Ersatz H. E. Second Model .44 Target 5 Inch

[tennexplorer]

Offered for your perusal is a Hand Ejector Second Model .44 Target - well sort of.

A few years ago, I acquired a pre-war .38 Special Outdoorsman. It had a bad barrel and went into the safe to worry about later. Eventually the inspiration hit to make a Second Model .44 Special Target out of it. I knew that very few exist, and it sounded like a fun gun to have. Also I had several Second Model barrels, which helped the decision. It was a "if you can't find a real one; make one" situation.

The work was done by Keegan Singleton at Competitive Shooting Solutions in Alabama. The frame and cylinder, and the barrel were all somewhere between 85 and 90% original finish. We talked about it a lot and decided the right thing was the appearance of a nearly 90 year old revolver that had been used but well cared for, rather than a new one, so it was not re-blued.

Not having a rib or underlug, it is surprisingly light for its size. It has had one range trip and seemed to really like 200 grain cast bullets with Unique. More experimentation is coming. It's fun to shoot.

Timing is spot on and there is no end shake. The grips are by John Culina.



Note: Nothing of collector quality nor anything famous was used in making it.

 

[6string]

Your .44 Target conversion looks great!
I think you exercised fine judgement in leaving the finish as is!!

 

[rct269]

You gotta love those pre-war .44 Targets with their BIG sail front sights!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[tennexplorer]

You gotta love those pre-war .44 Targets with their BIG sail front sights!

Ralph Tremaine

And it needs every bit of it!

Also if you run out of ammo, you can swing it like a scythe.

 

[StrawHat]

Absolutely cool!! The only thing I would do different is … 45 ACP.

Kevin

 

[Timothy2700]

Nice revolver transformation all around. Turned a likely weed into a rose (apologies to W. Shakespeare). Interesting to change calibers…nice.
I like the wood job.

 

[tennexplorer]

Absolutely cool!! The only thing I would do different is … 45 ACP.

Kevin

Seriously thought about it. Who knows what's next?

 

[paplinker]

I really like it!
I find the 5 inch bbls on a N frame have great balance. Curious if the no underlug changes it much.

I assume you used a 5 inch fixed sight bbl and had it milled?

Also how did you know the proper height for the Patridge sight?

I would think being 5 inch instead of 6 1/2 might take an adjustment.

 

[Pisgah]

Now, that is fine. And you couldn't buy that finish for money...

 

[tennexplorer]

I really like it!
I find the 5 inch bbls on a N frame have great balance. Curious if the no underlug changes it much.

I assume you used a 5 inch fixed sight bbl and had it milled?

Also how did you know the proper height for the Patridge sight?

I would think being 5 inch instead of 6 1/2 might take an adjustment.

The revolver feels like a 1917 in the hand. It is muzzle light.

Yes, it was a five inch fixed sight barrel. It was one that had a great bore, a good finish and someone previous to me had messed with the front sight. Made it an easy choice.

Keegan figured the sight height.

 

[ksingltn]

I really like it!
I find the 5 inch bbls on a N frame have great balance. Curious if the no underlug changes it much.

I assume you used a 5 inch fixed sight bbl and had it milled?

Also how did you know the proper height for the Patridge sight?

I would think being 5 inch instead of 6 1/2 might take an adjustment.

The sight height calculation was pretty simple. Shoot it with the factory fixed sight, then calculate the additional height needed.

First picture is the starting point. It shot feet high at 20y with that little guy.

Other pics are of the process of modifying the barrel and installing and serrating the front sight.

 

[delta-419]

Congratulations, Its Done!

Several years ago (2019) you expressed an interest in my project 44 target, and now you have one of your own grail guns. Good show! I still have the old orphan that morphed into my target. Its funny how you can take a project to build a beauty out of parts with loving care.

 

[80sgyrene]

Absolutely beautiful. Well done! Great call on the finish.

 

[Truckman]

As a big fan of anything in .44 Special, I approve......Ben

 

[DGNY]

That was, and is, a noble transformation. From honest wear-and-tear to pristine mechanical freshness, in simple garb (Model 2), and non-reblued which alone was an inspiration. Not to mention the "special" cartridge for which it now is fitted.

Big round of applause!

 

[Mbrgr1]

Absolutely cool!! The only thing I would do different is … 45 ACP.

Kevin

No one would do that!

 

[StrawHat]

No one would do that!

Was hoping you would see that post!

Kevin

 

[K Frame Keith]

Outstanding,outstanding!

 

[Green Frog]

Purist collectors are clutching their pearls and suffering from the vapors, but I agree that if you want a model or variant that is too rare or expensive to just buy, the logical thing to do is build (recreate) one yourself. A well done homage, based on an easily available donor gun, is a viable option. I salute you for your efforts.

Froggie

My Faux K-32 is Here!

 

[Keith Brown]

I like that a great big bunch. Looks like it's always been that way. I have a reblued Outdoorsman that I intend on turning into a 44 special and your gun is another nudge in that direction.