|
|
Post by bigbrowndog on Nov 30, 2022 11:46:14 GMT -5
I’m more to the west, towards Ray point, but good country as a whole
Trapr
|
|
|
|
Post by Encore64 on Nov 30, 2022 11:53:19 GMT -5
Absolutely stunning machining and craftsmanship. Beautiful Guns...
And, there's more to come...
|
|
|
|
Post by RDW on Nov 30, 2022 12:07:35 GMT -5
Ronnie - refresh my memory. What case is the .500 Wells Express based on again? Love the guns David took photos of. -Lee www.singleactions.com"Chasing perfection five shots at a tiem" Lee, They are 500 s&w cases that i got from a buddy at the 2100 roosevelt ave S&W plant in Springfeild mass. They were old Cor-Bon .5 x cases when they were developing the big 500 in 2002 I was retrofitting a couple of machines at the plant. New cnc Controls. I had been shortening 445 and 414 sm cases to 1.450 and 1.475" and thought it would be cool to do. I would make a cylinder that completely filled up the frame so i could hang more shell out there. the bullets on average for 41 are a bit shorter from the front or nose to the crimp groove so i can get them even out to a 1.5 length case but i settled on 1.475 for the 41 and 44 at 1.450" Those are the calibers that my freinds dubbed the 41 and the 44 Ronnie Stupid. Haha. so i thought how about a 50 Ronnie Stupid. Douglas made me some barrels, but the problem was bullets 50 action express was all that was available at the time. cuz the SW500 wasnt out yet . They were talking about a 45 caliber but i never saw it. I have an old Collet lathe so i took a 3/8s collet, placed some .020 thousandths shim stock in the slits of the collet and locked it down I took a 4 flute .500 end mill and fed it .200 deep real slow. That gave me a bullet grabber that would have a positive stop Once the shimstock is removed. Hope that makes sense. I took an old tire patch roller apart and used the wheel that was serated and made a roll groover for that lathe. I would put the bullet in the collet till it stopped and locker down then feed the roller in real slow with some wd40 and wallah. A crimp groove on my speer 325 grainers. I made some dies out of water hardening drill stem and crammed em full of h110 and once again the 50 Ronnie stupid was born. Hahaha. The bullet was real short so i stuck with the 1.450" untill the hornady XTPs came out but then had to cuttem back a smidge to get it in the cylinder. They were much Longer. I made a couple for some freinds because i had some barrel stock left and they really dug the round. in 2010 one of them called me up and said someone named Jack huntington was making something similar and i was like, GOOD. Its a cool round! I think Jacks is like 1.400 isnt it? Not sure. I have no ego to bruise. He has marketed it and i think its a dynamite round. I beleive he was making something that would be retrofitable in the Freedom arms. It was a great idea. The only reason i called it 500 wells express is because my Grandpaws cousin in prescott had one called 510 wells express for big game stuff. I just thought it would be cute. I had no plans to market anything at that time cuz i was raising a family and racing Nitro cars and didnt think anyone would ever see it anyway. It wasnt untill i got old that i decided to go back to my sixgun roots so im trying to play catch up>>>> Hahaha. R PS: I have a shorter version that i called special that is 1.200 long but you have to ream the case or it will bulge. |
|
|
|
Post by bradshaw on Dec 1, 2022 8:02:08 GMT -5
***** Thomas.... from top to bottom, are these grip frames, * Blackhawk flattop .44 Special with brass Bradshaw Bisley? Cocobolo scales? * Blackhawk .45 Colt with brass Martin Hybrid? Scales...? * Blackhawk flattop .44 Spl with brass Wells #9? Scales...? What’s your shooting impression? David Bradshaw |
|
rvolvr
.30 Stingray
Posts: 298 
|
Post by rvolvr on Dec 1, 2022 19:07:06 GMT -5
Interesting angular cut on grip frame and grip on the Bisley’d round butt Vaquero/Octagon!!……any idea of the reason for it??? Trapr ..............The Cape Buffalo horn came from a hunt i had with a very crazy Rock and Roll star when i had an Archery shop in the 80s. R Perchance the Motor City Madman? |
