Latest Fouling Shot

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Last Post 11 November 2019

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R. Dupraz posted this 25 September 2019

Yesterday, I received my September-October issue of the Fouling Shot and from my perspective it was one of the most interesting and informative issues in recent memory. Why? because I have had an unashamed affair with the S&W revolver ever since the mid sixties when I bought my first, a brand spanking new nickel mod.19 six inch .357. I have competed across the country, hunted, carried them as a daily tool and just used them for the enjoyment of it.

All of them were of "80's" vintage and before, Back when S&W still knew how to build a revolver without all this CNC tech and cared about craftmanship. A fair number have passed through these hands since. Even though the front sights play their disappearing act anymore, I still find enjoyment in shooting a "Smith" at the range.

And the article on the 25 Hornet by Buck Nowell rekindled a long time still smoldering ember in this feeble brain. Ever since S&W introduced the less than successful 22 CF (Jet) Magnum using the .357 mag. case, I couldn't understand why they didn't. base it on the 22 Hornet instead. No set back problems. The 25 Hornet and the K-frame would be an ideal match for a small game revolver without the set back problems experienced with the Jet. What a little cast and jacketed shooter that would make ! And have thought and still do that there is a nich. Smith missed the boat on that one. And If, that ever came to pass, the grocery money would once again be In serous jeopardy..

SO WHAT ABOUT THAT ALL YOU S&W BEAN COUNTERS?

So. thanks to C. E. Harris, David Reiss, and Buck Nowell for. a great issue

Correction alert !!

Another senior moment again. I unintentionally omitted Tom Acheson with his article ''Those Wonderful N-Frame Smith & Wessons.'' Thanks Tom.

Incidentally, the last N-frame Smith that I had and sold was a pristine M-57 6" that I had bought new. Know where it still is but don't guess that I will ever get it back.

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RicinYakima posted this 25 September 2019

RD,

I too have wondered for years about a small bore Smith revolver. Today as well as 60 years ago "speed sells, practicality doesn't".

Ric

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Ed Harris posted this 25 September 2019

One of the more interesting revolvers I ever fooled with when on the NRA staff was a Colt SA in .25-20 Winchester which had once belonged to the mystery writer Earle Stanley Gardner, of Perry Mason fame.

I only shot it briefly, and only with mild, factory ammo, but I've always thought it would be a pleasant combination. The late Harry J. Archer had the late Chuck Lanham build a Ruger Blackhawk in that caliber, setting back a .256 Hawkeye barrel to 5-1/2", screwing it into an original flat top Blackhawk frame, sleeving and rechambering the .357 cylinder. I'd love to know where that gun is now...

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Tom Acheson posted this 25 September 2019

There is a shooter question about using large pistol primers in a 50-70 black powder load.

There has been a quite lengthy trend of some BP shooters using large pistol primers in their BPCR loads. Oftentimes a thin disc of wax paper or newsprint or coffee filter paper is inserted in the bottom of the case before the powder enters the case or the same paper product is punched in with the primer at that stage of loading.

The only downside I’ve read about is some older rifles seem to suffer some breech block face erosion or preening. Modern reproductions of the Sharps Model 74 so far have not experienced the problem.

I’ve been using Fed. Large pistol match primers with Old E. 1 1/2 in my 40 cal 2 1/2 (40-70 SS) which has proven to be more accurate than the CCI BR-2’s that I was using. There is no sign of breech block face erosion.

If you go the Sharps Rifle forum and look into it, you’ll see a lot of discussion on the subject.

Tom

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mashburn posted this 25 September 2019

Hello Ed,

A friend of mine built a 25-20 on a SA Colt frame. With anything but very mild loads it has a problem with case set back. .I was going to build one but he talked me out of it. I have fired a .22 Hornet on a Smith & Wesson revolver conversion and it was one sweet revolver .Has anyone out there had lengthy experience with a 25-20 conversion?

Mashburn

David a. Cogburn

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Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 25 September 2019

... when my mom passed away she left me her bedroom gun, a mint SW 15, in 38 spec. after a mysterious blackout, i found that i had sold that sweet little thing ... favoring my security six...

i occasionally think how nice that would have been in 25-20; i would certainly not have had that blackout.

