My M10-8 transformation

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Wow, that is the one of the best looking Model 10's I've seen!

For not calling yourself a machinist you did good.

 

[KLYDE]

Excellent, professional job creating a top notch carry piece. You can be proud of that one.

 

[Kframe]

A man after my own heart! To me, there is NOTHING finer than a 3" K-frame. I'm a sucker for any gun with a three-inch tube, but K-frames have always been my favorites, and unlike you, I have no real gunsmithing skills, I'm just an amateur hobbyist with primitive tools and a passion for the Ultimate Carry Gun.

.....

Your skills and ideas have served you well with that gun, and I bet you shoot it well. Thanks for showing us that little beauty!

Thanks, PapaJohn! (BTW, I love your pizza! )

Your revolvers look pretty snazzy, very nice!
I'd LOVE to have a 3" M65 someday, I do keep half an eye open for a beat up police trade-in, even a 4" SB, so I could repeat the M10-8 treatment on it. But, they're not nearly as common a find as they were even 5 years ago.

There's just something about 3" K-frames, and K-frames in general, that just fit my hand like a glove and they seem to balance very well and, for me, point instinctively.

 

[Safestuffer]

Wow, that is a reeeally nicely done model 10. I like it a lot.

One thing though, you might want to consider checkering the top of that hammer so if you ever want to lower it from full cock you don't risk a negligent discharge from your thumb slipping off that lovely polish.

 

[Kframe]

Wow, that is a reeeally nicely done model 10. I like it a lot.

One thing though, you might want to consider checkering the top of that hammer so if you ever want to lower it from full cock you don't risk a negligent discharge from your thumb slipping off that lovely polish.

Thanks!
That's a good idea, SS!
I may try that on one of the spare hammer/trigger sets I have laying in the parts box.

 

[beerbelly]

Very nice! Could you describe how you rounded the butt? I`ve been considering that for my Model 10, but have been too chicken to try it.
Thanks,
beerbelly

 

[Kframe]

Very nice! Could you describe how you rounded the butt? I`ve been considering that for my Model 10, but have been too chicken to try it.
Thanks,
beerbelly

To convert from SB to RB, I first made a template out of 1/8" mild steel scrap.
I used a RB K-frame to make the template, in this first picture you can see the insides of the template panels.
The weld globs help keep the template located, there is also a hole in each near the bottom that locates on the grip frame roll pin. The template bolt ends up forward of the mainspring, rather than behind like on stock grips.

Closeup of weld globs:

Template on a SB M15:

Once the template was secured to the grip frame I first used a hacksaw to chop off a rough triangle from the rear of the gripframe (to avoid excessive grinding) and then I used a bench grinder to get within about 1/32" of the template.
From that point on I used hand files, then sandpaper, then buffing wheels.

As you can see below, the contour of the front strap and the template don't line up at all at the top, where your middle finger curls around the grip, but there is no grinding up there so it doesn't matter.
The lower part took a little bit of eyeballing and back and forth, but to get the final contour right I put on a set of RB Magna grips, scribed a line and worked up to it. That took a bit of patience.

Honestly, making the template probably took the longest. The bench grinding went pretty quick and then I took my sweet time with the finish filing/sanding to avoid any toolmarks.

Cheers!

 

[dcopper]

Much more beautiful piece of history than when it came from the factory!! Absolutely gorgeous! Great workmanship! Enjoy!

 

[malph]

That Model 10 is beautiful! Great work! Beautiful and practical. I wish the Performance Center offered a service like that.

 

[Kframe]

One more picture.

I don't know for sure about this, but when I was doing the work one of the guys at the shop said there was a law requiring every gun to have a permanent mark designating caliber, and since I slabbed the barrel the factory roll-mark was gone.
So, I stamped the underside, just to cover my bases.

I really appreciate all the kind comments here about this transformation, I'm no machinist but have always believed that with a little guidance from more knowledgeable folks, AND the proper tools, I can do just about anything I set my mind to doing.

So, it's nice to hear that you all, who probably wouldn't pull any punches if you saw hack work, admire my craftsmanship.

 

[papajohn428]

Honestly, making the template probably took the longest. The bench grinding went pretty quick and then I took my sweet time with the finish filing/sanding to avoid any toolmarks.

Kris, I never even thought of using a template when I round-butted my Model 15, I just installed a set of RB grips and scribed around them!



Then it was off to the grinder......



I got it close with the grinder, then got out the files to finish it up. I wasn't worried much about the cosmetics because the gun was already pretty rough. When it was done I reshaped a set of grips for it, and it's my favorite "no pampering" gun.



It's nowhere as pretty as yours, but it was never intended to be. I might have it reblued someday, but for now it wears its scars and blemishes without shame. It was born a dash-three, and a lot of those guns were rode hard and dirty.

 

[EldoEsq]

INSANE work!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BrianE]

That's an absolute amazing job! I'd own 2 if they all looked like that!

 

[AR Ray]

Nice to see a CRAFTSMAN at work. Just put in an order for 2 Model 10 from Buds. Can't wait to look at them and read this 20 more times! Thanks Ray

 

[Kframe]

That's an absolute amazing job! I'd own 2 if they all looked like that!

A man after my own heart!

What's better than a k-frame revolver?
TWO k-frame revolvers!

 

[Kframe]

Kris, I never even thought of using a template when I round-butted my Model 15, I just installed a set of RB grips and scribed around them!
......


It's nowhere as pretty as yours, but it was never intended to be. I might have it reblued someday, but for now it wears its scars and blemishes without shame. It was born a dash-three, and a lot of those guns were rode hard and dirty.

Thanks, John!
Yours looks pretty nice, as well. Love the grips on that M15!
Not a shabby M64 (or is that a 65?) either!

The template was difficult to get right, but I figured if I ever RB an SB again it'd be nice to have the template.
I'm certain I'll use it again someday.
Of course, I say that about all the scraps of metal, wood and wire that I've squirreled away over the years, lol.
Maybe I should audition for that Hoarders show.

 

[Ten32]

Fantastic work! I really like the polished stripe around the cylinder. I've seen it before but don't know how its done. Would you mind sharing?

 

[Kframe]

Fantastic work! I really like the polished stripe around the cylinder. I've seen it before but don't know how its done. Would you mind sharing?

Thank you!

It's just an old painter's trick, really.
I polished the cylinder, in that area, to a high mirror finish on the buffing wheel with black compound, then I masked off the part I wanted to remain shiny with a narrow band of electrical tape*.
About 30 seconds under the sandblasting hood and bam, shiny stripe around matte cylinder.
Finally, through the bluing tanks with the rest of the parts.



*electrical tape sticks very well to white metal, plus, its rubbery composition resists being eaten off by the jet of sand more than regular masking tape or Scotch tape (I experimented with this).

 

[kbm6893]

Looks fantastic! I wish I had skills like yours. That gun is a real conversation piece and even better that you can tell admirers that you did the work yourself. Well done!

I have another thread on here somewhere about a 10-8 I got from Buds that I had reblued. Gun looks fantastic and I'm proud to own it now.

 

[Kframe]

Thanks, kbm!
Yes, a lot of my appreciation of my 10-8 is due to the satisfaction from doing it myself (albeit, with help).

M10-8's are great sixguns, and the surplus ones are wonderful in that there really is zero collector value (excepting those with interesting departmental stampings or provenance) and therefore gives the owner free license to modify to their heart's content without any guilt or fear of ruining a historical piece.

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend; about 60F and sunny here in MN at 0935 Sunday.