1917 project turned into a target sighted 'Mountain Gun'.

cgt4570

cgt4570

Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2004
Messages
3,189
Reaction score
3,452
Location
Piney Flats, TN USA
So here's my take on a 'Mountain Gun':
-It's a to a 1917 frame that's been machined for a target rear sight.
-A new 3" Model 625MG barrel and unfluted cylinder fitted
-I happened to have a spare stainless rear sight so I went with that.
-Barrel was unmarked so I had a trophy shop laser engrave it.
-I put a 14K gold bead in the Patridge front sight.
-Hammer is a RM concentric groove that's been modified into a target thumb spur.
-Trigger is a modern target .500".
-Stocks are a very rough set of pre-war magnas that I restored.
-Lanyard ring is plated bright.
-All internal parts are new including Wolfe springs.
-All tolerances set to minimum.
-Frame is 'in the white for now', just brush finished after polishing to remove pitting, then coated with Renwax. I haven't decided yet if I'll leave it that way.

There's the somewhat odd step where the ribbed barrel meets the frame, but I can live with that.
 

Attachments

  • mg2.jpg
    mg2.jpg
    99.6 KB · Views: 353
  • mg1.jpg
    mg1.jpg
    104.4 KB · Views: 348
Register to hide this ad
Very interesting shooter. The rib/step doesn’t bother me at all. Nice job on the grips, too.
Good shootin’,
Doug
 
I think your gun and work is magnificent. I do have one question. Isn’t an original, intact RM hammer worth huge money? I may be dreaming that, but I thought I recalled a thread where one sold for over $1000?
 
I replaced the barrel on my 1917 with model 25-5 barrel..Cut the barrel to 4" and cut slot for blade front sight..I matched the rib to the frame with a 1" upright belt sander,,Now the rib matches the frame but the rib is smooth..One questing about your gun..Did you have to work on the timing with the new cylinder?
 
I like it!
Very nice job dressing the right and left flats of the frame. Sure, we'd all love to see the S&W roll mark and the "made in u.s.a.". But, it's great to see you kept the sideplate to frame fitting flat. And, the screws & holes look good.
The rib to frame thing is only bothersome because the rest of the work is so nice!
The grips look really well done.

Just for the sake of conversation, I'd personally use/make a pre-war style cylinder latch, to better match the hammer.
Also, for fun, I would put a slight bevel on the forward circumference of the cylinder, to imitate the rear circumference bevel as seen on older recessed magnum cylinders. I always thought that, and the bevels on the corners where of the flutes on fluted cylinders were a extra nice touch of workmanship.
But, hey, I guess I can save that for my project, right? Ha!

I'd love to see more pics, maybe the rear sight work?

Thanks!
Jim
 
Last edited:
I like it. Here is some of my versions.

The 4 1/2" barreled gun is a Brazilian milled for adjustable sights with a cut down 1950 barrel. It has a 44 mag cylinder reamed to 45 colt. On this one I milled the frame and silver soldered in a bit of rib from a barrel so there is no step in the frame at barrel frame junction.

The next one is a 1917 milled for adjustable sights, grip frame is cut down, snubbed 1950 barrel. Shroud milled to take original ejector knob.
 

Attachments

  • Braz 45 colt l.jpg
    Braz 45 colt l.jpg
    87.7 KB · Views: 81
  • 1917 combat a.jpg
    1917 combat a.jpg
    43 KB · Views: 80
Last edited:
Nice work on all above. Wish I had the equipment, imagination, and skill to do it.

Assume the RM hammer was already treated to a spur. And I'd take those grips off as soon as the photo sessions was finished.
 
Very nice job. I would suggest that a fluted cylinder might not look as 'cool' but the lesser carry weight would be good. Also, unfluted cylinders are harder on ratchets and cylinder stops, etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top