Sent my Henry to the gunsmith

Dr. Bob · June 12, 2009, 10:39:20 PM

I decided to put together an early outfit. Sent my 44WCF 1860 off to become a 44 Russian rifle. I have an S & W DA 44 in 44 Russian and am saving my pennies for a Richards - Mason 1860 Conversion in 44 Colt/44 Russian. I will use them with my 1872 Engineer Officers uniform. The 44 Russian is as close to the 44 Henry CF as you can get with "off the shelf' components. Can hardly wait!

Mossyrock · June 12, 2009, 11:10:51 PM

Dr. Bob,

Why not .44 Colt?

Dr. Bob · June 13, 2009, 07:27:43 AM

Mossyrock,

Because I have an original S & W DA 44 in 44 Russian and the dies to load 44 Russian and brass to load 44 Russian and I can't afford to invest in another caliber which is not very different.

Coffinmaker · June 13, 2009, 12:30:08 PM

Dr Bob,

Don't forget, after you have you chamber re-cut, you'll need to change out the carrier block for .44 Russian.

Coffinmaker

Ottawa Creek Bill · June 13, 2009, 05:08:38 PM

Quote from: Coffinmaker on June 13, 2009, 12:30:08 PM
Dr Bob,

Don't forget, after you have you chamber re-cut, you'll need to change out the carrier block for .44 Russian.

Coffinmaker

When Dr. Bob gets his Henry back, all that will be complete.

Bill

Fox Creek Kid · June 13, 2009, 11:37:20 PM

Bob, I would have loaned you money for a second set of dies until your "bailout" money comes in.

Dr. Bob · June 14, 2009, 12:03:49 AM

FCK,

You are too kind! I already have the 44 Russian dies and 500 cases. Will ya loan the money for the 1860 Richards - Mason in 44 Colt/44 Russian??

Remember the bail out money is coming from the Donkey govt!

Dusty Morningwood · June 14, 2009, 07:04:10 PM

And remember, Dr. Bob, this is how much fun you are about to have.

Earl Brasse · June 14, 2009, 09:13:12 PM

Sounds good Dr. Bob. Who's doing the barrel work. I had thought about finding a Henry in 44 Spec. (tough to find) & getting one of Anarondack Jacks' short carriers so I could use .44 Russian. I have a Henry in 44-40 . About what kind of $$ is the conversion? Do they have to cut the barrel ?

Fox Creek Kid · June 16, 2009, 03:53:24 AM

Seriously, since no CAS stage requires more than 10 shots w/o reloading to make a level playing field I feel it is a non-issue and will stick to TRUE Henry BP loads of 28 gr. BP and a wad that I use in a 44-40. As long as the rifle holds ten and you're using 26 - 28 gr. BP and a 200 gr. bullet there is no difference. At best you can get 20 & maybe 21 gr. BP in a modern .44 Russian case. Just my 2 cents.

Dusty Morningwood · June 16, 2009, 06:32:19 AM

Quote from: Earl Brasse on June 14, 2009, 09:13:12 PM
Sounds good Dr. Bob. Who's doing the barrel work. I had thought about finding a Henry in 44 Spec. (tough to find) & getting one of Anarondack Jacks' short carriers so I could use .44 Russian. I have a Henry in 44-40 . About what kind of $$ is the conversion? Do they have to cut the barrel ?

It seems that Happy Trails resleeved my .44-40 to .44 Spl. for around $220. This may have included a new carrier, I am not sure. Then it cost me around $30 plus the old carrier for one with the face modified to handle .44 Russian, Colt and Spl. And even though I just get about 20 gr FFG in a case, it sure is fun to fill the rifle up and shoot that many rounds in a row.

Dr. Bob · June 16, 2009, 02:59:32 PM

Howdy Earl B.,

Ottawa Creek Bill is doing mine as a favor to a friend. He isn't looking for any more outside gun work. Looks like you might get Happy Trails to do it for you. Good luck!

Montana Slim · June 21, 2009, 06:49:23 AM

I can easily see the advantages of the conversion for Dr. Bob....I have several cartridge pistols also in .44 Colt (which I use .44 Russian) plus my original Smith in .44 Russian. The .44 Russian is a bit quicker to prep & load compared to 44-40, brass is a bit less expensive and you save about 30% on BP (full loads - again simplifies loading).

Only downsides would be the likelihood of running a dirtier action (I'm comparing to my experience w/44-40 folks)...I only use genuine gunpowder.

My rifle & carbine are also .44-40, which has the nice feature of running so clean and trouble free during extended shooting.

I'm anxious for a range report from Dr. Bob...or, I'd be glad to do the testing for you and provide a detailed analysis. I'd do this for no charge for my friend, Dr. Bob

Regards,
Slim

Dr. Bob · June 21, 2009, 02:27:18 PM

Slim, my friend, the gunsmith took 11 of MY rounds to "proof" his work. He did say that he will return the brass "polished like new."

Your offer is kind in the utmost!

It is quite uncommon to find a man of your qualifications making such a generous off of his professional services.

However I fear grave consequences to my health and mental condition [?][

] if it is not returned directly to me.

Please be assured that you have my highest approbation for your offer!

Montana Slim · June 21, 2009, 09:49:35 PM

Sure, Dr. Bob ..... I agree (I think)

Best be lookin' fer my dictionary

Regards,
Slim

Dr. Bob · June 22, 2009, 02:43:41 PM

Slim,

Being educated does sometimes expand your vocabulary.

Doesn't mean that I know how to spell all these words.

Ottawa Creek Bill · June 22, 2009, 06:03:13 PM

Dr. Bob....
Got the gun disassembled and will chamber the new insert and install it tomorrow, I'll take it to the range Wednesday.

Dave Hollandsworth has a shipping box he got from Midway that I will ship it to you in. He wants you to hold on to it until the national shoot next year.

Bill

Delmonico · June 22, 2009, 06:20:16 PM

And the best part is it will look right, I shudder everytime I used to see someone one a show on The History Channel shove 44-40 rounds in a Henry, just don't look right. If one is trying to do their best to look right, that is a part of it.