Improved #5 has been listed at Gunbroker.com

[cb47]

Managed to get her listed this morning!
Auction # 64230617 at gunbroker.com.

Good luck to everyone!

[2 dogs]

I wonder what its going to bring. Please be sure to let us know.

[majorKAP]

Well, it sold.  Check the bid history.  I wasn't willing to go much beyond the 2K mark, so I didn't win.  I hope, at least, that the value of mine has been enhanced as a result.  Dammit, I want a 45.

[2 dogs]

Wow! It went for 2200. I have one that has fancy wood and CCH in 45 colt. I am going to have to be careful with it!

[krems]

Sorry guys I just had to have it.  Been looking for a blued 45 colt #5 for a while.   This one looked too good to pass up.  But the good news is that I will be selling my other TLA #5 in 45 colt as soon as I make sure that I want to keep this one.   I really do like blued guns.  Remember that Stainless Steel TLA #5 45 colt that sold last summer.......I've shot it a grand total of 48 rounds.  Somewhere on this forum there are pictures of that gun.  I'll be selling this one around the first of February.   I'll be out of town untill then anyway.

Krems

[majorKAP]

Update.  Krems, as it turns out, didn't "just have to have it" after all.  After receiving it from the seller, and having inspected it, he decided for one reason or another that it didn't suit, so he returned it to the seller.

Seller sold it to me, the runner up in the bidding, and at a reduced price, albeit still probably too much for the plain jane.  I sent the funds and FFL off today, so I ought to see it next week.  Finally now, I'll have a pair.

Pics to follow when available.

That's the good news.  The bad news is that Krems isn't as willing to release his SS version just yet, if ever at all.  Broken promiser.

KAP

[krems]

KAP,
Glad you are getting the TLA #5.......Instead of a thank you card I need a report on how it shoots.   I'll be pissed off at myself for letting this one go if it is a tackdriver but happy for you anyhow.  I'd consider taking the advise of some of our fellow posters and think about having the action parts properly heattreated.  Now what kind of load are you planning on shooting out of this..............

Happy shootin!.....................Krems

[krems]

Hey 2dogs..... I got some money just waiting to be spent....How well do you like your TLA #5 45 colt w/ the fancy grips and case coloring???.......I just had to ask.  I think I know the answer!......I won't wait for the UPS truck to show up.

OH...The Stainless TLA #5 is not for sale anymore.  I lied.......sorry



Krems

[majorKAP]

Hey Krems,

As you know, the seller delayed the transaction until he could have someone determine why the cylinder wasn't locking up.  After several days, he emailed me saying that he had just returned from his "gunsmith" who had thoroughly "checked it out" and that all was well.  Within minutes after that email, another arrived telling me once again to forego sending payment, because the cylinder was once again not locking, and he was going to return to the smith.

I replied, and asked that he not permit anyone to turn the cylinder, nor a single screw.  I'd prefer to receive it as it is.  I have already been in contact with Clements, and he will do the inspection and repairs, if any, as need be.  I've asked him about case coloring the frame as well.  I'll send him my fancy 44 #5 along with it for inspection at the same time.

Load development will have to wait.

KAP

[2 dogs]

Krems, you got me all excited for nothing.  I woulda took good care of the Stainless #5.

[krems]

Kap,
I don't blame you for not wanting that so called  "Gunsmith" to touch it again.  He should have fixed the problem when he had it apart the first time.  He basically blamed me for taking it apart and not putting it back together correctly.  I never touched a screw. I only looked at the cylinder and didn't like what I saw and sent it back. The spring keeps sliding off the bolt or the bolt is hanging up in the frame notch.  Easily fixed problem.  Clements could have fixed that blindfolded.  Take a look at those cylinder throats and let me know your opinion.

We need pictures if you have that gun case colored.  Have fun w/ the .45..lets hope its a shooter!

Krems

[majorKAP]

Krems,

I disassembled my current #5 yesterday afternoon at the bench, just to take a peek at what lies before me when the one you rejected arrives.  It seems pretty straightforward.  I'll give that problem a go myself.

The chambers notwithstanding, did the external finish and bluing seem up to par in your opinion?

As a side note, I also have a CC and fancy gripped Border Special in 44Special caliber in the works...serial #B25.  It reportedly appears unfired.  I sealed the deal a few hours ago.  I expect it sometime next week.

KAP

[krems]

Kap,
Blueing and finish were fine.  The blueing was starting to take on a slight plum color to it on the frame and cylinder.  Barrel was still bright.  I really liked the look of it. Not a scratch anywhere.  The lockup on the gun is really tight.  Almost too tight.  The base pin fit to the frame and cylinder is as tight as you will find...perfect!...absolutly zero play.  If the cylinder passes inspection you will love the gun. The fit of the grips is good as well.

Nice find on the border special.   Is that a 44 mag or special?.....not that it matters.  I don't think I've ever seen a border special  in person.  We need pictures as well.

Just out of curiosity... on your #5 that you took apart did you have any brass spacers between the bolt and the frame that the bolt screw goes through.  My #5 has two of them ...both .oo7" thickness and the size of a pea.  Very fragile as well.

Krems

[majorKAP]

Krems,

Thank you for the reply which provides your descriptive evaluation of the overall appearance.  I'm looking forward to receiving  it, as well as the Border Special....in 44 special caliber.

There are no spacers of any sort on either side of the bolt on my 44.  I imagine spacers were used after Grover muttered to himself "dammit to hell" when he realized he made one stroke of the file too many.  The use of thin brass, or bronze spacers is, of course, a perfectly legitimate machining and fabrication technique, and certainly doesn't suggest less quality.

While I had mine apart,  I replaced the loading gate spring with one a bit longer and stiffer.  That put a bit more pressure on the plunger  as it slips into and out of the detent, making the opening and closing of the gate more positive feeling.  I always felt as if mine was weak.

I will take pics of the new arrivals, including bench top pics of the #5's dissection as I attempt to diagnose and cure it's illness.

When that is done, I'll start a new thread to post them.  This one long ago took a hard detour in the wrong direction.

KAP

[HHI 812]

Darn, took a blue like new 45 Colt #5 in trade a while back, that also had an extra cylinder in 45 ACP, and beautiful grained grips. Sold it before even firing it! Talk about wanting to kick myself in the butt!!!