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Low wall action questions (Read 5403 times)

JCHannum Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 435 Location: Toledo Joined: Aug 8^th, 2007	Low wall action questions Oct 21^st, 2010 at 12:30pm	Print Post
	I recently had the good fortune to acquire a Winder low action that is in good shape. I would like to use it as a base for a sporter weight 32-20, but am concerned about the breechblock. It is scalloped for the 22 cartridge, and if I were to relocate the firing pin to centerfire, a portion of the case head would remain exposed. Is this a concern? Would anyone have a centerfire block they would be interested in trading? This one is in good shape, still has good color case hardening, no firing pin though. It is a coil spring action. The second question concerns the tapped holes for the sight. Should I get them tigged closed, or just plug them? I don't know how comfortable I would be with possibly affecting the integrity of the steel in the breech block mortise.

	Jim H.
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BP Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 8039 Location: Westside Joined: Aug 27^th, 2006	Re: Low wall action questions Reply #1 - Oct 21^st, 2010 at 1:23pm	Print Post
	JCHannum, I have a low wall with the scalloped top breechblock that was converted to centerfire. With the action closed and ready for firing, the block completely covers a 38 special case head and rim, which have larger diameters than those of the 32-20. If someone didn't deepen the scallop on your breechblock, and your conversion is done correctly, you shouldn't have any part of the 32-20 case exposed.

	There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading, the few who learn by observation, and the rest who have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves. Proud Noodlehead
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JCHannum Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 435 Location: Toledo Joined: Aug 8^th, 2007	Re: Low wall action questions Reply #2 - Oct 21^st, 2010 at 4:00pm	Print Post
	The action was on a 22 short gun, which might make a difference. Here is a photo of the face of the breechblock. You can see the shape of the cartridge base and that it barely clears the scalloped section. A centerfire case would definitely be exposed. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) The breechblock shows no signs of having been modified.

	Jim H.
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BP Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 8039 Location: Westside Joined: Aug 27^th, 2006	Re: Low wall action questions Reply #3 - Oct 21^st, 2010 at 4:49pm	Print Post
	Your right and I stand corrected. My block doesn't have the scallop cut anywhere near as deep as shown in your picture. Mine started out as a 22 long rifle, and the longer round would definitely have been easier to guide into the chamber than the 22 short would be. After ejecting the empty case, I had always partially levered the block up so I could set the cartridge on the top of the block to help guide it into the chamber while pushing with one fat finger. Don't have to use that method now that it's centerfire.

	There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading, the few who learn by observation, and the rest who have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves. Proud Noodlehead
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SSShooter Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2942 Location: Southern NJ Joined: Aug 1^st, 2010	Re: Low wall action questions Reply #4 - Oct 21^st, 2010 at 6:31pm	Print Post
	DZ Arms in OKC makes a new centerfire breechblock. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) Not inexpensive, and will need some metal work to match the low wall configuration, but will do the trick. Not sure that heavily scalloped .22 short breechblock has much value these days.

	Glenn - Stevens 044 1/2, Bartlein SS 5R barrel in 22LR
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38_Cal Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2255 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Joined: Apr 27^th, 2005	Re: Low wall action questions Reply #5 - Oct 21^st, 2010 at 10:30pm	Print Post
	I did a variation of the Mann-Niedner firing pin bushing system on a friend's low wall that had originally been a .22 WCF, then bored out and converted to .25 rimfire, when I re-converted it to centerfire in .25-20 WCF. The bushing disc came up into the scalloped area, and covered the rim of the cartridge. David

	David Kaiser Montezuma, IA
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JCHannum Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 435 Location: Toledo Joined: Aug 8^th, 2007	Re: Low wall action questions Reply #6 - Oct 22^nd, 2010 at 7:03am	Print Post
	David, thats a thought. I didn't want to cobble up a good breech block if a swap is possible. I have access to a couple of HW blocks, and they were used on some early LW's, but I prefer the looks of this style. How difficult is it to drill for a bushing? I assume once you get past the case, it goes easily. I would prefer not to destroy the originall colors. SSShooter, thanks for the links, those prices are about the same as Ballard, and I would hope the Ballard parts have a better finish.

	Jim H.
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Mike_Hunter Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 386 Joined: Nov 5^th, 2008	Re: Low wall action questions Reply #7 - Oct 22^nd, 2010 at 9:42am	Print Post
	Why not anneal,weld up the scallop portion, recut a smaller scallop and re case harden? Am I missing something? V/R Mike

	Mike Hunter (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)
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38_Cal Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2255 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Joined: Apr 27^th, 2005	Re: Low wall action questions Reply #8 - Oct 22^nd, 2010 at 10:22am	Print Post
	JCHannum wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2010 at 7:03am: David, thats a thought. I didn't want to cobble up a good breech block if a swap is possible. I have access to a couple of HW blocks, and they were used on some early LW's, but I prefer the looks of this style. How difficult is it to drill for a bushing? I assume once you get past the case, it goes easily. I would prefer not to destroy the originall colors. I set the breechblock up in the lathe and used a carbide boring bar to cut the recess. I used the instructions in Frank deHaas' book "Mr. Single Shot's Gunsmithing Idea Book" as a starting point. Instead of a pin to hold the bushing disc in place, I used two screws at about 4 and 8 o'clock. David

	David Kaiser Montezuma, IA
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JCHannum Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 435 Location: Toledo Joined: Aug 8^th, 2007	Re: Low wall action questions Reply #9 - Oct 22^nd, 2010 at 11:07am	Print Post
	Thanks David, that gives me a direction. Mike, that would work, but I don't have access to suitable welding and heat treating equipment. Rather than go to the expense of farming it out, it would be simpler for me to make an entire breechblock. While I can do that, I would prefer not to.

	Jim H.
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