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Post by potatojudge on Apr 12, 2017 0:04:14 GMT -5
I picked up the 414 Gates that Robb had Harton build then send to Stroh for caliber marking, finishing, and his front sight. The 6 inch barrel gives it the impression of a 5.5 inch gun built on a regular frame, a clever choice in planning the build.
I also have Stroh's personal 44 mag (with appropriate provenance, which is just really cool). It is heads and shoulders the best built and finished gun I own- and that includes my Freedom Arms.
The front sights are similar in profile, but functionally they are VERY different.
The 414 has a set screw on the front of the sight similar to a FA, but the machine work is much more sophisticated and is ridiculously well done.
The 44 sight blade is dovetailed from the muzzle end of the gun, and there's a single set screw on top toward the breech holding the blade in place. It's a stainless blade and makes for an even better sight picture than a blued one (as Lee describes with his aluminum front sights). The fit of the dovetail is seamless- the mating of the blue base and stainless blade can BARELY be felt with a fingernail.
Jim's old site on Angelfire is available and shows the setup found on the 414 which is the same that I've seen on a couple of guns here.
So my question is, which is typical of a Stroh front sight? Does anybody else have one of his sights with the blade dovetailed in from the front?
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Post by CraigC on Apr 12, 2017 9:54:23 GMT -5
I handled a couple of Jim's personal guns when in his shop several years ago. The little flat-top .32 Single Six was a particularly sweet little sixgun. I think Stroh's work is highly underrated.
I know that he did them either integral or held with a set screw but haven't seen the dovetailed blade.
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Post by kings6 on Apr 12, 2017 9:55:52 GMT -5
All of my guns with Jim's sights have the set screw frrm the front. I agree that while there are other nice sights being made by folks including Aggie, who actually is the one who had Harton rechamber that gun originally to 414, the detail, proportions and visual appeal of Jim's sights has not been topped.
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Post by potatojudge on Apr 12, 2017 11:22:03 GMT -5
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Post by CraigC on Apr 12, 2017 11:28:03 GMT -5
I like that. Some of the Uberti adjustable sight guns are done similarly. Like the Callahan I just picked up. Stroh's has long been my favorite. I was really happy to get his front sight on my .44Spl, now 17yrs ago but I think when he went to the screw-on style it hurt the aesthetics of it.  For me, Steve's #1 front sight by Huntington is a serious contender. Especially on an octagon barrel.  |
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Post by potatojudge on Apr 12, 2017 13:39:40 GMT -5
That #1 sight is very nice. It's soldered on, yes? It would be nice if it was attached with screws like the Stroh sight, or a screw and a pin depending on how the engineering works out.
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Post by CraigC on Apr 12, 2017 14:14:28 GMT -5
Soldered. Why would you prefer a screw-on?
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Post by potatojudge on Apr 13, 2017 17:00:36 GMT -5
Sometimes solder is visible at the sight/barrel junction. Also, polishing around soldered on sights sometimes isn't as nice as when they're two separate pieces. If you need to have just the sight refinished it's easier when it screws on. Installing the sight doesn't necessitate refinishing the gun.
I would like to pick Jim's brain about why he settled on his design since I'm sure he had his reasons.
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steve
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,502
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Post by steve on Apr 13, 2017 18:36:17 GMT -5
If done correctly, you won't see that solder joint......I've had it done both ways solder and screw, and both at the same time. Also I've have had an integral base done.
I have yet to lose a front sight base, and I've shot my fair share of heavy loads
As far as picking Jim's brain, it may be possible if you know his number....don't expect him to do much work though
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Post by Alaskan454 on Apr 14, 2017 8:35:58 GMT -5
Those are some elegant looking sights
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Post by arokcrwlr on Apr 14, 2017 20:11:21 GMT -5
I live 30 min from Mr. Stroh and and have seen and handled some of his personal guns, but I have never seen that dovetailed front sight. I rather like it, but the sight base with the front set screw is the most elegant (dare I say sexy) front sight around. I'm lucky to have several guns that Jim worked on and a couple spare sight bases for future projects.
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Post by potatojudge on Apr 25, 2017 20:26:24 GMT -5
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steve
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,502
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Post by steve on Apr 25, 2017 20:43:13 GMT -5
That is a fine looking sixgun. I won't bash anyone's gun or any gunsmiths work. Like I said before, if done properly you wont see the solder joint. Take a look at this pic, what may look like the solder joint is a refection.  |
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Post by potatojudge on Apr 25, 2017 21:02:25 GMT -5
I like the gun and I like Gary. He's been helpful on a number of items, and I've got guns headed his way. He meets a demand and a price point and a production speed that people, including myself, appreciate. But you can see that solder joint, clear as day, and that's an advantage of a screw on sight base at times. No such thing as a free lunch.
Your gun looks so well done that I couldn't guess if it was screwed or soldered on. I agree with you, 100% in that respect and take your point.
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steve
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,502
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Post by steve on Apr 25, 2017 21:10:52 GMT -5
Also. like I mentioned above, I have have guns with screwed on bases as well. I've never had a problem with either falling off. Aesthetically, I think it's a cleaner look without seeing a screw but I have no problems with a screwed on base personally.
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