Single Shot Build Version 2.0

[MachIVshooter]

Well, I decided I really wanted to see how much I could improve that design using nicer materials and spending a little more time on design, as well as fit & finish. Personally, I think version 2 came out pretty nice



It's a little bigger, 50% thicker, and obviously not a .22 rimfire! As such, I chose to use 304 stainless for the entire frame, as well as the fire control parts. The barrel is another purchased liner, which was billed as .38 spl. chambered, but was reamed deep enough for .357 mag. I didn't feel it was strong enough by itself, though, so a full 4140 barrel block was in order. I'll be happy to give more details if anyone is curious, but did full video on it:

 

[SVTOhio]

Simply impressed, how hard would it be for your too make barrels in other calibers that are a simple change?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MachIVshooter]

Simply impressed, how hard would it be for your too make barrels in other calibers that are a simple change?

Funny you should mention that, as I was lying in bed last night thinking about how I want to make version 3 a quick change barrel multi caliber design. Making multiple barrel blocks with different barrels isn't that difficult, but I have to decide on a quick change system. More than likely it'll be turning the pivot hole at the front into a hook shape like SxS shotguns and then settling on a retention system, but I'm still rolling other ideas around in my head.

Expect V 3.0 to be larger to accommodate .44 mag (possibly even .454), and with a Ti frame if I can score the pieces for a reasonable enough price. The 304 stainless is quite strong, and much cheaper, but every bit as much of a pain to machine as Ti, perhaps even moreso when it comes to tapping. I ended up with nuts pressed into recesses on the side plate for the grip panel after snapping off 3 taps and having to knock the broken pieces out, which further work hardened the material to where it was like trying to tap heat treated tool steel.

 

[tubeshooter]

That is awesome and very neat. I love the detailed explanations, very informative.


Thank you very much for sharing! I look forward to any new developments.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Well, mill got turned into a precision router again!



Oak this time. Still gotta do the top half, and then all the finish work and hardware.

 

[WestKentucky]

It would be really interesting if you could find a way to simply use common barrels and set it up to use a family of barrels, like glock 22 frame size barrels or xd barrels...1911 barrels...

 

[ironworkerwill]

As usual, IMPRESSIVE!

 

[Tallball]

You make very cool stuff!

 

[bannockburn]

Another neat "homemade" gun!

 

[Mauser lover]

Oh good grief... Nice looking gun.

Bring on the .45-70!

 

[Joshboyfutre]

Man I need some metal working gear!!! That would be a great project. I jealous!!!

 

[MachIVshooter]

Man I need some metal working gear!!! That would be a great project. I jealous!!!

Well, this one, like the .22 before it, really could be done without a mill with just a few changes. The T-slot for the extractor on this one would be very tough to pull off without milling capability, but the rest of it could, once again, be made with pretty basic hand and power tools plus lots of patience.

With either of these, you could make the frame two halves that sandwich the center portion. Where it would deviate is that you'd want to either weld in the breech face, or change it's dimensions to where it would be strong enough with pins or screws holding it to the side plates. Likewise with the portion between the barrel latch lug and the front block where it pivots. The extra little piece I leave in there between the latch lug and the extractor housing isn't necessary, and there'd be no reason to go to the trouble of making it on a three layered version. On this build, I did use it as a stop point for the barrel latch spring, but that could be done in other ways; a pin, small holes with the spring legs bent outward, etc.

Unfortunately, I cannot give you anything more detailed than the sketch in the .22 build thread and some pointers on how else to attack it, as giving specific dimensions/prints and detailed instructions would run afoul of ITAR nonsense, but if you're mechanically inclined, you can figure out the rest I'm sure I will tell you that you'd definitely want to go with the shorter hammer design in the .357 for the reasons I detailed in the video. The .22 went from amorphous vision to concept to sketch in about a half hour, and the entire frame was roughed out by the end of the evening. I put more thought into the geometry on this one, and it paid off!

 

[critter]

Color me IMPRESSED! Thanks for showing.

 

[I6turbo]

Impressive! Thanks for posting.

 

[Nullcone]

Have you ever considered trying to duplicate the Ruger Single Shot Prototypes?

I know you're not supposed to be in the business of making firearms for sale w/o an FFL, but if you were to make one and get tired of it... just sayin'... put a SN on it and send it my (FFL's) way.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Have you ever considered trying to duplicate the Ruger Single Shot Prototypes?

Honestly, I haven't considered duplicating anything other than the billet steel AR lower I did. I just don't find much satisfaction in copying existing, proven designs where so long as you don't botch the job, it works without you having to put any thought into it. That's why all of my builds are like nothing else. Sure, I could copy 1911s or other weapons all day long and give them aesthetic tweaks, but where's the fun in that?

Unfortunately, it is rather difficult to come up with truly innovative designs these days, so I strain more and more to develop things that are significantly different from what's out there, yet still practical and useful. My .22 pack rifle I think definitely qualifies, but this one and the others are more just unique than a real improvement on anything. Other than materials used, single shot pistols really reached their pinnacle well over a century ago. Lol.