Dove tail first attempt

[bigted]

Trying to attach pictures of my first attempt at doing a dove tail on an old Pietta Army barrel.

I get them to the picture taking  form, then snap the picture, but do not know how to get them attached to the posting area here.

[ShotgunDave]

Nic work on the dovetail bigted!

[bigted]

Oh ... never mind ... think I got er figured out.

My first attempt went ok ... but ... kinda got in a hurry ... all in all it went pretty good and I learned a bunch.

Thing with the Army barrel that I found ... full depth dove tail cuts will dig into the bore. Soo ... guess I will need to shim the guide up a few thou so I do not file into the barrel bore.

All in all tho I am encouraged and will continue the practicing till I feel like the final product is to my satisfaction to attempt this on a working revolver.

[bigted]

Nic work on the dovetail bigted!

Thanks Dave. Getting there. Couple more practice dovetails, and I will try it on a working revolver

[ShotgunDave]

I have never done a dovetail bigted, but I worry about the same thing when drilling a hole for a post front sight. Always concerned about poking through into the bore.

[bigted]

So here is the next attempt. Put .040 inch shim under the guide and this time no breaking into the bore. Also ground away the "wings" and looks much better.

Kinda happy with this process and thing putting an adjustable front sight on is going to make shooting so much easier and satisfying. I can see all my revolvers having one of these installed on them.

Color me a happy camper.

Reason for posting this is to encourage everybody to get a test barrel or pipe and have at it. Cost me less then I expected ... thinking with the guide, sights, files and willingness to learn, maybe 100 dollars. WELL WORTH THE COST to say nothing of the rifle barrels I can re-dove tail for the length of barrel that I want.

Have at it. It is WAY easier then you think. Just another option for the do-it-yourselfer.

[ShotgunDave]

Looks good bigted.

Which jig are you using to cut the dovetail?

[bigted]

The jig I purchased is the "MSM" Dovetail cutting guide.

WWW.cainsoutdoor.com
Phone, 800-445-1776

I believe thete are others and a search on e bay may give more options..

[ShotgunDave]

Thank you Sir.

I think we have the place all to ourselves bigted. It's pretty quiet around here!

[sourdough]

Nah, you guys aren't all by your lonesome!

Jim

[ssb73q]

Hi Ted, nice job, you are on your way to having all your BP revolvers shoot poi=poa.

Regards,
Richard

[bigted]

  ... yes and what a relief it will be to not need to remember what hold off to use with which revolver.

Began with that old barrel and began to wonder how it would look with a 5.5 inch bobbed barrel ... sooo ... hacksaw in hand, I cut er down and did another dovetail top side AND under for the lever holding stud

Tapping in the stud and rounded sight, I installed it on an older Pietta Army and low and behold ... sexy lookin ""Sheriff model. Now gotta do the vinegar soak with backstrap, frame, cylinder and wedge ... shorten the loading lever and soak it as well for a total stripped down look followed by a small bit of Browning salts to "antique" it.

Been wanting to do this project for awhile. Think I will try to scrub off the lettering on each side of the barrel while I am at it. Like these projects, seem to take on a life of their own.

More pictures to follow.

[ShotgunDave]

I like the sound of it!!

[Captainkirk]

I like the sound of it!!

You can HEAR it from where you are?    You have better ears than I do. Must be all that jet blast.

[ShotgunDave]

I like the sound of it!!

You can HEAR it from where you are?    You have better ears than I do. Must be all that jet blast.

I actually can't hear squat Capt! Just ask my wife...............