I promised range reports on some of the old .45s I picked up this year. These are hardly match quality results, but the holes pass the rough test of landing somewhat in one another's vicinity.
First, a second contract Brazilian from 1946. I had to rehab this one, and it ended up with a new trigger spring, yoke, and an endshake bearing or two. It still needs a new ejector rod, as the channel in this one is worn and the front locking pin does not hold the cylinder in place as tightly as I would like.
It shoots a little left of its aim point, but is plenty good enough for reliable service at conventional disagreement distances. This is now one of my two main home defense revolvers. I know the rubber handle is ugly, but the magnas I had on it before really hammered the base of my thumb. I have rigged this one for comfort, and I make no apologies.
Next is a .455 Triple Lock from 1914 that I acquired earlier this year. The gun was converted way back when to shoot .45 Colt. The gun hit low and left for me on this, its first outing. That will probably improve some as I practice with it.
And finally this almost unrecognizable gun that I posted as a curiosity when I got it a few weeks ago. This actually began life in (probably) early 1917 as a .455 HE Second Model. [EDITED TO ADD: I just learned it was actually shipped in July 1916.] It was converted to .45 Colt fairly soon after the end of WWI, then was further modified more recently to a target model with Micro sights. It was also very successfully refinished with a blue that is almost as good as the one that it probably sported the first time it left the factory. This came to me wearing the rubber grips that are now on the Brazilian, and I dressed up this one with some hand-filling smooth targets I had lying around.
The last gun was the easiest shooting revolver of those I had out for a run on this occasion. The Winchester cowboy action loads and the wide target stocks made the recoil soft and target reacquisition easy. The gun hits way high for a six o'clock hold (this is a 15-yard target), but I can tinker with the sights when I go back. Range time was limited on this occasion, but I am glad I got to fire at least a few rounds from each of three old blasters.
First, a second contract Brazilian from 1946. I had to rehab this one, and it ended up with a new trigger spring, yoke, and an endshake bearing or two. It still needs a new ejector rod, as the channel in this one is worn and the front locking pin does not hold the cylinder in place as tightly as I would like.
It shoots a little left of its aim point, but is plenty good enough for reliable service at conventional disagreement distances. This is now one of my two main home defense revolvers. I know the rubber handle is ugly, but the magnas I had on it before really hammered the base of my thumb. I have rigged this one for comfort, and I make no apologies.
Next is a .455 Triple Lock from 1914 that I acquired earlier this year. The gun was converted way back when to shoot .45 Colt. The gun hit low and left for me on this, its first outing. That will probably improve some as I practice with it.
And finally this almost unrecognizable gun that I posted as a curiosity when I got it a few weeks ago. This actually began life in (probably) early 1917 as a .455 HE Second Model. [EDITED TO ADD: I just learned it was actually shipped in July 1916.] It was converted to .45 Colt fairly soon after the end of WWI, then was further modified more recently to a target model with Micro sights. It was also very successfully refinished with a blue that is almost as good as the one that it probably sported the first time it left the factory. This came to me wearing the rubber grips that are now on the Brazilian, and I dressed up this one with some hand-filling smooth targets I had lying around.
The last gun was the easiest shooting revolver of those I had out for a run on this occasion. The Winchester cowboy action loads and the wide target stocks made the recoil soft and target reacquisition easy. The gun hits way high for a six o'clock hold (this is a 15-yard target), but I can tinker with the sights when I go back. Range time was limited on this occasion, but I am glad I got to fire at least a few rounds from each of three old blasters.
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