Paco Kelly's Leverguns.com

Mike Hunter

I'm curious. How difficult would it be to cut a half cock notch in the Winchester hammer? Would it need to be heat treated afterwards? Did you lighten the hammer spring or just cut off the rebound finger or both? Bill Bill I have not done the material testing on the new 86s, but my guess is that th...

Mike Hunter

Most likely nickle steel But I dont see the ususal NI steel markings, barrels made of NI Steel during that time frame were generally marked M.N.S. for Midvale Ni steel, supplied by the Midvale steel co. Now there is a circle marking under that barrel, looks closely, if there is a C in the middle of ...

Mike Hunter

That is an interesting barrel, it’s a late production barrel after Winchester changed to smokeless powers and reduced the diameter of the barrels. That’s why no relief cut for the magazine tube on the bottom of the barrel. More than likely it had a screw in mag tube. It is also after Winchester stop...

Mike Hunter

Back 15-20 years ago, there were a couple of companies selling M14 Re welds... took cut up M14 recievers and welded them back together w/o the capability to fire full auto. MKS was one that I remember, ATF called all owners and confiscated the MKS reweld guns/frame. Big court case, I believe MKS pre...

Mike Hunter

Very Cool

Thanks for sharing.

V/R

Mike

Mike Hunter

The legislator that proposed this also happens to be a partner in a St Louis law firm that handles criminal cases. Wonder how that will help his law business when tens of thousands of law abiding Missourians become felons overnight.

Mike Hunter

Missouri Democrats Introduce Legislation to Confiscate Firearms – Gives Gun Owners 90 Days to Turn in Weapons Missouri Democrat state Rep. Rory Ellinger has put forth H.B. 545 , which would ban “assault weapons” and many semi-automatic pistols. It would give owners of said weapons 90 days to either ...

Mike Hunter

When working on guns, you always work on the leas expensive part or easiest to replace part first. Now with that said, I would work on the front sight first. Screw the bead into the barrel, and then measure how much is protruding into the barrel and remove that amount from the threaded end. There ar...

Mike Hunter

Doc As noted earlier, standard ¼-28 right hand thread. If it’s been ground flush with the frame it will probably have to be drilled out. First I would try drilling down the center and using a screw remover/easy out and try it that way. Hopefully they didn’t use glue/epoxy/loctite on the threads. If ...

Mike Hunter

Gonna try putting them in the smoker for a few hours, I'll let you know how it turns out

Mike Hunter

My knowledge of the more modern guns is pretty limited; as my cut-off point for Winchesters is around 1937. Winchester went thru a lot of turmoil in 80 & 90s being sold to U.S. Repeating Arms, think a couple of Chapter 13s, outsourcing a lot of its production, so I imagine a lot of variation in ...

Mike Hunter

just curious, what exactly are you looking for??

I have measured quite a few Winchester barrels, mostly because I make them. There is some variations especially in the pre 1900 guns.

V/R

Mike

Mike Hunter

There is a difference between a correct fit and “can be made to fit”. Think you are talking about “can be made to fit”. 86 mainspring cannot be used in the 73, 92, 94, 1890/1906 Buttstocks are interchangeable between 92 and 94, I don’t know of other stocks having the same interchangeability. Tang sc...

Mike Hunter

Joe If you're tight with some LEOs, you might want to talk to the leadership, have them put out a policy letter to the department personnel advising them that when they travel they are not to use Hyatt owned hotels due their Unconstitutional policies. Make sure Hyatt mgmt gets a copy. For the rest o...

Mike Hunter

Joe I have no personal experience as to how well they will hold up to constant use of .357 loads. But some things to consider: Original 1892 were made out of some pretty soft steel, I’ve had the frames tested, steel is pretty close to today’s SAE 1018. Looking at Winchester’s original specs, the loc...

Mike Hunter

Couple of things that I ran into while doing the conversion from 32-20 to 38 spc/357. The biggest challenge is the rim diameter: 32-20 is .408, .357 is .440. This requires that you first open up the magazine tube hole in the frame to accommodate the larger rim dia. I did this in the mill, with the f...

