Something From My Handgun Past You Might Enjoy

[jackieschmidt]

Back in the 1970’s, I was really into Handguns, Smith & Wesson and Colt Revolvers in particular.
I built competition revolvers for local police departments, where I would take Model 10 Smiths, convert them to double action only, slick up the action, install custom bull barrels with the sides slabbed, topped off with a Bomar Rib. These were used in what they called Police Proficiency Matches shooting 148 grn wadcutters.

This was also during the “Dirty Harry Craze”. In this pre Automatic era, the Model 29 Smith was a very desirable item.

Several of us got the idea that a N Frame Smith in “45 Magnum” would be a neat deal. So, I started doing some research, did some serious testing and decided to build one.

I acquired a Model 28 to get the main frame from, and bought a Model 25 barrel. I dressed the inside rails and squared them to accept a .050 larger cylinder. The next step, and the heart of the project, was the cylinder.

I talked to the metallurgist and a local steel supplier, he advised me that his choice would be 4340. He got me a piece of premium aircraft quality E4340, had it normalized and annealed, and then had me do the rough machining. He then took it and did the final heat treat, drawing the temper twice to 38 RC. This gave the best combination of tensile and yield strength combined with great ductility.

I then finished the project. The pistol came out just as I envisioned.

Using Winchester Cases, I am able to push 45 caliber 250 grain hard cast Kieth style semi wadcutters at velocities approaching that of a 44 Magnum. The pistol was the talk of the town, Guns and Ammo Magazine even ran a feature article on it in 1976.

I have not shot it in years, I just got it out of the safe when we moved to our new house. I think I will dig out my long colt dies, load up some rounds, and enjoy it again.

In today’s world of fast shooting, high capacity automatics, I know this is type of handgun is a throwback to another time, and a far cry from the type of firearms I fool with now. But I remember the hours I put into the project, the research, and having the satisfaction of building something special.

One thing for sure. It’s one of a kind.

 

[Outrider27]

It may be a throwback to another time, but that doesn't make it any less a great concept and a great piece. Love it!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Man thats awesome. Id love to have something like that with a good story

 

[jonbearman]

View attachment 1200777 View attachment 1200776 View attachment 1200775 View attachment 1200774 Back in the 1970’s, I was really into Handguns, Smith & Wesson and Colt Revolvers in particular.
I built competition revolvers for local police departments, where I would take Model 10 Smiths, convert them to double action only, slick up the action, install custom bull barrels with the sides slabbed, topped off with a Bomar Rib. These were used in what they called Police Proficiency Matches shooting 148 grn wadcutters.

This was also during the “Dirty Harry Craze”. In this pre Automatic era, the Model 29 Smith was a very desirable item.

Several of us got the idea that a N Frame Smith in “45 Magnum” would be a neat deal. So, I started doing some research, did some serious testing and decided to build one.

I acquired a Model 28 to get the main frame from, and bought a Model 25 barrel. I dressed the inside rails and squared them to accept a .050 larger cylinder. The next step, and the heart of the project, was the cylinder.

I talked to the metallurgist and a local steel supplier, he advised me that his choice would be 4340. He got me a piece of premium aircraft quality E4340, had it normalized and annealed, and then had me do the rough machining. He then took it and did the final heat treat, drawing the temper twice to 38 RC. This gave the best combination of tensile and yield strength combined with great ductility.

I then finished the project. The pistol came out just as I envisioned.

Using Winchester Cases, I am able to push 45 caliber 250 grain hard cast Kieth style semi wadcutters at velocities approaching that of a 44 Magnum. The pistol was the talk of the town, Guns and Ammo Magazine even ran a feature article on it in 1976.

I have not shot it in years, I just got it out of the safe when we moved to our new house. I think I will dig out my long colt dies, load up some rounds, and enjoy it again.

In today’s world of fast shooting, high capacity automatics, I know this is type of handgun is a throwback to another time, and a far cry from the type of firearms I fool with now. But I remember the hours I put into the project, the research, and having the satisfaction of building something special.

One thing for sure. It’s one of a kind.

I have the exact model 10 you speak of and it is one of my favorite guns I own.

 

[kvd]

45 LC is my favorite revolver caliber. Really like what you did there. Thank you for posting about your unique revolver.

 

[dolek]

Great stuff,thanks for sharing that part .

 

[jackson1]

Great looking revolver. Love shoot revolvers as I hate picking up spent brass. Am in the habit of bringing one to the range along with my rifle. Got to admit that some days I just bring my revolver. Practice makes better.

 

[DaveTooley]

I think I'll take my 6 1/2" model 29 on a antelope hunt in Oct. and let some of these young whippersnappers shoot a real gun.

 

[pirate ammo]

45 Colt,love them.We're going to load up some cowboy loads with "black powder" soon for the smoke effect.

 

[biggun2869]

I have the exact model 19 you speak of and it is one of my favorite guns I own.

I had a 19 also. Back then I was trading all the time, traded it once and got it back in a few months then being the fool that I am I traded it off again. Sure wish I had kept it. Back then I was already thinking of where it could go when I got it. Everything was for trade and if I could make a little it went down the road. It had the bomar rib and everything Jackie mentioned in the original article. It sounds like them so much he may have built it but I'm in Indiana so its unlikely. I got it off of Bill May who is now in his '90s. All I ever shot in it was .38 wadcutters and it was the best shooter I have ever owned. I've had a bunch

 

[ebb]

WOW that's neat

 

[billlarson]

Good work Jackie....

