[BlackNet]

New Rogers and Spencer kit
This is the 'kit' form from euroarms, it's the Rogers and Spencer, RH0920. RS605-0004 kit revolver rogers & spencer assembled cal .44.

I have to say, someone put some super quality time into the design phase of this one. By far it is well engineered and thought out.

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31130-1/IMG_8692.JPG

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31133-1/IMG_8693.JPG

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31135-1/IMG_8697.JPG

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31137-1/IMG_8695.JPG


and finally how it comes out of the box.

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31139-1/IMG_8708.JPG

I have to admit. This one is truly amazing and quite a beauty.

[BlackNet]

Updates!!

120 grit sandpaper and bead blasting in my cabinet :)

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31294-1/IMG_8776.JPG

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31292-1/IMG_8787.JPG

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31290-1/IMG_8786.JPG

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31288-2/IMG_8785.JPG

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31285-1/IMG_8783.JPG



I gotta say this is cleaning up nicely! I never expected to get this clean. I took the 120 grit paper to it and was expecting the lettering to come off but it's deeper than the tooling marks so once over it with 120git the marks came right off. Now on to the other sections so I can get them all blued up with the nitre-blue the local shop uses.

Ed

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

Nice piece. I'm sure it's probably accurate to. The nicest picture of all is the one right above where it state's '.44 cal.' That say's it all....

[TomADC]

Nice project, keep us up to date as the build goes on.
Question do you have a set of gunsmith screwdrivers? I think projects like this really benifit from their use.

[Oyeboten]

Nice!


Definitely looks like fun..!


Who sells these?

[BlackNet]

dixie gun works (http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=909) $350 for the kit by euroarms.

[Oyeboten]

Thanks!

[alemonkey]

Wow, that looks like a really nice kit. It's so well finished already it's almost cheating :D

Just kidding, I know that the last 10% of the work takes 90% of the time. Still a great looking kit though.

[BlackNet]

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31319-1/IMG_8849.JPG

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31321-1/IMG_8853.JPG

This is the loading lever. I am going to do some more sanding on the frame as well. Just to show the various changes in the metal during the cleanup stage.

As for finish I am thinking military black park. Few problem areas will be inside the cylinders and the ramrod. I am leaning towards doing a sand only finish on the ramrod and not go bead blasted on it.

so far the only complaint I have is the screws that ship with it are nasty and super super soft so if anyone is going to get one of these then also snag some of the hardened screws for it, dixie sells them as well. screw set (http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=4072)

When I say military black park I am referring to the M1 Garand black park look.

[Voodoochile]

You're making me want to get one of these beauties & join you in making them as perfect as can be.

Sweet job you've done with it.

[messerist]

WOW! Now "that one" is on my list of wannagit! Please show it when your finished.:)

[BlackNet]

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31349-1/IMG_8899.JPG

Today I took my flex shaft with a 1/2" sanding drum to the loading lever then cleaned it up and bead blasted it good.

I also did some grinding on the 2 areas that were super high, that's where the frame and grip meets.

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31354-2/IMG_8904.JPG

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31351-1/IMG_8903.JPG

I still have some work left on the bottom side behind the trigger guard.

[madcratebuilder]

That's really coming together nice, good job.

[BlackNet]

It is my sad duty to inform everyone that this project has been seriously changed for the time being :(

The reason for this change is I found what I think is a stress fracture in the frame near the ramrod hole. It started small about a month ago from the photo's I have been taking (how I first found it) then it started to grow, now it is approximately 7/32" long (that's 0.218 inches or about 5mm). I first thought it was just a pit on the end but after some sanding and bead blasting and time on my desk it is now really bold and with out a doubt bad.

This am I called euro arms and spoke with a woman who was super helpful and she told me to send it back to dixie and they would replace it as it's under warranty, 1 year btw. I called dixie and spoke with jamie and told him what was going on and he said send it back to him and he will ship me another one. I also have the option to upgrade (for the $ difference) to the london grey, target or standard ones (or just a plain replace kit for kit) I have yet to decide which one to go with but leaning towards either london grey or target as I have spent some considerable time working on this one. The london grey is no finish and just bare metal.

Well this project is no where near dead yet as I have a few options and not 100% sure yet which one to go with.

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31393-1/IMG_8965.JPG

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31391-1/IMG_8959.JPG
This last photo was before the crack really became visible, literally overnight mind you.

It has never been fired, never dropped, never banged or hit on anything, nothing has fallen on it or the like. Even in some of the super early photo's I took it looked funny in that area and now I know why that is.

So decision now:
a) replace with another kit, $0
b) replace with upgraded standard version (https://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=908) $75
c) replace with upgraded london grey version (https://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=2568) $100
d) replace with upgraded target version (https://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=2569) $100

[scrat]

Wow you were doing so good too. Cant wait too see how you go

[mykeal]

What an unfortunate bit of luck! I was really looking forward to your project; I have one of those kits and was planning a winter project for it. I also have the finished gun from Euroarms and it's a great gun - one of my 3 favorites.

[BlackNet]

This project is *NOT* dead. This is merely a setback.

[BHP FAN]

London Grey would be my choice.Never had one of those.

[messerist]

You were doing just great with the original until you discovered the crack. You will end up back on square one but I would go with the same kit. I have a feeling you like working on guns anyway.:D

[BlackNet]

OK it went back today to dixie, I ask for the london grey finish one, will see how/what they do about it.

