Author Topic: My first handi project!! Pics added! (Read 2037 times)

tzimm007 · « **on:** September 17, 2011, 07:12:04 PM »

All right here we go! Started with a 20ga sb1 sent it off for a 44mag barrel. Added a synthetic youth stock and forearm. I picked up some millet low rings and a 1 to 4 x 32 bushnell shotgun scope tonight and tryed to mount it to check the eye relief and not enough hammer clearance! So I guess first mod will be to lower the hammer a smidge. 4.5 in eye relief on the scope is good. I think I will try the stone paint that I read about in the FAQ's on the stock and forearm. Try to float the forearm and add a spacer. Cut the barrel down and recrown then try to work the trigger. Anything I forgot tips or tricks I'd appreciate it. I'll try to post pics along the way.
Many thanks. Tj

Zach · « **Reply #1 on:** September 17, 2011, 07:37:41 PM »

Just a wondering question, Is there enough clearance for the hammer to work properly you just cannot get our finger there, or does it restrict the movement of the hammer?

And be sure to have enough clearance for the shot shells to eject without hitting the scope, i had this problem on my older single shot, ended up removing the scope.

thejanitor · « **Reply #2 on:** September 17, 2011, 07:49:24 PM »

I had read somewhere here over the years about hammer mods that then cracked or broke from the stress after the cut grind so make sure you read anything on it you can before you need to start buying parts again.... I just go with a higher ring on the scope and leave the hammers alone. (well I always add the extension but don't modify)
Glad to hear you got it and are ready for the fun to begin.- Good luck hunting. Remember to take some pics to post after the hunt. thejanitor

tzimm007 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 18, 2011, 07:30:13 AM »

There is not enough room for the hammer to be cocked. It dosent lack much I think I can take off the remainder of the hammer that is sticking through the hammer spur and that should get enough clearance.

myarmor · « **Reply #4 on:** September 18, 2011, 08:10:23 AM »

Tj, sounds like your well on your way to becomeing a Handiholic thats for sure

And looks like you got it lined up pretty well.
As for the Hammer Mod, I usually grind and polish all my Handi/Pardner hammers down and have never had a problem with one broken or crack. Thats not to say it can't happen just I have never encountered it before But if your leary about doing it, just pick up some higher rings as mentioned. Your gonna love that 44. It's one of my favorites in a Handi.

-Aaron

tzimm007 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 18, 2011, 09:04:38 AM »

I am so ready to go chase a hog!!! Can't wait for little bro to take a deer with it! There is about 4 youngins that will be able to shoot it coming up the youngest being my son who is 8 mo old. Hopefully by the time he gets it of will have lots of memory's under its belt!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** September 18, 2011, 09:23:11 AM »

I wouldn't worry about bobbing the hammer, breaking the spur off is a rare occurence, I think Spanky and one other person had it happen, I think Spanky's was an unmodified hammer! Several have broken the sear off, but that's likely caused by using Mic McPherson's trigger lightening technique. I've bobbed dozens of hammers and never had one break, I've also drilled and tapped them for a bolt on extension without any problems.

FYI, the hammer spur is the knurled part of the hammer that you use to cock the hammer, some folks refer to the extension as the spur, in reality the extension attaches to the spur.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,217814.msg1099182444.html#msg1099182444

cwlongshot · « **Reply #7 on:** September 18, 2011, 10:03:11 AM »

As most of you know I have been "tinkering" with these things for a little while now. I have ground off more than a "few"

.
I have Never a related problem grinding or altering a hammer.

CW

Spanky · « **Reply #8 on:** September 18, 2011, 03:26:25 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on September 18, 2011, 09:23:11 AM

I wouldn't worry about bobbing the hammer, breaking the spur off is a rare occurence, I think Spanky and one other person had it happen, I think Spanky's was an unmodified hammer! Several have broken the sear off, but that's likely caused by using Mic McPherson's trigger lightening technique. I've bobbed dozens of hammers and never had one break, I've also drilled and tapped them for a bolt on extension without any problems.

FYI, the hammer spur is the knurled part of the hammer that you use to cock the hammer, some folks refer to the extension as the spur, in reality the extension attaches to the spur.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,217814.msg1099182444.html#msg1099182444

It was mine that broke. It wasn't modified at all... I pulled the trigger and when the hammer dropped about half of it broke right off. I've got a new one but I'm too chicken to take the frame apart to fix it.

Spanky

gcrank1 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 18, 2011, 05:10:02 PM »

Spanky, it is a snap to do, just be nice with the tools you use and have the action laying on a firm bench with some non-marring bundle under it to support and have some give for the pins to start out. Make sure you drive then out the splined side too. When you reassemble push the pins in to the spline engagement and (I grab the pin with a soft jaw pliers) rotate to feel the splines line up in a nice spot before driving them in. Dont hammer them in too deep, just snug is fine.
It is so easy Ive done it on my lap in the living room with a movie on (Im just an aging red-neck country boy, one step removed from a caveman

).

tzimm007 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 18, 2011, 06:26:31 PM »

Howdy,
Well I got the barrel cut down but not recrowned because the stone(chuck hawks recrown in FAQ's) was to soft so have to try to find another rock. Got the forearm barrel lug hole drilled. Wow what a differance you had to pull the barrel open before now it just drops open when you hit the latch. Must have had it in a bit of a binde before I drilled it. Also got the hammer mod started got it ground down to get the clearance needed now just have to do a final sanding and reblue I'll post some pics as soon as I can get to a computer.
Tj

tzimm007 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 19, 2011, 07:14:12 AM »

Ok so I was laying in bed last night thinking about how I could do the recess on the end of the barrel since my stone didn't work. The diameter or the end of the barrel after I shortened it is ruffely 3/4 in. If I used a 5/8 in drillbit and drilled into the end of the barrel would that give me the same dish in the end of the barrel as a stone or any type of tool made for that?
Thanks Tj

gcrank1 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 19, 2011, 07:49:06 AM »

OMG!!!!
I know there is a learning curve that everybody has to go through, but you need to do a lot more reading about crowns (just trying to save you from yourself

).

tzimm007 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 19, 2011, 07:59:53 AM »

Ok......I'll take that as it's a bad idea!!

cwlongshot · « **Reply #14 on:** September 19, 2011, 08:49:20 AM »

Quote from: tzimm007 on September 19, 2011, 07:59:53 AM

Ok......I'll take that as it's a bad idea!!

Good call!!

(NOT a good idea...)

thejanitor · « **Reply #15 on:** September 19, 2011, 10:01:19 AM »

What you just described doing I have done to other metal parts with a guide hole in the middle using a bigger bit and the bit will chatter around and give you the weirdest shaped rounded triangle you ever wanted to see.(not a round recess like you want).... So re-read the FAQ crowning procedure... you got good advice above, You'll get there. thejanitor

tzimm007 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 19, 2011, 04:20:27 PM »

I read them again. Just getting in to big a hurry I'm ready to shoot this thing! I found some stones at sears that I think will work good! Fingers crossed!

gcrank1 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 19, 2011, 04:31:15 PM »

Check your PMs, it might get ya going

.

tzimm007 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 19, 2011, 05:55:14 PM »

Gcrank1 got it thanks. Your right it did get me going!

tzimm007 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 20, 2011, 06:45:37 PM »

Howdy,
Big night tonight! Got the barrel recrown done, stock painted, scope mounted(used a fat wrench! It's awesome!) fixing to putter back together. I'll get some picks up soon as can. Dose anyone know if or how you can post pics on here with an IPhone? Now if it will just shoot strait!!!! I'll find out this week end!!
Thanks Gcrank1 for the tips on the recrown And the encouragement!
Tj

Zach · « **Reply #20 on:** September 21, 2011, 04:23:17 AM »

About half of my pictures I have posted have came from my Droid x. You will probably have to edit the picture if it is over 2048kb like mine were. Then when I click attachments on the bottem of the text box and click browse, it gives me the option to choose from Gallery, Files, or Take a Photo. I choose Gallery then find the picture and submit.

tzimm007 · « **Reply #21 on:** September 22, 2011, 08:32:08 AM »

Thanks Zach I'll give it a try!

tzimm007 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 22, 2011, 08:45:28 AM »

No deal! Stupid iPhone!

thejanitor · « **Reply #23 on:** September 22, 2011, 10:15:31 AM »

Quote from: tzimm007 on September 22, 2011, 08:45:28 AM

No deal! Stupid iPhone!

I thought those were supposed to be "smart" phones.

thejanitor

tzimm007 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 25, 2011, 06:28:00 PM »

Howdy,
Ok so I shot the 44mag stubi this weekend. Bore sighted it first and put the first two shots dead center an inch apart a foot low at 100yds. Moved the scope cleaned the bore next shot dead center one inch low and then never got any better. I made sure that the latch was clean and dry but I noticed that the barrel when it is open got loose but locked up tight when you close it. Only shot about 15 rounds through it. I didn't get to shoot it without the forearm because I ran out of light so I'll try that this week. What should I expect out if a new barrel like that? Is there a kind of a standard?
Many thanks Tj

quickdtoo · « **Reply #25 on:** September 26, 2011, 09:57:06 AM »

As long as the barrel is tight when locked up without the forend on, it's fine.

Factory standard is 2" or better, 3-shot groups at 100yds with factory ammo. What ammo are you using? Did you follow the instructions in the FAQs on mounting the scope rail? Rings tight? Once you start shooting, loose parts can soon degrade accuracy, and a loose scope rail and/or rings will and has caused problems many, many times before, it's a common and overlooked problem that's very easily avoided. $:-\$

Tim

tzimm007 · « **Reply #26 on:** September 26, 2011, 12:33:49 PM »

I was shooting the 240 gr win and 225 hornady. I will check the scope again. I torqued the base to 35 in pounds with lock tight and the rings on the base and the rings on the scope to 25 in pounds with a fat wrench. The barrel dose lock up tight with the forend off.
Thanks Tim, Tj

quickdtoo · « **Reply #27 on:** September 26, 2011, 12:47:55 PM »

If the barrel was very warm, it can affect groups big time, not usually so much with the big bores, but the best accuracy is usually with a cold barrel for the first few shots, then forend fit and how the forend is rested will affect group size more as it warms up. That's why it's recommended to shoot without the forend to diagnose what's causing the inaccuracy. Read all the tips in the Handi Basics sticky, all are important, not closing the action firmly, specially on a newly fitted barrel can cause problems too. But it may just need some more range time too. The good group you got at first may indicate a bad scope/mounting issue, or you were lax in making sure it was locked up good or not pulling the trigger all the way to the rear each time which can also cause problems with light pin strikes.

Tim

gcrank1 · « **Reply #28 on:** September 26, 2011, 04:23:41 PM »

Bore sighting and 2 shots 1" apart (low is typical for me after a visual bore sighting, too), not a bad group for 100yds.!
Then you adjusted for more elevation and 'cleaned the bore' (why?) and it was still well centered and 'only 1" low', WOW!
Didnt get any better.....or any worse?; basically 1" low x 1" group at 100yd......or am I not understanding this?
BTW, sounds like the crown job is fine.

tzimm007 · « **Reply #29 on:** September 26, 2011, 05:28:03 PM »

Yeah I was pretty excited at first! All of the shots were within 5 in. I'll shoot it without the forend and see I have tryed to make sure I lock up the barrel tight every time but!!! I'll read the FAQ's per tim again. I hope the crown is good that's the hardest part to fix I think!!