My Matchmaster Project Gun

[DammitBoy]

I've been looking for a Safari Arms Matchmaster for over 3 years now. I could have bought a brand new one from Olympic Arms, but I was looking for a fixer upper that I could make some changes to.

I finally found and won my project gun on gunbroker for $515 - which was a bargain, even though I knew it had a few issues. That basically gave me about $400 worth of room to fix and upgrade the firearm into what I wanted it to be.


The before picture from gunbroker. Yes, those hideous grips will have to go!

I'm currently looking at either Thuya or Amboyna Burl for the new grips. Something like these;



I've also decided to replace the loose fitting National Match bushing with a much better fitting bushing compensator. The solid guide rod has already been replaced with two part system like John Browning intended.

The slide and frame are being slicked upped and honed as I type this and is going to get bead blasted to remove all the nicks and scratches.

The dinged up front sight and the incorrect Novak rear sight will be replaced with the correct Bomar sights.

 

[DammitBoy]

This was the biggest problem with the gun.



My gunsmith says he can reprofile the back of the slide and eliminate all those scratches and dents. Lord only knows what the heck the previous owner was doing to this poor defenseless firearm?!



This is why the novak rear sight will be replaced with the correct bomar sight.

I've decided to replace the Colt barrel that was in the Matchmaster. It doesn't fit properly and it's been over-throated so that the spacing is off. I just happened to have a nice chromed unaltered mil spec barrel with a match lug that works in the Matchmaster, so in it goes!

The stainless steel bushing compensator from Brownell's matches the lines and the finish on my gun perfectly! It also really enhances the looks of the matchmaster.

I still need to find the proper sights and I'll need to get some allen head brushed stainless screws for the grips and I'll be close to finished with my "to buy" list.

I'm still trying to decide if I want to install a magwell with an arched main spring? I'm thinking of going with a Smith & Alexander with checkering that matches the checkering on the front of the grip.

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

Sounds like a neat project. Can't wait to see it finished, keep us updated.

 

[Stringfellow]

Lord only knows what the heck the previous owner was doing to this poor defenseless firearm?!

Damn--it looks like the previous owner was using it as a hammer. I hope he used it to save his life or something important.

 

[dcarch]

Jeesh. That's too bad about the back, but otherwise, still an awesome gun.

 

[DammitBoy]

Yeah, I can't imagine what was going through the mind of the previous owner!? Why would you get rid of some excellent bomar sights and install a novak sight that doesn't fit or function properly?

I'm happy my project Matchmaster is going to be a restored gun saved from an ignoble fate. The barrel was so messed up, it was only a matter of time before a catastrophic failure accurred. When I test fired it, I had one shell casing bulge and crack. Not a good sign.

I checked with Olympic Arms and the good news is they sell an upgrade kit that includes a national match barrel, the linkage, the rear sight, the front sight, the firing pin, all the springs, the extractor, and the barrel bushing for just a little of $200. That will save some money.

I talked to my gunsmith today (I'm working out of town) and he said that the scratches and dents are well on their way out!

The burl grips pictured above are the actual ones I'm going to end up buying and I think they'll really set off the stainless finish on the matchmaster.

A buddy of mine really likes the grips on the gun (?!?) and I'm selling them to him for $25 - which is better than throwing them away.

Appreciate the comments, I'll post pictures as soon as I see my baby again. I think I'll call her "Angelina"...

 

[dcarch]

Glad it's gonna work out for ya. Be sure and put up pics of the finished product!

 

[tekarra]

Nice pistol and interesting project, hope you will post photos when it is complete.

 

[DammitBoy]

By the time I get home for the holidays, some of the work should be done - so I'll be sure to take some pictures of the progress!

 

[jfc3po]

I've always wanted one of these. Its pretty obvious what your influence is with this gun though. The matchmaster, the compensator, naming it Angelina....

Someone is a Wanted fan....lol

I can't blame you though...that gun was absolutely gorgeous.

 

[bannockburn]

Maybe the previous owner thought that a hammer and chisel were needed as sight adjustment tools. Would also explain what happened to the BoMar sight.

Looks like an interesting project that I hope turns out very well for you.

 

[DammitBoy]

I've always wanted one of these. Its pretty obvious what your influence is with this gun though. The matchmaster, the compensator, naming it Angelina....

Someone is a Wanted fan....lol

I can't blame you though...that gun was absolutely gorgeous.

I thought I was being as obvious as possible! I've always thought Matchmasters were unique good looking guns though, the movie 'Wanted' just made me decide to get off my butt and find one.

I won't go with the ivory grips or the odd tattoo-like engraving though. I've thought about getting some engraving like this done;


(this gun sold right here on the highroad)

The compensator does look wicked cool on the gun though, and it's crazy how well that bushing comp matches the lines and finish on the Matchmaster! I can't wait til it's done. I haven't been this excited about a project for a long time.

 

[dcarch]

You should be excited about it! It sounds like it will be wicked awesome when it's done! Enjoy, and keep us up to date with pics...

 

[DammitBoy]

If anybody knows the engraver who did that work, please help with some contact info. My understanding was the work was done in Texas.

The owner sold it here several years ago from the dallas/fort worth area?

Not certain of the details and I deleted the thread from my save list.

---

Wait, I found it through the search engine!

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=419068&highlight=safari+arms+for+sale

THR member csay sold it here.

 

[jfc3po]

Check out Volkmann Precision. Looks like they do pretty solid work. I think Cylinder & Slide does it too.

What are you planning on doing with the finish? I'd keep the matte stainless look, but thats just me. The thing I like best about the engraving on the gun from Wanted is the fact that they made it look like the "Matchmaster" that was already there was written on a ribbon.

This is some pretty solid engraving.
http://bellsouthpwp2.net/a/n/anidar/images/sw1911-rt.jpg

I'm sure it will end up absolutely gorgeous when you're done with it.

And if you happen to find another one for that price, let me know. Haha. I've been searching for a while too.

 

[DammitBoy]

This a computer generated image of the matchmaster from the movie "Wanted", used by the actress, Angelina Jolie.

My gun already has it's new bushing comp installed. It is identical to the one pictured here.