5-Shot Build - Documented

[Lee Martin]

I was supposed to shoot a benchrest match today, but it was cancelled due to bitter cold weather. With time to kill, I thought about our next project and settled on a five-shot build. A couple of you have asked for a photo essay on that conversion. Just like my OM .44 Special and Buffalo Seville, I'll cover each and every step in doing one.

As I've gotten older, I've fallen out of love with barrel bands on revolvers. Used to adore bands, but now my eyes don't take to them. Plus my preferred barrel length on Blackhawks is 6.0". The conversion will be the sister gun to this .500 Linebaugh:



The differences will be:

1) 6.0" straight taper barrel
2) Frame window opened 0.060"
3) Recessed cylinders (not a huge fan of them, but will do so here)
4) Jack Huntington Bisley mod with walnut panels

I'll discuss and photo document every step. From fitting an oversized bolt, milling the frame window, adding a stronger gate spring, making the cylinder, pawl and hammer/bolt timing, ratchet geometry, line indexing vs. line boring, heat treating, centering the barrel and cutting the cone, and making the front sight. It may take a week or two to get started, but it's coming. This first post is a placeholder....if it goes on the internet, I'm committing to the article. I hope folks find it informative.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Chasing perfection five shots at a time"

[Doc Barranti]

Looking forward to watching this one come together!

[Lee Martin]

Thanks Mike. And you know you're going to cap off this project

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Chasing perfection five shots at a time"

[cherokeetracker]

As all of the documents have been,, Very interesting to me. They have always been very informative. I know I will be learning something new. Thank you in advance for this opportunity.
Charles

[kings6]

I can not wait to see this one as well! You know Lee, some day I am going to talk you out of one of your builds just so I can add it to my few "Quest" guns. I may have to find something to swap you or sneak in in the middle of the night and leave 10# of Linotype in exchange but there needs to be one of those out here!

[BigBore44]

Looking forward to it, Lee..
I Always enjoy the follow along build threads! Very informative...

Thanks
Ray

[cmh]

Oh I cant wait.... this oughta be something!!!! 😊😊

[dougader]

Thanks for this Lee, I always enjoy seeing the process so much!

[princeout]

Thanks for the efforts and for sharing. Some of us don't have the training or skills to ever do this sort of work so your efforts give us a chance to live vicariously!

Appreciate it!

Tim

[Quick Draw McGraw]

Lee, this sounds very exciting! O wish I could afford the proper tools to do this. Honestly, I'm pretty patient and with the right instructions I think I could do it. But I don't have the precise tools required and would not attempt it without them.

Looking forward to this one!

[cmillard]

cant wait as always!!

[Joe S.]

I love these threads. Glad I'm finally catching one on the front end.

[snappy]

Thanks Lee! Your grace with the machines is an education in itself Sir, but I am equally intrigued by the rich history you share of the Shootists and Smiths that led you here. Awesome.

[sportster]

If you keep doing these you're gonna start letting us think that we can build these as well. You make it look so easy.

[jsh]

I look forward to this project also.
Look out world, I am on the lathe kick again myself. Time for me to do it and quit talking and thinking about it. I checked yesterday again, I am for sure not getting younger.
Jeff