Author Topic: BFR's revolvers  (Read 2163 times)

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Offline KF6GUB

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BFR's revolvers
« on: September 07, 2008, 11:00:57 AM »
I never see that gunsmiths do custom work on BFR's.   They may be out there; I just haven't noticed.   If not, any particular reason?  thx     Jim

Offline odoh

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Re: BFR's revolvers
« Reply #1 on: September 07, 2008, 05:28:19 PM »
I've seen some custom work from Jack Huntington. For most part, for me, they're ideal out of the box. I did have sling swivels installed and gripframe extended on one long cylinder model. What did you have in mind/looking to have done? You have some idea thet could make me discontented/unhappy w/mine as they are?  ;D  ;D

Offline KF6GUB

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Re: BFR's revolvers
« Reply #2 on: September 07, 2008, 08:59:49 PM »
Odoh:  I wasn't trying to shake you up or anything.  ;D   I was just curious...since BFR's seem to have their origins with Ruger. thx  Jim

Offline Redhawk1

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Re: BFR's revolvers
« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2008, 01:56:41 AM »
I have 2 BFR's, one is a 500 Mag and the other is a 45-70. Out of the box, the BFR is a good shooter and functions well. My 45-70 is untouched by a gunsmith. My BFR in 500 Mag was sent to Mag-na-port to have the barrel cut down to 6 inches and 4 ports installed for muzzle lift and the muzzle crown inverted.  I also had an action job and trigger job done. It was a tack driver when I got it, and it is still a tack driver.
The BFR 500 Mag has taken a few deer and a black bear. 
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Offline Lloyd Smale

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Re: BFR's revolvers
« Reply #4 on: September 08, 2008, 02:17:47 AM »
im not a fan of bfrs but it comes mostly from the way the company treated me. I think the reason most smiths down fool with bfrs is they all kind of specialize on rugers and have jigs made up to hold things and to make parts. Bfrs are enough differnt where they would have to fabricate to many thing to make it worth while for the few guns they would get in to work on.
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Offline odoh

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Re: BFR's revolvers
« Reply #5 on: September 08, 2008, 07:38:50 AM »
Odoh:  I wasn't trying to shake you up or anything.  ;D   I was just curious...since BFR's seem to have their origins with Ruger. thx  Jim


I know  ;D  Had the same wonderment myself before getting into them. Populationwise, there're more Rugers around hence more 'business' opportunities for the 'smiths. Love both of mine ~ Lloyd musta taught MRI a lesson as they treated me (many yrs later) excellent ;D  I for one appreciate those that stands up, get in their face over relevant issues that makes it easier/better for all of us down-stream. I had a recent 480/475 w/marginal end shake/float and they warranteed it w/new cylinder. Just the transp charges were over $150 r/t and they picked that up too. Took 2wks vs rugers 4~5mos.

I did make a mistake in extending the gripframe as it necessitated rounding the backstrap enuff to create a 'slippery slope' on the 10incher long-frame w/scope. The muzzle thinks it is a dowsing stick ::) So, am in the process of getting another gripframe which'll cost a lil' more than a ruger.

Anyone interested in an extended gripframe w/meaty, well-fitted micarta panels for a lighter, shorter barrelled BFR for a fraction of its value, pm me. I'll probably list it in the classifieds in a couple of weeks.

Offline Lloyd Smale

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Re: BFR's revolvers
« Reply #6 on: September 08, 2008, 11:08:34 AM »
mri has no connection to ruger and contray to what you hear are not the same. Some ruger parts can be made to work but then some ruger parts can be fitted to a colt or vise versa
Odoh:  I wasn't trying to shake you up or anything.  ;D   I was just curious...since BFR's seem to have their origins with Ruger. thx  Jim
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Offline Racer X

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Re: BFR's revolvers
« Reply #7 on: September 09, 2008, 03:13:40 PM »
It think I read somewhere that MRI gets their frames from the same place Ruger does. I've never shot a BFR, but have handled several. The BFRs with the JT serial number prefix, which are of more recent manufacture, are better than those with the DM prefix.

I don't really have a need for anything bigger than a 45 Colt or 44 Mag. If they made BFRs in those calibers, in frames comparably sized to Blackhawks, I would never buy another Blackhawk. A local gunshop has a brand new BFR in 45/70 for $750; a new stainless Blackhawk costs ~ $500. After you purchase a new Blackhawk and spend another $500 - $600 tuning it (action job, set barrel/cylinder gap to minimum, locking base pin, fix throats, freewheel, etc.), you have the features that a BFR has out of the box.