Mike Hunter

Joe

I did one once, I don't recommend it. drop me a PM or e-mail and I'll give you details, lots of work to make them work correctly. And if you're serious, I've got an octagon .357 barrel I'll sell cheap,

V/R

Mike

Mike Hunter

Kirk

I've been down this road before, best bet is find another cylinder and have it rechambered.

Some of the SAA clones, have cylinders that work well.

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Mike

Mike Hunter

I would take the above test results with a grain of salt. The test data has been around for a while, and has been posted many times on various forums. Unfortunately, some of the clarifications have not. The author clarified in the article that he had mistakenly used power steering fluid ; as many fo...

Mike Hunter

Take a serious look at the Chiappas, as close to an authentic 86 as you can get.

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Mike

Mike Hunter

The technology has been around for some time, when I went down to General Dynamics Defense about 10 years ago, they had one, they used it for prototype work; make the parts in plastic and see how they fit /worked together. The technology has just gotten cheaper. Yes you can make a firearm with one, ...

Mike Hunter

Well the first thing I would have done is ask them to rebalance the tire; after about a pound of weights they might declare it unbalanceable . Least it would be fun, and you might get a pound of lead. Can't believe Michelin didn't stand behind their tires, but from what I understand many name brand ...

Mike Hunter

I suspect the story about Wal-Mart no longer selling guns and ammo was just an internet rumor. I know Wal-Mar had stopped placing orders a few weeks ago, but my guess it was strictly a business decision based on the outcome of the President’s Executive Orders announced yesterday. My guess is that Wa...

Mike Hunter

FRA

Who are you with? USA, USMC or USAF?

as to 38-56, lots of sources, Green Mountain, McGowen, and I make them too.

When you get ready drop me a line and we can discuss options.

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Mike Hunter

Mike Hunter

Since your rifle has already been modified; barrel rebored, magazine chopped, it’s pretty low on the collectability scale. Clearly changing the barrel to ½ round, and shortening the mag tube will not affect anything at this point. If you want a shotgun butt, I recommend having a new one made, and pu...

Mike Hunter

Griff Think it was more of a proprietary concern than a case design concern. … Not invented by Winchester. Remember the Henrys and 1866s that Winchester produced, all chambered for the the 44 Rim fire ctg, very weak head. The same with the 22 RFs today, generally there no issues with bolt mounted ex...

Mike Hunter

Epoxy or Loctite on threads is nothing new, most major manufactures have been using them for a while. The tapered threaded shank is interesting though, Colt used to do that on their Single Actions; never saw a reason for it, and a real PITA to cut correctly. I suspect the reason that Winchester didn...

Mike Hunter

MrMurphy

Sounds like you have quite a bit of "operational " background, just curious what it is, we might know each other.

5th SFG(A), 7th SFG(A) then Combat Dev and Contractor

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Mike

Mike Hunter

Another good point about the Garands/M14s is how simple they are, esp to clean. If it gets full of sand dirt mud etc, pull rearward on the trigger guard, the entire hammer/trigger assy comes right out, flip it upside down, tap it on your helmet and slap her back in place, 5 seconds and your back in ...

Mike Hunter

The AR 15 was initially adopted by the USAF, as a replacement for the M1 carbine that their base security forces used. If you read the initial requirement document, the .223 had to have equal or better penetration and wounding capabilities as the .30 carbine cartridge. Remember, the 30 carbine was m...

Mike Hunter

M1A or an AR, in my mind there is no comparison. On one side you have an plastic/aluminum rifle designed to shoot a varmint cartridge (not even legal for deer in most states) and has a gas system that dumps gas and unburnt powder back into the chamber area (pukes in it’s own mouth). Or, you have a r...

Mike Hunter

Ben Sorry I didn't respond earlirer to your thread, just don't come on this site as often as I would like. I do make barrels for the old Winchester lever rifles, if you would like to discuss more drop me a line at MDHunter@centurytel.net or 417 453-6445, hopefully I can answer and questions that you...

Mike Hunter

Joe I believe that Don Menk aka Color Case Company, closed up shop a few years ago. Got tired of doing CCH and wanted to pursue other endeavors. The concern that I would have with Rugers is that they are made out of SAE 4140 steel. 4140 is considered thru hardening steel and not a case hardening ste...

