Hi folks,
I have acquired an old Forehand Arms 1891 Double Action S&W 38. I want to be able to shoot with it. After doing quite a bit of research there are still many unanswered questions.
I intend to make all my own dies to reload for this. I would like to know what would be the best size and weight and style bullet to make (I swage lead bullets...making all the molds etc.,) My initial ideas are to make a simple round nose PC'd hollow based boolit of about 80 grains. But not sure what diameter to make it. (bore has yet to be slugged) ...any suggestions would be appreciated.
The cylinder front to back play is excessive. Someone filed or stoned the cog thingy when bubba-ing it. I measured the gap at the forcing cone at .018" with a feeler gauge. I figure I will have to make some type of spacer or way to reduce that gap. Again suggestions appreciated.
I got the action to run smooth EXCEPT for the trigger return spring. I believe the spring in it when I got it was way out of spec. It took two hands to pull it in double action and both hands to cock the hammer for single action. With the return spring out it is slick. The spring was so tight that it had forced a bend into the trigger guard. It was either installed wrong. (I tried to install it several different ways to no avail) Or the spring was way to heavy and big. I broke the spring trying to compress it. (a simple "v" shaped spring). Now I am in need of a spring AND the knowhow to modify it and install it properly. THIS is perhaps my greatest need, since the gun cannot be finished until this is corrected. i have ordered a "set" of springs from Wolf to try and get the right one to use...but they are on back order. I would like to cancel that order since I will never use the rest of the springs in the purchase.
Last but not least. What would be a recommended load for this old gun. I only have experience in reloading 22lr.
And Thanks Very kindly to "Bullet Maker 57" for sending me a bag full of good usable brass for this gun.
This video was made before I broke the trigger return spring that was in there.
https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared...USe_NMTylhxQI5