44 Mcgivern

[bruce5781]

I figure my chances of ever finding, let alone being able to afford, a 5" 44 3rd Target are slim to none.
Would it be any great trick to swap an NOS pre-21 barrel onto a 44 2nd Target Model, trim to 5" and install a Mcgivern bead ?
Have gun, barrel, and bead. Would I need anything other than an appropriate ejector rod ?

Regards,
Bruce

 

[Tom K]

I suspect that the ejector rod housing on the barrel is not going to mate well with the front of the frame on a 2nd Model. Frames that are made for barrels without a housing are typically "shorter" from top to bottom, so there may be a gap between the bottom of the frame and ejector housing. Lay the barrel on top of the gun for a rough visual check.

 

[bruce5781]

Imma have to hope for the best.

Regards,
Bruce

 

[bruce5781]

Andy Horvath had agreed to do the swap for me.

Regards,
Bruce

 

[Hondo44]

Bruce,

It will work fine. I have installed a shrouded triple lock barrel on a 3rd Model .44
Spl. The front face of of the frames for shroudless barrels are plenty long enough.

The problem is true for K frames however, the shrouded barrel for a Mod 19 will hang below a K 38 front frame face.

Andy will do a great job. Just FYI, here's how I did mine:

Pre war barrel front sights are all forged with the 1/2 round front sight blade. To make a target front sight, the factory milled off the 1/2 round sight, milled a mortise into the sight base and pinned in a target front sight blade of various styles.

So I did the same to the fixed sight on my barrel: milled off the 1/2 round sight, milled a mortise into the sight base while still attached to the piece of cut off barrel. Then I milled off the piece of barrel from under the sight base with a round cutter the same diameter as the cut barrel muzzle diameter. Be careful to leave the tapered edges of the bottom edges of the sight base. Then solder it onto the end of the barrel the same distance from the muzzle crown as it was originally. It will look factory.

For a very tight seam you can also glue the sight base on with black max 380 Locktite:

Buy here: loctite 380 black max - Google Search

 

[StrawHat]

If Andy has taken the job it will be done as you specify it to be done. Try to think of everything. I have seen several jobs he has done. He takes his time but the work is worth the wait.

Kevin

 

[bruce5781]

Thanks. I appreciate the advice.

Regards,
Bruce

 

[bruce5781]

Change in plans. Todd Ramirez was recommended to me, and since he is only about 10 minutes away, I am going to meet with him Tuesday.

Gunsmithing | Todd Ramirez | Custom Shop

Regards,
Bruce