Widder, SASS #59054
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Posts posted by Widder, SASS #59054
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It was a 4" blue. Super shiny. I was told it was 'black chrome' but I ain't sure Colt ever made any of those.
Anyhow, it started my small, and costly collection of Pythons, of which I later sold cause I needed the money.
BUT, it started my dream of a Python like revolver in .44 mag, with solid (unfitted) cylinder, 4 or 6", and either blue or nickel finish.
A couple years back, I got me the new 4.25" Anaconda. Really like it.
BUT, today, I had a chance to order a new Kodiak.......4.25, polished Stainless, UNFLUTED cylinder, AND..... 44 mag. So I obligated myself to take it.
That setup of the pistol was my 'dream revolver' back in 74 and now, I got the Anaconda and the Kodiak.
I think I've suckered ole TW into buying my Anaconda. I'll make up some story about how it belonged to some Afghan war hero or astronaut.
He can't pass up a good revolver that may have belonged to a legend like Dr.Bottlestopper or Prof. Smellfunkus.
..........Widder
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If you decide to go with an aftermarket stock, be sure to check out BOYD's gun stocks.
I've owned 1/2 or more for various 10/22's and they are of the highest quality.....and priced right.
..........Widder
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The '97' question: do you need 1, 2, 3 or more?
I wonder how many 'back up' rifles and pistols all the '97 naysayers' own.
Basically, because original 97's have had years to age, and some abused, and many just sit in grandpa's closet for 50 years, they
inevitably get a bad reputation of being unreliable. But heck, us Cowboys abuse the snot out of them.
We run em hard, treat em like a rented mule, slam em down....... and then tell everyone to be sure and have backups.
My guess is that most of the 66's and 73's are newer clones and if someone is using an original 66 or 73, it probably
has been thoroughly gone over after sitting in grandpa's closet for 50+ years.
And most of us have backups for all our guns. I may have the most reliable Marlin in the world, but I still kept a backup.
And for a long time, I even kept backups for my Ruger's.
Pay attention to shooters at your next match and you'll see folks have issues (problems) with SxS, 1887, 1897, 73's, 66's, Marlin 1894's,
and all the other firearms that are in use.
The main thing, in my opinion, to look for is to get one in good condition and follow some of the good advice above on what to
look for.
All things considered and keeping things in perspective, a good 97 is still a good shotgun for our game.....and its prices are
relatively fair, considering the prices of our other firearms.
Best wishes.
..........Widder
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47 minutes ago, Smokin Gator SASS #29736 said:
I'm not even remotely close to being a gunsmith. But just thinking about it I figured that once the 44-40 round was chambered it would have to be centered for a good hit on the primer. Assuming of course that it would cycle through the action in the first place. Just made sense to me.
Good thinking.
And I was thinking the same. But with all the Marlin's I have worked on, there were a high number where the FP didn't actually hit center
but noticeably off center a little.
If we complicate that with a bolt face that might be off, any 'extra' variance (like changing out the barrel to a new caliber and
chamber size) could create inconsistencies on primer ignition.
Its just one of those thoughts that go thru my head when I think about certain changes in the Marlin. My brain tries to figure out
all possible 'positives' and 'negatives'.
I was taught a long time ago that for every action, there will be a reaction. Sometimes, those actions create a negative reaction.
EDIT: yes, its just a 'guess' of mine that the FP will hit correctly to ignite the primer.
Best regards,
..........Widder
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A lot of good info posted above.
Knowing or having a good 97 smith is great advice.
All my 97's are Chinese made..... and ALL of them have been checked out by my 97 smith here in E.TN.
Having at least 2 good 97's is comforting. 3 or more allows you to use one of them for dry fire practice.
Best regards
..........Widder
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Because .0065 is such a small difference AND Marlin never had a reputation for being 'precise' in some of their tolerances,
its possible (actually probable) that the .45 Colt bolt face is already in a 'Go' tolerance for the 44-40.
My 'guess' is that once the 44-40 round is chambered and the bolt is closed, the FP will hit correctly to ignite the primer.
The 'hood' at the top of the receiver (mentioned by Griff) could present a problem, but as I previously stated with my .45 Marlin, the dummy
44-40 rounds cycled clean and empties ejected strong. I encountered no cycling issues.
Heck, I've encountered greater problems with rifles set up using the proper ammo in them.
..........Widder
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I bought a fake Christmas tree from TN Williams.
The next day, I got a sinus infection and funny cough.
I went to the doctor and he said I had a 'Phantom Infection'. Basically, Its a fake infection. Stuffy sensation but no infection.
I ask why my cough sounded like a chicken kackle?
Then he ask....... "WHO did you get the fake tree from"?
Another true story. Ya just don't make this stuff up!
..........Widder
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According to my 2nd edition Richard LEE modern reloading book:
rim 44-40 is .525
rim .45 colt is .512
44-40 rim is .013 larger
case length 44-40 is 1.305
case length .45 colt is 1.285
44-40 case is .020 longer
Based on these numbers and having a little understanding of the Marlin 1894 action, you should be able to reline the barrel or get a new barrel,
AND....... in keeping the firing pin hole center to the bolt and primer, you should be able to open up the bolt face with no discernible difference.....EXCEPT,
if it were me, I would cut off the small tab on the bolt face, but leave the bottom tabs...one on each side of the bolt.
AND, you may have to tweak the spring on the Extractor (weaken it) in order for it to have some slight movement to allow the larger size
rim to fit under it smoothly.
NOW, after stating all that, I just tested one of my .45 Colt Marlins by running some dummy rounds and empty brass thru it and it ran perfect.
BUT, my bolt face already has those mods that I listed (removal of the small tab on the bolt face and lightning the Extractor spring).
