Search found 538 matches

by perry owens
Thu Mar 07, 2019 2:23 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Martini Rifles at "The Battle of Bronkhorstspruit"
Replies: 16
Views: 2935

Re: Martini Rifles at "The Battle of Bronkhorstspruit"

Gamekeeper - there are four Greener GPs in the Holts Auction later this month. Guide prices from £50 to £120. After the auction they sell off unsold lots at the lower guide price.


Perry
by perry owens
Thu Dec 06, 2018 7:32 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: What y'all payin' for gas?
Replies: 57
Views: 10284

Re: What y'all payin' for gas?

£1.32 a litre, equivalent to $6.32 a US gallon round here.
by perry owens
Thu Aug 09, 2018 5:56 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Commodore Pete Owens
Replies: 3
Views: 989

Re: Commodore Pete Owens

One of the deadliest gunfighter you've never heard of. Commodore Perry Owens is my alias with the British Western Shooting Society.
There is a book about him titled "A killer is what they needed". They certainly got one.
by perry owens
Tue Jul 10, 2018 2:52 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 100 years of the Royal Air Force
Replies: 9
Views: 2062

100 years of the Royal Air Force

Went to the RAF centenary celebrations in London today. Saw the flypast of 100 aircraft over Buckingham Palace. Lancaster bomber, Spitfires and Hurricanes http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f297/Perry1943/Flypast_zpsx96wvar0.jpg A squadron of Typhoons forming the number "100" http://i49.pho...
by perry owens
Sun Sep 03, 2017 4:45 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Lead hardness testing
Replies: 1
Views: 748

Lead hardness testing

I found myself in need of a hardness tester so I made one that uses the Brinell principle directly, based on a modified loading press. A cheap digital microscope is used to make the critical measurements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efNHQd0uXnw

perry
by perry owens
Wed Oct 12, 2016 4:42 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Let's see your coolest old gun
Replies: 61
Views: 6980

Re: Let's see your coolest old gun

This civilian Snider carbine by John Rigby came to me from Argentina. The name engraved on the trigger guard was J.C.A.Yockney and after a lot of research I found out that John Charles Augustus Yockney was a Brit who went to Argentina in 1871 to help run the railways. He was the Station Master at a ...
by perry owens
Tue Oct 11, 2016 4:32 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: I like the Sonic Cleaner
Replies: 14
Views: 1845

Re: I like the Sonic Cleaner

My ultrasonic bath is big enough to take my 5 1/2 in barreled stainless Old Armys. I set the heat to 30C, add a spoonfull of Micro, remove the grips and dump them in. In the time it takes to neck a couple of cans of London Pride they look like they just left the factory.

Perry owens
by perry owens
Mon Aug 01, 2016 4:56 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Operation of the Spencer repeater?
Replies: 15
Views: 3330

Re: Operation of the Spencer repeater?

The firing pin doesn't retract when the action is cycled so it's best to cock the hammer before chambering the next shell. There's a short clip of me firing my original Spencer, converted to centre fire here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hHw2qwImiQ I also have a couple of videos on making the con...
by perry owens
Sat Jun 11, 2016 12:44 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Out and about.
Replies: 20
Views: 2983

Re: Out and about.

Hey Nath,
We need you down South.
My daughter's garden this morning....
Image

Perry
by perry owens
Thu May 12, 2016 3:50 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 75th Anniversary: The End of the London Blitz, May 11th
Replies: 5
Views: 911

Re: 75th Anniversary: The End of the London Blitz, May 11th

Like GK's dad, my dad was a fireman during the war,in the East London docks area. His crew used to collect broken mirror and stained glass from bombed houses and churches to make kaleidoscopes for the local kids. When I started school in the late 40's there was still an anti aircraft gun emplacement...
by perry owens
Sun Mar 20, 2016 10:43 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Original 73 Winchester firing pin question
Replies: 7
Views: 2080

Re: Original 73 Winchester firing pin question

The 38-40 round uses large pistol primers. The firing pin retractor should be fitted with the slope at the bottom running downwards towards the back of the bolt.