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Offline Redhawk1

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Re: BFR's revolvers
« Reply #8 on: September 11, 2008, 03:29:53 AM »
Racer X,
You can get a 44 Mag from the precision shop at Magnum Research.
http://www.magnumresearch.com/bfr_precision.asp
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Offline odoh

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Re: BFR's revolvers
« Reply #9 on: September 11, 2008, 06:14:26 AM »
I think he was inferring that even the reg BFR was larger than what he wanted ~ wanted something more on the lines of a ruger sizewise w/MRI out of the box quality & features ~

Offline darrell8937

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Re: BFR's revolvers
« Reply #10 on: November 29, 2008, 06:00:04 PM »
as far as the frames go.. Dmax has made them for some time. I have a dmax sidewinder..serial number under 1000. the bfr was Dmax...I have owned a bfr 45/70 10 inch.. I miss her! I loved that gun..They are effictive against store burgulars. Not a shot fired and perp peed his pants. What a story that was..maybe I will tell it if my old friend doesn't mind. He told me the entire story wich took a half hour. and I was on the edge of my seat. It was the best darn story I have heard in a long, long time. The BFR is just terrifing in size!

Offline jk3006

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Re: BFR's revolvers
« Reply #11 on: December 03, 2008, 10:42:59 AM »
Tell it!  Tell it!



as far as the frames go.. Dmax has made them for some time. I have a dmax sidewinder..serial number under 1000. the bfr was Dmax...I have owned a bfr 45/70 10 inch.. I miss her! I loved that gun..They are effictive against store burgulars. Not a shot fired and perp peed his pants. What a story that was..maybe I will tell it if my old friend doesn't mind. He told me the entire story wich took a half hour. and I was on the edge of my seat. It was the best darn story I have heard in a long, long time. The BFR is just terrifing in size!

Offline darrell8937

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Re: BFR's revolvers
« Reply #12 on: December 04, 2008, 03:24:22 PM »
Darn.. now I have to tell it. and I hate typing. A good life long friend of mine bought a convience store with a full serve restaurant some years ago. fixed it up,, blood sweat and tears.. Besides all the hassle of owning a small busniess, he also had to put up with, occasional overnight burgulires. And this is small town USA.. Most likely,, kids. After loseing a ton of cigs, some cash, pocket,knives, Beer and so on. He invested in an Alarm system. Well the alarm system had a blind spot . There was one window,, a rather small one but big enough to slip thru. He called me after a recent break in. Requesting my infinite wisdome on all things electronic etc.. I suggested he buy a simple motion detector from Radio shack.. One that sent a wireless 2.8GHZ  signal next door where he lived..Well after a few weeks. Shortly after closing.. He was ready to settle in to bed,, When Beep..Beep>Beep......Off went the alarm. Now here it gets good. He grabs his Magnum Research BFR 45/70 ,, 10 inch Barrell and off he goes half dressed. Running best he can, as two years ago. he got his foot caught in a bulldozer track.. That was a scary nite.. But that is another story..So off he limps.. as fast as fast can be. Covering the 100 or so yards in mere seconds. Or at least it felt that way. He gets to the store and the front door is still locked. He goes to the side of the building, a window screen is laying on the ground! The window is pried open. But guess what.. He didn;t bring the store key. And 8 years of cooking at the restauant and sampling a french fry or "too", Makes him just to darn big to get thru that window. About this time his gilfriend has arrived, and has the front door key. He carefully enters and hears someone running around like a rat trapped in a cage. He yells at him to stop but the burgular tries to escape.. Now just where is this dumb, fool going. But toward the Beer coolers. (You notice I capitalized Beer, as I enjoy it , probaly more than is healthy".. Oh well. So he chases this guy toward the coolers,, BFR in hand,, Gleaming in the dim moon light..well the little 18inch floresent light over the sink was also on. This guy opens the beer cooler and pushes all the beer he can back and they fall onto the floor. He tries to escape thru the narrow opening into the cooler. My friend graps him buy the feet and off comes his shoes. They fall to the floor. He grabs him buy the back pockets and gives a good yank! Adrenlin is spewing in his veins at this point.. He gives him a hard yank,, with all he has.... and only comes up with his jeans.. Now the guy is in back the cooler, Stocking foot and nearly naked. Jumping around in broken glass,, Remember the broken beer bottles! Well, there is only one way out and going back the same way would hurt even more as he tore up his stomach and chest, ripped up his t-shirt on those crome plated steel rack we are all farmiliar with. So my friend heads for the cooler door where he must try to exit. Now he is face to Barrell, With..  "MISTER BFR" apon seeing this monster of a handgun. He breaks down and starts crying! This kid is only 15 or 16.. So I guess the police will have to handle it instead. He starts grilling the kid about who else is involved as there has been more break ins in the past. The kid finaly breaks down and speaks volume's(no truth serumn required).. A long list of names..  The kid begs him not to call the police.. And my friend says.. "I am not calling the police!" The teen seems releived... "You are going to call the police!" The teen is now confused.. My friend tells him.. "You are calling the police!" The kid is now wailing! And asks to go to the bath room!  Nope he replies.. You should have thought of that before you broke in! So here is this kid,, crying and phone in hand, dialing 911!  He tells the dispatch woman his name and he just broke into a store! Well .. the woman asks why he is calling and he says! "The owner is here and he has a GUN!" Oh she says.... "Can you put the owner on the phone." The kid now pees his underware..... After giveing the operator a summary of these events! Police are dispatched.. Despite the rural location,, the sheriff and State troopers soon arive,, Light a blazing, siriens a howling! Mean while, he switches the BFR for a Ruger Blackhawk. Fewer questions.you understand... The cops know the owner and ask thru the door if he could put down the revolver...........so ,,soon it was over.. all the paper work done.. Charges and restitution etc.. When he told me this story, I thought to my self.  "This is the best story I have heard in a long ,, long ...time!!I have on my computer pictures of the BFR and more I will post it! Sorry about speling and gramer etc.. It is getting cold up here in Maine! Every one got a good laugh after things calmed down.  