[Digger Odell]

Hi BlackNet!!
Now you have the big wait!!
You have so many of us on pins & needles waiting for the replacement to arrive & share your enthusiasm as you charge headlong into your project. Please keep us abreast of any change in status. Did Dixie give you an ETA?

[Voodoochile]

Man that is a shame too because I was hoping to see the finished product sooner "kinda like a kid watching candy being made."

I have never owned either of them but the London Grey seem like a good choice.

[BlackNet]

Dixie did not give me an eta. I shipped it in my case with foam padding because the ups store gave me some grief about shipping it. Basically dixie told me when they receive it they will have jamie in the gunsmithing section go over it and determine if it was worthy of replacement then in a few days they ship me out the replacement one. Jamie did tell me that it should be no problem at all once I explained what and where the crack is but will see how it goes.

They should have it by thursday 2/18 (tomorrow)
Ed

[messerist]

Hurry uuuuup Big Brown Toy Truck!!!!!! We're waaaaiiting!

[BlackNet]

I called euroarms to ask about the metal used in these units. All they had listed was 'steel' and as we are all aware not all steel is equal. Yes they are all investment casts. They did tell me that the london grey is a nickel plating that is similar to powder coating and it looks like stainless. The person I spoke with said she would send an email to corporate and ask them the type of steel and call me back.

Dixie did get the kit yesterday and going to find out the status today.

[TheRodDoc]

From looking at the picture of the crack and frame finish I would say that they are made from Ductile cast iron or nodular cast iron. Not cast steel. Casting steel is expensive. I would bet most of the replicas are made from ductile cast iron.
If brass is strong enough then Ductile cast iron would much stronger then that. Ductile cast can be as strong as a lot of steels. Also malleable.

Cast iron has improved strength to weight ratio over steel.
Better surface definition and finish.

Also I wonder if it was even investment cast for if it was investment cast the finish should be much smoother then it is on this frame in your pictures. shouldn't even need any finish work.
Or at least could be. Finish could be shiny smooth with that process.

[BlackNet]

Ok, Big brown truck pulled up today. Left this big box on the porch then left. Here is the loot.

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31455-1/IMG_8992.JPG

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31453-1/IMG_8995.JPG

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31447-1/IMG_8989.JPG

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31449-1/IMG_8990.JPG

and the problem area on the other unit.
http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d/31451-1/IMG_8994.JPG

Now before anyone slams me for replacing the kit version I had with a finished version I wanted to see a few things and compare loads of areas. First to have a good working finished copy from a kit you must start with good quality materials. I have no problems with kits nor with working them but I do have major issues with any sub standard materials used. So a finished version should show off the quality and lead by example. If the finished product is crap there is no way in hell the kit version will be any better.

First thing I noted is the area where the handle meets the metal it's is the hardest area to fit. The problem area does not seem to be present either. The other area I noted is the rear of the trigger guard and how it was shaved down. It is not cleaned up as much as I had it in the kit but it does pass.

[arcticap]

It looks very, very good and it's not like any other companies are making affordable copies (well there's always Pedersoli & Feinwerkebau :rolleyes:).
Since it has the London Gray finish I guess that means that you won't be altering the exterior metal at all. ;)
Good luck with it & enjoy that shooter! :)

[BlackNet]

Well as they say no story is complete with out a range report! So here goes.

We had a club meet today and I took my r&s to see how she handles. Several people have commented many times over the release screw in the cylinder pin, also the 'V' shaped groove in the frame (where the crack was in the other one) Well it's way easier to show than to tell but rest assured they are now fans of the R&S revolver.

The 'V' cutout is a bullet stop which allows you to load it with out removing the cylinder, we did load it this way several times to see how bad or good it was. I have to say once you are lined up properly it was nothing to it and it seats easily. The biggest problem I did see was the release tabs on the end could be sharp on the hands if in the wrong position.

The shape of the frame by the hammer is a big U shape, you can clearly see the parts inside the frame which is super super good when it comes time to clean, this is way easier to clean than the 1860 is. The nipple area is open and the spent caps falls off easily and due to it being so wide does not clog up. This also makes capping it way easier.

Accuracy! This baby is super accurate. I had holes being punched on paper that were overlapping, as did other people who fired it.

Overall I have to say it is a phenomenal winner and I am greatly impressed. The only drawback is the problem I had with the kit version and I wish that it was done in pure stainless and not plated.

[messerist]

Absolutely first class! I want one! Thanks for sharing your experience with the R&S.:)

[BHP FAN]

I am now,officially,jealous.

[Deltaboy]

Nice!!!!

[faustopph]

What load did you use?What is the maximum that will fit in the chambers?Details,Details.
What distance?
Did I say I want one too? That is a sweet revolver.Would look good along with my Armi San Paolo 1858 .44

[BlackNet]

Today we used 15g of pyrodex and a .454 ball on a wood wad. Max for the cylinder? Well I am not 100% certain but I do know the chamber depth is 1.28" and I did have plenty of space to add more but not sure why you would want to.

[mykeal]

Excellent thread. The R&S is indeed a superb revolver. I own two and am very pleased with them; they are probably the best bp guns after my Rugers that I own.

By the way I'd also like to compliment you on your photography. You do an excellent job controlling the lighting.