|
|
|
Post by bisleyfan41 on Dec 1, 2022 21:04:46 GMT -5
Between disparate sprinting of Ronnie, Lee, and this shooter, Lee received photos without cut lines. Photos taken on visit with Ronnie moons ago. Detail to follow on a hard corps sixgunner of Old School talent bridging our need today through modern machine technique. Ronnie may have been born 200 years ago, yet strides among us now. David Bradshaw Thankyou Super dave. That 3rd photo is my first 500 Linebaugh. The story goes in 1981 i turned 18 and my Pop gifted me a brand new Ruger Super Blackie. In 1986 i received my august issue Guns and ammo with Ross seyfrieds outer limits of handgun article on the 500 Linebaugh! I lost my everlovin mind. That very same SBH was immediately dissassembled and the Games began. An old freind who is gone now had bought a new 44 mag bisley and hated it. He wanted his old Dragoon back. So i took my squareback grip frame and mounted it on his. He loved the bisley hammer so i chopped off the back so it would fit in the plow handle. Traded triggers and used my SBH Hammer and his bisley grip frame. I screwd up on the site base and had to make the blade shorter but it has always worked so i left it alone. I also screwed up my hole for the Ejector rod housing so i made a holder that mounts to the barrel band. I have made many more that were perfect but this was my first and is still my favorite. She may be ugly but she sho can Boogie! Having a large machine shop at my disposal i had it ready to fire for the first time on december the 23rd 4 months later. Cases were cut out of 348 winch and reamed. i had to make the dies. WLPs, 450 grainers were mashed in em with as much w296 as would fit and the hammer dropped. My first target was a Cow patty out at about a hundred feet. It didnt survive. i think peices of that ole manuuey are still landing in south Texas as we speak. WOW! What a rush. Everything i shot just exploded. I was hooked. The problem was of course the trigger guard. It wanted to cream my finger every shot. The following year (1987) I was given a 4 foot by 4 foot square chunk of 360 brass 1 inch thick and i made my first brass bisleys. Those 2 grip frames laying beside it were some of my early versions made on an old Mazak Mill. The 2 alignment holes that are inside of the frame are the original placements for the 4th axis mill work and i have stuck with them and there placement for all these years. Sometimes even a blind hog will find an accorn huh? But thats the story man! R What a cool story! Ronnie, thank you for everything you share here, the roads you carve out, and for all the horizons you've expanded in the world of revolvers. I'm glad you found your way to this site; you've made a great place greater. God bless. |
|
|
|
Post by RDW on Dec 2, 2022 10:37:18 GMT -5
..............The Cape Buffalo horn came from a hunt i had with a very crazy Rock and Roll star when i had an Archery shop in the 80s. R Perchance the Motor City Madman? That would be him. He had a company called wolf industries and we bought stuff from them continually. Great products and the coolest camo patterned arrow shafts ever. I still have some of the jackets and hats from that time frame. Granted they dont fit anymore but still cool as hell. R |
|
|
|
Post by RDW on Dec 2, 2022 10:43:58 GMT -5
Thankyou Super dave. That 3rd photo is my first 500 Linebaugh. The story goes in 1981 i turned 18 and my Pop gifted me a brand new Ruger Super Blackie. In 1986 i received my august issue Guns and ammo with Ross seyfrieds outer limits of handgun article on the 500 Linebaugh! I lost my everlovin mind. That very same SBH was immediately dissassembled and the Games began. An old freind who is gone now had bought a new 44 mag bisley and hated it. He wanted his old Dragoon back. So i took my squareback grip frame and mounted it on his. He loved the bisley hammer so i chopped off the back so it would fit in the plow handle. Traded triggers and used my SBH Hammer and his bisley grip frame. I screwd