American Handgunner March/April 1981

of the modem gun induStry. With theseunexpected expenses out of the way, Iinvested in some planned improvements.The large target-style wood stocks wereremoved and replaced with a pair of softneoprene Mustang/Rangefield grips.Pachmayrs would have done well also, butI wanted the finger grooves offered byMustang. The soft neoprene does much toabsorb the "push" of the Model 29 whilealso eliminating the "sting" in checkeringof hard wood grips. My second operationwas to send the gun to Larry Kelly for aMag:Na-Port job, a process which definitelyreduces muzzle flip. There would; inmy mind, be no way I could accomplishmy goals without the help of Mag-Na­Port.The next task was a tedious few hundredhours at the loading bench in an attempt todevelop a load that would deliver approximtely100 fps velocity and at least 500 footpounds of energy. An additional idealwould be a bullet that would expend allthat energy within the adversary target. Iwas looking for stopping power, maximurnutilizat.ion of powder charge within the 4"barrel, accuracy, and lowered recoil. AlthoughI have almost every reloadingmanual published, I 'could find nothinglisted that satisfied all my needs. I was"rhe next task was afew hundred hours atthe -loading b,ench todevelop 'he load.'i'aware that others had published experimentsalong this line in several gun magazines,but I did not have those particularissues available.The bullet I found most suitable for mypurposes, after much experimentation,was the Taurus 230 grain lead hollowpoint. This .44 caliber dry lubricated bulletactually weighs a uniform 228.5 grains.The soft lead bullet mushrooms consistentlyto .75 inch in flesh like medium atappropriate velocities. Its only limitationwas a tendency to lead barrels ifdri'(en toofast. As it worked out I would be pushing itto limit. Anything over 1000 fps wouldproduce unacceptable leading.I worked with more than a half dozenpowders; including DuPont PB and 700-X,Hodgdon HS-5, Hercules Red Dot, Bullseye,Herco, and Unique. Many provedjust a tad too slow burning for the 4"barrel, as evidenced by too much recoiland huge fireballs during night firing sessions.For police use, a severe muzzle flashis a by-product best done without. Bullseyeshowed initial promise but was finallyeliminated. Being the fastest burningpowder available it was also the powderpresenting the smallest granules. For everyplus there seems to be a minus because this. (Continued on page 78)AMERICAN HANDGUNNER· MARCH/APRIL,1981... provides handsome appearance of stainless steelWRITE FORFull color lIIustrat~dbrochure and nameof nearestdealerTHIS IS THE FINISH! It protects ALL metal surfacesby a combination of heat and chemical treatments.The surface you see; the bore where deteriorationIs most deadly; moving parts - without harm toclose machine tolerances, without loss of temperto springs. Far outlasts blueing. Lab and fieldtested for several years. Provides like-new restorationfor favorite older....guns; special good-lookingprotective finish for that new purchase. Resultsguaranteed! Investigate.HUMIDITY, CONDENSATION IS RUINING VALUABLE EQUIPMENTSloP Rusl, Mildew with SIlica Gel·Thai "DrinkS" Dampness From Ihe Air• No electricity required• Reactivates indefinitelyOnce marred by corrosion, no oil,rust remover or chemical can re·store the value of fine guns, instrumentsor other precision-finishedobjects. Now you can protect themwith the same government specsilica gel used on naval vessels.(You are familiar with silica gel assmall packets of crystals packed toprotect new guns, cameras.) Thedesiccant of choice by gov't andindustry, silica gel creates a shieldof dry air within any enclosed area.360 Gram Unit: Ideal for eliminatingdampness and humidity in largegun chests, display cabinets,safes, large storage containers,etc. Protects ov'" 27 cubic feet ofenclosed space. Built-in indicatorsignals when unit should be reactivated.(Reactivates easily in anyoven.)$8.50 postpaid.Compact Unit: Aluminum canister:Jesigned to withstand years of usecontains'40 grams of silica gel. Forindividual gun and camera cases,lackle boxes, silver drawers etc.Protects 3 cubic feet of enclosedspace. When monitor "window"2000 Gram Canister: This self- turns pink, unit can be easily recontainedunit provides maximum activated in any oven.protection. Only 4" x 16", yet can $4_95 postpaid_protect 144 cubic feet of enclosedspace. Used on naval vessels, in HYDROSORBENT WILL PROTECT:armories, museums. Ideal forcamper-trailer, large closets, dark- Trailers f Workshops f Darkrooms froom, gunroom, workshop. Steel Sporting Equipment I Closets fElecconstructionwith precision-cut tronics I Gun Chests I Displayside breathers to silica gel within. Cases I Tool Boxes f CameraBuilt-in indicator signals when unit Cases f Clothesshould be reacii- ~vated. (Reactivates ITo: Commonweal Corp., Box 675, Rye, N.Y. 10580eaSily In any oven.) Please send postpaid: Dept. ZThiS Unit can pre- . .vent thousands of I - 360 Gram Units $ 8.50 eachdollars of damage - Compact UOits $ 4.95 each (NY Residents add Idue to rust, damp- I _ 2000 Gram Units $35.00 each 5% sales tax)ness and mildew I Please Print TOTAL ENCLOSED $ IA lifetime of pro- I-- Iteclion.. . I NAME I$35.00 postpaId. ADDRESS IC:Y ~~~-=-...:~ :75