Mike Hunter

Ok, you’re a 10th Group guy, that may explain it. :lol: 5 years in 5th SFG (A) as a team guy; got out went to college and came back in as an officer. Spent another 5 years in 7th SFG. Generally modifying weapons was frowned upon, they had to be pretty darn reliable and accurate, anything that would ...

Mike Hunter

I like the SOCOM, I made one out of an M-14 by cutting the barrel to 16 ¼ inch and carried it in Iraq for a while with the selector they are a great car gun. Before Springfield started selling them my buddy and I cut a Barrel on a Match Receiver to 16 inches but had to open the gas port .012 to get...

Mike Hunter

Personally I would stick with the 45-90. The 50 EX (50-100) actions were all hand modified by Winchester to properly feed that round. Having done several, and having the opportunity to disassemble a few originals, I’ve come to the conclusion that every 1886 50 cal conversion is different. The 45-90 ...

Mike Hunter

I first ran into problems with alcohol blended fuels about a year ago, my wife’s Mitsubishi started having problems starting up in the mornings. Took it to out mechanic (whom I trust), he ran all the diagnostics on it, no issues, (and no charge), said try it for a few days, if it’s still a problem w...

Mike Hunter

As brought up before, you may want to make sure you equipment is compatible with alcohol fuels. The EPA sent out a message that they may start mandating E-15 fuels, I did some minor research, and most manufacturers will warrantee their equipment for E-10 but not anything greater: E-15/20. Alcohol fu...

Mike Hunter

MDHunter@centurytel.net

417 453-6445

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Mike

Mike Hunter

Griff

Don't worry, I'm still around. Yup took the site down, I started getting too much work, as a one man band, I found it difficult to do both quality and quantity at the same time.

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Mike

Mike Hunter

No he’s not an employee. Bert’s connection to the museum WAS that of an unpaid volunteer. The firearms Division of the BBHS is understaffed and they have literally tons of stuff donated to the museum that needs to be filed, sorted, copied etc. Oftentimes folks will donate their time to the museum, j...

Mike Hunter

Trust me, Bert knows that I know where he got the info from, so, me sending him an e-mail would be pretty irrelevant. I also see that his signature block would tend to make one believe that he works with/in the Cody Museum, a perception which I 'm sure he enjoys. Call the museum, ask to talk with Be...

Mike Hunter

Aside from "Homeland Defense" typ uses, dont think the USG ever used a levergun as a "Battle Rifle"

With that said, I've owned a 73 carbine, 76 rifle and 86 carbine with provisions for a bayonet.

Mike Hunter

I don't know why he has not been challenged, possibly because not a whole lot of folks know about the ARMAX study, an obscure publication done 17 years ago. I'm not sure if Mr. Oswalt is still alive, he was the curator of the museum at the time. John Hawk is still kicking, not sure he visits the Gun...

Mike Hunter

First of all, neat rifle… worthy of any collection. On a different subject, let’s give credit where credit is due. Bert Hartman did not compile the data that he puts out there. That data was published in the ARMAX, the Journal of Cody Firearms Museum, back in 1995. It was the hard work and dedicatio...

Mike Hunter

W-1 or O-1 Drill rod makes excellent pin material

Mike Hunter

To me it’s kinda …well, Yuck.. The engraving is not even close to Winchesters, and, as stated earlier, it looks like the engraving and inlays were done over a less than pristine finish/surface. The engraving really sucks, lines that should look straight, don’t! Some of the gold and platinum inlays r...

Mike Hunter

Mike D

I appriciate the confidence, but I'm afraid that I will fall short.

The 1886 I know, and know well, but I do not know the model 71 all that well, just have not had that many in the shop, and have not really studdied them like I have the 86.

Sorry to be of no help

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Mike

Mike Hunter

Ok then, Let’s do the math. The only folks I know of that carry 50 cal liners is TJs in KY. Their liners are 13/16 OD. Standard 86 barrel dia at muzzle is between .800 - .850. 13/16 = .8125, so worst case (.800) you don’t have enough meat at the muzzle , best case (.850) you will have .037 divided b...

Mike Hunter

I don’t do relining here in the shop, just no call for relining on collector guns. Now with that said, from what I understand relining is a fairly straightforward job; drill out existing bore, ream, glue or solder new liner in place, rechamber, trim ends and you’re done. If you want to get really tr...

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