In LGS today, checking on primers

Status
Not open for further replies.
NeroM

NeroM

Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2019
Messages
454
Location
Corner of Know and Where
This afternoon visited my local gun store (LGS), checking to see if any primers had arrived. Last week, they indicated some primers would be in this week (same story as week before). They now keep them behind the counter, went to that spot - primer spot still empty.
From display case in front of primer spot jumps out this revolver, a Uberti Bisley model in 357 - it begs me to take it home. Begs me. It had a used tag on it, looked like it had never been fired. Looking it over carefully; feels smooth, action is tight, gap seems reasonable- grip size and shape feels great, points naturally, trigger has a nice purchase. Ask LGS if there is a story with it. Yes, a guy bought it- took it home, next day brought it back saying he didn't like it. Price was about 2/3 of new. Yep, I took it home. Light was getting dim out when I got home, while sunny out - temp was still nicely below zero. Going to clean it some and shoot it when sun is higher in sky- in a couple days temp should crest above zero. IMG_20220111_161333_burst_01.jpg
 
That’s a fine looking revolver! :thumbup:

Let us know how it shoots for you when you get a chance to hit the range.

Stay safe.
 
Riomouse911 said:
That’s a fine looking revolver! :thumbup:

Let us know how it shoots for you when you get a chance to hit the range.
Stay safe.
Click to expand...

Asked Uberti tech support what it was regulated - no answer back yet. Working up a hand load, want it to shoot closely to the sights - be more energetic than 38Spl, less than full 357. Right now a cast 145 gr TCFP at 1050 fps, seems fairly close. Usually 1050 fps is sub sonic, with today's temp - the four shots I took clearly cracked supersonic. In a week or so the weather will moderate - better for load/sight tinkering.
 
I’ve been using a Brazos Bullets coated 150 gr “long nose” SWC sized .358 over HP-38 and it’s been a super performer out of several of my K-frames. (I think they say this bullet is actually intended for 9mm Luger loads, but the size and shape are great for .38’s.) That bullet you’re casting will be very similar to the commercial one I’m using. I bet once your weather cooperates you’ll be stacking bullet holes on top of each other. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
I forgot to add an image. o_O

The gold-colored SWC to the left of the blue 158 gr SWC are the Brazos offering I’ve been using.

36B3189B-1FF3-40D8-9B5D-D7525809210B.jpeg

Stay safe.
 
Riomouse911 said:
I’ve been using a Brazos Bullets coated 150 gr “long nose” SWC sized .358 over HP-38 and it’s been a super performer out of several of my K-frames. (I think they say this bullet is actually intended for 9mm Luger loads, but the size and shape are great for .38’s.) That bullet you’re casting will be very similar to the commercial one I’m using. I bet once your weather cooperates you’ll be stacking bullet holes on top of each other. :thumbup:
Stay safe.
Click to expand...

Always appreciate loading suggestions and guidance!
I think it was Speer Manual #8 or #9 (CRS here), indicated for 38Spl - the best balance of velocity and penetration was a 140 gr bullet. Which seemed to be reasonable advice that I have followed for 38 Spl and 357 Mag utility loads.
Pic below on left is 357 with 140 gr Missouri Zinger bullet that launches at around 1300 fps from a 6" revolver. It also works well from a Contender and lever action carbine. Most on the right is 38 loading of 140 gr OTB (145 actual) yielding 1000 fps from an M10. For the Uberti, I am hoping find a loading in the middle that still shoots close to sights. So, cartridge in middle is 357 case with OTB bullet at around 1050 fps. More experimentation in a couple weeks ad the weather moderates.
IMG_20220116_075929_burst_12.jpg
 
Howdy

Pretty revolver.

I have a couple of Bisleys, but they are a little bit older than yours. Both are chambered for 38-40. This one left the factory in 1907.

pnKluTvdj.jpg




This one left the factory in 1909. Hardly any blue left on this one at all, but I really like it anyway.

posWhShLj.jpg




The Bisley model was introduced by Colt in at the Bisley range near London, England in 1894. It was meant to be a target revolver to compete with the target revolvers made by Smith and Wesson at the time. The Bisley model was available in two versions, a flat top target model with a windage adjustable rear sight and a removable front sight insert, and the fixed sight version pictured here. Even though it was meant to be a target revolver, the fixed sight version far outnumbered the target version in sales. Only 976 target versions were made, 44,350 fixed sight Bisleys were made. Bisley production did not last a very long time, production of the target version stopped in 1913, production of the fixed sight version ended in 1915.

