357mag/38spl single shot carbine for woodswalking

[Buckdane]

Thanks, everyone!! All the responses have given me a lot of ideas to go with. Now it's just to find a good base gun to use locally.
Thanks again, I knew I would get good answers on this board.

[MT Gianni]

I have seen 9 year olds that wrestled at 75 lbs and did well, others wrestled at 50 lbs and were weaker. Get something for your grandson that fits him.

[JoeJames]

Outpost75: "This pic is with my .32 S&W Long barrel, which weighs 4 pounds. To give you an idea of proportions with the shorter barrel." Oh my! that is exactly what a friend and I are aiming to construct.

[Outpost75]

Outpost75: "This pic is with my .32 S&W Long barrel, which weighs 4 pounds. To give you an idea of proportions with the shorter barrel." Oh my! that is exactly what a friend and I are aiming to construct.

It was made from a pull-off M1 Garand barrel, cut off at gas port and chamber neck, then turned down.

[JoeJames]

It was made from a pull-off M1 Garand barrel, cut off at gas port and chamber neck, then turned down.

I eyed an unmarked GI M1 Carbine barrel at the last gun show. But it was mighty short when you eliminated the gas port.

[Outpost75]

It was made from a pull-off M1 Garand barrel, cut off at gas port and chamber neck, then turned down.

You are much better off with the 1:10" twist of a Garand pull-off than the 1:20" of a .30 carbine barrel anyway.

[Nobade]

For barrels, look at Green Mountain's gunsmith specials. They are usually about the right length for projects like this and can be had for $35 or so usually. They are unturned blanks so you'll have to profile them but they are great quality and cheap.

[JoeJames]

You are much better off with the 1:10" twist of a Garand pull-off than the 1:20" of a .30 carbine barrel anyway.

I got interested in it, and then my buddy got really interested. He's got a TC barrel he will be using for the sleeve or stub, and has a Vickers Machine gun barrel in .303 on order. Idea is for a TC Contender rifle in 32S&W Long or possibly 32 H&R Magnum.

[Outpost75]

I got interested in it, and then my buddy got really interested. He's got a TC barrel he will be using for the sleeve or stub, and has a Vickers Machine gun barrel in .303 on order. Idea is for a TC Contender rifle in 32S&W Long or possibly 32 H&R Magnum.

The .303 barrel will work well, and so will a common US .308 groove diameter. Chamber configuration having rifle-type throating is most important. You don't want a reamer with long cylindrical throat as would be used to cut a revolver chamber. A 1:10" twist permits shooting heavier 130-150-grain .30 cal. cast rifle bullets accurately when subsonic for use with a can if that possibility appeals to you.

Accuracy with common handgun loads is not impaired.

[JoeJames]

You are much better off with the 1:10" twist of a Garand pull-off than the 1:20" of a .30 carbine barrel anyway.

You are much better than I am on ballistics and twist. I confess that at times I am about like Uncle Toby in Tristram Shandy who got into ballistics when trying to design his miniature battlefield, but quit after it made his head hurt. I just did not consider twist rate when looking at the M1 Carbine barrel.

[Rich/WIS]

For a light woods walking long gun consider possibly a Savage Mod 24 in 22lr over 410. Had one when I was younger and it was light enough to carry all day and even the 410 had very mild recoil. Had a 22/20 also but the recoil was much more noticeable with the 20 gauge.

[Outpost75]

You are much better than I am on ballistics and twist. I confess that at times I am about like Uncle Toby in Tristram Shandy who got into ballistics when trying to design his miniature battlefield, but quit after it made his head hurt. I just did not consider twist rate when looking at the M1 Carbine barrel.

A very common error of omission.

Anyone who ever loaded cast bullets heavier than 125 grains subsonic in a .32-20 Winchester in his youth got a practical demonstration early-on.

[Nobade]

If anybody wants a cool rifle to build one of these on, I see the Old Western Scrounger has some Martini 12/15s in stock for not a bad price, as well as a bunch of the heavier target models.