Offline darrell8937

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Re: BFR's revolvers
« Reply #13 on: December 04, 2008, 03:33:02 PM »

Offline Syncerus

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Mag-na-port?
« Reply #14 on: December 05, 2008, 02:23:19 AM »
Hi there,

Did you feel the Mag-na-porting job was worth the effort? And how good was their tuning job? I really like my BFR and I currently have two Mag-na-ported firearms (a Smith 686 and a Win M70) and am in the process of porting a 3rd (A-Square).

I read somewhere that it wasn't worth the effort to port the .500 BFR; was that true or was someone just gobbling? Finally, how did you like the tuning job? Was it quality work and how bad was the $$$ ?

Thanks
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Offline ms

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Re: BFR's revolvers
« Reply #15 on: December 05, 2008, 02:44:28 AM »
I have had work done by them also.  I been there at there shop it's nice .

Offline jk3006

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Re: BFR's revolvers
« Reply #16 on: December 05, 2008, 06:06:39 AM »
Thanks, that was good!!  Enjoyed it.



Darn.. now I have to tell it. and I hate typing. A good life long friend of mine bought a convience store with a full serve restaurant some years ago. fixed it up,, blood sweat and tears.. Besides all the hassle of owning a small busniess, he also had to put up with, occasional overnight burgulires. And this is small town USA.. Most likely,, kids. After loseing a ton of cigs, some cash, pocket,knives, Beer and so on. He invested in an Alarm system. Well the alarm system had a blind spot . There was one window,, a rather small one but big enough to slip thru. He called me after a recent break in. Requesting my infinite wisdome on all things electronic etc.. I suggested he buy a simple motion detector from Radio shack.. One that sent a wireless 2.8GHZ  signal next door where he lived..Well after a few weeks. Shortly after closing.. He was ready to settle in to bed,, When Beep..Beep>Beep......Off went the alarm. Now here it gets good. He grabs his Magnum Research BFR 45/70 ,, 10 inch Barrell and off he goes half dressed. Running best he can, as two years ago. he got his foot caught in a bulldozer track.. That was a scary nite.. But that is another story..So off he limps.. as fast as fast can be. Covering the 100 or so yards in mere seconds. Or at least it felt that way. He gets to the store and the front door is still locked. He goes to the side of the building, a window screen is laying on the ground! The window is pried open. But guess what.. He didn;t bring the store key. And 8 years of cooking at the restauant and sampling a french fry or "too", Makes him just to darn big to get thru that window. About this time his gilfriend has arrived, and has the front door key. He carefully enters and hears someone running around like a rat trapped in a cage. He yells at him to stop but the burgular tries to escape.. Now just where is this dumb, fool going. But toward the Beer coolers. (You notice I capitalized Beer, as I enjoy it , probaly more than is healthy".. Oh well. So he chases this guy toward the coolers,, BFR in hand,, Gleaming in the dim moon light..well the little 18inch floresent light over the sink was also on. This guy opens the beer cooler and pushes all the beer he can back and they fall onto the floor. He tries to escape thru the narrow opening into the cooler. My friend graps him buy the feet and off comes his shoes. They fall to the floor. He grabs him buy the back pockets and gives a good yank! Adrenlin is spewing in his veins at this point.. He gives him a hard yank,, with all he has.... and only comes up with his jeans.. Now the guy is in back the cooler, Stocking foot and nearly naked. Jumping around in broken glass,, Remember the broken beer bottles! Well, there is only one way out and going back the same way would hurt even more as he tore up his stomach and chest, ripped up his t-shirt on those crome plated steel rack we are all farmiliar with. So my friend heads for the cooler door where he must try to exit. Now he is face to Barrell, With..  "MISTER BFR" apon seeing this monster of a handgun. He breaks down and starts crying! This kid is only 15 or 16.. So I guess the police will have to handle it instead. He starts grilling the kid about who else is involved as there has been more break ins in the past. The kid finaly breaks down and speaks volume's(no truth serumn required).. A long list of names..  The kid begs him not to call the police.. And my friend says.. "I am not calling the police!" The teen seems releived... "You are going to call the police!" The teen is now confused.. My friend tells him.. "You are calling the police!" The kid is now wailing! And asks to go to the bath room!  Nope he replies.. You should have thought of that before you broke in! So here is this kid,, crying and phone in hand, dialing 911!  He tells the dispatch woman his name and he just broke into a store! Well .. the woman asks why he is calling and he says! "The owner is here and he has a GUN!" Oh she says.... "Can you put the owner on the phone." The kid now pees his underware..... After giveing the operator a summary of these events! Police are dispatched.. Despite the rural location,, the sheriff and State troopers soon arive,, Light a blazing, siriens a howling! Mean while, he switches the BFR for a Ruger Blackhawk. Fewer questions.you understand... The cops know the owner and ask thru the door if he could put down the revolver...........so ,,soon it was over.. all the paper work done.. Charges and restitution etc.. When he told me this story, I thought to my self.  "This is the best story I have heard in a long ,, long ...time!!I have on my computer pictures of the BFR and more I will post it! Sorry about speling and gramer etc.. It is getting cold up here in Maine! Every one got a good laugh after things calmed down.  

Offline Redhawk1

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Re: Mag-na-port?
« Reply #17 on: December 05, 2008, 06:38:16 PM »
Hi there,

Did you feel the Mag-na-porting job was worth the effort? And how good was their tuning job? I really like my BFR and I currently have two Mag-na-ported firearms (a Smith 686 and a Win M70) and am in the process of porting a 3rd (A-Square).

I read somewhere that it wasn't worth the effort to port the .500 BFR; was that true or was someone just gobbling? Finally, how did you like the tuning job? Was it quality work and how bad was the $$$ ?

Thanks

I really do not notice any difference with the porting. If I had to do it over, I would not have the porting done. The tuning job was well worth it. Great job and not a lot of money.
If  you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
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Offline Syncerus

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Re: BFR's revolvers
« Reply #18 on: December 07, 2008, 05:09:08 AM »
Thanks for the info, RH. I appreciate it.
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Offline Jack Magnum

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Re: BFR's revolvers
« Reply #19 on: March 29, 2009, 06:07:18 AM »
I have 2 BFR's, one is a 500 Mag and the other is a 45-70. Out of the box, the BFR is a good shooter and functions well. My 45-70 is untouched by a gunsmith. My BFR in 500 Mag was sent to Mag-na-port to have the barrel cut down to 6 inches and 4 ports installed for muzzle lift and the muzzle crown inverted.  I also had an action job and trigger job done. It was a tack driver when I got it, and it is still a tack driver.
The BFR 500 Mag has taken a few deer and a black bear. 
I have a BFR in 45/70 and it is quite a shooter. Great deer gun and actually has less recoil than my Colt Anaconda  4'' magnaported barrel.