Reeder Custom Guns - Home Gun (sorta) Smithing

I picked up an EAA Bounty Hunter .357 Single Action while on my travels around Arizona. It is missing some parts and I have begun working on it.

First .. note that the cylinder has recessed chambers .. the trigger is curved quite far forward and it has a transfer bar firing system.
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With a little work the cylinder no longer has the recessed chambers ..
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And the trigger has been straightened along with removing what was left of the transfer bar system. And I have begun modifying the fat grips.
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I don't recommend removing the transfer bar for other people... that's just my thing. Word to the wise.

I milled off the recessed cylinder with my horseshoe rasp and a sharp mill bastard file. John Linebaugh told me years ago I should stick to horseshoeing and let gunsmiths do the gunsmithing ... which is why Gary has my good guns to work on. But with a little elbow grease and taking my time, it came out OK.

The trigger was heated red hot except for the sear end which I held in a heat sink. After it was red hot I applied force with a small hammer in order to straighten it.

My next project will be to remove all that CRAPPY wording on the barrel. I will post photos when I get it done.

Fun Project #1

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Keep us posted.

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I really like the moxy. Those are good functioning complete turds. lol However from across the room they look the part and I've noted they do shoot acceptably. A great idea for tinkering and a knock around truck gun.

I have no room to talk as I've extensively modded a Buffalo Scout .22 into a 2 MOA, scoped, .22 WMR, hunting handgun! Complete with an 8" bull Remington rifle barrel. I have been friended some custom parts not in this photo.

I can hardly wait to see your other ideas and progress. Better than many articles I see in magazines today!

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Jim, you honored me by visiting in my home here in Fairbanks AK years ago, along with your friend who had the straight lever 45-70. I don't remember his name but I remember the rifle. It was a windy, rainy and cool August evening.

We had silver salmon from Valdez for dinner that night. I got to do some show and tell and it included handguns and my Winchester Model 71. There was a lot of sitting around and story telling and my wife loved your stories. I invited Drew too and we had the kind of evening that one wishes would go on and on. Those are my feelings and memories of it anyway.

I had the guts to do the kind of thing you're showing here when I was a teenager but unfortunately have never had the skills to match. I had visions of turning my Savage single shot 22 into a beautiful, handy little pistol but ended up with a rusty rifle hidden from my Dad in the woods. I got as far as cutting down the stock before I came to my senses and saw that I should stop before I really made a mess.

Your project here looks great and includes your ideas gained by a lifetime of handling, shooting and dreaming about sixguns. This is a nice example of what a single action revolver needs in order to optimize it to better meet one's needs. I look forward to seeing the finished revolver!

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Tom Lindner was with me. We enjoyed the visit and we enjoyed our stay in Fairbanks. Great memories!

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revolver. Fit my then, young hand, nicely, and plenty accurate with my weekly box of 50 "22's".

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Home Gun (sorta) Smithing

Looks good so far!

Lookin good.

You Rebel you.

Jim, looking forward to see the finished product.

Thanks for the pictures and story, Jim

That was a great visit Ray!

Did a similar bit of work on an old Iver Johnson 22LR