up on the site base and had to make the blade shorter but it has always worked so i left it alone. I also screwed up my hole for the Ejector rod housing so i made a holder that mounts to the barrel band. I have made many more that were perfect but this was my first and is still my favorite. She may be ugly but she sho can Boogie! Having a large machine shop at my disposal i had it ready to fire for the first time on december the 23rd 4 months later. Cases were cut out of 348 winch and reamed. i had to make the dies. WLPs, 450 grainers were mashed in em with as much w296 as would fit and the hammer dropped. My first target was a Cow patty out at about a hundred feet. It didnt survive. i think peices of that ole manuuey are still landing in south Texas as we speak. WOW! What a rush. Everything i shot just exploded. I was hooked. The problem was of course the trigger guard. It wanted to cream my finger every shot. The following year (1987) I was given a 4 foot by 4 foot square chunk of 360 brass 1 inch thick and i made my first brass bisleys. Those 2 grip frames laying beside it were some of my early versions made on an old Mazak Mill. The 2 alignment holes that are inside of the frame are the original placements for the 4th axis mill work and i have stuck with them and there placement for all these years. Sometimes even a blind hog will find an accorn huh? But thats the story man! R What a cool story! Ronnie, thank you for everything you share here, the roads you carve out, and for all the horizons you've expanded in the world of revolvers. I'm glad you found your way to this site; you've made a great place greater. God bless. Thank You Bisley fan 41. I have a Maximum Framed 45 Ronnie Super Stupid that i need to dig out and take some pics for you. You would love that one. It utilizes 460 Smith and wesson case cut back from 1.8" to 1.6" crammed full of 4227. Itl Remind you that you are alive man. R |
|
|
|
Post by longoval on Dec 5, 2022 11:54:19 GMT -5
***** Thomas.... from top to bottom, are these grip frames, * Blackhawk flattop .44 Special with brass Bradshaw Bisley? Cocobolo scales? * Blackhawk .45 Colt with brass Martin Hybrid? Scales...? * Blackhawk flattop .44 Spl with brass Wells #9? Scales...? What’s your shooting impression? David Bradshaw Mr. Bradshaw, I had a long, detailed response that got lost in the internet. I'll try again. Your assessment was correct. The two Flattops are mine, they are both 44 special and both have Cocobolo. The 45 belongs to a close friend. I forgot what kind of spalted wood was used but it is gorgeous. The Bradshaw Bisley was recommended to me by Fermin Garza after he saw me shoot my Flattops. He suggested the xr3 was doing me a disservice. I am about 6'6" with large palms and long, skinny fingers. I have always loved the look of a #5 grip frame but never handled one. After speaking with Ronnie, he redirected me to his excellent Wells #9. Shooting 44 special, I am unable to test the recoil handling abilities of your improved Bisley. I love everything about it. I told Fermin, this is the first time I can grab a single action (from holster or otherwise) and have it positioned in my hand to shoot without adjustment. It prevents my trigger finger from extending way too far into the trigger guard. I shoot it well. The #9 has the look I love. The more I handle and shoot with it, the more I like it. I shoot it well, also. I am very happy with both grip frames. I have been able to shoot my buddy's Martin Hybrid although not as much as I'd like. It is a good looking design and felt good in hand. |
|
|
|
Post by foxtrapper on Dec 6, 2022 6:44:12 GMT -5
How did I miss this thread!! Future looks bright!!
|
|
|
|
Post by bradshaw on Dec 6, 2022 8:44:20 GMT -5
Thomas.... yes, with your large hands I expect it will take time time in live fire to discern a diference between the Martin Hybrid, Bradshaw Bisley, and Wells #9. Shooting separates the practical reason for a grip from a factory grip----which feels good until recoil takes hold. Would like your impression after you’ve lived with them a while.
