New Roscoe- Taurus Model 85

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Finished this just before dinner- I lopped a 1/2" off of the barrel, re-crowned it, bobbed the hammer, cut, shortened and welded the grip-frame, cut away part of the right side of the trigger-guard to allow faster access to the trigger, 'melted' the cylinder release and added custom Zebrawood grips.

Before-


After-


It's not bad to control- though I would not recommend +P ammo! Full range report later this week.
A few in-progress pics...


the Big-ass magnet holds everything firmly for the first weld...


The finished frame-shape!

 

[OARNGESI]

That’s cool mods but I probably would prefer the before

 

[bannockburn]

Tinker

When you say cut and shortened the grip frame, you really mean it! Could be a bit too short even for my small hand! Will be interesting to see about your range report.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

Dang that looks cool, but since I use .38 plus ps in my defensive .38s I'd think that would put a wallop on my palm. Maybe that gun would be best used with light wadcutter loads?

 

[Tallball]

Cool project! I've owned three Model 85's. One was stolen, but I still have the other two. I like the zebrawood. It looks great.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Dang that looks cool, but since I use .38 plus ps in my defensive .38s I'd think that would put a wallop on my palm. Maybe that gun would be best used with light wadcutter loads?

I put a couple rounds of standard-pressure 158gr. LSWCs into my home-made bullet-trap in the shop. It's not too bad, but I am not enough of a masochist to try +Ps!

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Tinker

When you say cut and shortened the grip frame, you really mean it! Could be a bit too short even for my small hand! Will be interesting to see about your range report.

It's actually a two-finger grip; middle finger goes in the groove, ring finger wraps around the grip from underneath. It's surprisingly secure.

 

[entropy]

You, sir, are the "Fitz" of our times. Looks great!

John H . Fitzgerald, not John F. (Honey Fitz) Fitzgerald!

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Fired 15 rounds today- 5 'warm' 173gr. LSWCs and 10 125gr.JHPs that were a maximum (but not +P) load. It's remarkably civilized, as you will see if I can ever get the !@#$%&*! video from my phone to my computer...

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

OK, the 173gr video didn't work, but here's the 125's-


I was taking no particular pains with precision, but these ten rounds made a fist-sized group at five yards.

 

[entropy]

Not much muzzle rise either.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Not much muzzle rise either.

Both my wife and the friend watching commented on that. I'm at a loss to explain that, except that I have a very high grip on the gun; the shape of the handle encourages that.

*edited for incoherence

 

[bannockburn]

Tinker

Same thing here; I noticed like no muzzle rise at all! Great job with the grip geometry!

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I like that no-muzzle-rise. Accurate follow up shots are a good thing! That little 85 now reminds me of a Colt Agent but with an even shorter grip

 

[Kabic]

I am not seeing the trigger guard change...I must me getting so old my powers of perception are declining.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

I am not seeing the trigger guard change...I must me getting so old my powers of perception are declining.

Does this help?

 

[BSA1]

I don't care for shortening the grip but modifying the profile to round butt would. However it would be a big challenge to remove some of steel Taurus is generous with on the grip frame.

 

[Waveski]

The stability of the gun in your (large) hands is impressive. Do you get just one finger on the grip , the rest below?

Have you put a scale on the trigger of your 85?

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

The stability of the gun in your (large) hands is impressive. Do you get just one finger on the grip , the rest below?

Have you put a scale on the trigger of your 85?

The gun weighs 19.2 oz. Not light for it's size, but this helps when shooting it. I think it's important to practice with a carry piece and a gun that is too light can discourage this.

This doesn't look it but it's actually a two-finger grip; the ring finger wraps around the grip from underneath. It's quite secure and pretty comfortable even. It also forces my hand into a very high grip, which brings the bore-line down and helps with recoil management.

 

[Walkalong]

Well, now we know what you look like with your helmet off.

Nice work as usual.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Well, now we know what you look like with your helmet off.

Nice work as usual.

 

[luger fan]

"ROSCOE?" Looks like somebody has been watching 1930's James Cagney movies. That is about the last time I heard that term used.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Trip to the range today and did this at the end of the session. Rapidfire at seven yards-

 

[Waveski]

That is really good for rapid at 7. I'd be in the paper , but not 4 in red...

What I was wondering about was the da trigger pull weight.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

I don't know- I tend to think of the pull in terms of quality rather than weight. This one I consider 'Not bad.'