how to break a bull barrel python (UPDATE: FIXED!)

[B Strong]

158gr penn bullet, and a near max accurate arms load. We have reloading supplies, but perhaps not the IQ to use them wisely.

It was a sight to see, I'll bet, though my eyes were closed during most of it. I didn't even know what happened til I looked down and saw part of the python there. That little scene should probably be filed under "WTF" in the OED

Lucky I was shooting hot enough loads or it could have flew a couple of inches lower and that would have been pretty ugly. I already have a souvenir from a beginner handgun scope mistake...

I wish I could say that you're the only one, but in my case it took place with a model 19 Smith and a Kieth load. The rib flew off an bonked me right between the eyes.

No photographic eveidence though, this was back in the 1970's - the piece is long gone, but my dignity is still somewhat bruised as it took place in front of friends.

[D.R.E.]

I wish I could say that you're the only one, but in my case it took place with a model 19 Smith and a Kieth load. The rib flew off an bonked me right between the eyes.

No photographic eveidence though, this was back in the 1970's - the piece is long gone, but my dignity is still somewhat bruised as it took place in front of friends.

Haha!

Well, always good to have something to talk about when drunk I suppose

Do you remember what the bolts were like? Were there just two thin ones?

[D.R.E.]

Extracting the screws

Thanks to the replies on my original post I was able to extract the broken screws on the python!

I went to OSH today and get a couple screw extractors, used a drill, and the broken screws came out. And it was pretty easy.

Here's the patient for surgery with full contact restraints via a bi-lok CNC vise w/ aluminum jaws. You can see the extractor on the vise as well:


Using my GF's creme brulee butane torch to heat up the screws to degrade the locktite residue:


Create a starter hole w/ a starret pin punch (these things are great):


"Burnishing" using one end of the extractor bit and a drill. The drill is in reverse (counterclockwise so you don't tighten further!) and we go VERY slowly:


After a while we get this:

[D.R.E.]

When we do the same to the front screw it pops out without even using the extractor part of the bit!


I finally do what I should have done days ago and put on a bit of kroil:


We then flip the bit around to use the extractor part. Again: go in reverse and go VERY slowly.


Which works as advertised:


Here's the broken screws:


They were indeed 6-38, which is really damn thin. Unfortunately I picked up 6-32 so couldn't put the rib back on. That will happen tommorrow. Hopefully my mill is setup soon so that I can drill+tap some larger holes. These screws are ridiculous.

And there you have it. Thanks for everyone's help! Once you know the right facts, things get pretty easy.

[ivanimal]

Thanks for the wonderful pictures and explanation. You sure have some beautiful guns and appreciate them.

[1911su16b870]

Thanks for the wonderful pictures and explanation. You sure have some beautiful guns and appreciate them.

A big +1 D.R.E., you pics and writeups are great!

[Vectrexer]

Have to agree, nice job on documenting the process.

[D.R.E.]

Thanks for the wonderful pictures and explanation.

Thanks to calguns for having so many machinists to point out how to do things! It *really* sucked when the rib broke --- it was a major relief to have people on here explain how to fix it w/o drama.

You sure have some beautiful guns and appreciate them.

Haha --- I'm not going to anywhere close to where you are, especially since I started buying lathes

But in this case I think it's just you, me, and Taz that appreciate bull barrel colts

[ejor]

Will check on that. I suppose this won't be the last time such an event happens so having both methods around might be useful.

Is the advantage over EZ out that a left hand is cheaper?

the main advantage is the left hand drill is putting pressure to loosen the screw as it drills and many times gets piece out by it self, the regular bit can drive the screw in deeper bottoming it out or making it tighter. the left hand bit is kinda like working in the direction you want to go.

[Blue]

Was that easy out thing the one that's "AS SEEN ON TV" and pitched by Billy Mays?

[ivanimal]

But in this case I think it's just you, me, and Taz that appreciate bull barrel colts

I just like Colts and weird stuff. We should stay away from each other at all times.

[rogdigity]

Was that easy out thing the one that's "AS SEEN ON TV" and pitched by Billy Mays?

......we all know how that story turned out. youll be saying wow every time!



but really, glad to know no body was hurt and the revolver will live another day. great pictures though. im kind of jelous, my camera doesnt take that close of close ups. i can only get about half as close as you got to some of those bolts. congrats on a job greatly done!

[D.R.E.]

the main advantage is the left hand drill is putting pressure to loosen the screw as it drills and many times gets piece out by it self, the regular bit can drive the screw in deeper bottoming it out or making it tighter. the left hand bit is kinda like working in the direction you want to go.

Actually, for the screw extractor I had, one end had a left handed drill, which you used to make a pilot hole, running the drill in reverse. First broken bolt came out during this process. The second one I had to use the extractor after doing the pilot.

[D.R.E.]

......we all know how that story turned out. youll be saying wow every time!



but really, glad to know no body was hurt and the revolver will live another day. great pictures though. im kind of jelous, my camera doesnt take that close of close ups. i can only get about half as close as you got to some of those bolts. congrats on a job greatly done!

Mine sucked too, until I found the "enable close focus" thing. This seems different from macro (which also sucks).

It's a sony cybershot. I really liked the old models. Now everything is through a ****ed up touch screen interface. So retarded it's beyond stupid.

[D.R.E.]

I just like Colts and weird stuff. We should stay away from each other at all times.

Oh man, did you see the .40 caliber python at the 2nd colt auction? If I had an extra 7K.

I'm scheming on the clymer reamers to recreate...Though perhaps in the adult 10mm version

Currently spending friday night cutting up a rusted 8" python barrel to make a low rent 3" combat python. Good thing my gf tweaks on her projects too or there'd be a lot of drama.