By the way, in my experience, the grip shape of the Colt Bisley model, as opposed to the grip shape of the Ruger version, makes the gun tend to point down towards the floor slightly. I have to make a bit of an effort to point the revolver straight ahead. My theory about this, just a theory I have no proof, is that the strange grip of the Bisley model was designed for the way target shooters shot their revolvers in the late 19th Century. I have often seen depictions of shooters holding their revolvers with a slightly bent elbow, rather than with a straight elbow as we tend to shoot a revolver today. I am of course speaking about shooting the revolver with one hand, not two. Anyway, I have found that when I shoot a Bisley with a slightly bent elbow, it naturally points straight ahead. Straighten out the elbow and it wants to point down a little bit.
 
DriftWood:
Appreciate your Colt History pics and comments!
Past week has been subzero, so I didn't get as much shooting time - as I would have desired.
However I did have some time to sit by the stove, looking out window into the frozen backwoods;
Pondering and pointing differences among grips, specifically the Ruger Bisley, Colt clone Bisley as well as a clone Army grip. Pic below- bottom is a Ruger Vaquero with Bisley, middle is Uberti Bisley (both in 357), top is Uberti clone with "Army" grip (44 Mag).
Below that is more of a grip view.
Ruger is definitely fuller in mid section and wider at base and long.
Bisley is thinner in mid section, more round than oval through the bases and not quite as long. Grip curve is more pronounced
Army is thinner at top, providing a little more trigger guard knuckle clearance. Grip is as wide toward base as Ruger - but not as full.
I have fairly large hands, all three are a huge improvement for me over regular Colt, Clone or Ruger grip.
Have shot the Ruger a lot so there is familiarity with it. Just getting started with Uberti Bisley, so far good - yes I shoot with slightly bent arms as that allows my getting older eyes to find best sight picture. If I had to pick a preference - I think the Army might be slight lead, as it is a better balance (for me) of shape and size.
IMG_20220117_104614_burst_01.jpg IMG_20220117_105040_burst_01.jpg
 
Around 1927 or so, famed six gun pistoleer Elmer Keith had a Colt Single Action Army modified with a special grip. He was actually presented with several choices by a custom gunsmith, but Keith chose the fifth one in the group. This became Keith's famed No. 5, engraved Colt, chambered for 44 Special.

This is not Keith's actual No. 5, it is a replica built a few years ago. Anyway, there are a lot of us who think when Ruger designed their version of the Bisley grip, Keith's No. 5 influenced Ruger's design.

po7vxIh0j.jpg
 
Riomouse911 said:
I’ve been using a Brazos Bullets coated 150 gr “long nose” SWC sized .358 over HP-38 and it’s been a super performer out of several of my K-frames. (I think they say this bullet is actually intended for 9mm Luger loads, but the size and shape are great for .38’s.) That bullet you’re casting will be very similar to the commercial one I’m using. I bet once your weather cooperates you’ll be stacking bullet holes on top of each other. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
Click to expand...
Riomouse911 said:
I’ve been using a Brazos Bullets coated 150 gr “long nose” SWC sized .358 over HP-38 and it’s been a super performer out of several of my K-frames. (I think they say this bullet is actually intended for 9mm Luger loads, but the size and shape are great for .38’s.) That bullet you’re casting will be very similar to the commercial one I’m using. I bet once your weather cooperates you’ll be stacking bullet holes on top of each other. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
Click to expand...

How are you crimping that 150gr bullet?
 
I can recall, in drawings of Western sixguns, some seeming to have an odd, humptyback shape, and blamed the artist. Of course, they were drawing Bisleys, and I may have to try a replica sometime.
Great looking guns.
Moon
 
my 1873 rifle in 38-40, a read good shooter with cast bullets.
 

Attachments

  • DSCN9495 (2).JPG
    DSCN9495 (2).JPG
    279.8 KB · Views: 10
  • DSCN9496 (2).JPG
    DSCN9496 (2).JPG
    250.8 KB · Views: 9
  • DSCN9497 (2).JPG
    DSCN9497 (2).JPG
    290.9 KB · Views: 9
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

nick22
  • Locked
Smith&Wesson 66 light strikes
Replies
19
Views
722
Pudge
Pudge
C
  • Locked
Pierced primers
Replies
6
Views
651
crowellrw
C
Jonesy814
  • Locked
The LGS Had a Sale
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
d'zaster
d'zaster
CajunBass
  • Locked
Snake...snake!!!
Replies
9
Views
806
ColtPythonElite
C
G
  • Locked
I practiced restraint at my LGS today.
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
Waveski
Waveski
Back
Top