Future 3.75" SBH

[tek4260]

Going to try my hand at one of the Lipseys Supers. I like the looks of the revolvers, but I dislike stainless so I'll make my own from a Super. Here is the candidate(victim?) I traded into yesterday. Looks like it could pass as unfired. Strange plum spot on the base pin, but it will get trimmed off when I shorten the base pin and thin the ejector rod head.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/IMG_2806.jpg

I am going to try something different for the front sight. I have several ramped bases of different lengths and heights. I'll have to start going thru them and see which one looks the best to me.

[subsonic]

Have you seen how USFA does the ejector rod on their sheriff's model guns? It's pretty slick. The slot for the ejector rod housing allows the ejector rod head to swing out to the right and miss the base pin. Might be more work than it's worth for you to try though.

I have often wondered why someone doesn't do it like the old Tranter/British Bulldog type ejector rods. Was a neat system where the ejector telescoped into the base pin and then pulled forward and swung over on a hinge.

Here is a pic I stole from the internet:

http://www.sitemason.com/files/ffWFtS/Tranter%2055457%20a.JPG

Wonder where Keith and Sedgley got their ideas for that nifty base pin latch on the #5 and other customs and lightweights?

[tek4260]

Yes I have seen that cut in the ERH that allows it to rotate around. I'll have to do that to remove the base pin without removing the housing. I have to do a bit of research and see what the threads are for the housing and buy a tap.

[44man]

A little short for me because I hunt and want noise farther away. But it would be a great back up.
The plum color is from harder steel. It does not blue the same.

[bigboredad]

sounds cool and is right up your alley. looking forward to seeing the finish product. Do you plan on leaving the square back trigger guard? I never had a problem with them but lots of folks do. Are you going to document it step by step like some other projects being done?

[tek4260]

sounds cool and is right up your alley. looking forward to seeing the finish product. Do you plan on leaving the square back trigger guard? I never had a problem with them but lots of folks do. Are you going to document it step by step like some other projects being done?

Yep :)

[tek4260]

I worked on the revolver for a few minutes last night. I apologize for the poor quality pictures, but the light isn't the best for taking them. Also, I am almost ashamed to post this considering the first rate machinists and gunsmiths we have around here. I am sure they will cringe when they see this! But there are a few things that can be done at home if you are willing to start them and not be scared of ruining your revolver.

First off, here are a few pictures of the revolver before. I believe it hasn't seen many rounds at all. Someone has tweaked it a bit though. It has a steel ejector rod housing and appears to have an eleven degree forcing cone.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1325.jpg

Looks unfired from this angle

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1327.jpg

The first step is to measure and mark the barrel. I was originally going for 3.75", but that would put the cut right on the ejector screw. So I had to back up to around 3.50". I use a pipe cutter to give me a straight line to cut.
No backing up now :)

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1332.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1338.jpg

Before I completed the cut, I wanted to try something to locate the front sight. I will be drilling and tapping this one so I used a piece of the filler from a TC Muzzleloader that I cut down some time back. It has a flat top and concave bottom, plus the screw holes are the right size for my center marking tool from Brownells. Measuring the sides, one was .241 and the other was .245". I filed the "tall" side down to .241" on the edge that touches the barrel, so I would have a level top when I placed it on the barrel. I'll take better pictures and explain it better when I mount a front sight.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1333.jpg

[tek4260]

It also checks out when you clamp a straight piece along side the original front. Either of these methods will work when leveling/locating a front sight prior to cutting. Plus it is good to check this along with measuring the thickness of the topstrap at each side rather than relying on leveling only. I have seen a few of these Blackhawks that had a bit of difference in the thickness of the topstrap from side to side. I believe it is due to the fact that they are hand polished after casting. Also, reference level to the top and bottom of the window just to make sure before you go to marking and drilling.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1333.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1335.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1337.jpg

Now that that is done and I know I can reference the level to locate the front, it is time to saw. Follow the line for a straight cut.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1340.jpg

Notice where 3.75" gets you

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1339.jpg

Then touch it up with a file and use the Brownells 11deg cutter with 44 pilot. It is important to file it flat(ish) before starting, otherwise you will get chatter marks from the cutter. They are hell to get out....

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1341.jpg

And here is where I stand

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1342.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1343.jpg

Now to choose a front sight. Here are some options from the parts bin. Of course I could be boring and just use a regular Ruger .595 front. What do ya'll think I should use?

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1331.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1330.jpg

Next I'll tackle the ERH. Never shortened one, but I have a few ideas on how I want to do it. Plus I have another trick to try out....

[bigboredad]

with out seeing the sights on the gun it makes it kind of hard to pick one. I'd say number 1 from the left or possibly number5 from the left. So far it is looking real good it will be interesting to see the finished product.

[Groo]

Groo here
TThe white dot and ramp, with a u-notch rear.

[lar45]

http://www.magnumresearch.com/Sights/Magnum-Research-BFR-Hi-Viz-Fiber-Optic-Front-Sight-High.asp

The BFR front sights are redily availible and come in different heights.
I just looked at their site and only saw the fiber optic front sights, they used to offer the plain blades also. They may still have them if you called?

Looks like great work so far.
Keep us posted with lots o pics and details :)

[subsonic]

There's the 2dogs front too....

[tek4260]

There's the 2dogs front too....


**** I forgot about those! I'll have to look back at them and see what height they are. That would be the best choice. Thanks Dennis.

[subsonic]

I think .6XX? BFRs come with 2 different height sights. He copied the height of the taller one. I wish mine was even taller...

