So... any of our members here have an interest in firearms?

Wetworks · Jun 30, 2022

SkunkPrince
Darn, I should have guessed! But I would have bought a full-size instead of a shortie.

Actually, I would have bought the left-handed version. And, you can always change your stock.

Scout was a nice compromise between the SOCOM and the full. Also, I think only the Scout was NY compliant (no muzzle break), so my mind was made up for me.

Waltesefalcon
Wait, doesn't a synthetic stock make it more dangerous and a Walnut stock make it more friendly?

Lol, yes the wood is a warm, inviting feature of the rifle. Far less scary.

Wryfox · Jun 30, 2022

I mentioned in my other post that I was considered cleaning up a valuable old Colt 1855 Revolving Shotgun. It had surface rust and I debated whether to touch it to help preserve it or leave it as a testament to time and history.

My choice was to clean and preserve. Using only a toothbrush and cotton bore brush, I took 3 hours to carefully clear away the light surface corrosion. Surprisingly I came away with quite a bit, making a good little pile of rusty bits on the table.

The result of which is below as an example. The bore also came out quite clean. No worse than I've seen in many modern shotguns left in the closet. Very pleased with the results.

I was even able to get into the mechanism a bit as there is an opening on the side with the hammer, so the action is now even smoother. I was not a fan of having to rotate the cylinder so much during the 'operation" but it came through like a champ. Whew! 👍

SkunkPrince · Jun 30, 2022

Wetworks
Scout was a nice compromise between the SOCOM and the full. Also, I think only the Scout was NY compliant (no muzzle break), so my mind was made up for me.

The M14 (and derivatives) doesn't have a muzzle brake, it's a flash surpressor. Maybe it was the bayonet lug they object to? I think Springfield Armory went back to flash surpressor and bayonet lug after the "assault weapons" ban lapsed....

Wetworks · Jun 30, 2022

SkunkPrince
The M14 (and derivatives) doesn't have a muzzle brake, it's a flash surpressor. Maybe it was the bayonet lug they object to? I think Springfield Armory went back to flash surpressor and bayonet lug after the "assault weapons" ban lapsed....

SA calls it a muzzle brake:

https://www.springfield-armory.com/...squad-rifles/m1a-scout-squad-308-rifle-black/

Numerous YT reviewers have also referred to it as such, some saying it's "fantastic." Sadly, I won't know lol.

SkunkPrince · Jun 30, 2022

Wetworks
SA calls it a muzzle brake:

https://www.springfield-armory.com/...squad-rifles/m1a-scout-squad-308-rifle-black/

Numerous YT reviewers have also referred to it as such, some saying it's "fantastic." Sadly, I won't know lol.

You are correct! That rifle does have a muzzle brake. Possibly because of the shorter barrel? Did not know that until now, I tend to appreciate the originals.

noelekal · Jun 30, 2022

Wryfox
I mentioned in my other post that I was considered cleaning up a valuable old Colt 1855 Revolving Shotgun. It had surface rust and I debated whether to touch it to help preserve it or leave it as a testament to time and history.

My choice was to clean and preserve. Using only a toothbrush and cotton bore brush, I took 3 hours to carefully clear away the light surface corrosion. Surprisingly I came away with quite a bit, making a good little pile of rusty bits on the table.

The result of which is below as an example. The bore also came out quite clean. No worse than I've seen in many modern shotguns left in the closet. Very pleased with the results.

I was even able to get into the mechanism a bit as there is an opening on the side with the hammer, so the action is now even smoother. I was not a fan of having to rotate the cylinder so much during the 'operation" but it came through like a champ. Whew! 👍

I applaud your effort Wryfox and the results gained. I'm not really into "heirloom" active rust, crude build up, or dust. I wouldn't walk across the street to acquire a reproduction revolving long arm, but man are original examples "cooler 'n a fan!" You've got something there in that Colt!

Waltesefalcon
Wait, doesn't a synthetic stock make it more dangerous and a Walnut stock make it more friendly?

So thinks the American media, right? Flash suppressors as well. Why they are scawwy, flash suppressors!

I'm firmly in the camp of standard issue configuration. The .308 Winchester/7.62 NATO cartridge reaps benefits from a bit of barrel length and for a handloader barrel length coupled with a propellant powder tailored to make the most of a full powered load, the longer snout is the easy way to avoid a velocity performance penalty. Besides, it keeps the report and muzzle blast farther from the shooter and even a few inches is meaningful. Long association with my chronograph put me off short barrels years ago. I have no particular reason to require compact arms. I'm an admitted ol' fogy though.

efauser · Jul 21, 2022

I have been working on picking up variants of some of my favorite pistols.

Beretta 92F

CZ 75 Pre-B

And a Mauser M80 SA Hi Power

Was able to pick up a Beretta 8000 Cougar

And these two

And a Dan Wesson 9mm 1911 (stock photo because it hasn't arrived yet).

Wryfox · Jul 21, 2022

efauser
I have been working on picking up variants of some of my favorite pistols.

