Rehabbed 65-3 3”

Exchipy

Exchipy

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It was kinda scuffed and banged up when I traded into it. But its lockup, cylinder gap and rifling looked good. So, I cleaned it up, installed a Wolff 11 pound trigger rebound spring, replaced the hammer with one from a 66, cut the front sight down to take an XS Gen.2 Tritium Big Dot, chamfered the charge holes, and sandblasted the top of the barrel and frame. It's now a proper magnum carry revolver:

IMG_9584.jpeg
IMG_9588.jpeg
 
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I really like it. I should do a sight upgrade to my 65s.

What was the reason for the model 66 hammer?
 
Shotguncoach said:
Very nice. Can you share some detail on the front sight installation?
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Yes, I can. It requires reducing the factory front sight down to a precisely dimensioned stud, onto which the XS Big Dot front sight is glued or epoxied (I used JB Weld epoxy).

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xssights.com
IMG_6365.jpeg
 
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Really nice work. And thank you for the XS sight idea. I picked up a 36 that is great mechanically but looks like it sat at the bottom of a lake for a few years. Plan is to refinish it, bob the hammer, put decent grips on it and now the XS sight.
 
1Celticfozzie said:
Really nice work. And thank you for the XS sight idea. I picked up a 36 that is great mechanically but looks like it sat at the bottom of a lake for a few years. Plan is to refinish it, bob the hammer, put decent grips on it and now the XS sight.
Click to expand...
Consider Black Nitride treatment for re-finishing your M36. It hardens the surface of the steel and makes it highly scratch and corrosion resistant, as well as looking good too. But, complete all machining and shaping before treatment, because the steel will be too hard afterward. Here's a PPC barreled M15 that I had Black Nitride treated:

IMG_5645.jpeg
It makes the gun (if you'll pardon the expression) bulletproof.

Another example is this Black Nitride treated mid sized 9mm 1911A1:

IMG_9486.jpeg
Every exposed steel part (except for the Novak Tritium front sight) was Black Nitride treated. I expect that some 22nd Century archeologist will dig this thing up and find it in perfect condition (except for its springs and front sight).
 
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1Celticfozzie said:
Any suggestions where to send it for the black nitride?
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The examples shown were done by H&M Metal Processing. Get details online.

Here's a 2" Model 15 a friend had Black Nitride treated by H&M:
IMG_6777.jpeg

Reminder, if you're gonna install an XS Big Dot Tritium front sight, have the necessary machining done before the Black Nitride treatment. Actually install the sight after the treatment. You'll enjoy a more harmonious outcome.
 
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Exchipy said:
It was kinda scuffed and banged up when I traded into it. But its lockup, cylinder gap and rifling looked good. So, I cleaned it up, installed a Wolff 11 pound trigger rebound spring, replaced the hammer with one from a 66, cut the front sight down to take an XS Gen.2 Tritium Big Dot, chamfered the charge holes, and sandblasted the top of the barrel and frame. It's now a proper magnum carry revolver:

View attachment 770533
View attachment 770534
Click to expand...
Well planned and executed. I like it a lot and would never feel under gunned with that puppy on my belt.

Al
 
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