being the next Hamilton Bowen or Alan Harton, but would like to find the occasional tool that some careless fool turned from a solid top into an open top revolver! ;D
I have a small amount of machine shop experience but do have numerous smithing books at home, including the entire Kuhnhausen set and would like to find some explodified, mistreated and abused revolvers that need a good home. My goal is NOT to rebuild them into shootable machines, but to practice complete disassembly, learn full action operation, smoothing internals, removal of ugly warnings, refinishing (stainless only) etc.
I wouldn't think that would be such a problem, but perhaps that means I haven't given it enough thought. On further reflection, I find several obstacles in my way.
1 - Used handguns of any kind, in any condition have been scarce in the PRK for several years - especially at dealers. This is due in large measure to state laws (dealers can't SELL tools that aren't on the CA DOJ approved list). They can broker/transfer a sale, but not actually sell them - hence few dealers don't buy used handguns like the used to. Add to that the fact that the gun/ammo buying frenzy hasn't subsided in the least - everyone is holding their cards - and the availability is even slimmer.
2. Broken or not, a used handgun still requires registration and $$ to transfer into my name. I don't mind paying to learn, but paying the STATE for something someone may be willing to give me for free?? Yuk!
3. Many guns can no longer be shipped into the state without jumping through a horrendous number of govt hoops - each with a $$ attached. So if one of the fine Texans or Tennesseeans on our forum wanted to send me their now Trash and Wesson, I'm out of luck.
4. Gunsmiths in the PRK are fleeing like rats on a sinking ship. I don't blame them a bit - they work in an environment hostile to all business - especially small business and any business related to firearms. As such, there's not a ready point of location for said tools.
Given all the above (and probably plenty of other reasons I haven't yet thought of) do any of you fine gentlemen (and Axehandle ;D ) have any suggestions as to how I might acquire some project revolvers, either SA or DA, on which I might practice some light smithing skills?? I thought about posting WANTED ads locally, but do not want to run afoul of the law.
Perhaps the question I first need to be asking (of the CA DOJ??) is when does a handgun CEASE to be a handgun? Does simple destruction/inoperability render it scrap metal/machine parts?
Thank you,
Max.
For several years I worked in a large well-stocked firearms shop here in No. Kalifornia. I saw a LOT of different guns in all state of repair, etc. One thing I do not remember ever seeing, and probably wasn't smart enough to take advantage of at the time if I had, were broken/damaged revolvers.
I have no delusions of being the next Hamilton Bowen or Alan Harton, but would like to find the occasional tool that some careless fool turned from a solid top into an open top revolver! ;D
I have a small amount of machine shop experience but do have numerous smithing books at home, including the entire Kuhnhausen set and would like to find some explodified, mistreated and abused revolvers that need a good home. My goal is NOT to rebuild them into shootable machines, but to practice complete disassembly, learn full action operation, smoothing internals, removal of ugly warnings, refinishing (stainless only) etc.
I wouldn't think that would be such a problem, but perhaps that means I haven't given it enough thought. On further reflection, I find several obstacles in my way.
1 - Used handguns of any kind, in any condition have been scarce in the PRK for several years - especially at dealers. This is due in large measure to state laws (dealers can't SELL tools that aren't on the CA DOJ approved list). They can broker/transfer a sale, but not actually sell them - hence few dealers don't buy used handguns like the used to. Add to that the fact that the gun/ammo buying frenzy hasn't subsided in the least - everyone is holding their cards - and the availability is even slimmer.
2. Broken or not, a used handgun still requires registration and $$ to transfer into my name. I don't mind paying to learn, but paying the STATE for something someone may be willing to give me for free?? Yuk!
3. Many guns can no longer be shipped into the state without jumping through a horrendous number of govt hoops - each with a $$ attached. So if one of the fine Texans or Tennesseeans on our forum wanted to send me their now Trash and Wesson, I'm out of luck.
4. Gunsmiths in the PRK are fleeing like rats on a sinking ship. I don't blame them a bit - they work in an environment hostile to all business - especially small business and any business related to firearms. As such, there's not a ready point of location for said tools.
Given all the above (and probably plenty of other reasons I haven't yet thought of) do any of you fine gentlemen (and Axehandle ;D ) have any suggestions as to how I might acquire some project revolvers, either SA or DA, on which I might practice some light smithing skills?? I thought about posting WANTED ads locally, but do not want to run afoul of the law.
Perhaps the question I first need to be asking (of the CA DOJ??) is when does a handgun CEASE to be a handgun? Does simple destruction/inoperability render it scrap metal/machine parts?
Thank you,
Max.
;D 