Perry Owens
by perry owens
Tue Nov 10, 2015 4:56 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Anyone making decent flint lock reproductions?
Replies: 6
Views: 1185

Re: Anyone making decent flint lock reproductions?

If you want a kit try The Rifle Shoppe. I don't think they sell complete finished guns but they do supply assembled and tuned locks. I have one of their Baker rifles and it's really nice.http://www.therifleshoppe.com/default.htm

Perry Owens
by perry owens
Mon Nov 02, 2015 8:34 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Low cost lubrisizer heater
Replies: 10
Views: 1760

Low cost lubrisizer heater

I don't keep my workshop heated all the time so a heating pad for my lubrisizer would be a handy addition. The Lyman heater costs around $71 in the US but getting one from Brownells UK costs UK£73, the equivalent of $115. I made my own low voltage heater for around $15 worth of parts. It works ok he...
by perry owens
Wed Oct 14, 2015 11:41 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: ELECTRONIC DIGITAL CALIPERS
Replies: 10
Views: 2348

Re: ELECTRONIC DIGITAL CALIPERS

Part of the 5 years I lived in the US was spent managing teams of mobile calibration engineers who traveled the world calibrating industrial test equipment. The Mitutoyu certified calipers they used were always getting lost or stolen so we spent some time evaluating lower cost alternatives. We found...
by perry owens
Tue Sep 29, 2015 2:25 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Browning 1886 problem
Replies: 7
Views: 1872

Re: Browning 1886 problem

Thanks for the advice. I can push the ejector back into the bolt but the extractor is very hard to move. Looks like I will have to dismantle it. I've stripped and reassembled an original Winchester 1886 before and am hoping the Browning is similar.
Perry Owens
by perry owens
Sun Sep 27, 2015 8:44 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Browning 1886 problem
Replies: 7
Views: 1872

Browning 1886 problem

I got out my Browning/Miroku 1886 to shoot a CAS side match and noticed an odd fault. The action is very hard to close on a round for the last bit of bolt travel, before the locking bars rise up. With no shell it cycles fine but even with a fired case the action will only close if I slam the lever h...
by perry owens
Wed Sep 23, 2015 3:20 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: This weekends pictures.
Replies: 33
Views: 3683

Re: This weekends pictures.

Perry Owens, Are crossbows legal where you are and can you use them for hunting? If so that would work for the urban areas. RustyJr Crossbows are legal but any type of bow hunting is not. Also, broadhead points are illegal, so even if you argued that shooting foxes was vermin control and not huntin...
by perry owens
Mon Sep 14, 2015 3:35 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: This weekends pictures.
Replies: 33
Views: 3683

Re: This weekends pictures.

Spotted this one in my mother in law's garden when I was picking apples yesterday. Unfortunately it's an urban area and a gunshot would summon an armed response unit in minutes.
Image

Perry Owens
by perry owens
Mon Aug 31, 2015 6:51 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Went Cowboy Action Shooting Today
Replies: 18
Views: 2403

Re: Went Cowboy Action Shooting Today

Griff, I'm with you on this. I hate those boring "big and close" 10-10-4 stages. The matches I run have stages with falling plates, swingers, a gadget that throws a can 30 ft in the air, even a Texas star for shotgun. I like to do things like they did back then so I use black powder in eve...
by perry owens
Mon Aug 31, 2015 6:42 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Tuning a Cap 'n Ball Blackpowder Revolver
Replies: 25
Views: 5898

Re: Tuning a Cap 'n Ball Blackpowder Revolver

Nath wrote: Hieratic. :)
Why Nath? Because I use Old Armys or because I drink Old Peculier?

Perry Owens
by perry owens
Fri Aug 28, 2015 5:21 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Tuning a Cap 'n Ball Blackpowder Revolver
Replies: 25
Views: 5898

Re: Tuning a Cap 'n Ball Blackpowder Revolver

Interesting, well written and illustrated article. Here in the UK, thanks to the ban on centre fire handguns, we have quite a cottage industry devoted to modifying cap and ball guns. Since the demise of the Old Army the pistol of choice for CAS is the Uberti Cattleman SAA in percussion format. Gamer...
by perry owens
Tue Aug 25, 2015 2:27 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: For WW2 airplane buffs
Replies: 23
Views: 3261

Re: For WW2 airplane buffs

If you weren't there at the time it's hard to appreciate the scale of the bombing and it's effect on the civilian population, but there is an interactive map here http://bombsight.org/#15/51.5050/-0.0900 that maps the bombs that fell in the London area in a 9 month period in 1940-41.