************

speaking of mysteries, cartridge setback seems puzzling to me ... i guess the pressure sticks the brass to the chamber before the head is pushed back against the frame/block, thus stretching the brass . not a big deal in a bolt gun, but a revolver needs to revolve. would oiling the brass be a good idea.... as in fire-forming ?? .... or would the brass just jam more ? ... note i am not much of a revolver guy ...

ken

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M3 Mitch posted this 25 September 2019

One of the more interesting revolvers I ever fooled with when on the NRA staff was a Colt SA in .25-20 Winchester which had once belonged to the mystery writer Earle Stanley Gardner, of Perry Mason fame.

I only shot it briefly, and only with mild, factory ammo, but I've always thought it would be a pleasant combination. The late Harry J. Archer had the late Chuck Lanham build a Ruger Blackhawk in that caliber, setting back a .256 Hawkeye barrel to 5-1/2", screwing it into an original flat top Blackhawk frame, sleeving and rechambering the .357 cylinder. I'd love to know where that gun is now...

I have always wondered why the 25-20 was never chambered in revolvers like the 32-20, 38-40, and 44-40. Always thought that the bottle neck shoulder would cause the revolver to tie up, the way a .22 Jet can do if the rounds are not degreased well enough. Now I know "the rest of the story" - it will work in a revolver. You didn't mention it, but I would think keeping the chambers and the brass both pretty dry is necessary for reliable shooting.

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beltfed posted this 26 September 2019

one nice fun gun along the lines of the above latest on the "fun" of a 25-20 revolver and mention of the 32-20 SAA

revolvers many of us cannot afford. Probably so.

But there is another similar fun gun:

Ruger Blackhawk cal 30 Carbine.

Cheap brass, light recoil, accurate, cast bullet choices abound

Mine likes the3118 plain base and 311315 GC "classic" 32-20 bullet

sized to fit the chamber throats.

beltfed/arnie

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beltfed posted this 26 September 2019

Also, as R .Dupraz mentioned:

Oh, those N frames.

I have enjoyed my 1957 vintage M29, and my pre-25 immensely over the years.

Shot bullseye pistol with the pre 25 back in the '60s. Very accurate, and could even

shoot the timed and rapid phases with that beautiful smooth action.

ALSO, based on an article way back in, I think , Guns and Ammo mag,

I shot some "45 AR Mag" loads: 185 grain JSP/1300fps. Other similar loads were with the

452423 and the 452424 Keith bullets: they Work at reasonable pressures, are accurate

and add Authority to the 45 AR revolver.

beltfed/arnie

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alco posted this 30 September 2019

I also enjoyed reading several stories, especially about revolvers. I've come full circle from revolvers to autos back to revolvers. I so enjoy not having to chase down and pickup my brass !!

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R. Dupraz posted this 30 September 2019

On set back in the S&W Mod 53 22 Jet. Of the several that I have had curiously all of them, save for the first, an 8 3/8" that I bought new with the extra 22RF cylinder and chamber inserts ,exhibited set back problems with the same load. I shot that revolver a lot. never paying any attention to the chambers and never had any trouble while the others I did. From what I had read during that time, this seemed to be typical of the Jet. I often wondered why. Chamber finish maybe ?

The only thing that I noticed in that first "53" after a while, was flame cutting of the frame just ahead of the cylinder.

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DBW posted this 04 October 2019

The article on the 25 hornet caused me to pull my TC contender out of the gunsafe where it has been for over twenty years and with suggestions from other members I have got it running very smoothly. Have loaded some 63 & 87 grain loads and will go to the range tomorrow. It was an outstanding issue really enjoyed every article..........DBW

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sudden thunder posted this 11 November 2019

beltfed/arnie - I agree that the .30 carbine (especially with hollow point) is eye opener out of a blackhawk, but awfully hard on your eardrums for use in hunting. (Louder than .357, .41, or .44mag!)

Shoot for the moon! Getting older may be inevitable, but acting your age appears to be optional ....

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