Picking up an Opentop tomorrow

[DeaconKC]

Did a little trading today and will be bringing this one home tomorrow [NICS was backed up out the wazoo today]. Looking forward to the long grip on the Army

[Drydock]

What caliber?  I've got one just like that in .45, shoot black powder CSs in it all day long.

[Major 2]

Nice

sadly ...
There seems to be a direct influence in calls to the FBI NICS E-Check VS a tragedy like in Bolder Co. 

[RattlesnakeJack]

Looks mighty good!

I enjoy shooting my open top "pair" (both in .45 Colt) consisting of a Richards-nason Conversion and a Model 1871 Open Top -

[Abilene]

That sure is a nice thing about having a handgun license, paperwork only and no NICS check!  Or in Texas, anyway.

Yeah Deacon, what caliber?  Army grip on a 5 1/2" barrel '72 Opentop is unusual.  For the most part, Navy grip OT's come in all barrel lengths, but Army grip only on 7 1/2". 

[Coffinmaker]

  Deacon   

Nice.  Really Nice.  The Open Top is my favorite Suppository Shooter of ALL.  Super versatile.  Be sure to fix the Abysmal Barrel to Arbor fit first thing.  ENJOY!!!

Stay Safe Out There

[DeaconKC]

Sorry fellers, it's a .45 Colt. Now just gotta find a left handed holster for the rig for it.

[Tornado]

She is a keeper.

[DeaconKC]

Had a match today and hadn't planned on shooting it as I haven't had it to the range yet to see where it actually hits. My compadres talked me into running it so I gave it a couple squirts of oil and away we went. Ran perfectly and I believe any misses [2 all day from it] were my fault. I absolutely love the Army grip, it fits my paw perfectly. Between this beast and my Schofield it was a great day shooting. My Vaquero may be relegated to back up.

[DeaconKC]

Was a little behind on cleaning report from the match, but I seem to have gotten one that has a very nice arbor fit. Came apart with just a little bit of resistance [harumph!] but everything fit snugly and securely. Cleaned up easily, but wow, the cylinder gap is barely .0002! This gun ran well through the match with no hang ups or misfires, but with that lack of breathing room, it would never make it with black powder as is. I have a holster on the way in for it, so it looks like my faithful Vaquero will go to back up status.

[Abilene]

.... Cleaned up easily, but wow, the cylinder gap is barely .0002! This gun ran well through the match with no hang ups or misfires, but with that lack of breathing room, it would never make it with black powder as is....

Wellll, might depend on how much lube you have in your loads.  I've heard of folks with biglube bullets doing okay with narrow gaps.  You could always take some BP loads to your next match and fire a cylinder full afterwards to see how it does before getting out the file.

I know you want a left hand holster for it, but did it fit your other holsters okay?

[DeaconKC]

Wellll, might depend on how much lube you have in your loads.  I've heard of folks with biglube bullets doing okay with narrow gaps.  You could always take some BP loads to your next match and fire a cylinder full afterwards to see how it does before getting out the file.

I know you want a left hand holster for it, but did it fit your other holsters okay?

Nope, ain't gonna be seduced by the Dark Side, I don't care if you guys do have cookies!
And I did find a holster, should be here next week. Now, I am debating over emptying out almost all my loaded .45 Colt ammo next shoot or going with my .44-40s that I haven't shot in ages.

[Abilene]

Whenever I get a new gun it usually has to shoot at least 4 matches in a row, enjoying the "new", before getting put into regular rotation.    Having to decide which of many to shoot at a match is a nice problem to have. 

[Major 2]

....    Having to decide which of many to shoot at a match is a nice problem to have. 

It is also a side effect of Gunoholic-ism..................ain't it grand ? 

[Coffinmaker]

Put ME in Coach!! 

OK!!  Hi Deacon!!  First, the Open Top disassembly tool.  Take apart a spring Clothes Pin, insert the taper ends together in the gap between cylinder face and barrel lug and tap together.  Barrel pops right off.  There is a charge for this little kid bit of information.  I'm working on your invoice.

Next up.  Your Barrel to Arbor fit is still probably not right and that is why your barrel to cylinder gap is so close.  Don't get near it with a file.  YET!! 

The Barrel should slide on and off the Arbor SMOOTHLY.  The check of Barrel to Arbor fit is to turn the Barrel 90 degrees and install until it solidly bottoms the Arbor in the bore.  Then turn the barrel back to the Water Table and see how much overlap you get.  The overlap should be ZERO.  The Barrel lug should slide right across the end of the frame (Swish).  If it doesn't, you need to fix it and re-fit the wedge.  This was a highly technicalized bunch of billable information.  I'm adding to your invoice.

Stay Safe Out There 

[Coffinmaker]

Deacon 

OOPS.  Forgot.  You won't be able to get the Arbor to seat all the way into the barrel lug until you dress the end of Arbor to give you that SMOOTH fit.  Start with 220 Wet/Dry and polish evenly.  Work your way up to 1000 Grit.  Test often.



Ah, more Billable stuff.  Must find that invoice . . . . . . .

[1961MJS]

Looks mighty good!

I enjoy shooting my open top "pair" (both in .45 Colt) consisting of a Richards-nason Conversion and a Model 1871 Open Top -

Hi Jack

Will those shoot .45 Schofield?  Doesn't matter in a way, I have a bit of 45 Colt Brass anyway.

Mike