Perry Owens
by perry owens
Tue Aug 18, 2015 12:49 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: For WW2 airplane buffs
Replies: 23
Views: 3261

For WW2 airplane buffs

In my garden this morning trying to start the mower when I heard the unmistakable sound of Rolls Royce Merlin engines. Directly overhead were three Spitfires and a Hurricane. http://vid49.photobucket.com/albums/f297/Perry1943/002_zpsrmv0ht9c.mp4 Today is the 75th anniversary of "the hardest day...
by perry owens
Tue Aug 18, 2015 4:24 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Oi! - Brit Types!... Ever had the chance to partake?
Replies: 3
Views: 937

Re: Oi! - Brit Types!... Ever had the chance to partake?

I regularly shoot at Bisley with my clubs and have shot at 1000 yards with my Remington 7.62 target rifle and even my Shiloh Montana Roughrider. Iron sights at 1000 yds takes dedication and a lot of practice but we Brits seem to be quite good at it. At this years Camp Perry matches the UK team took ...
by perry owens
Sun Aug 02, 2015 6:33 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Got me an 1886
Replies: 22
Views: 4561

Re: Got me an 1886

Hi Chris, Over here you can only possess an obsolete calibre gun without permit if held as a"curiosity or ornament" so if you want to fire it you have to put it on your licence. I hear a rumour that the law is about to crack down on obsolete calibre concessions as criminals have been buyin...
by perry owens
Thu Jul 30, 2015 4:48 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Got me an 1886
Replies: 22
Views: 4561

Re: Got me an 1886

I had this one in 40-65 until last year http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f297/Perry1943/IMG_0475%20800x161_zps5i689bbr.jpg Starline brass in 40-65 was not available in the UK so I had to form it from 45-70. No big deal but I also had to thin down the rims on a lathe to get the cases to chamber. The...
by perry owens
Sat Jul 11, 2015 5:45 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 1873 Cartridge length?
Replies: 13
Views: 2141

Re: 1873 Cartridge length?

I use Big Lube 158 grain Snakebite bullets to load 38Sp brass for use in a .357 Uberti 1873. They have a long ogive and flat nose and when crimped in the groove give the right cartridge OAL for .357. My old Uberti is very unforgiving on OAL but I believe the later models had an increased bevel on th...
by perry owens
Mon Jul 06, 2015 4:37 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Uberti 1873 lover gun front site question
Replies: 6
Views: 1455

Re: Uberti 1873 lover gun front site question

I have Marbles tang and flip-up sights on my Uberti 1873 short rifle. I fitted a Williams front sight, 0.375in high, 0.340in wide with a 3/32in gold bead. Spot on out to 50 yds but I only use it for CAS so have not tried it at longer ranges.

Perry Owens
by perry owens
Thu Jul 02, 2015 3:37 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Paper Cartridges v.2
Replies: 10
Views: 2274

Re: Paper Cartridges v.2

Cigarette papers contain mineral fillers to increase opacity and regulate burn rate so are less than ideal for cartridges. When I was making paper cartidges for a Sharps .54 breechloader I used "onion skin" paper, a thin but tough cotton based paper, and soaked it in saltpetre solution. Th...
by perry owens
Fri Apr 10, 2015 2:27 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: VECTAN Ba10 powder?
Replies: 4
Views: 1065

Re: VECTAN Ba10 powder?

Their reloading data site is here http://www.vectan.fr/UK/range-of-powders
Ba10 is a primarily pistol powder. I have used it in .357 magnum with ok results.

Perry Owens
by perry owens
Sun Apr 05, 2015 6:27 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: A bang to the head, crushed nuts and crows!
Replies: 30
Views: 2608

Re: A bang to the head, crushed nuts and crows!