[EMC45]

The 4th one with a brass strip soldered on the edge or a "gold" McGivern bead installed.

[Salmoneye]

The 4th one with a brass strip soldered on the edge or a "gold" McGivern bead installed.

Ayuh...

[Michael J. Spangler]

tagged for updates. great job

[tek4260]

I worked on the ERH last night. I used an extra from the parts box. I didn't want to use the steel one that came on the revolver as I will be placing it on one of my other Blackhawks.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1345.jpg

I needed to remove .500", so I came up with a redneck fixture to act as a stop.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1346.jpg

I filed away the housing, using the original stub that fits into the frame as a guide.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1347.jpg

Once that was done, I cut the stub back to the original length of .125" and used some aluminum black on the housing.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1358.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1357.jpg

Here is the shortened housing compared to factory

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1359.jpg

And on the revolver.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1348.jpg

[tek4260]

I still need to take a stone and smooth the edge where it goes into the recess. My 8x36 tap should be here Friday and I will D/T the barrel and shorten the spring and rod. Shortening the factory base pin to Sheriff's model length will return the original length to the ejection stroke.

And here are some of the sight pictures. I'll take better pictures once the ERH is fully mounted and I reassemble the revolver to give better ideas of the look of the sights on the finished revolver.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1351.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1352.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1353.jpg

And this one is long enough to cover the entire barrel :)

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1355.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1354.jpg

[subsonic]

Choice 1 or 2 on the sights and nice work on the EJRH!

[EMC45]

That is SLICK! I've been wanting to do the same thing to my .44 SBH as well. Now ya got my gears turning.....




P.S. Like that sight even more now that it is propped on the gun. (1st pic)

[tek4260]

I might have more options for sights since the sight fairy gave me a gallon of sights... :)

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1360.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1361.jpg

[tek4260]

I went ahead and cut off the base pin and ejector rod. I really hated to cut the plum one that came in the revolver, but my spares didn't fit the cylinder as well as this one.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1364.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1365.jpg

I filed a bit off the back of the ring to remove the rod. It can be pulled with a fingernail or a knife blade.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1369.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1367.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1373.jpg

And here is the amount of extraction I get with the shortened setup.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1371.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1372.jpg

[tek4260]

Tap came in! Actually they messed up and ordered 3, but regular 2 flute taps, not bottom taps. So I guess it is good they ordered 3. Since the hole is shallow you have to shorten the tap before you can even use it. Then, you have to start tapping on the taper and gradually shorten the tap until you are tapping a full diameter thread completely to the bottom of the hole. So with 3, I was able to modify each tap and simply switch taps as I went.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1376.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1374.jpg

Now to partially reassemble and make it look like a revolver again then mount some sights and take pics. Then once I decide, I'll mount the sight and draw file the rest of the billboard off the side of the barrel.

Oh yea, drilling the hole for the sight and the ejector rod housing is the part of the project I dread the most. Half way thru it though....

[subsonic]

Looks like you have almost enough barrel left over to make another one!

[tek4260]

Looking more like a revolver again

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1378.jpg

Here is that long sight. Looks like a blunderbuss with it :?

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1381.jpg

Here is the short ramp with the white dot sight. I would probably end up ditching the white dot for a regular blade if I used this sight

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1382.jpg

And here is the Handi Rifle sight. I am leaning towards this one or the previous one.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1379.jpg

The sight attached with a tiny 3x48 screw. I drilled out the hole in the sight and turned the head down on a 6x48 allen head screw.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1383.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1384.jpg

This would make a pretty slick Single Six sight as well IMHO.

[EMC45]

Handi rifle sight! That was my pick from the start. It looks real good. I anxiously await the finished product and range report.

[TheGrimReaper]

Neat looking pistol you got going there!!!

[tek4260]

Finally finished-ish

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/1349926045.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/1349926794.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1391.jpg

Before:

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1325.jpg

I still have to remove the billboard and blue the end of the barrel, but at least it is shootable now :)

I wish I had used a new ERH instead of this parts box one that needs refinishing.



I'll post more photos as the photobucket gremlins allow...

[fcvan]

Last spring, while at a gun show, my wife fell in love with the 3.75 SBH sitting on the table. I was surprised she was interested in a big bore but she loved the way it felt in her hands. She bought it and we headed for the hills. What a neat shooter.

My first SA was an 1858 Remington copy with an 8" barrel. Later, I picked up a Vaquero in 38-40/.40 S&W with a 4 5/8" barrel, and then a Vaquero in .45 Colt, also 4 5/8". Shooting the .44mag with the short barrel did not seem a disadvantage due to the shorter sight radius. I tend to carry my SA revolvers cross draw. The short barrel in a fitting cross draw holster was very comfortable.

I can't imagine taking a beautiful Ruger and cutting it down but the work done in this post was fabulous. The pictures were gat and the final product priceless. I really enjoyed reading and seeing this guys progress and end result. Very cool. Frank

[TheGrimReaper]

Man that is SHARP!!!

[EMC45]

Very nice!

[tek4260]

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN1394.jpg

[subsonic]

Good job! When should I send mine? :-D

[tek4260]

Good job! When should I send mine? :-D


Don't know how I missed your post, but go ahead and send me something. The tools and I are getting a bit rusty! :)

[warf73]

I would love to get a 71/7" or 9" SBH in 480 and have it chopped to 4".

[Para82]

I bought a Lipsey's SBH 44 mag with a 3.75 barrel and really like it so far. Great little pistol so far.

[Gibbs44]

Good job on the revolver. Man I bet that thing is loud. Thanks for the pictures.

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

,,,el!