HE needs HELP!

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BigBores

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Can this be saved? A 3rd model HE in 44 Spec that someone decided to "mod" for adjustable sights.
Can the top strap be welded and recontoured? Can the front sight be fixed as well?

Thanks

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I am in agreement about befitting the screws and replace the front sight blade. Then clean it up and enjoy shooting it. You can always convert it ba k later but if you do, you most likely take it out and enjoy shooting it as much. Merry Christmas
 
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With enough money to throw at it, anything can be done. But personally I wouldn't do much to it, except maybe to make the front sight look better. You will not recover whatever money you spend on it when it comes time to sell.
 
I have converted 5 or 6 fixed sight guns to adjustable sight ones. That is a poor job. I can be fixed to look good. Slot for body leaf needs to be deeper, A countersunk screw. Is there a slot in the frame for the elevation nut? The front sight Needs replaced with something decent.

Easier to fix these issues than return it to its original configuration. Plus, even if it was returned to its original configuration it would not be orgginal. That train has left the station.
Brazilian
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1917
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steelslaver,

The top gun also needs a target sight for a 3" barrel on the N frame with the long tang that extends all the way to the barrel rib.
 
Yes, or just mill out a slot in the frame from under the front of the sight leaf to junction of barrel and silver solder in a piece of rib of an old barrel or sight leaf. That is how I made the Brazilian match the 1950 barrel. That is kind of hidden in a shadow in top view picture. I have trimmed the leaf on it since the picture. BTW, Its a 5" 45 colt now. I usually don't use a machine screw on the front sight, but, I bought that barrel like that except the screw head was way proud and I just counter sunk it. I usually silver solder them on.
 
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I agree it's originality is lost forever.
It's a great base for a project. I would correctly fit the adjustable rear (deeper). The barrel appears to be a chop saw job... needs a correct crown. I like ribs so I'd make & fit a rib... or salvage one off another barrel.
 
Is that bbl orig length?,,That front sight base looks like it's forged as part of the bbl,,not an add-on. Crown looks squared off like it was flattened though for some reason (maybe one a'them Target crowns).
The blade,,,well that's obvious.

I'd want to put it back to original configuration.
It's not machined away too all full far, so taking it for a trip back to orig would seem right. especially being the Model that it is.
 
2152hq said:
Is that bbl orig length?,,That front sight base looks like it's forged as part of the bbl,,not an add-on. Crown looks squared off like it was flattened though for some reason (maybe one a'them Target crowns).
The blade,,,well that's obvious.

I'd want to put it back to original configuration.
It's not machined away too all full far, so taking it for a trip back to orig would seem right. especially being the Model that it is.
Click to expand...

It would be a lot easier to swap the barrel and cylinder into a .38-44 frame.
 
Mr. Big, did you buy it that way or inherit it? Pls. dont throw any money at it. I have seen a lot of these that have undergone reconstructive surgery,
some were pretty darn good, but never returned to original status.
Just shoot or pass it down the road as a field gun. Mike
 
Yes it would,,but then I'd just be looking at that frame thinking it needs to be 'fixed'.
I did restoration and custom. This one just says restoration to be for some reason as far as it's configuration.
 
The front sight base does appear to be forged & the lettering centered so, maybe my first glance at the barrel end is wrong / optical illusion. That would be better, actually. I'd still "ribbit" (sounds like a frog, LOL!) I'd love to own another target sighted 44SP.
 
the business end

I got this from my dad who bought it already modded. He thought I'd like the project, which I do!

I'm thinking I'll have the rear sight set correctly with the appropriate screws and a new front sight blade installed. Sounds like a better plan (for now) than "restoring" it. I do have a couple of .38/44 HDs that could be used in the future.

Here's another angle of the muzzle for those that were curious.
 

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Muzzle looks original. I would start with a soak in Kroil or Automatic transmission fluid mixed 50-50 with kerosene. That will loosen the rust and any other crud. The channel for the sight needs milled slightly deeper. A careful man could do it with a file that had been safed by having the teeth ground off each side. The screw looks larger than a stock sight screw. Either work down a screw head to fit better of counter sink the sight for a larger head. Those leafs are pretty hard so I would use a carbide end mill for that. A new front sight wouldn't be that hard to make. Get the front square to the bottom, give it a bit of a flat spot on top and then angle down. You could add some lines with a fine file. But, would make a jig to keep spacing nice. You could start out using an old pinned sight, but finding one that was high enough may be a problem.
 
steelslaver said:
Muzzle looks original. I would start with a soak in Kroil or Automatic transmission fluid mixed 50-50 with kerosene. That will loosen the rust and any other crud. The channel for the sight needs milled slightly deeper. A careful man could do it with a file that had been safed by having the teeth ground off each side. The screw looks larger than a stock sight screw. Either work down a screw head to fit better of counter sink the sight for a larger head. Those leafs are pretty hard so I would use a carbide end mill for that. A new front sight wouldn't be that hard to make. Get the front square to the bottom, give it a bit of a flat spot on top and then angle down. You could add some lines with a fine file. But, would make a jig to keep spacing nice. You could start out using an old pinned sight, but finding one that was high enough may be a problem.
Click to expand...

That would fix it. And good advice for a replacement sight.

A 40 lines per inch checkering file is the correct spacing for the S&W serrations on the sight and also the rib. Inexpensive from Brownells.
 
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