I hesitated to scroll down through the photos in case there was one of your injured wedding tackle! All my self-harming incidents have been gun related. Last one was when I was putting the guns away in the loft. I took a step back, forgetting I was on a ladder, and woke up in an ambulance on the way...
by perry owens
Wed Mar 18, 2015 6:32 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Did I do a bad thing?
Replies: 9
Views: 1557

Re: Did I do a bad thing?

That's sad that a tube with rifling in it is that restricted. Doubly sad that UK used to be the masters of the world for gun work and there is no one left in the UK to do it. Nice 76 anyway. What cartridge? Be sure to help out the guy using the 73 for display to get it right. I was in a pub outside...
by perry owens
Tue Mar 17, 2015 5:35 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Did I do a bad thing?
Replies: 9
Views: 1557

Did I do a bad thing?

Bought this 1873 in 38-40 when I was living in the USA http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f297/Perry1943/003_zpsllszm5tg.jpg The chamber had been Bubba'd so bad it split cases and the bore was pitted but it shot and I figured to work on it when I got it back to the UK. BUT: Because of the chamber it ...
by perry owens
Tue Mar 17, 2015 5:10 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Introducing: "The Bottle of Britain"
Replies: 6
Views: 981

Re: Introducing: "The Bottle of Britain"

Shepherd Neame Brewery - been brewing since 1698. For the pious they also offer a strong ale called Bishops Finger. They brew Sam Adams Boston Lager under licence but we won't talk about that. I am a member of the Portcullis Club, a Royal Air Force Association club based at Kenly Aerodrome, one of t...
by perry owens
Thu Feb 19, 2015 7:17 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Another brass cleaning system
Replies: 1
Views: 567

Another brass cleaning system

Got sent his link to a magnetic case cleaner being retailed by a dealer in Yorkshire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGUosE5WgX4
At £365 ($565) each I won't be buying one but they sell the micro needles separately so I might have a go at making one.

Perry Owens
by perry owens
Tue Feb 10, 2015 5:07 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: What kind of hobbies do you guys have?
Replies: 65
Views: 5286

Re: What kind of hobbies do you guys have?

When I retired I set up a home workshop. I make all the steel targets for my CAS club plus gun parts and reloading accessories. Just now I am working on a small pulse jet for a pushbike and a Dalek for my grandson. I promised the wife the workshop would be self-funding so when I need a new machine I...
by perry owens
Sat Jan 31, 2015 12:54 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Quickest, safest way to clean brass (perhaps)
Replies: 62
Views: 5274

Re: Quickest, safest way to clean brass (perhaps)

Great posts, Griff. It is gratifying to know that this solution works so well for black powder casings. No you have me wondering if it would save a lot of trouble to place a BP six-shooter on its back - grip up and barrel down - half immersed in a sonic cleaner (along with the removed cylinder) for...
by perry owens
Thu Jan 15, 2015 4:07 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: My 44-40 Black Powder Journey
Replies: 34
Views: 7362

Re: My 44-40 Black Powder Journey

Very nicely researched and written. You should definitely try to publish. I settled on Big Lube bullets over Swiss powder for 44-40 and 38-40 for CAS. The 6-gang moulds are very convenient and Swiss burns so clean it's worth the premium price. One thing I found with Big Lubes is they can carry too m...
by perry owens
Wed Jan 07, 2015 5:43 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Historic English Law:
Replies: 19
Views: 2516

Re: Historic English Law:

Back in the '60s, as a young graduate I worked in an industrial research station that had very extensive grounds and a group of us used to pracice with longbows most lunchtimes. One day someone said "There's a new girl in the electron microscopy section with truly fantastic legs!" We agree...
by perry owens
Mon Dec 29, 2014 5:02 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: GUNS YOU REGRET BUYING!
Replies: 64
Views: 4586

Re: GUNS YOU REGRET BUYING!

