The 4566TSWSSV project

[vigil617]

A 4596 without the square trigger-guard. What's not to love?

Methinks the Master Chief must have spent some time in the snipes' shop as well as the bosn's hole, to learn the skills he's showing here.

Or maybe he's just one of those folks that are good at a lot of different things. You know, those folks that I envy....

Apropos of nothing in the thread, though, Master Chief: was that 82-footer in the avatar yours as an OIC at some "Point"? Care to share any details?

 

[BruceB]

A 4596 without the square trigger-guard. What's not to love?

Methinks the Master Chief must have spent some time in the snipes' shop as well as the bosn's hole, to learn the skills he's showing here.

Or maybe he's just one of those folks that are good at a lot of different things. You know, those folks that I envy....

Apropos of nothing in the thread, though, Master Chief: was that 82-footer in the avatar yours as an OIC at some "Point"? Care to share any details?

Or hanging out in the armory with the GMs.

I know I spent a lot of time hanging in areas outside my ST rate, more productive than being bored or griping during those long ocean stations on WHEC719.

 

[scwv67]

Absolutely awesome work! Talent, you have it. Looking forward to the final reveal.

 

[BMCM]

was that 82-footer in the avatar yours as an OIC at some "Point"? Care to share any details?

Nope wasn't mine. I would've been gunning for her though had she still been around by the time I made E-9. That was the POINT BARNES. My very first afloat tour back starting back in '79. I had more sheer fun during my time on that boat than the next 28 years combined... Fond memories.

They gave her to Jamaica in 2000 as I recall

Cheers
Bill

 

[BMCM]

Methinks the Master Chief must have spent some time in the snipes' shop as well as the bosn's hole, to learn the skills he's showing here.

Back when I was COB on the 180 I did tend to fiddle a bit with that old South Bend Heavy 10 we had in aft steering. Does that count?

Or hanging out in the armory with the GMs.

Well, there is that. 25 years a small arms instructor, 4 on the national shooting team, went distinguished when I won the leg match at Dam Neck in 199something. Yup I learned plenty of them Gunners Mates how to shoot properly.

Cheers
Bill

 

[BruceB]

This thread is getting drifty from all the old Coasties, but ...

It sounds like the USCG brought back the shooting teams after they went away in about 1970. I was a very good 4 position competition rifle shooter and not too bad with bullseye pistol when I enlisted, and was hoping to try to get in on that. Got to Camp May for boot camp and during the shooting quals heard that the team has just been disbanded. I think I had the best rifle scores in the company, but the worn-out 1911 I got for the pistol quals was a miserable piece. No one could have made that thing shoot straight.

 

[BMCM]

Yup, we had the team to beat back in the 60's. Unfortunately the program devolved into a good ol' boys club with the same guys going out each season. I gather the senior leadership became sufficiently annoyed with them that the program was killed around 1970.
And luckily for me resurrected about 1990 when I got on board. We were doing extraordinarily well but as I recall, due to budgetary issues and a HQ reorganization around 1994-5 the funding was pulled.

Anyway getting back on track here sort of...

I was rummaging through a pile of parts (as i often do) and Lo & Behold... what do I find but another large frame slide stop that's in very fine shape. So I gave it a little tuneup breaking the sharp edges and cleaning up the mold parting lines. This one goes in, nice smooth and clean cross pin.

And I'm still messing about with the beavertail. My eye picked up a slight lack of symmetry from one side to the other so I've been working carefully to make sure both side exactly mirror one another.

Not really changing anything substantial here just some subtle contouring. Not going any shorter either, it's right where I want it. Just need to fiddle with the cut lines and curves such the both side are exactly the same.

I guess somewhere along the line I developed a thing for balance & symmetry. Oh Wait! maybe I have OCD and need medication I'll just stow these tools for the night and head over the the Liquor... Err uhh medicine cabinet

Cheers
Bill

 

[vigil617]

Nope wasn't mine. I would've been gunning for her though had she still been around by the time I made E-9. That was the POINT BARNES. My very first afloat tour back starting back in '79. I had more sheer fun during my time on that boat than the next 28 years combined... Fond memories.

They gave her to Jamaica in 2000 as I recall

Cheers
Bill

Back when I was COB on the 180 I did tend to fiddle a bit with that old South Bend Heavy 10 we had in aft steering. Does that count?

I guess somewhere along the line I developed a thing for balance & symmetry. Oh Wait! maybe I have OCD and need medication I'll just stow these tools for the night and head over the the Liquor... Err uhh medicine cabinet

Cheers
Bill

Bristol fashion, I think it's called on board.

Any time spent in front of a good American-made lathe like a South bend was well spent.

To your health, then, Master Chief. Thanks for the updates.

FWIW, I pined for an 82 or 95 CO billet on my second afloat tour coming off a 210 in '82, but alas it was not to be. Was able to stay afloat, though, as first lieutenant on a brand new 270. Being a plankowner still is rather special to me, but I'd still love to have had a shot at a WPB.

 

[presspics]

Anything new happening here??

 

[BMCM]

Anything new happening here??

Well, A little bit is.
The big holdup is my welder. Turns out the shop I took it to sent it to their main office about an hour away, who in turn, sent it to another place in Mobile. They're now telling me it's not repairable. I'm thinking I should have taken it to the factory authorized Miller repair shop in Baton Rouge from the beginning.

