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Author Topic: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi  (Read 9297 times)

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Offline maglvr44

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My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« on: March 16, 2009, 02:54:02 PM »
It started life as a small firing pin 12ga SB1, with a little fitting of a 357 barrel into the 12ga stub it is now a great shooting 357 mag, and it even EJECTS the empties! something H&R, NEF, Marlin and Remington have forgotten actually has a purpose ;)
Barrel mounted peep is a DIY special also, gun is sighted in with Reed's 200gr hard cast, flat nose that penetrate for days!
Barrel is 18", overall is 35" weight is 5lbs-4oz.
A fun little gun that will be bear & deer hunting this fall.
To anyone considering doing such a project....JUST DO IT!!! Why wait and beg a company that couldn't care less.
It really isn't rocket science. ;)




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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2009, 02:58:44 PM »
Quote from: maglvr44 on March 16, 2009, 02:54:02 PM
It started life as a small firing pin 12ga sp1

Kool!! Make that SB1.  ;)

Tim
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2009, 03:00:14 PM »
Looks good!! Let us know how she shoots!!!

CW
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2009, 03:15:59 PM »
Looks great.  What other projects you got going on the Handi's?  DP
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Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline moose

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2009, 03:16:50 PM »
looks great ;D
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Offline maglvr44

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2009, 03:38:14 PM »
Quote from: dpe.ahoy on March 16, 2009, 03:15:59 PM
Looks great.  What other projects you got going on the Handi's?  DP
Nothing else in the works at the moment, but, I have been really craving  a .44 special, I love all 44's but have way too many mags already.
The special is such a classic cartridge, and properly loaded will do just about anything a mag will do, especially in a rifle.
I don't have a barrel yet and don't think i'd ever find a spl. barrel so i'm thinking a mag. barrel with the chamber shortened a bit will do it.
I'm not much into rifle cartridges as I have no need for a 200-300 yard gun, pistol cartridges do everything I require at the ranges I hunt, BUT............ lately a .348 Winchester has been nagging in the back of my mind ;) So many classic cartridges, so little time ;D
Naturally that would be on a SB2 frame.
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Offline myarmor

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2009, 03:49:52 PM »
Looks good. So what is the 357 barrel's origin?  Just curious to the history of this project...


-Aaron
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Offline maglvr44

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #7 on: March 16, 2009, 05:11:45 PM »
Quote from: myarmor on March 16, 2009, 03:49:52 PM
Looks good. So what is the 357 barrel's origin?  Just curious to the history of this project...


-Aaron
No idea what the 357 was intended to fit, a friend had them a few years back and we made a swap, it was made with a "swell" 2" back from the muzzle that I left on for help in the balance, and I thought it looked cool too.
It's still a bit tail heavy but not too bad, I drilled out some of the butt stock wood too, now balance point is great if you have your little finger under or through the trigger guard. The hollow butt might make a good place for some survival gear if I don't mind the weight, i'm no lover of a sling so I don't know how that will work out.
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Offline LaOtto222

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #8 on: March 17, 2009, 11:09:54 AM »
I like it. ;D A few more details please. Was the barrel pre-chambered? Did you have to turn down the barrel to fit the 12 gauge stub. Exactly how did you fit the barrel to the stub? It looks like it is set a little shallow to accommodate the case head thickness - true? Do you have a lathe at your disposal or did you do some other tool you used? How did you fasten the barrel to the stub (is it threaded or a fiction fit or what ever)? Details, details more would be nice. Good Luck and Good Shooting
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Offline c1skout

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #9 on: March 17, 2009, 02:24:40 PM »
 Neat, I like the saddle ring.
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Offline SM Bob

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #10 on: March 17, 2009, 02:28:20 PM »
Me Likey!! ;D

            Robert
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Offline OldBob

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #11 on: March 17, 2009, 02:37:04 PM »
  Nice looking job, I am specially interested in how you did the barrel stub job. I have a 44-40 barrel that is just crying to be done up like that................. ;D
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Offline maglvr44

