Picked up a box of 40 primed 45 Colt cases in this sweet box from a grab-bag box at a small show last weekend.

The converted 28-2 is a bit later than the box but it’ll have to keep it company until my older 45 Colt project is finished.

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SWCA: 3154
SWHF: 552

Why is the front sight so high? Sorry, I'm just not used to seeing them like that...

Sweet gun though, obviously.

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

Front sight height is commensurate with the recoil impulse and barrel time of the .45 caliber bullet passing through the barrel upon discharge. "Barrel time" varies considerably from one caliber to another, but the bigger and heavier large-caliber bullets typically require a line of sight lower on the target in order to place the bullet to the point of aim. A quick web search for photos of vintage S&W revolvers in .44 and .45 caliber will show that the front sight profile is significantly higher than similar revolvers in .38, .357, .32.20, or other calibers of lesser recoil and/or higher muzzle velocities (usually indicating shorter "barrel time" during the recoil impulse).

The revolver does not "stand still" while the hammer falls, primer ignites, powder burns, and the bullet is propelled through the barrel. Recoil begins and continues as pressure is applied, both to the bullet and to the mass of the firearm, driving both in separate directions. The "line of sight" applied via the sight picture is not the same as the bullet path, either at rest or at any point during the recoil impulse.

Everything happens very quickly, by the human standards of hearing and feel, but in actuality there is a measurable time lag while the powder ignites and burns and while the bullet transits the bore. This is what I have referred to here as the "recoil impulse", which also takes place over a measurable period of time. The result is that the axis of the bore at the time the bullet exits is significantly higher (due to recoil impulse) than what it was when the ignition/acceleration/bore travel commenced, therefore the sight picture requires a higher front sight to accurately place the fired bullets.

I hope that I have explained this clearly. Most of us tend to think of shooting as taking place instantaneously, when in fact everything involved takes place over a period of time that causes movement of the firearm prior to the bullet leaving the muzzle.

This characteristic is really evident in the stunted front sight on the (pretty rare) Model 10 in 22 LR.

That would be a Model 45.

Figured you'd like this Lloyd.

From big Green.....oops Red.

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

My 1950 .45 ACP has sights almost as high as the one pictured by the OP.

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I argree, $3 well spent. Nice looking project too.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Here’s the project. This was the initial assembly prior to test firing and a reblue. It’s a 455 MKII with a rebored HD barrel and pre-28 cylinder all set-up for 45 Colt. I can’t wait to receive this one back and take it to the range.

Attached Images

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SWCA: 3154
SWHF: 552

Who’s doing the work on your 45 Colt build? It looks like it is progressing well.

Froggie

This will be another Allan Harton build. He’s puts out some great custom builds.

I also picked up another Western 45 Colt box with 50 empties at the show today. This one was $10.

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SWCA: 3154
SWHF: 552

When you get the new one the converted 28 could come live here.
I don't have anything to keep my box company.

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Kewl......................

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV