Storm
December 11, 2008, 10:48 AM
Yesterday I stopped by the shop to pick up a M638 Bodyguard out of layaway. As the form 4473 was headed my way I asked to look at a 10-5 2 inch (pinned) barrel sitting in the case. This was probably the tenth time that I had looked at it over several weeks. There are some guns that I can't get out of my head but take some time to for a final decision while other I snatch up right away. I figure if the gun sells out from under me the decision is made for me. Yesterday I decided to go for it. I have M&p's and Model 10's right up through today's namesakes, and I decided this one couldn't be passed. the finish is far from perfect, but it claned up very nicely (sorry about the lousy photo) with only a light peppering in a few places and some wear at the muzzle. The gun is maybe only 75% to 80% at best, but it's a good 75% with a very good overall appearance for a 40 year old gun (D5 serial number from 1968)
The real risk with the gun was the fact that the cylinder wasn't rotating freely and the hammer and trigger were binding some on two chambers. My thought was that he gun just needed cleaning as everything else that I could see looked fine. The bore was perfect. My thought was that crud had accumulated inside the yoke to bind the cylinder. The shop has a 30 day "make it right" return policy on used guns so I went with it figuring a good cleaning would cure what ailed it.
A few sprays of PowderBlast into the yoke and ejector and the cylinder went form slow and binding to spinning like a top. This cured the binding and mechanically the gun is now outstanding, tight as can be. Some time spent last night has brought this gun into a condition that I'm quite pleased with. Some guns deserve the effort. I really enjoy bringing guns back while maintaining a good bit of the wear that has come to evidence their use for decades.
The grips on this gun (matching serial number) are really beat up. When I went onto eBay yesterday afternoon an auction was closing on a set of mint magna grips which I snagged for $31 which will soon be on the way. I'm also considering adding Tyler T-Grip to provide a more full grip. This gun will be a shooter. I think it will be interesting to compare it to the Bodyguard and the M&P 340.
Now if I can just stumble on a 3 inch Model 10 I will be a happy camper.
http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/9366/img4952vt8.jpg
The real risk with the gun was the fact that the cylinder wasn't rotating freely and the hammer and trigger were binding some on two chambers. My thought was that he gun just needed cleaning as everything else that I could see looked fine. The bore was perfect. My thought was that crud had accumulated inside the yoke to bind the cylinder. The shop has a 30 day "make it right" return policy on used guns so I went with it figuring a good cleaning would cure what ailed it.
A few sprays of PowderBlast into the yoke and ejector and the cylinder went form slow and binding to spinning like a top. This cured the binding and mechanically the gun is now outstanding, tight as can be. Some time spent last night has brought this gun into a condition that I'm quite pleased with. Some guns deserve the effort. I really enjoy bringing guns back while maintaining a good bit of the wear that has come to evidence their use for decades.
The grips on this gun (matching serial number) are really beat up. When I went onto eBay yesterday afternoon an auction was closing on a set of mint magna grips which I snagged for $31 which will soon be on the way. I'm also considering adding Tyler T-Grip to provide a more full grip. This gun will be a shooter. I think it will be interesting to compare it to the Bodyguard and the M&P 340.
Now if I can just stumble on a 3 inch Model 10 I will be a happy camper.
http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/9366/img4952vt8.jpg