Beretta 92F

CZ 75 Pre-B

And a Mauser M80 SA Hi Power

Was able to pick up a Beretta 8000 Cougar

And these two

And a Dan Wesson 9mm 1911 (stock photo because it hasn't arrived yet).

I hear really good things about Dan Wesson pistols. Mostly hand fitted, but just read today they doing more automation now. I'd be really interested to see how this new one feels.

efauser · Jul 21, 2022

I'll let you know if I get to the range next week. I am very impressed with the fit of the Magnum Research 1911.

kip595 · Jul 21, 2022

Going vintage again for a moment; my just-in-today aprox. 110 year-old DWM Luger in 9mm - a pre-WWI '1908' Commercial model with correctly matching bits'n'bobs. Quite looking forward to the next range trip. 😀

*Pardon the smear of CLP from my cleaning, I noticed it in the photo and gave it a re-wipe.

The light wear and corrosion on the left land side is unfortunate, but also a large part of why I was able to get the gun for a very pleasant price. 😀

Cheers all!

The Father · Jul 21, 2022

Hate to break up all the pretty six shooters…..

Today we have a Shadow Systems 9mm based on the Glock 17. I was bumping around Cabelas and came upon this used gun. It was brand new never shot. But it was used $700. Sweet ass Gussied up Glock platform. Very nice balance and flared mag well. New carry gun.

Omegafanman · Jul 22, 2022

As you may know it is tough to own anything firearms related in the UK. This 1860 Colt blank shooter is legal and I though might be ok for display and educational purposes. I got it for absolute song (cheap) but some of the metal is very tarnished.
Any suggestions/ thoughts if it is viable to improve the finish on that metal?
Thanks.
.

Wryfox · Jul 22, 2022

Omegafanman
As you may know it is tough to own anything firearms related in the UK. This 1860 Colt blank shooter is legal and I though might be ok for display and educational purposes. I got it for absolute song (cheap) but some of the metal is very tarnished.
Any suggestions/ thoughts if it is viable to improve the finish on that metal?
Thanks.
.

Beautiful case colors. Better than most real ones!

Omegafanman · Jul 22, 2022

Wryfox
Beautiful case colors. Better than most real ones!

Thanks. It is a heavy bit of iron despite being a blank fire gun. To meet the UK regs the strip down options are also very limited. Do you think just leave it / accept it as patina?

efauser · Jul 22, 2022

I could be wrong but I think that's case hardened steel, not tarnish.

Waltesefalcon · Jul 22, 2022

Omegafanman
I got it for absolute song (cheap) but some of the metal is very tarnished.
Any suggestions/ thoughts if it is viable to improve the finish on that metal?
Thanks.

That's not tarnish, that's color case hardening. Back when Colt and other manufacturers were building the original guns the frames, and many small parts were hardened through a process in which the steel would be placed in a canister with coals and bone fragments, then placed in a furnace for several hours. As it was heated the steel would absorb some of the carbon from the bone and charcoal, and it would create a case hardened surface that was more wear resistant than the mild steel. It also created rainbow colors in the steel. Today, reproduction guns get a chemical coloring to reproduce that old color case hardening to make them appear more authentic.

Edit: Here are a few examples of color case hardening I found from the internet. The two case hardened guns I have, have both faded with age.

Omegafanman · Jul 22, 2022

Waltesefalcon
That's not tarnish, that's color case hardening. Back when Colt and other manufacturers were building the original guns the frames, and many small parts were hardened through a process in which the steel would be placed in a canister with coals and bone fragments, then placed in a furnace for several hours. As it was heated the steel would absorb some of the carbon from the bone and charcoal, and it would create a case hardened surface that was more wear resistant than the mild steel. It also created rainbow colors in the steel. Today, reproduction guns get a chemical coloring to reproduce that old color case hardening to make them appear more authentic.

Edit: Here are a few examples of color case hardening I found from the internet. The two case hardened guns I have, have both faded with age.

Thanks/ that is really good information. I think one of the reasons it was so cheap is they thought it was tarnished. As is often the case, glad I have this forum for advice and learning 👍

Waltesefalcon · Jul 22, 2022

You're welcome. In time those vibrant colors will slowly fade until they look more like your hammer and loading lever. Here are my two revolvers with color case hardening, in both examples you can see that they have faded to a mottled gray patina. This first is an Armi San Marcos copy of a Colt Walker, the second is an Uberti copy of a Colt Single Action Army.

johnireland · Jul 22, 2022

Going to the range next Tuesday to qualify for my CCW. Will be using a Kimber 1911 .45 acp Ultra Carry II, and a .380 Bersa Thunder. Very different rounds but similar size and weight in weapons. Torn between whether to wear a Rolex OP or Omega Seamaster.

Omegafanman · Jul 22, 2022

johnireland
Going to the range next Tuesday to qualify for my CCW. Will be using a Kimber 1911 .45 acp Ultra Carry II, and a .380 Bersa Thunder. Very different rounds but similar size and weight in weapons. Torn between whether to wear a Rolex OP or Omega Seamaster.

Seamaster would get my vote