[Jim22]

Uberti used to have mini rolling blocks available in 357 Friend bought 1 in 22LR, Neat little rifle, but do not know if still available GW

The Uberti rifle is what I want - or something close to it. I have a Henry single shot in .357. It is a fine rifle but too big and heavy for a waalkin around rifle. My Marlin 1894C is shorter and lighter. Uberti had a great idea with their Baby Rolling Block.

https://taylorsfirearms.com/long-gun...e-357-mag.html

But it appears they are no longer being made. Five lbs weight and 35.9" in length. Ideal. I would put a peep sight on it. A walking around rifle doesn't need a scope but my old eyes need some help.

I see there is a US company making a similar rifle. Just can't remember. If I remember right they are bigger, heavier, and more expensive rifle than the Uberti.

If I remember right Ruger made a short run of their Number 3's in .357 Magnum. But because the run of #3's in .3527 mag was a limited edition they are considered to be colllectable. If I remember right Ruger called the edition the 'California Highway Patrol'. Or some such thing.

Are there any others?

Jim

[nhithaca]

The 357s were made on the #1 platform. Had a chance to buy one years ago, $750 was too high!!!!

[farmerjim]

I bought a Handi in .357. I rechambered it to .357 Max. It will shoot full bore 357 Max, .357 Mag, and 38 Sp. It will shoot any of the 3 within 1 in at 100 yds with the same scope setting. I use it for our primitive weapons season. Every deer I have shot with it were D R T (dead right there).

[Hays47]

I was astounded that the Thompson Contender was dismissed so easy. With its vast myriad of choices and calibers and their lengths available. I can't understand about the " maintenance issues. I have owned several frames since the mid 70's and countless barrels. I had to do a trigger spring replacement on one frame. It has the reliability of a sun dial.

I have a 16 inch 44 mag barrel with a rynite stock and forend that tips the scales at less than 4 lb. I preferred it when hunting from a treestand. My suggestion would be similar set up but in 357 max. That way could shoot from light 38 special to full 357 max.

[nhithaca]

Here's what I am thinking for a walk-a-bout gun. Slightly older Gardner, Mass. built H&R 410 24" full choke barrel bought reasonably cheap (!!!) on GunBroker. May be a youth model as the factory LOP is 13.625" or so. Haven't weighed it yet but guessing it is about 5 pounds. Bore is 0.415" and choke is 0.395". Expect to drill and tap for the standard H&R pattern scope base as the breech end of the barrel is plenty thick for the screws. As is, it shoots 410 slugs to point of aim @ 25 yards pretty consistently. With a small low power scope it should be deadly at 15 to 50 yards. As an alternate, I may mount a peep sight in the same base holes (Williams) and come up with a suitable front sight. The advantage of the 410 is I can use reloads w/ large shot (#2 or BB) which would make a great pest load out to 30 yards if developed right. Or use one of the many new defense loads that have come onto the market for the Judge & Governor revolvers.
Just thinking about it at this point.


The other photo shows my Brass/metal cases for 410 made from (L to R) 444 Marlin, Russian steel, and 9.3x74r Norma.

[Landy88]

I have a 16 inch 44 mag barrel with a rynite stock and forend that tips the scales at less than 4 lb..

One of the guns that I most kick myself for passing on buying was a near clone of yours. Yours or your suggested 357 Maximum version or a 30-30 version would be great for the OP's project or a walkabout and / or backpack rifle.

[Beerd]

I was astounded that the Thompson Contender was dismissed so easy. With its vast myriad of choices and calibers and their lengths available. I can't understand about the " maintenance issues. I have owned several frames since the mid 70's and countless barrels. I had to do a trigger spring replacement on one frame. It has the reliability of a sun dial.

I have a 16 inch 44 mag barrel with a rynite stock and forend that tips the scales at less than 4 lb. I preferred it when hunting from a treestand. My suggestion would be similar set up but in 357 max. That way could shoot from light 38 special to full 357 max.

One of the guns that I most kick myself for passing on buying was a near clone of yours. Yours or your suggested 357 Maximum version or a 30-30 version would be great for the OP's project or a walkabout and / or backpack rifle.

For the original poster, the major "problem" with a Contender is that his 9 year grandson old may have some difficulty opening the action.
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