Full lug to half lug

[Brian Williams]

I took about 3 hours to grind, with a slow speed grinder and a stationary belt sander, my full lug to a half lug. I wanted to make sure it did not over heated so I never let it get hotter than to touch. I also put some duct tape on the barrel and front sight to keep them from wearing on the grinder table. I had to be very careful to stop before I ground into the front catch spring. If you look at the bottom of the full lug there is a clearance hole for dirt and junk from the front latch and I used that as a reference, it can be ground away completely but not much more. After I ground it close to the shape I took it to a belt sander and got closer and worked with a few files to get it where I wanted it. Then I spent time with some 220 grit and then 400 grit wet abrasive paper. Now to decide if I want to reblue or strip it and brown it.

OBTW Go for it C.R. Sam, it handles like a dream. It does not have the clunkiness that it had, it seems "like a 19 on streoids"

 

[valnar]

Very nice!

What is the weight difference between old and new?

-Robert

 

[Mike Irwin]

That's a pretty credible job you did! I like!

 

[10-Ring]

Have you noticed a difference when you shoot it?

 

[C.R.Sam]

Way cool...
I talk bout it;
You done up n did it.

Nice.

I still havent found a 581 or 586 for my project.

Sam

 

[Ala Dan]

Congratulations there Fess, good work my friend !

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Brian Williams]

I have found that it handles quite well and seems faster on the target. I also found that it was not as muzzle heavy. I really like a S&W mod 13 with a 3" heavy barrel and this seems to function and handle much like an old Mod 65 4" I had. I think C.R. Sam pegged it right with his statement in another thread that "it would be like a Model 19 on steroids", I had a model 66 and it seems to handle like that with a more solid feel. I wish that Smith & Wesson had made the 586 and 581 with this option. Now I want to find a 581 that I could do this to.

Now 2 debates to ruminate on Blue or Brown and keep Square butt or get round butted.

But I need an 1905 4th change and a Ruger Blackhawk 45 colt 1st.

Some 18 DA rapid fire shots @ 15 yds

 

[C.R.Sam]

Cool....you drew Spiderman on the target.

If mine, would keep square butt and try to match the blue.
would be a heavily used shooter in my stable.

Sam

 

[redmule]

Have you ever Browned a modern revoler? I've done blackpowder guns with the Birchwood Casey (sp) solution. Tried to Brown a Winchester 97 but the nickel content was too high, ended up having it parkerized.

 

[Brian Williams]

Looks like a Smith, smells like a Smith, handles like a Smith, must be the way a Smith shoulda been made.

 

[Rob96]

Originally posted by C.R. Sam

Cool....you drew Spiderman on the target.

Funny you should say that, because I saw that too.

 

[Rangie]

My 610



Thanks for the inspiration. I shaved a few ounces off thes monster and it feels much better.

cylinder flutes anyone????

 

[C.R.Sam]

I get a kick out of the fluteless cylinders.
Cheaper to make but look trick so they sell.

Sam

 

[Mossyrock]

Since you have taken your 586 back to the classic days of Smith and Wesson, I would say it deserves the best polish and blue job you could find. I would also start hunting for a set of diamond-screw "Coke-bottle" grips from a five screw K-frame. (Or invest in a set of Eagle "Heritage" grips with medalions.) Now, if you REALLY wanted to drive the Smith collectors nuts, pin the barrel.......

P.S. I just had another evil thought. Do the same thing to a six inch 585, then cut the barrel to five inches like a model 27. OR get a five inch 686. That might be interesting.