Revolver Smith recommendation

I am looking for a Revolver Smith to re barrel and accurize my Smith and Wesson.   Looking to make a DR gun

Thanks,

Jason

Joe Leinenger, mojo guns
248-459-2922

Vinkemulder wrote:I am looking for a Revolver Smith to re barrel and accurize my Smith and Wesson.   Looking to make a DR gun

Thanks,

Jason

If you find a smith that can duplicate the factory barrel profile but cut from a match 10 or 12 twist then please share.
I've talked to all of the top revolver smiths that have a reputation for accuracy, haven't found one yet.  It would need to match the profile and have the same lettering so as not to be noticed and disqualified from the DR matches.  Not that I would personally cheat... LOL

Just for Reference. Interpret as you will, it's your conscience. For Centerfire, there are less restrictions. 

3.3 Distinguished Revolver - The revolver must be capable of chambering and firing a 158-grain round nose or Semi-Wadcutter
.38 Special cartridge. It must be a factory manufactured revolver with no external modifications except for stocks which may be
modified or changed because of the size of the competitor’s hand or to facilitate loading. Except for stocks and the honing of the sear
or sear notch to make a more crisp trigger, and maintain a 2 1/2 lb. minimum trigger pull, no external or internal modification may be
made to the revolver as manufactured and sold by the factory of origin. No parts may be removed from the revolver, either externally or
internally, nor may any part be added, with the exception of milling the cylinder to accommodate moon clips. Specifically prohibited is
any system of recoil control based upon compensators, barrel venting, barrel porting or weighted grips. Exposed holes that have been
drilled and tapped for mounting of a scope are not considered to be an external modification. 

(a) Trigger- Must have single and double action capability and must be capable of lifting 2 1/2 lbs when the revolver is cocked for single action firing. Triggers will be weighed. Any trigger, sold by the manufacturer of the revolver, without modification, may be used.

(b) Sights- Fixed or adjustable rear sights may be used. An Adjustable front sight is not allowed.

(c) Barrel- Length not to exceed six and one- half inches. (6 1/2”)

(d) Stocks- Except as set forth above, the right and left stocks must be mirror images of each other.

(e) Ammunition- Any safe .38 caliber ammunition using the 158 grain round nose or Semi-Wadcutter bullet only.

(f) The following are not allowed. Trigger shoes, compensators of type or design; any external trigger stop device; any
internal trigger stop not originally installed by the factory as original equipment in stock revolvers of the same make
and model; tape on the stocks or stocks flared at the base. 

CR

I know we've had this disagreement before, but most believe replacing factory parts with factory parts normally available on the model used is acceptable.
I've never heard otherwise from NRA or CMP

Steve B wrote:

Vinkemulder wrote:I am looking for a Revolver Smith to re barrel and accurize my Smith and Wesson.   Looking to make a DR gun

Thanks,

Jason

If you find a smith that can duplicate the factory barrel profile but cut from a match 10 or 12 twist then please share.
I've talked to all of the top revolver smiths that have a reputation for accuracy, haven't found one yet.  It would need to match the profile and have the same lettering so as not to be noticed and disqualified from the DR matches.  Not that I would personally cheat... LOL

Yah know, the later S&W revolvers were looked down on due to changes in manufacturing techniques to suck nickels out of the process, but there may be a silver lining if you can overlook the hammer lock, MIM parts and such: some K frames had sleeved barrels.

Vinkemulder wrote:I am looking for a Revolver Smith to re barrel and accurize my Smith and Wesson.   Looking to make a DR gun

Thanks,

Jason

I too have been considering a gunsmith for my 14-3 DR gun.  Please let us know if you contact Joe and what you learn.  
Thank you.

It's not my intention to circumvent the rules.  My Smith and Wesson needs a new barrel and I don't want just anyone to do it.   After reading CR10x's post, it is now clear some things are allowed many are not.  I am hopeful, I can find a smith that will work within the DR rules.

If you want to play with barrel configurations to enhance accuracy, take a look at the Dan Wesson revolvers. The barrels on these are easily replaceable and any gunsmith worth his lathe should be able to machine one with ease.

Wobbley wrote:If you want to play with barrel configurations to enhance accuracy, take a look at the Dan Wesson revolvers.  The barrels on these are easily replaceable and any gunsmith worth his lathe should be able to machine one with ease.

Never thought of that... Thanks.

I didn't know you could modify the left side to facilitate reloading moons or a speed loader. You don't have to modify the right side to make it a mirror image do you? 
 Can you have finger grooves on the front of the grips also.
Stan

I would add to the Mojo shop, Sandy Garrett of Northern Virginia Gun Works in Springfield, VA to the list of best Revo gunsmith's on the planet. Another old school revo smith is Rich Fried in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

When I asked Jerry Keefer for a recommendation he said: "Mark Hartshorne in PA"


http://www.pinnaclehighperformance.com/

robert84010 wrote:When I asked Jerry Keefer for a recommendation he said: "Mark Hartshorne in PA"


http://www.pinnaclehighperformance.com/

I AGREE. CAN'T BE BEAT. EXCELLENT WORK. JP

JIMPGOV wrote:

robert84010 wrote:When I asked Jerry Keefer for a recommendation he said: "Mark Hartshorne in PA"


http://www.pinnaclehighperformance.com/

I AGREE. CAN'T BE BEAT. EXCELLENT WORK. JP

See above.

Just to play the other hand...why do you think the bbl needs to be changed? Is it bulged? Those may still shoot well. Is it leaded and behaving badly? Use Kroil on a tight patch to clean it well. Forcing cone choke? Have it Taylor throated. 

Good luck

I have a Model 14-2 that had a wide gap between barrel and cylinder that Joe Leininger was able to set back one turn and make it a target pistol again.

Joe specializes in PPC guns using S&W frames. Many of the Michigan PPC shooters are using his guns.

Mine.

I would recommend Clark Custom in Louisiana. Their shop is famous and they deserve the reputation. Jimmy Clark built my first Hard Ball Pistol when I was too young to buy a pistol(my Dad bought it)in 1960. His son Jim ran the place until he died a few years ago at a young age. Now, I guess that Logan heads the gunsmithing effort. Their work that I have seen over the years at Camp Perry is VERY consistent !!!- Alan Aronstein

I'm not sure sure what your issue is but speaking from experience I got my DR with a stock 14-3 police trade in and a 14-1 that KC tuned up. No need to overthink this.

bruce martindale wrote:Just to play the other hand...why do you think the bbl needs to be changed? Is it bulged? Those may still shoot well. Is it leaded and behaving badly? Use Kroil on a tight patch to clean it well. Forcing cone choke? Have it Taylor throated. 

Good luck

Do you know any gunsmiths still offering this service?

Taylor throating? Not specifically as the tooling was specialized and proprietary. Clymer made some but don’t anymore...

Most seem to recut now to 11 degrees which is what was on the python. The standard for S&W is 18 degrees and if rough can adversely affect accuracy.

taylor throating was also somewhat controversial as it applied to DR guns.
S&W never offered taylor throating even in its competition shop.

james r chapman wrote:Joe Leinenger, mojo guns
248-459-2922

++1