 

[AlNyhus]

Very cool, Jackie. I'm a revolver guy to this day....the autos just don't do it for me. My all time favorite was a Model 28 Highway Patrolman fitted with a good set of Pachmyr grips.

The S&W 686 does come close, though. -Al

 

[msinc]

Wow, very nice!!! I have to wonder how many folks will read this post and say, "with all the 44 magnums around, why in the hell do all this for a gun that is "almost" as powerful??" You had to live thru the "Dirty Harry craze" to understand. The Model 29 was not just desirable, it was pretty much untouchable. I remember seeing a "Shooters Bible" back then quoting msrp on the Model 29 at $235.00. You couldn't touch one for less than $800-$900 and then it was probably used. They were so in demand that it was all but impossible to find a Model 57 41 magnum, just because it was similar enough guys would take one of those. Hard to believe now, but at the height of the craze it was difficult to even get your hands on a Super Blackhawk, just because it was the same caliber.
I don't ever remember any gun before or since being so in demand. The P226 and the Beretta 92 were sought after in the 80's, but they didn't come close to the Model 29.

 

[linebaugh]

Gorgeous piece. I myself am a 45 Colt fan as well and run them to 44 mag potential or more in 5 shot and heavy duty 6 shot revolvers. Very impressive work there and I appreciate your sharing.

 

[PhilKeil]

Very nice Jackie. I remember the write up and it was a inspiration for my delve into revolvers. It was a different time then for sure. I built a lot of K and L frames pushing them to the extreme at the time. I also still have my last one and shoot it from time to time. It is a shortened and lightened cylinder K frame with a Dan Wesson type light weight barrel inside carbon fiber encased barrel shroud with a comp to tension it all together. Difficult build but rewarding. I have a red dot on it now and when feeling up to it will attempt a occasional steel match.
Thanks again Jackie for sharing that piece of history.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Wow, very nice!!! I have to wonder how many folks will read this post and say, "with all the 44 magnums around, why in the hell do all this for a gun that is "almost" as powerful??" You had to live thru the "Dirty Harry craze" to understand. The Model 29 was not just desirable, it was pretty much untouchable. I remember seeing a "Shooters Bible" back then quoting msrp on the Model 29 at $235.00. You couldn't touch one for less than $800-$900 and then it was probably used. They were so in demand that it was all but impossible to find a Model 57 41 magnum, just because it was similar enough guys would take one of those. Hard to believe now, but at the height of the craze it was difficult to even get your hands on a Super Blackhawk, just because it was the same caliber.
I don't ever remember any gun before or since being so in demand. The P226 and the Beretta 92 were sought after in the 80's, but they didn't come close to the Model 29.

Back in that day, a rumor would get out that one of the local sporting goods stores, such as Oshmans, would be getting a new shipment of Smith’s in. A line would literally form outside the store in the early morning, buyers hoping to get a Model 29.

Many never shot them. Stores such as Oshmans would sell the pistols at regular retail price, probably around $250. Those “lucky” enough to get one would immediately flip it for twice what they paid.

I have owned at least five model 29’s through the years, as well as several model 57 41 mags.

here is another neat revolver I kinda cobbled together. This was in the day when you could buy Smith & Wesson parts at Gunshows.

I took a model 28, (that was about the cheapest N frame you could buy), and removed the barrel and cylinder. I then fit in a model 25 45ACP cylinder, and fit a model 25 barrel that I cut off to 3 inches, remounting the front sight. A set of small grips and a new blueing job completed the package, making it what I called my “belly Gun”.

It shoots surprisingly well.

 

[jonbearman]

Back in that day, a rumor would get out that one of the local sporting goods stores, such as Oshmans, would be getting a new shipment of Smith’s in. A line would literally form outside the store in the early morning, buyers hoping to get a Model 29.

Many never shot them. Stores such as Oshmans would sell the pistols at regular retail price, probably around $250. Those “lucky” enough to get one would immediately flip it for twice what they paid.

I have owned at least five model 29’s through the years, as well as several model 57 41 mags.

here is another neat revolver I kinda cobbled together. This was in the day when you could buy Smith & Wesson parts at Gunshows.

I took a model 28, (that was about the cheapest N frame you could buy), and removed the barrel and cylinder. I then fit in a model 25 45ACP cylinder, and fit a model 25 barrel that I cut off to 3 inches, remounting the front sight. A set of small grips and a new blueing job completed the package, making it what I called my “belly Gun”.

It shoots surprisingly well.View attachment 1200815View attachment 1200816

Me Likes it.LOL That is perfect.

 

[potatojudge]

Custom revolvers remain my primary hobby, and that one is very nice even by today's standards. I think smiths are using 17-4 now for this kind of work, but the idea of opening up the frame window to make an oversize cylinder with tight tolerances has become mainstream. You see it mostly in single action revolvers with smiths building 475 and 500 Linebaugh guns, but you'll see the odd DA converted as well. Don't see a lot of custom cylinder S&W guns, mostly Redhawks and Super Redhawks in 454, 475, and 500.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[luckyshot52]

Nice job. I had an N frame in recently for a refurbish with cerakote. It was a factory 45 LC. I hadn't been aware factory made them. It was his duty carry and now is his bear hunting back up.