Single shot .38 Spl.

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tark

tark

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atkinson, ill
Just finished another project, a single shot 38 Special pistol. I made everything except the screws, the springs ( all coil ) and the barrel. It weighs 3 1/2 pounds and has a 10" barrel. It was chambered ( carefully ) with a drill bit and I will check it for accuracy this weekend. I discovered that an old box of Winchester .357 Magnums I had laying around..... that were loaded with 158 gr. lead bullets.....would chamber.

So I fired one round and called that a proof test. The gun didn't seem to mind..... so I fired another one..... and then I fired a few more.....actually, I shot the entire box. Recoil was mild and almost nonexistent with specials.

Earlier this month I started a thread about "Your largest handgun." I presented "Mongo " to the world. I guess this gun is "Junior " There is a definite family resemblance.

Like Mongo, I have no monetary investment in this pistol. That's a price I can live with!!!:D
 

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That is impressive. Reminds me of a handgun version of a Scheutzen rifle (next project?). Looking forward to a range report. Wish I had the skillset to make that. My superpower seems to be building Finnish Saunas.
 
Speedo66 said:
Nice, very reminiscent of a Remington rolling block, to me.

If it safely chambers and shoots .357, why is it a .38Spl?
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Uhhhhh..... Good question! But the vast majority of of factory .357 ammo won't chamber. The real early Winchester .357 ammo, loaded with the 158 gr. lead bullet, was seated with only a bit of the bullet exposed. It looked like a wadcutter with a flat point nose. It chambered so I shot it.

But since the entire gun is made from soft, non heat treated steel....I'll stick to lower pressure .38 Special ammo.
 
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That is a beauty. I like the looks of a nice rolling block. You did well. I would like a explanation of the guns construction if you don’t mind. I see bolts going in from both sides so I’m included to think that there is a sandwich setup.
 
I appreciate your kind words, West Kentucky, but I am considering applying for a patient on its construction. I would rather not go into detail other than to say that you are right. It is a sandwich job.
 
Speedo66 said:
Nice, very reminiscent of a Remington rolling block, to me.

If it safely chambers and shoots .357, why is it a .38Spl?
Click to expand...

I think that sometimes less is more, Speedo66. Not everything needs to fire what somebody (Elmer Keith?) called "BBD" ammo, for Blind, Burn, and Deafen.
 
tark said:
I appreciate your kind words, West Kentucky, but I am considering applying for a patient on its construction. I would rather not go into detail other than to say that you are right. It is a sandwich job.
Click to expand...

Cool, keep us posted! Could be a really neat 80% type of thing. Patents are slow and can be $$ so have patience. May want to look at other ways to make $$ from if (if $$ is the intent).
 
H&R Glock said:
Tark, what machine tools were used to create your pistol??
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I have a Smithy benchtop combination milling machine, drill press and lathe. Adequate for most gunsmithing needs. Cutters must be high speed only, the small benchtop machines do not provide a stable enough platform to use carbide end mills. Broke several learning that. The gun was made from mostly un-hardened 1018 steel. Stressed parts were made with large engaging surfaces to spread out the load. That's why I will stick to 38 Special loads.
 
tark said:
I appreciate your kind words, West Kentucky, but I am considering applying for a patient on its construction. I would rather not go into detail other than to say that you are right. It is a sandwich job.
Click to expand...
tark said:
Uhhhhh..... Good question! But the vast majority of of factory .357 ammo won't chamber. The real early Winchester .357 ammo, loaded with the 158 gr. lead bullet, was seated with only a bit of the bullet exposed. It looked like a wadcutter with a flat point nose. It chambered so I shot it.

But since the entire gun is made from soft, non heat treated steel....I'll stick to lower pressure .38 Special ammo.
Click to expand...
Pre-heat treated 4140 is available, relatively cheap. This material can be machined with HSS tooling (just stick to the recommended feeds and speeds), in fact I find it easier to machine than mild steel.

There are many benefits to using HT steel.

And, the rolling block action is a very strong design. Even in mild steel, its probably stronger than you think.
 
lysanderxiii said:
Pre-heat treated 4140 is available, relatively cheap. This material can be machined with HSS tooling (just stick to the recommended feeds and speeds), in fact I find it easier to machine than mild steel.

There are many benefits to using HT steel.

And, the rolling block action is a very strong design. Even in mild steel, its probably stronger than you think.
Click to expand...
I made a rolling block rifle a few years back, from heat treated (40C) 4140. It is a 30-06 and it ate a German proof round (7.62X63 ) that was on the high side of 80,000 PSI. I am well aware of how strong a rolling block action can be.:D I think I may have the only 30-06 rolling block rifle on the planet.:)
 
tark said:
I have a Smithy benchtop combination milling machine, drill press and lathe. Adequate for most gunsmithing needs. Cutters must be high speed only, the small benchtop machines do not provide a stable enough platform to use carbide end mills. Broke several learning that. The gun was made from mostly un-hardened 1018 steel. Stressed parts were made with large engaging surfaces to spread out the load. That's why I will stick to 38 Special loads.
Click to expand...
That’s the machine I keep looking at. There is another one sold by grizzly that’s a bit more expensive but with a longer lathe bed. One of these days...
 
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