Big-bore snubby!

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

When I got my Brazilian-Contract 1917 S&W the temptation was mighty; I've always wanted a big-bore snubby, but I resisted manfully.

Then a friend of mine got a British 2nd. Model Hand Ejector .455 that was rechambered in .45 Colt when it was re-imported. It was also severely over-polished, and collector value was zero. I've always wanted a big-bore snubby, so I swapped it off him and went to work. I cut and crowned the barrel at a skosh under three inches, fabricated and installed a new front-sight and did some work on the internals. I also relieved the trigger-guard on the right side and made a set of Goncalo Alves wood grips fitted to my hand. Lastly I touched-up the finish a bit.

The DA pull is excellent and it's a good shooter. I misjudged the front-sight height so it shoots a bit high at seven yards, but if I find I can't live with it I can always replace the sight. I'm liking this big old beast a lot! I also discovered that my HKS 29 speed loaders work just fine for .45 Colt. That saves me a few bucks!

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Nice job, that has to be a thumper!

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Nice job, that has to be a thumper!

Recoil is not insignificant.

 

[Barry the Bear]

What loads are you firing? That looks like a fine carry piece! If memory serves the HKS 29 and 25 are completely interchangeable.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Currently I have 185gr. XTPs with a mid-range load that ought to make 950-1000 fps from this gun. I'll get test and chronograph them later.

 

[EMC45]

I would shoot it everyday.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

I would shoot it everyday.

If I had the time and money I'd shoot several of my guns every day!

 

[wcwhitey]

Very nice, great work. I am very tempted into cutting down my 3” Charter Arms Bulldog Classic just aft of the ejector rod. Better for pocket carry. Love big bore snubs.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

I’m a big fan of the big bore… 44

 

[bannockburn]

Tinker

Once yet again...you shoot...you score!

Yes to the new snubby!

 

[Riomouse911]

Cool! Nice way to salvage that old Smith and turn it into a useful carry piece.

You certainly have an eye for that sort of thing, the guns and grips you’ve worked on and posted about over the years all look great.

Stay safe

 

[Lnf Crzr]

I have a bad interest in a 45 colt snub,so one day I’ll snag one up. That one you have …. classy-very!

 

[Lnf Crzr]

Had one of the backpackers- very much like a Jframe

 

[ThomasT]

Me like.

Me want.

Very nice M.T.P.

 

[Tallball]

That's another beautiful project.

MTP has amazing artistic and practical talents.

 

[Pat Riot]

Nice work, @Michael Tinker Pearce
Very nice.
Your post almost had me thinking “I need something like that!” But then I remembered my last two wrist surgeries.

I will live vicariously and enviously regarding these very cool revolvers.
Again, nice work.

 

[CajunBass]

I'll just take my Charter Classic 44 and go over here in the corner and pout now.

Well done MTP...Well done.

 

[a2x4bbl]

Nice work !! What was involved in the front sight ?

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Nice work !! What was involved in the front sight ?

Not much. Cut a grove in the barrel with a cut-off wheel in a Foredom tool, cut a piece of steel plate to size, silver-soldered it in place, shaped it and cut 40 LPI serrations across it, then blued it with Oxpho blue and painted the serrations with enamel paint.

 

[BobWright]

"Skosh." Been a long time since I last heard that word!

Bob Wright

 

[a2x4bbl]

Not much. Cut a grove in the barrel with a cut-off wheel in a Foredom tool, cut a piece of steel plate to size, silver-soldered it in place, shaped it and cut 40 LPI serrations across it, then blued it with Oxpho blue and painted the serrations with enamel paint.

Keep the pictures coming I need ideas for projects.

 

[Buckeye63]

I really like Big Bore Snubbies , ain’t gonna lie ..
My first was a Brazilian Contract 1917 .. that the pervious owner spent quite a bit more money on it , than I did .. it was tastefully chopped and fluffed

Now I own a few Charters

45acp

44spl

44

A inkling of the small size of the Boomer

 

[BigBlue 94]

Another quality build by MTP!

My snubby 45 Colt... Made by Cimarron

 

[Iggy]

Mine ain't as purty as all the ones shown, but it works.

1916 vintage MK II HE with an unfired, cut down Argentine Model 1937 replacement 45ACP barrel. The .455 barrel was bulged when I got the gun.
Replaced the .455 cylinder with a post WWII 45 ACP cylinder bored out to 45 Colt. It will also fire
45 ACP or 45 Auto Rim rounds.
I use 45 Winchester Magnum brass which is just elongated 45ACP
Loaded to old 45 Colt velocity and pressures in full moon clips.
Puts the nose of the bullet right at the forcing cone. That eliminates the free bore jump of the shorter rounds.

With all the big holes in that old gun, it ain't too awful heavy to carry.

 

[StrawHat]

For my big bore EDC I have never used less than a 4” barrel. My first was a S&W Model 1917,



My latest build is a S&W Model 25-2,



And there have been many in between.

Kevin