Uberti Colt Burgess in .45 Colt. Beatiful wood, nice fit and finish but 7 out of 10 rounds were light strikes. Went back to the importer twice but neither he nor Uberti were able to fix it. Got my money back and bought an 1873 short rifle. Stoeger Coach Gun Supreme. Design is so poor it will never p...
by perry owens
Wed Nov 12, 2014 11:12 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Lead pot temperature control
Replies: 10
Views: 1842

Re: Lead pot temperature control

AJMD429 wrote:I liked the photo-interlude.

Thanks for posting the specific parts you used, too.

Cool stuff.
Just realised I used one of Kirk D's beautiful Winchester photos. Should have asked him first - sorry Kirk.

Perry Owens
by perry owens
Tue Nov 11, 2014 3:12 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Lead pot temperature control
Replies: 10
Views: 1842

Lead pot temperature control

My Lee 4-20 lead pot has served me well but I needed better temperature control than it provides. I thought about an RCBS Pro-Melt but the profiteer at Midwayuk wants £574($918) for one so that was a non starter. I decided to buy some bits and make my own controller and found it surprisingly easy. F...
by perry owens
Sun Nov 09, 2014 5:58 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Trip to London Proof House.
Replies: 17
Views: 2133

Re: Trip to London Proof House.

With a single or double break open shotgun, if, when viewed from the side against a strong light, there is a discernible gap between the breech face and the end of the barrels the gun is said to be "off face". The condition can be caused by wear, misuse or, as in the case of my Stoeger, po...
by perry owens
Sun Nov 09, 2014 6:32 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Gamebore Shotshells? (Nath, GameKeeper, or others)
Replies: 8
Views: 1288

Re: Gamebore Shotshells? (Nath, GameKeeper, or others)

Gamebore is a popular native brand with an extensive product range. I used them for many years when shooting sporting clays without any issues. I don't use them for cowboy action because I shoot all black powder but I know many shooters who do. Many shoots in the UK require fibre wads as they are le...
by perry owens
Sat Nov 08, 2014 12:09 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Trip to London Proof House.
Replies: 17
Views: 2133

Re: Trip to London Proof House.

The new Stoeger Supreme coach gun that I bought in the US failed UK proof because it was off face. I had it worked on by one of our top shotgun specialists and it went off face again when proof fired. It was reworked, submitted for proof and failed again. The proof master's opinion was that the desi...
by perry owens
Sat Nov 08, 2014 4:00 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Trip to London Proof House.
Replies: 17
Views: 2133

Re: Trip to London Proof House.

Another reason he can buy prohibited weapons is so that they can be deactivated :evil: and then sold to anyone. . Sacriledge! :shock: I agree, but I have a dilemma..... I bought an 1890 vintage Winchester 1873 when I was living in the US. The bore is pitted so accuracy is poor.Also the chamber is o...
by perry owens
Thu Nov 06, 2014 5:26 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Guy Fawkes Night
Replies: 8
Views: 1140

Re: Guy Fawkes Night

GK, you weren't by any chance also the gamekeeper on the Wragby Estate?

Perry Owens
by perry owens
Fri Oct 24, 2014 3:28 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Midway USA
Replies: 18
Views: 1532

Re: Midway USA

I envy you guys, I have to use Midway UK, I have to wait for stuff to be shipped from the US and then pay way over the odds for it, example I am going to order a Mossberg bantam stock for Shirley's 20ga 500, price in US $75.99 price to me in the UK $154.20 plus p&p. :cry: When I was living in t...
by perry owens
Thu Oct 23, 2014 6:59 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Midwest Gun Works
Replies: 8
Views: 1179

Re: Midwest Gun Works

Here's your answer GK... "International Orders are NOT Accepted. MidwestGunWorks.com does not accept orders or ship any products outside of the United States of America. Emails and phone calls regarding shipping products outside of the United States will go unanswered." This is from the Po...
by perry owens
Wed Oct 15, 2014 4:07 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Unannounced police visits..
Replies: 28
Views: 2887

Re: Unannounced police visits..

Perry, Do you have a gun related organization over there that is better than the NRA? As you can see from this link the British Association for Shooting and Conservation has already caved in on this issue. http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/news/exclusive-unannounced-police-visits-legal-gun-owners-begin-4...