ASM Walker

[Kent Shootwell]

A buddy spotted one at a shop that is what I would call assembled with nearly no finishing done. What can all you clever fellows tell me about it. I?m considering it as a project for color case and char coal blueing.
KIMG3262 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

[45 Dragoon]

Good "project" gun but personally, just because it's ASM and it's 2019  .  .  .  I would much rather have something current!! That's purely me .  .  .   

Mike

[Kent Shootwell]

?just because it?s an ASM? Care to elaborate on that?

[Bunk Stagnerg]

Kent
i have read that ASM quality was somewhat variable. I have an 1851 Navy made by ASM and it seems to be a good one. It has been shot a lot until my Uberti 1851 was added to the armory.
I would recommend asking Coffinmaker his thoughts.
Bunk

[Mogorilla]

My $0.02 on ASM.   I am finishing a gun belt and holster for a friends ASM 1860.   The gun is a solid tank.   I am impressed by it, as I have it for fit.   It has some parkerized finish that kind of looks like the finish on the barrel in the picture of the Walker.   That I am not impressed by.  but the internals, and all are good, shape and fit are good too.   Other problem is nipples.   On his 1860, he is missing 2, both he and I have looked high and low for replacements and they are not to be found.  ASM had a different size and thread than the Pietta or Uberti ones you find.   He may end up having to have them retapped. 
So my Caveat on ASM is finding parts.

[Coffinmaker]

   Somebody call me??     Thought I heard my name in the distance     Since we are discussing ASM "Armi San Marco" I'll wade in.  At one time, ASM built some really fine Replicants.  Suppliers to the stars as it twer.  Then something went horribly wrong and their quality and quality control went inna toilette.  Right down the Krapper as it twer.  Thomas Krapper, famous for the flush Krapper.  Anyway, with ASM it's a Krap Shoot.  Literally.  You may well stumble on a good one.  Maybe.  When I was happily plying my trade and totally fascinated with ASM 1st Model Conversions, only about 1 in seven ASMs were sound.  the rest were a reassembled parts supply.  Further, when problems cropped up, ASM parts wouldn't fit ASM guns.  Twasant that some fun (NOT).

My personal council is this.  If you cannot play with it first, leave it there.  If you can play with it, cycle the action, if it throws by, leave it there.  If it doesn't rotate all the way into battery, leave it there.  Take a range rod with you and see if the bore/chambers line up at full cock.  If not .........  Do the push hammer forward real hard test.  It should stay at full cock.  Offer 50Bucks less.  There are NO PARTS available.  If critical, it may be possible to re-work/fit Uberti parts.  Pietta doesn't make a Biggun so yer stuck with a single source.

Might just turn out to be a swell "Project" item if you can buy it "right."

[45 Dragoon]

Kent,
Bingo!!  Mogorilla and Coffin are spot on!! ASM's are "spotty"  and parts are pretty much non-egistant (not to mention their bolts are weird lookin birds!!). They had some really nice offerings over the years but the bad ones are numerous!! I owned an '80's Walker, 1st , 2nd and 3rd Mod. Dragoon ASM's  .  .  .  trying to decide if I'm gonna stop working on them like everyone else has.

  Anyway, that's what I was trying to get across .  .  .   

Mike

[Kent Shootwell]

Thanks all, my hobby often seems to be the smith of lost causes. I should look for doable wreaks to salvage!

[Coffinmaker]

Aw heck Kent.  Al long as the results don't wind up inna trash can, lost causes can be very rewarding.

[hellgate]

If the timing is good as per the prior suggestions and the cylinder does not rub on the frame edge get it (especially if you gan whittle the price way down). The only part that is likely to go bad is the hand spring and I have replaced several ASM hand springs on other models with a portion of a bobby pin shaped and staked in place of the original.

[Professor Marvel]

Ah My Good Kent

I have seen the results of your workshop efforts, so If It Is cheap enough and cycles correctly
I would say go!

I would love to see your color   SORRY! color case on that!

Regarding ASM breakagw.. ..

I am the proud owner of a pair, as in TWO, ASM Dragoons that had the cylinder pins snap off at the
End of the wedge slot!  No I didn?t do it, and yes I got them dirt cheap ( along with 2. New Cylinder pin blanks  from dixie) and they await restoration....  and by gum those things are heavy, I swear
If I ever carry them in holsters they will pull mypants off!

Yhs
Prof Marvel

[45 Dragoon]

Hey Perfesser, I've heard of that happening and that is one of the things that a short arbor will allow to happen. Probably a fairly high hardness (brittle) and with no support (bottomed out against the barrel assy), it has space to move to.

Mike

[Kent Shootwell]

That?s the kind of people that hang out in places like this! Trying to lead a innocent man down the path to insanity just for the fun of it. I need another project like a duck needs an outboard motor.
But just for conversation sake what?s ?cheap enough? on an old retired mans budget?

[Coffinmaker]

Personally, I'd be offering a sum somewhat less than $200.  Seller has $249 on the tag.  Too much for an ASM.  They are NOT collector fodder.  $200 is TOP money for that item.  I'd prefer $180 but the seller may not have a sense of humor.  Go for it.  Worst the seller can do is say no.

[Professor Marvel]

Personally, I'd be offering a sum somewhat less than $200.  Seller has $249 on the tag.  Too much for an ASM.  They are NOT collector fodder.  $200 is TOP money for that item.  I'd prefer $180 but the seller may not have a sense of humor.  Go for it.  Worst the seller can do is say no.

Not only that, but it appears to me that it was a kit that was merely assembled and blued.

yhs
prof marvel

[Professor Marvel]

Hey Perfesser, I've heard of that happening and that is one of the things that a short arbor will allow to happen. Probably a fairly high hardness (brittle) and with no support (bottomed out against the barrel assy), it has space to move to.

Mike

The crystaline grain showing on the ends suggest "extremely brittle" .
I'll have to dig one out of the first ring of hell workshop mess and get a foto posted.

prof (brittle steel can be cured!) marvel

[ndnchf]

About 10 or 12 years ago I picked up a used ASM Walker. To my surprise it was a great gun. No problems at all. I got a wild hair and turned it into a "pocket" Walker 

[litl rooster]

Personally, I'd be offering a sum somewhat less than $200.  Seller has $249 on the tag.  Too much for an ASM.  They are NOT collector fodder.  $200 is TOP money for that item.  I'd prefer $180 but the seller may not have a sense of humor.  Go for it.  Worst the seller can do is say no.

Remind me not to offer you anything for sale.

[Professor Marvel]

Thanks all, my hobby often seems to be the smith of lost causes. I should look for doable wreaks to salvage!

I only just noticed this...
Saint Kent, the patron saint smith of lost causes

Personally, I'd be offering a sum somewhat less than $200.  Seller has $249 on the tag.  Too much for an ASM.  They are NOT collector fodder.  $200 is TOP money for that item.  I'd prefer $180 but the seller may not have a sense of humor.  Go for it.  Worst the seller can do is say no.

Remind me not to offer you anything for sale.

Ah My Dear Rooster, where's the fun in that?
To Those of us who are cheap barstiches frugal fellows, bargaing is a major hobby all by itself

yhs
prof cheapskate

[Major 2]

"....To Those of us who are cheap barstiches frugal fellows, bargaing is a major hobby all by itself "


WORD !