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #12 on: March 17, 2009, 03:19:08 PM »
Quote from: LaOtto222 on March 17, 2009, 11:09:54 AM
I like it. ;D A few more details please. Was the barrel pre-chambered? Did you have to turn down the barrel to fit the 12 gauge stub. Exactly how did you fit the barrel to the stub? It looks like it is set a little shallow to accommodate the case head thickness - true? Do you have a lathe at your disposal or did you do some other tool you used? How did you fasten the barrel to the stub (is it threaded or a fiction fit or what ever)? Details, details more would be nice. Good Luck and Good Shooting
First off thanks for the kind comments everyone!! :)
The barrel was chambered and rifled when I got it.
it needed to be taken down a bit to fit the step-down contour ahead of the 12ga chamber, I do not have a lathe but I do have a 1"x30" benchtop belt sander/grinder, id take off a bit and try the fit, a little more and try it again, MANY times until it was where I wanted it when pounded into place(wood dowel and hammer), I won't say just what I used to secure the 357 barrel in place but I will say it works just "Super" :) and I used a whole tube of it, front and back. to fill any voids, stub insides and 357 outside were really roughed up good with a coarse file and 60 grit emery, to center the barrel perfectly in the stub I used a wrap of masking tape dead center leaving a lot of space for the glue front and back(I swear this is all 100% true!) the 357 wasn't going anywhere anyhow as it was TIGHT fitted in the stub step down, and all force is forward so it wasn't an issue.
I did headspacing with a fired shell in the 357 and it was fitted by recessing the 357 barrel the thickness of the case rim, so headspacing is actually 0.00 as the case sits against the recoil shield of the action.
As I have said, it really isn't rocket science, just a little common sense will go a long way.
I can't wait to hear the comments on this now ;D
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Offline wreckhog

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #13 on: March 17, 2009, 04:24:25 PM »
I like the common sense part of the post.....lol. Wear eye protection is all I got to say.
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Offline maglvr44

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #14 on: March 17, 2009, 07:24:15 PM »
Quote from: wreckhog on March 17, 2009, 04:24:25 PM
I like the common sense part of the post.....lol. Wear eye protection is all I got to say.
;D
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Offline zoner

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #15 on: March 18, 2009, 01:31:15 AM »
i'd like to hear more about that peep sight
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Offline MSP Ret

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #16 on: March 18, 2009, 02:02:08 AM »
Congratulations on a great job. I really enjoy seeing and doing good DIY projects. Please tell us a bit more on how you set up the ejector....Thanks....<><....:)
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Offline maglvr44

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #17 on: March 18, 2009, 08:05:29 AM »
Quote from: zoner on March 18, 2009, 01:31:15 AM
i'd like to hear more about that peep sight
The peep was probably the easiest part of all as I have made a few of them for other rifles I have,
I was sick and tired of paying $50 of more for peeps to go on my rifles, there HAD to be a cheap way out! ;)
I have used small washers in the past but for this one I happened across a pkg of copper wire connectors at Lowes that are made to crimp over the ends of copper wiring, 50/$5, they resemble a 25auto casing actually(which could also be used with the primer removed ;) )
What I do is get a slot head screw about an inch long, (8-40 thread IIRC for a Marlin lever action), take a round file and run it through the slot until the copper connector drops in it and fits well, then sweat it in place with a drop of solder, if all matching surfaces are roughed up good super glue or a drop of JB weld works just fine also, if you use a washer instead of the connector don't use a round file, use a hacksaw to deepen the screw slot a bit and tap washer in place, it also helps to first make a "flat" on the bottom of the washer, then solder or glue it in place.
For mounting to the barrel I remove the rear scope base plug screw and put it in there, start with screw full length then take a test shot, cut or file the bottom of screw as you go to get the bullet where you want it.
The main thing to remember is ROUGH UP the mating surfaces no matter what you are going to use to hold it in place! thin lock washers make a real nice ghost ring!
I have yet to see any that needed to be adjusted for windage, then again im not a paper puncher, if I can hit a clay bird every time at the ranges I hunt that is good enough for me, anything else would be overkill and a waste of my time and ammo.
I should also say... when you will be drilling and tapping your barrel yourself you do not need an 8-40 hole and screw, the much more common sizes found in a basic tap set will work just fine, and do NOT bother wasting your time making a peep using a scope base screw, they are NOT long enough! ;) Try it! you'll like it!!! And if you mess it up you're out a whole 10 cents maybe! start over again, pretty soon you'll be known as "Prince-Cheap-Peep"  in your neighborhood :)
Happy Peeping! ;D
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #18 on: March 18, 2009, 08:22:42 AM »
I'm with Zoner, how about that peep-sight?  DP  OK, never mind.
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Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline woodchukhntr

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #19 on: March 18, 2009, 08:32:14 AM »
I like it!  It just shows what you can do with a little ingenuity. 
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Offline MSP Ret

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #20 on: March 18, 2009, 09:00:20 AM »
interesting "cheap peep". How was the ejector extension made?....<><....:)
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Offline zoner