So Friday, I ordered a new multi-process machine (that I can't afford) which ought to be here in a week or so. Once I get the new gizmo set up and take time for some practice and learn the new machine, I get after the holes in the dust cover.

In the meantime I've done a bit more work on the frame tang.
Things were still a little bit lumpy so I did some more fine finishing:

I also smoothed and rolled the area where the frame flat meets the now rounded tang. What I want is a seamless transition from the flat to the beavertail/tang with no visible line there. You can indeed see a line now due to my working the steel but after a trip to the blast cabinet it should be invisible.

While I'm waiting for the new welder to get here I'll go ahead and clean up the decock lever a bit. There are some sharp edges and some rough casting marks that need some attention.

Here:

And especially here:

That's all for now

Cheers
Bill

 

[SoCalDep]

I love your work! I can't believe I missed this thread until today...I'll be checking it every day!

 

[18DAI]

BTT. Any updates BMCM?

 

[Gunhacker]

I can't stand it either...

Every time BMCM takes a pause, it's like the season end "cliff hanger" episode for you favorite TV series (like NCIS).

Man... color me a dark shade of "envy green" on the skills being showcased.

 

[nocents]

I can't stand it either...

Every time BMCM takes a pause, it's like the season end "cliff hanger" episode for you favorite TV series (like NCIS).

Man... color me a dark shade of "envy green" on the skills being showcased.

the skill of "BMCM" and the knowledge of "Fastbolt"....would make for a hit TV show.......

 

[BMCM]

BTT. Any updates BMCM?

Ok Ok I get it

Not a helluvalot to report but here's what I got.

Aside from a trip to the blast cabinet, I'm done on the grip tang/beavertail. I think it looks pretty darn good and has a real good feel to it.

So on to the decock levers.

Did some cleaning up and rounding over of the harsh edges on both sides. I took a lot of time this mainly due to this being a decock only lever that's nigh irreplaceable I didn't want to screw it up. Plus I took extra care to not nick or damage the spring in any way. Mind you though these are still in the rough and will be making a trip to the blast cabinet so they match the blasted finish of the rest of the steel.

Here's how the left hand side came out:

And oblique view from the rear:

The decock body and right hand ambi lever:

And the oblique view:

Unlike my 4516, for this gun I intend on leaving all the controls at full width.


I haven't quite decided what I'm going to do with the slide flats.
Much as I tend to dislike the laser etched billboards, in this particular case the worn faded look is kinda growing on me. It speaks to me of character. Eh, We'll see, I can always wipe the flats later. I think I'll just leave it be for now.

You may also notice I've slapped on a set of Big Dot sights.
Well, If you've followed some of my previous stuff you'll know I'm kinda fond of these sights... Not this time though.

Rather unsightly gap where the front stands proud of the slide.

Had to pare some material off the trailing edge of the rear sight to get it to fit with zero clearance. Before modifying the part, I tried fitting this sight on 4 other slides, no joy, it was simply too long to fit any of them. I made it work anyway.

I'm thinking I'll go with the factory night sight for this job. Got a rear on order from Brownells already. The front seems to be out of stock everywhere although I have yet to call S&W to see if they may have one. I'll try that Monday. And there's always an option of going direct to Trijicon.

So, What's next? you may ask.
Well there's a bit of welding yet to do. Still need to erase the holes in the dust cover and maybe some other things

So my poor old Miller Maxstar 150STL is deader 'n' a hammer thus...

Fifteen hunnert clams and a week or so later and the guy in the big brown truck dropped this off on my porch Wednesday:

Stick, Tig and Plasma all in one box

Still waiting on delivery of a few more things to get going, A CK Worldwide micro tig torch for one.

I still need to install/wire a Nema 6-50 240v receptacle to run this baby. Then I'll need to invest some time to learn this machine well and, do some practice welding with a micro torch on 410 steel before welding on the frame.

That concludes tonight's report...stay tuned

Cheers
Bill

 

[timn8er]

Bill, If you should happen to trip over an OEM front sight for your 4566TSW, I would greatly appreciate it if you can tell me where to find one. Not the night sight, just the regular white dot. I believe the S&W part # is 109110000, which is the same as my 4506-1 that I can't find a front sight for anywhere. Its .245 tall. Thanks!

 

[BMCM]

Checked all the fronts in my bin and they're all short. I'll keep a lookout thought and let you know if I come across one. Have you tried calling S&W direct?

Cheers
Bill

 

[timn8er]

Yes. I think I've called everyone. I tried the paint trick, but that didn'y work for me. I may have to go with getting the night sights re-lamped even though I don't want night sights on the pistol.

 

[BMCM]

I gather your white dot fell out? I've had good results with fingernail polish. Clean & degrease the recess thoroughly (I use acetone) then use a wooden tooth pick to apply a tiny blob of nail polish. Quickly work the blob to fill the entire circle then get out of there (it dries quickly). Prop the gun up muzzle down 'till it's completely dry.

Cheers
Bill

 

[timn8er]

No, Its a dead night sight. I usually only put night sights on carry guns. I want this one for the range, & the range I shoot at regular sights work better for me.