Aircrewman restoration?

[akchef]

Is there anyone recommended (or even interested) in attempting a restoration of a M13 aircrewman? I have been holding onto a lightly damaged frame (but no other parts) for over a decade and have been thinking about finding someone who has the knowledge, parts and experience to attempt to repair and restore it to operable condition.

 

[DWalt]

I am sure there are those who could restore it - like maybe Turnbull Restorations. Problem is in finding an original cylinder. or making one. Not only would it probably be very expensive, especially if a cylinder had to be made up, it still wouldn't be original, no matter how good the restoration. Personally, I wouldn't try.

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Dave Chicoine might be the right guy for the job. Of course if all you've got is the frame, it will only turn out as an expensive non original parts gun. Cylinder and barrel would have different serial numbers than those on the frame. I don't think it would be a practical project. Best of luck whatever you decide to do.

Cheers;
Lefty

 

[Malysh]

I agree with Oldflatfoot and DWalt.
You'll spend probably 2K or more on this project and at the end of the day all you'll wind up with is a very expensive shooter.
Better to just enjoy the rare artifact as it is.

 

[dacoontz]

If you decide to go for it than I have half a set of grips.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...t-grip-only-w-medallion-interesting-find.html

 

[Hondo44]

The damage shown to the frame in the photo is the typical way that those aircewman frames failed. I agree with the statements above and if you want an operable airweight K frame, buy one with a steel cylinder. You'll be money ahead but recognize that your frame epitomizes the reason they were discontinued.

 

[-db-]

Jim, how did the frames fail? It is my understanding that it was the aluminum cylinders, not the frames, on the Aircrewman guns that failed, hence the change to steel cylinders. The aluminum frame K-frame did live for quite awhile as the M&P Airweight/Model 12, after all.

 

[Hondo44]

Jim, how did the frames fail? It is my understanding that it was the aluminum cylinders, not the frames, on the Aircrewman guns that failed, hence the change to steel cylinders. The aluminum frame K-frame did live for quite awhile as the M&P Airweight/Model 12, after all.

DB,
Thanks, you are correct, I should have been more clear; I meant the alloy cylinders were discontinued. Fitted with steel cylinders they had satisfactory longevity and seldom failed, ultimately being discontinued though due to lack of market interest/strength concerns in 1986.

All of the failed frames that I have observed stemmed from the cylinders which had stretched chambers and or cracked open at the cyl bolt notch which blew out the bolt and frame exactly like the one shown. They were not catastrophic failures causing injury or complete gun blowups as commonly assumed.

 

[akchef]

Ok guys, thanks for the advice. I guess it will go back in the parts box.

 

[JayHutch]

Is there anyone recommended (or even interested) in attempting a restoration of a M13 aircrewman? I have been holding onto a lightly damaged frame (but no other parts) for over a decade and have been thinking about finding someone who has the knowledge, parts and experience to attempt to repair and restore it to operable condition.

AKCHEF - I have an original aluminum alloy cylinder I picked up a few months ago. See my post here with pic's. http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/275529-mystery-alloy-cylinder.html

Interested?

 

[Hondo44]

I would not try to repair it but I would complete it and make it a far nicer conversation piece. The hardest part to find is the cylinder which Jay has. All the other parts are standard except the stocks, but standard rd butt stocks can be modified and would be inexpensive in a condition to match the gun.

But I would look for a Parts kit from law enforcement destroyed guns on Gunbroker which usually have all the parts except the frame, very cheap. And you'd get a steel cylinder to resell and recoup part of your costs.

 

[nipster]

There's one for sale on AA right now, I had no idea what these were going for. The one for sale looks to be in awful cosmetic shape and it has bids > $1700

 

[JayHutch]

I would not try to repair it but I would complete it and make it a far nicer conversation piece. The hardest part to find is the cylinder which Jay has. All the other parts are standard except the stocks, but standard rd butt stocks can be modified and would be inexpensive in a condition to match the gun.

But I would look for a Parts kit from law enforcement destroyed guns on Gunbroker which usually have all the parts except the frame, very cheap. And you'd get a steel cylinder to resell and recoup part of your costs.

Hey Chef - If your not interested in taking on the task, lemmeknow what you want for your banged up frame. I've got a cylinder, and it would be fun to piece it back together. I'm with Jim. I'd just put it back together so it was operable, but maybe not shootable. You wouldn't want to shoot the aluminum cylinder anyway for all the reasons they got rid of most of these relics. - Jay

 

[rhmc24]

Hondo44 and JayHutch have the right idea. Scrounge up enuf parts to make a gun. The main item of interest is in the backstrap markings anyway. As a complete gun, even a homogenized frankenstein piece, it will be great to have in the collection.

I just did something similar with a Colt 1917 .45ACP frame. I got parts from a police destroyed 1909 .45 Colt and used its cylinder and innards. I installed a piece of 1880s SAA barrel to make a workable gun. It was interesting in that the 1909 cylinder is about .020" longer than the 1917 which made for a mess of adjustments to make it work right.
Here, nearing completion:

 

[Maximumbob54]

I think if you keep this thread going long enough you might find people with enough parts to get her back together again.

 

[-db-]

A parts kit may supply most of the other parts needed but I believe the Aircrewman/Airweight hammer and trigger are narrower than standard parts.

 

[JayHutch]

Hondo44 and JayHutch have the right idea. Scrounge up enuf parts to make a gun. The main item of interest is in the backstrap markings anyway. As a complete gun, even a homogenized frankenstein piece, it will be great to have in the collection.

I just did something similar with a Colt 1917 .45ACP frame. I got parts from a police destroyed 1909 .45 Colt and used its cylinder and innards. I installed a piece of 1880s SAA barrel to make a workable gun. It was interesting in that the 1909 cylinder is about .020" longer than the 1917 which made for a mess of adjustments to make it work right.
Here, nearing completion:

Looks like fun!

 

[JayHutch]

A parts kit may supply most of the other parts needed but I believe the Aircrewman/Airweight hammer and trigger are narrower than standard parts.

THAT is good to know, if AKCHEF decides he is interested in selling me his beat up frame. It would never be a true collector grade pice, but would be an interesting convo piece.

 

[Hondo44]

A parts kit may supply most of the other parts needed but I believe the Aircrewman/Airweight hammer and trigger are narrower than standard parts.

I believe you're absolutely right, the entire frame is narrower and the reason the stocks are unique to the airweight.

However, the parts can be carefully narrowed on a belt sander.

 

[Mike McLellan]

If it were mine, I'd try to build it myself. Chances of success are slim, but it would be a lot of fun, especially if you enjoy frustration, poverty, and humiliation. Parts are everywhere. I think you should go for it.