Again, my only concern is ensuring the firing pin is hitting center to your ammo, therefore probably requiring a little opening up the
bolt face just a few .000's
EDIT: test your .45 Marlin with a primer only piece of 44-40 brass and see where your firing pin hits on the primer.
This will tell you more about your bolt face than anything I can suggest.
Nice project............. Good luck.
..........Widder
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I heard a rumor that after this match, other Cowboys started calling you 'Lefty Calloway'.
Good job!
..........Widder
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Chicken George,
I reckon this successful surgery means that Scrap P is still gonna be able to whoop up on me again with his 97.....
I am happy for the good news and may the Good Lord bless him with a complete and speedy recovery.
God Bless.
..........Widder
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JB,
If that Henry is a Widder Soft Stroke .22, check out what Lumpy stated above.
When I set up the bolt and firing pin, I give a good polish to the bolt channel AND the firing pin to where the firing pin
will freely movel in and out of the bolt after you remove the pin at the rear of the bolt.
If the firing pin won't freely fall out, then something is obstructing its free movement.
ALSO, measure the firing pin AND the bolt slot area. The Firing Pin should be anywhere from .025 to .035 longer than the bolt slot
that it sits. The .025 to .035 gives adequate indentation on rimfire cartridges when the FP is smacked by the hammer.
If ya got any questions, feel free to call me.
Good luck.
..........Widder
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Sorri JB.
Most, if not all, of my .22 shooting is during warmer weather..... 50's and above.
..........Widder
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I faintly recall my FIRST record was a 45 by Bobby Bare....'Detroit City'. I still like that song.
Cost me .10 cents.
..........Widder
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I faintly recall seeing the 76 in Mohawk Brown and the Seneca Green..... but I wouldn't swear to it.
..........Widder
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I'm 74.
for nearly 55 years, I eat the sausages and bacons, fresh eggs, whole milk, hamburgers, hot dogs, milkshakes, etc......
And then the effects of that fatty stuff started effecting my heart.
Soooooo, I started reducing my consumption of bacon, started eating those Cholesterol free eggs, drank fat free milk, fewer burgers and hot dogs,
and milkshakes. Started taking lots and lots of medicines.
FAST FORWARD to age 69: double bypass surgery AND replacement of my Aorta valve. Still eating what I want but a little less of it.
I stay on my medicines. BUT BOtToM LINE: I ain't about to cut out all the stuff they want me too. I still have a taste for fried foods
and basically eat what I want, when I want. Dairy Queen still gets some of my business.....
..........Widder
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CB,
Yea.... those Nylon series have gotten expensive over the past few years.
Of course, seems like MANY of the guns I like have gone way up in price.
My 1st S&W model 41 (.22 semi auto) was $146 ...NEW in the box.
Now, they are at minimum between $12-1400.
..........Widder
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Gosh, I had no idea and had not heard about his thumb situation.
Prayers up for a 'Scrapy' kid.
There has not been many folks, especially young folks, that I have listed in 'MY HERO' list....... but Scrap P has been one of them for a
couple years now. You have a fine family and not only is my Prayer for Scrap P, but your entire family. He's blessed to have
all Y'all to help him heal up good.
Take care.
..........Widder
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Thanks for posting those pics, TW.
1st pix is my Remington Nylon Mohawk Brown with its 'mat finish'. Definitely not a high shine finish.
2nd picture down is the Marlin model 101 'T' bolt. I think browning owns the name for 'T' bolt, but Marlin actually
made one. A true single shot and the 'T' was the cocking mechanism for each shot.
The single PEPSI bottle is my favorite designed bottle. It even has one of the earliest lid designs. But, admittedly, the lid
is not during the 'cork' era. I wish it were.
..........Widder
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The next time, lets send in the reporters from NBC, MSNBC, CBS and ABC.
..........Widder
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Hey Pards.
I've handled this 73 that Howdie is letting go. It is indeed a super nice rifle.
But, he fell in love with MY Marlin .32 (Widdermatic) and the rest is history. He lives close to me
and we've done some shooting back on the farm, he has discovered his fondness for the .32 H&R.
I guess his selling/trading his 73 can be blamed on me.
..........Widder
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WOW. One tough character.
..........Widder
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Probably Doc Holidays pistols, OR....... Patton's revolver(s).
..........Widder
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I've donated to some 'helpful charities' and also started getting letters and more letters.
What agitates me the most is when I donated to our local fund raiser to the Knoxville Fire Dept.
Shortly thereafter, I started getting phone calls from a couple other Fire Departments to help their favorite fund raiser causes.
At the time, I worked for the City of Knoxville, in Civil Service, so the Knox Fire Dept had access to my phone number.
When my phone started getting calls from Chattanooga Fire Dept, I had a gut feeling that somebody in the Knox Fire Dept
was selling my number.
About 6 months later, the Knox Fire Dept called again, to THANK ME for my generous gift and ask if I could give again.
I told them 'NO' and I also told them about those other Fire Depts call me and I felt like they had sold my number. I would not
be giving again.
..........Widder
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The BLACK DIAMOND has been my favorite. But their cost at this time is pretty high.
When Remington was stop making them, our local gun store was selling them for $103. I should have bought a dozen of them.
EDIT: a bit of interesting info. A good many of the Nylon's produced before the 68 GCA law did not have a serial number
stamped on them. It was odd, but for whatever reason, Remington didn't register some of the Nylon's.
And for all I know, they may not have put numbers on any of them before the 68 GCA.
Mine is one of them......... no serial number.
..........Widder
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1974: my 1st Colt Python
in SASS Wire Saloon
Posted
I have a lot of trouble posting pics, but I'll try again when it arrives.
I'll have to take a picture as soon as I get it because big bore revolvers don't stay clean very long around my house.
I buy to shoot.....and shoot often.
..........Widder