Shot my triple locks

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nedlate

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I have had these guns for a while, finally shot them last weekend. I was a little disappointed and happy both!:) The disappointment was with the ammunition-Winchester 255 GR. It was not crimped enough and allowed bullet jump! The cylinders locked up after the 1st shot! So kind of expensive single shots! Target was shot at 25 yards with a 2 handed hold, double action. I was happy and surprised with the groups.:) The upper right was one gun and the lower left the other gun. I didn't bother to adjust the sights until I get some better ammo.
Ed





 
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I no longer have the target but when I shot this triplelock when I bought it about 35 years ago, I tested it against about 3 other .44 specials I own plus a model 29-2 and it outshot everything I had rested off the bench. Since I have a bunch of more modern .44s, I made it a safe queen but it is still up to it! The company installed the more modern adjustable sights in 1949 and 1950. Was to the factory twice. I have lettered it.

 
I had the same problem with remington lead round nose.Sent three boxes back to the factory and they replaced it with new.They paid shipping to and from.They sent me a letter saying I should use a heavy framed revolver to prevent bullet jump.I wrote back saying I used a wolf and klar 6.5 inch n frame.Is that heavy enough?:rolleyes:
 
Triple Locks

Hi, Looks like you had a good time in Montana last weekend! Now you need a good cast bullet, and you'll be cooking. Did you go to the show in Moscow? Dave
 
singleshot1 said:
Hi, Looks like you had a good time in Montana last weekend! Now you need a good cast bullet, and you'll be cooking. Did you go to the show in Moscow? Dave
Click to expand...

Dave-I forgot all about the Moscow show! and Ann was working, I should have headed right up with her money! I found my RCBS mold for the 45 Colt #82050, a 255 grain SWC. Now if I would just learn to cast! Been going to call you but didn't do it!:)
 
Nice revolvers,,great shooting!
Gotta get mine out sometime.



That's both badly disapointing and scarry about the ammo.

Most people trust factory stuff as the end-all answer for self-defense as far as reliability goes.
I know you should always try it first and here's a great reason why.
But many people do not,,and use also the reliability of the revolver,,, 'Just pull the trigger a second time',, to fall back on.
 
feralmerril said:
I no longer have the target but when I shot this triplelock when I bought it about 35 years ago, I tested it against about 3 other .44 specials I own plus a model 29-2 and it outshot everything I had rested off the bench. Since I have a bunch of more modern .44s, I made it a safe queen but it is still up to it! The company installed the more modern adjustable sights in 1949 and 1950. Was to the factory twice. I have lettered it.
Click to expand...

Just gorgeous, PW non-relieved target stocks and all; a real improvement over the original Service Stocks! And to think, Triple Locks don't even have forcing cones!! No Smiths from that period do!

Was that beauty originally a TL Target that was upgraded with post war micro-click sights or converted to a target at the factory?

These two are exemplary shooters as well even with the tiny sight notches:

orig.jpg

orig.jpg
 
No, my triplelock left the factory 6 1/2" fixed sights but was returned to the factory for work in 1949 and again in 1950. Dont know why.Without looking for the letter or takeing the grips off I cant recall the months and days. I have owned it for about 40 years.
 
HoundDog,

That's correct, a late third model, likely made 1920 or the last year, 1921.

My son told me about a woman at the Las Vegas Antique Gun show about 2 years ago that had a full table of M frames all in 95% or better condition including a row of these (my son's M frame snubby). He was awestruck and couldn't rest until he found one!

orig.jpg


Beauty and the Beast:
orig.jpg


2 ¼" barrel, a standard but rare length. The SCSW also indicates 2" marked boxes do exist and 2" barrels exist but not installed in a gun. The barrel has not been modified but the grips have been "freshened up" by Keith Brown.
 
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Hondo44,
I like it! These little M-Frames are just so neat. Since it seems customary to show one along with a big N-Frame for size comparison, preferably a triple-lock, I've attached photos of mine. It is a VERY early 2nd Model--when my wife first saw it, her eyes lit up & she proclaimed she wanted to shoot it. Which is odd since she doesn't shoot much, and it is usually all I can do to get her to the range. Wondered what your thoughts were on shooting it. On page 114 of Supica & Nahas, there is a picture of a Ladysmith and a Triple-lock together (like I said, customary). On the very next page, there is a warning to not use modern ammo in these old M-Frames. No explanation though--anybody know why?
 

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HoundDog,

That's a gorgeous paring of two classics.

As you know they are chambered for the old 22 Long. But even new Longs and Shorts have higher pressures. Many of these are found with split barrel forcing cones from shooting 22 Long Rifles, LR Hi velocity or modern Longs, we don't know for sure.

But I feel safe and the common belief is that .22 CBs are safe, just as accurate and just as much fun.
 
Continued

Since this is a triple-lock thread, the one in the picture of my previous post is a .44 HE 1st Model (New Century) in .455 Mark II caliber that was sent to England for the war effort. One of only 666, according to Neal & Jinks. Took some effort to piece it all together, but with the help of the good folks on this forum, it came together quickly.

Another note on shooting early S&W .22s. In the May 2013 issue of Guns & Ammo, Garry James shoots a S&W Model Number One, 2nd Issue. Claims to do so periodically with no ill effects, and used a fairly hot load (1000 fps MV). While I have no plans to do the same to my Model Number One, 2nd Issue, I still wonder about the warning for the Ladysmiths.

Oh and I asked my son which one he would choose from your picture, and he picked the .500 Smith. Although he figures he'd only shoot it once. I'll keep an eye on the auction sites for him--they seem to be plentiful, and mostly just fired once or twice...
 
I have some CBs, as well as some new loads from Aguila. They don't use gunpowder, just extra primer. Warning not to use in rifles since the little 20 grain bullet can get stuck. It would be worth it to give one of them a try, just to watch my wife shoot it. Her 'other' Ladysmith is a Model 60-7 in .38 Special +P rated that has quite the kick. Thanks for the info!
 
HoundDog316 said:
I still wonder about the warning for the Ladysmiths.

Oh and I asked my son which one he would choose from your picture, and he picked the .500 Smith. Although he figures he'd only shoot it once. I'll keep an eye on the auction sites for him--they seem to be plentiful, and mostly just fired once or twice...
Click to expand...

On the Ladysmiths, I just don't shoot them that much to spend a lot of mental energy trying to decide and just shoot the CBs.

But on your 455 TL, a confirmed one of 666 is awesome and in such good shape and w/o all the stampings. First I've seen.

Now if had one of those converted to 45 ACP (19K to 21K PSI), I would only shoot 45 AR (14K PSI) or my handloads. The 1917s had heat treated cylinders at the behest of the government to handle the ACP pressure designed to operate the slide of a 1911 Auto. But mine is just one opinion.

The .500 Mag is my cheapest gun I own to shoot; very few want to shoot it more than once! But I shoot a lot of Corbon's .500 Specials. My son's .44 Mag 329 Scandium frame Airweight is actually a lot more uncomfortable with full Mag loads!
 
I actually shoot a lot of Aguila "sans powder" sub-sonics . It's another good choice. I shoot many of my .22s with those in the garage.
 
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