David Bradshaw
|
|
|
|
Post by bradshaw on Jan 7, 2024 22:18:40 GMT -5
Bumpin this to show Ronnie Wells' birdhead Single-Six, upon which frame he has realized the .38 S&W Special of 1899----which of course lead to the .357 Magnum (1935), then on to the .357 Maximum (1981). Unlike some other manufacturers, Bill Ruger heat treated his chrome moly .22 revolver frame same as his Blackhawk/Super Blackhawk. According to Bill Ruger, Jr., in later years heat treatment for the Single-Six was changed slightly from the Blackhawk/SBH, which did not equate to a compromise in strength. Early Rugers were heat treated after machining. Somewhere along the line, Ruger switched to heat treating the frames before machining, which eliminated any warpage tendency. Anticipated greater tooling expense of cutting the heat treated frame turned out to be minimal. Cutting coil off the raw casting. Whereas, cuttings drop from the heat treated frame in chips.
Ronnie says his latest Single-Six .38 Special sports a 1:14” twist, and shoots a cast 180 seated against Alliant 2400 for all the fun your hand can stand from a factory grip. He made its 5-shot .38 Spl. cylinder from Carpenter 465. Both Ronnie Wells and Lee Martin says Carpenter 465 is more difficult to machine than 17-4 stainless and 416 stainless (both of which have held outlandish pressure from slow powder).
David Bradshaw
|
|
|
|
Post by RDW on Jan 9, 2024 10:24:12 GMT -5
Well Like the run of 45 Vaqueros that Bobby Tyler acquired last time when we built the Featherweights, He has acquired a batch of 22 Lr single sixes and we have been trying to decide what to do with them. He just threw this out there to see if it was feasible. How bowt 38 special and what would it take to convert them to center fire. Good question! I have done it before but on a peice meal basis. I have built a couple of S6 10mm and 40 sw, but have always wanted to make some 38 specials and bobby asked, what if. So while the machines are running hammers, grip frames and what nots, i sat down and built a few Jigs for converting the rimfire to center fire easily and, it worked out great. The one thing that i did this time was to experiment with the Firing pin and breach plug. The Centerfire firing pin is .075" and the Rimfire is .087". I used the larger rimfire fp on this one just to experiment with and have had no issues as of 6 to 7 hundred rounds ranging from 3grains of red Dot behind a 148 grain hollow base wad cutter all the way up to a dump truck load of 2400 behind a 180 grain gas checked lead. And buddy boy the later is a handlfull, woohooooh, Hahaha. NO ISSUES. The last 10mm drove me crazy about the loading gate opening having that darn hole into the transfer bar cavity so that was my first engineering feat to be tasked and i figured out the perfect way to do it. Its all in the pre machining preparation. My good freind Rob Leahy sent me a Blackhawk of his to install a PJ 4 degree Heavy Recoil gripframe and it had a beautiful 44 mag model 29 barrel on it and that unfortunately set my mind in motion from a dull pace of about 300 miles per hour to well over mach JESUS. So once again trying to impress you guys (LOL) i took some 1 in 14 twist and built the aparatus to profile and mimic the smith and wesson style and shape of barrel and walah. This is what i came up with. A simple change to the program and i can make it any length, limited only to however long i can get the barrel blank. Im tapering it forward down to .025 thousandths from frame to muzzle so that it has a noticable taper and looks quite elegant and flowing. The top has a little bit courser seration due to the fact that the 40 Thread per inch on the SW is to fine and it is easy to lay the sharp edge over and mess up the whole cleanliness of the serations so i went with 32 and they are close and hard to discern from the S&W but a little tougher. I opted for a changeable blade as well because on the larger calibers i would have to start out with a Barrel blank ranging between 1.5" to 2". It will also allow fine tuning of the sight height. I think shes pretty Sexy myself but i will let you guys decide. Very Packable and butt loads of power. Whata ya think. R Just the box stock XR3 RED for testing   |
|
|
|
Post by RDW on Jan 9, 2024 10:25:20 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by RDW on Jan 9, 2024 10:26:59 GMT -5
Didnt have the original single six ejector rod housing so i had to make due with a blackhawk version and the radius isnt right. But like is said. ITS AN EXPERIMENT. Hahaha. ![]()  |
|
