The 44spcl conversion and the 500 Linebaugh are both mechanically finished so the only thing left is the finish work, final polishing, grips and bluing but they both shoot. I went out today but the weather isn't what you'd want to spend much time shooting in so I didn't do any accuracy testing yet but just functional testing. The 3 screw 44 is a sweetheart to shoot, I only have 240gr bullets on hand so I loaded up a few and ran 15 through the gun without a hitch. The 500 has a 8.5" barrel so it's a little hefty and it's a hammer to shoot. I loaded up some 435gr CP hardcast but I forgot my wrist brace so between that and the fact that I haven't modified the grip frame yet I only ran 5 through it. Pretty bad I have to have both wrists fused and I'm building cannons

but both guns worked flawlessly and I learned alot and the next one will be easier and I will be able to avoid some mistakes made this time around but I still have all my fingers and toes so I guess that alone makes the completion of my first cartridge conversions a success.

Cool. Maybe someday I will have the tools and know how to do that. If won't be until after I leave the service and don't have to move all the time.

rickie, I've really enjoyed this and I hope when I'm good enough to make some money at it but unless you want to do it for a full or part time job or build yourself alot of guns it's not worth the expense. I was regulated by space so I went with smaller machinery but I can already see a need for a bigger lathe and mill, plus my old metal bandsaw is giving it up but I've spent enough so far to have bought 4 FA premier grade guns and I'm not done yet. But if you think you want to tackle it , it's not rocket science just read everything you can get your hands on and if you can talk to people that have experience that's even better. Unfortunately there are no good revolversmiths around me so I've had to learn everything from reading and trial and error. The only other thing I can tell you is it's very labor intensive and time consuming so if you don't love it you'll get burnt out fast. Good luck and thanks for serving.

one other project I almost forgot about that I test fired today was my Vaquero, I'm still using it for a test gun to play with so I pulled the barrel off and turned it down until the safety warning was gone and then I recut the crown and forcing cone to 11*. I won't know until the weather is better if I helped the accuracy or not.

glad to hear you still have your body parts,hehe

Very cool Rod!

here is a pic of the two guns as they sit now

Those look great
You should be very pleased with yourself

That's awesome Rod.
They both look great.
You should be proud.

Pretty impressive Rod. I know that there is alot of time machining parts. That obviously is why you have invested in your tools. Stick in there ole boy, it will come back around!

Way to go, they both turned out great!

thanks for the compliments guys, I really appreciate it. I ordered 454 reamers today and some brass so I can get ready to start my next project which I'm still a little iffy on but I think I'm going to go ahead and rechamber my Vaquero to the Casull. I just need to make sure I've got enough meat on the frame before I open it up for the five shot cylinder.

Rod,
Ref; the Vaquero, did you make the 5 shot cyl or are you floating one in from another revolver?

Renster

it's a blank I can buy from Bowen, Brownells, or Midway and it comes with undersized cylinder and base pin holes. I have to shave the ends in the lathe to square it up and get it to the correct length, they start out at roughly 2" and I take it back to 1.800" and then depending on the fit I may have to install a end float bushing and then trim to get the cylinder to frame clearance I need. The next step is ream the base pin hole and install it in the frame and then I line bore the cylinder in the frame and then I chamber it.

Rod,

End float bushing? I'm guessing on the front of the cyl? And by "float" does that mean it is NOT physically attached to the cyl?

yep it goes in the front, it's a press fit in the frame but the float comes from the fact that it "floats" against the frame.

I was able to get out long enough today to finish sighting in the 500 @ 25yds. The gun is also complete now with the grip frame re shaped and the gun blued. I'll make some custom grips for it when I get extra motivated.

Sweet!!! Rod, I've tried to send you a PM a couple times but, it says your mailbox is full...go check your mail...LOL...when you get a chance drop me a PM and I'll reply...looks like she shoots good too!

I emptied it yesterday so it should be good to go.

That is awsome! I would be pretty nervous to do what you are doing,but I would like to try it someday. Stuff like that has to be a labor of love.

Looking good Rod

Looks great Rod! Good bear and elk medicine!