Companion pistols

[PHATINJUN]

I had been intriged by the Howdah pistol and it has got me to thinking . I have dbl's of all the old Huntsman's .45, .58, 12ga and a Stainless .50. Last yr I got to thinking about carrying a ML pistol while hunting ML so I ended up finding and buying a Traditions Trapper in .50 not really what I was looking for but the price was right. Now what I am scheaming is to take a .45 and the .58 cut them down to 10-11" and put pistol grips on them with grip they would be no longer than The Trapper and certainly shorter and lighter than a Dbl Bbbl Howdah and being a ML it is my understanding that bbl and overall lenghts don't matter so I could still put butt stocks on them if I choose. Need to figure out a holster or a way to carry. But it would allow me to carry same cal no matter which I choose for hunting that day. Any comments or suggestion are welcome. Thanks Kurt

[myarmor]

Cool idea Kurt. I have thought about doing this also. Seeing that they are BP there shouldn't be any issue on barrel length should there? If I could make up a pistol grip for my CVA Wolf I would do it in a heartbeat!
If you go through with it ya gotta post some pics
 
 
 
 
-Aaron

[Busta]

[PHATINJUN]

I won't have one like that Busta as that is what the Trapper is for .50. But that is exactly what I am looking for . How you do that? Photo crop? That is    Thanks Kurt

[bikerbeans]

The pistol looks like the one trotterlg (I think it was Larry) made out of a sidekick. 
 

BB

[PHATINJUN]

You may be right BB I forgot about Larry's project. I think what I am going to do is cut down a Survivor stock the grips are identical. I have very little experience with ML pistols do any of you have any tips as to the length with the rifling these Old Huntsmans have. I know the Traditions Trapper I have has 1-28 twist and a 10" bbl so I was thinking to cut these down to 12" to start to see what I can do with loads .I figure I can always go shorter but will be tuff puttin any back on. All opinions are welcome. Kurt

[PHATINJUN]

I think I'll call it a Model 156P .Here is a picture of the .58 cut @13" every thing has been cut very proud so final fit and finish is still open. Haven't decided sights or bbl lenght yet but a 11 1/2" bbl would be flush with forend. Not worried about a ram rod as I will be using these with my rifles.

[bikerbeans]

Kurt,
 
I like where you are headed with your pistol, looking forward to the finished product.  If  you used the standard load for a 58 cal MZ in your "shorty" you may give new meaning to the words "muzzle flash". 
 
One question, is it possible to put a shotgun or CF rifle barrel on your receiver or is it different like the Sidekick frame?  I guess my question really is are the older Huntsman considered just MZs or treated like modern firearms like the newer Huntsmans?
 
BB

[PHATINJUN]

They are considered ML only and if traced back the ser # should prove that. Only problem is H&R Arms is gone and nobody lays claim to knowing anything of or about the Model 156 that brought the Empire down . I got both the .45 and .58 mocked up today one has a Survivor grip and a syn rimfire forend and the other has a Ultra Varmint grip and a new syn checkered forend left them both at 13" for now . Amazing what you can throw together in an afternoon off. Must have to much stuff on hand   Will post pics in morning. Kurt

[PHATINJUN]

Model 156P Huntsmans

[Busta]

Kurt,
 
I think the Handi-Grip would be the best looking, but maybe not the best ergonomically. The grip is much further away and up higher in relation to the trigger.
 
Here is a quick mock-up of what it would look like.
 

 
Here is a pic of the original Handi-Gun Pistol they used to make.
 

[bikerbeans]

Kurt,
 
Any thoughts on a shorter stock bolt and removing the "beavertail" from your pistol stocks?
 
BB

[PHATINJUN]

Yes the final fit vision I have is to cut as much of it off as I can and have a screw (button cap?) counter sunk so it is not exposed at all. I looked at using the new thumbhole grip but thought it was mounted to far back and at $60 which is what I paid for the last one I bought a little pricey. I was not going to say anything about this till I tried it again but once I get every thing fit and sanded I have some of the water graphics film that is Burl wood both light and dark that I was going to coat my Shikari with but with the testing I have tried a couple of times I can not get it to work very well. So I need to get ahold of the manufacturer to see what I am doing wrong or some more tips to make it work. Kurt

[cowboyup453]

I love what you are doing here, but it kills me to see that you cut up good stocks to make them. Im sure you could have found someone to trade you pistol grips for those stocks. The pistol grip is only 22.99 from midway. Just my 2cents.

[PHATINJUN]

I here you but when you got as many stocks as I got and no idea of what I paid for them or what parts the 2 I cut up had missing $22.99 plus shipping was more expensive.   Kurt