Recommended reading for a gunsmith tinkerer?

Parson McGrady · November 20, 2013, 07:39:05 AM

Morning all!

It is getting time to give Mrs Claus a list; hopefully she won't check it twice...

I like to tinker with my irons and want to get going in CFDA. What resources and tools would you recommend to start out with. I have worked on the 1911 I shoot, so am not a total newbie. However, definitely not a real 'smith, either.

Blessings!

Parson McGrady

St. George · November 20, 2013, 09:12:13 AM

'Gunsmithing the Guns of the Old West' - by Chicoine. should get you started.

Scouts Out!

Red Cent · November 20, 2013, 06:25:29 PM

Buy a New Model Ruger Vaquero with 4 3/4" barrel in 45 Colt. The only thing you may want to do is lighten the hammer spring. The factory trigger is good and a light trigger may be a detriment in fast draw.

Other than leather and practice rounds you are good to go. 'Course some cleaning stuff would be nice

.

I would strongly suggest a Bob Mernickle rig. Tell him I said Howdy.

Parson McGrady · November 21, 2013, 04:39:27 AM

Red, I believe you were the gentleman who tried to spoil me with at that top shelf gear one SASS shoot a few years ago. Thank you, again. You advised on a thin belt and I still wear it every day.

Vaqueros are fantastic guns; I like almost anything Ruger puts out and have owned a few. However, this time around I am looking for maximum historical accuracy as well as decent competition.

Blessings,

Parson McGrady

St. George · November 21, 2013, 09:02:10 AM

If you're looking for 'maximum historical accuracy' - then get a copy of Rattenbury's 'Packing Iron' - that is, if you're looking for reference material, and not recommendations for competition guns.

It'll show you what was worn 'back in the day' and how pretty much nothing in SASS resembles it.

Then, look at what the folks in the 'Leather Forum' can make you that'll do what you ask of it.

For more references - read the Time-Life series 'The Old West' - available at your local Public Library.

Scouts Out!

Red Cent · November 21, 2013, 07:18:41 PM

I thought that name was familiar.

Parson, you can't compete with a BP revolver with a 7" barrel

.

Parson McGrady · November 22, 2013, 05:12:16 AM

Quote from: Red Cent on November 21, 2013, 07:18:41 PMParson, you can't compete with a BP revolver with a 7" barrel .

Dang! $:-\$

Morning Red! Not too long after we met the economy tanked and I lost my revenue stream. It took several months and a major relocation to find work. I had to sell everything in the gun safe save one of the 1911 sisters. The good news is that I get to start fresh!

There is a story-teller part of me that wants to write about a character who comes back east from the wild west. That's why I want to go the historical route; to better understand and convey.

Blessings!

Parson McGrady

Red Cent · November 22, 2013, 01:33:42 PM

What sixgun are you considering? It would have to chamber/fire the 45 Colt. The conversions would be a possibility. Uberti sells the Colt Model 1860 with conversion to 45 Colt. A 5.5" barrel would make it fit your bill.

Parson McGrady · November 22, 2013, 04:03:44 PM

Right now the Uberti seems to have the highest ratings, given a loose and very unofficial poll. The Cattleman in 45LC/4.75" bbl (SKU 344100) is what I'm looking at most, but I still don't know enough yet.

I never really fancied the open tops; always made me wonder how they would hold up given hundreds of rounds. If it was purely CFDA then no issue, but if I use this for other stuff it will need to be solid. From the looks of it the cartridge changes came in 1871, only a couple years before the Peacemaker.

Blessings,

Parson McGrady

Red Cent · November 23, 2013, 10:49:59 AM

It seems that the most favorite six gun in CFDA is the new model Ruger Vaquero. This would be my choice. Very difficult to break.
What, in mind's eye, do you see in leather rigs?

Parson McGrady · November 24, 2013, 08:46:54 AM

Morning Red!

I know less about leather than about shooters. As always, my default answer is a competitive rig that is historically accurate. What that means I do not yet know. I well recall your advice about thin versus wide belts. I made my own holster for my Rugers back then and learned a good bit. One thing I learned was respect for people who knew what they were doing! Since everyone seems to have the highest praise for Bob Mernickle, that is probably the way to go.

However, for the moment I'm resisting temptation and will wait on a chance to shoot with the locals. My first experiences with them were good and I'd like to see how the sport feels before putting a good bit of money into it.

Blessings,

Parson McGrady