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #21 on: March 18, 2009, 12:00:52 PM »
i'm impressed by the peep sight ingenuity...so far you haven't had any windage issues but if you did you could install a ramp and dovetail front sight and adjust windage by tapping the front sight sideways......bravo
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Offline maglvr44

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #22 on: March 18, 2009, 12:52:12 PM »
Quote from: zoner on March 18, 2009, 12:00:52 PM
i'm impressed by the peep sight ingenuity...so far you haven't had any windage issues but if you did you could install a ramp and dovetail front sight and adjust windage by tapping the front sight sideways......bravo
Yes, that would address any windage issues for sure.
Good thinking  ;)
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Offline MSP Ret

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #23 on: March 18, 2009, 01:07:41 PM »
and you modified the ejector how?....<><.... ???
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Offline maglvr44

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Ejector pin
« Reply #24 on: March 18, 2009, 01:09:00 PM »
Quote from: MSP Ret on March 18, 2009, 09:00:20 AM
interesting "cheap peep". How was the ejector extension made?....<><....:)
Well darn, I typed a long explanation of the ejector extension earlier, I guess the cyber gods deemed it fit to keep for themselves ;D OR I hit a wrong button :'(
This will be a really condensed version...
I cut a small slit in the 357 barrel with a dremel disc, then using the side of a drill bit in a high speed drill I made a U-channel, just deep enough to cover a pin I made from a nail, Then drilled the orig ejector and mounted the pin with thread locker. now a LOT of trial and error, put ejector abck in the gun and file a touch off at a time, naturally you want the top of the pin to catch the case rim and throw the empty.
DON'T get carried away filing that pin, a few light strokes and check it again, etc.
until its right where you want it. See picture 4, it is pretty clear to see, there was no magic used or anything hidden, other than the mentioned shallow U-groove in the barrel, and a hole drilled down into the orig ejector to hold the pin in place.
Hope this helps.
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Offline jedman

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #25 on: March 19, 2009, 08:38:20 AM »
 BRAVO !!  I'm glad you explained your way of making your barrel to us. It shows theres always a different method that can work.
On your idea of a 44 special, I say do it, it's a great round in a short light rifle.
I have made 3 of them, all on single shot 20 ga.'s -A Stevens 9478, A H&R 48, and a brazilian made gun similar to the Stevens.
I did just as you mentioned, I bought a pre chambered barrel for 44 mag and cut it back to the length of a Special.                  Jedman
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Current handi family, 24 ga./ 58 cal ,50-70,  45 smokeless MZ, 44 belted bodeen, 44 mag,.375 H&R (wildcat),375 Win.,357 max, .340 MF ( wildcat ), 8 mm Lebel, 8x57, .303 British, 270 x 57 R,(wildcat) 256 Win Mag, 2 x 243 Win,2 x 223 Rem. 7-30 Waters &20ga.,

Offline maglvr44

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #26 on: March 19, 2009, 05:59:40 PM »
Quote from: jedman on March 19, 2009, 08:38:20 AM
BRAVO !!  I'm glad you explained your way of making your barrel to us. It shows theres always a different method that can work.
On your idea of a 44 special, I say do it, it's a great round in a short light rifle.
I have made 3 of them, all on single shot 20 ga.'s -A Stevens 9478, A H&R 48, and a brazilian made gun similar to the Stevens.
I did just as you mentioned, I bought a pre chambered barrel for 44 mag and cut it back to the length of a Special.                  Jedman
A 44spl has to be my next project, I just love that old cartridge! was also thinking a 45acp might be kinda fun too ;)
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Offline MSP Ret

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #27 on: March 20, 2009, 02:48:21 AM »
Thanks for the great explaination(s). I applaud your ingenuity....<><....:)
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Offline tallyho

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #28 on: March 20, 2009, 12:07:07 PM »

Guys like you are good for us, and dangerous to the government! Good on ya! [img width= height= alt=" border="0]http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/Themes/babylon/images/post/thumbup.gif[/img] [img width= height= alt=" border="0]http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/Themes/babylon/images/post/thumbup.gif[/img]  [img width= height= alt=" border="0]http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/Themes/babylon/images/post/thumbup.gif[/img] 

And thanks for the time and effort you spent describing your work for all us Handiholics. Much appreciated.

Cheers
Kerry
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Offline Badnews Bob

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Re: My $65 DIY .357 Mag Handi
« Reply #29 on: March 20, 2009, 02:44:05 PM »
I like it. Gonna have to try some of this kinda stuff myself soon. 8)
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