45ACP Pistol Project

jackie schmidt

jackie schmidt

New member
I have a short barreled N Frame Smith & Wesson that I kinda cobbled together years ago. It started out as a Model 28 frame, I acquired a Model 25 cylinder and barrel and fit it all together. I cut and crowned the barrel at 3 inches, remounted a sight, and did an action job.

I never really shot it much, so I decided to do something different.

I got a 1-16 twist 45 cal barrel blank from Shilen, cut it to make a 6 1/2 inch long barrel. I threaded it to fit, and now have to machine a bolt on extractor rod securing pin mount, plus a front sight. In the end I will slab the sides.

Here is how far I am now. We are pretty busy so I am kinda doing a little at a time.

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=24294&stc=1&d=1610409517

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=24295&stc=1&d=1610409560
 

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Great project, Jackie....can't wait to see the result. There's a lot to like about a 45ACP revolver. :cool: -Al
 
Very Nice

Jackie:

Now that's an interesting project!

Please keep us posted as it progresses.

Lot's to be said for a well built revolver.

Ben
 
rsmithsr said:
so slab sided with big underlug, thin the top with a (not a rail, but like a rail) name eludes me as i type.
Click to expand...

We used to use a Bomar Rib atop our pistols.
The front sight will be the last thing I figure out. I have several ideas floating around in my head.
 

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jackie,
Looking good!!

A mdl 25/625 after the initial investment/purchase will last you a lifetime.

Now invest in several moon clips & for cooler temperatures some 45 AutoRim brass.
 
I used to shoot bullseye pistol for many years and went to Camp Perry about a dozen times. I saw one guy who used three S&W revolvers for the entire competition, .22, 38spcl, and .45 acp. He fired the timed and rapid fire matches single action. It was amazing to watch his thumb cock the hammer each time, like a mechanical ratchet.
 
I got all of the mechanical work done, the pistol will shoot now.

I still have some cosmetic work to do, some contouring. But I think I will shoot it first.

Everything is machined from Stainless Steel. That ejector rod support/lock took a little thinking, but it came out great.

Here are some pics......

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=24310&stc=1&d=1611017722

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=24311&stc=1&d=1611017773

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=24312&stc=1&d=1611017811
 

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.45 cal "N" frame

Jackie -


Howdy !


You didn't hafta put a ejector rod fwd mount on the gun. I have a custom M-520 ( former NYSP surplus ) that NE Indiana gunsmith Dave Schwarze built for me.
I had Dave put on a custom 4" barrel, that was just a kiss wider than the front of the frame. I wanted mine to be a .357Mag for self defense use.

My point: Dave set the gun up sans any front support for the ejector rod. I have been shooting the gun for 3 decades now, and have not encountered any problems; which includes no bending of the ejector rod has been encountered. I myself don't do a lot of " barricade " type shots.

The revolver also makes use of an M-28 cylinder.

For your .45, maybe an Austin Behlert rear sight . Used one on my customized 5" M-27, and liked it a lot.
Schwarze often used front ramp sight plastic insets, cut from toothbrushes that came in exotic " squirt gun " colors. I suspect you don't want a " red ramp ", or something
similar.


Great project Jackie, and good work there !



With regards,
357Mag
 
.357Mag said:
Jackie -


Howdy !


You didn't hafta put a ejector rod fwd mount on the gun. I have a custom M-520 ( former NYSP surplus ) that NE Indiana gunsmith Dave Schwarze built for me.
I had Dave put on a custom 4" barrel, that was just a kiss wider than the front of the frame. I wanted mine to be a .357Mag for self defense use.

My point: Dave set the gun up sans any front support for the ejector rod. I have been shooting the gun for 3 decades now, and have not encountered any problems; which includes no bending of the ejector rod has been encountered. I myself don't do a lot of " barricade " type shots.

The revolver also makes use of an M-28 cylinder.

For your .45, maybe an Austin Behlert rear sight . Used one on my customized 5" M-27, and liked it a lot.
Schwarze often used front ramp sight plastic insets, cut from toothbrushes that came in exotic " squirt gun " colors. I suspect you don't want a " red ramp ", or something
similar.


Great project Jackie, and good work there !



With regards,
357Mag
Click to expand...

Back in the 1970’s when I built quite a few PPC pistols in 38 Special, ( I used model 10 frames), I did not use a front rod support. It seemed to preform no real purpose.

I decided to include on on this project for no other reason than to avoid questions as to why I didn’t include one:p Machining the mount and mounting it on the barrel was one of the more aggravating aspects of the build.

As for sights, the Smith & Wesson sights are pretty good, I will probably mount some type of rib in the future. Aristocrat makes some nice ones.
I’ll look to the Behlert, but did not know they were still made.
 
Last edited:
.45 revolver

Jackie -crane
Howdy !

Only mentioned the Behlert rear sight as a nice-to-have option. A great sight, if one can pickup "used ". Believe the gentleman passed on some years ago.

Did you need to install a washer or round "shim " to space the cylinder back from the crane ( too aid in preventing cylinder lock-up on the barrel's aft face ) ?


With regards,
357Mag
 
.357Mag said:
Jackie -crane
Howdy !

Only mentioned the Behlert rear sight as a nice-to-have option. A great sight, if one can pickup "used ". Believe the gentleman passed on some years ago.

Did you need to install a washer or round "shim " to space the cylinder back from the crane ( too aid in preventing cylinder lock-up on the barrel's aft face ) ?


With regards,
357Mag
Click to expand...

I did not have to modify anything, the cylinder snaps right in and locks up nice as it did with the original barrel.

There is a
 

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