[Kyarno]

Hey folks,

Here's my latest shooter -- an Officer's Model Match manufactured in 1956. Chambered in 22LR, it's a joy to shoot! I do believe I will be taking off the original grips though, they're in very, very nice shape and I hope to keep them that way!

(Just back from the range)

(post clean & wax)

 

[area51guy]

If you want a nice set of replacement grips, contact John Culina in Kalifornia. You can choose the wood, mediallions and checkering. The last set I got was done in American Black Walnut Burl. I did the same thing, put the original grips up in a safe place to preserve them.

 

[saintclair]

Your OMM 22LR looks like a previous owner may have had acidic fingers when he picked the gun up by the barrel.
Those are beautiful grips.

 

[Kyarno]

I think so as well. Very odd pattern to the finish wear. Trigger has the same marring.

I I noticed the original grips are light, much lighter than my Python grips. Different wood maybe?

 

[gogodaddy]

Those OMM's are great shooters and loads of fun.
I believe i would also put those originals away and pick up
a set of grips from Culina.
He made me a set of smooth combats for a model 19 S&W
out of a dark chunk of Walnut and they are gorgeous.


Chuck

 

[fletre]

Now that's a nice shooter!!!

 

[Kyarno]

It's a good shooter, very accurate, but she needs a bit of work. The barrel/cylinder gap is nearly non-existent. Less than .002", which was the thinnest my feeler gauge went to. After my last problem with Colt itself (Python is still there!), I believe this will be going to Frank Glenn for a tune up and maybe even an action job!

 

[Troystat]

Nice revolver, I would like to pick one up one of these days. I think a trip to Frank Glenn for yours is a smashing idea. Maybe a trip to Fords after that. I really like the old target revolvers.

 

[saintclair]

Don't send it to Ford's for finishing without communicating with Rick Bowles
on this forum. He has posted about problems with guns they recently re-finished for him.

I believe most of the 22 OMM's had very small clearance between barrel and cylinder
face. Mine are like that.

 

[azshot]

One of my target .22 Colts, a Police Positive Special, has a very tight cylinder to barrel gap. After a half a box of ammo, it sometimes gets too tight to rotate smoothly. I just put it away then, and clean the face when I get home. But they can be pretty tight. A tuneup would probably fix mine, and yours.

On refinishing, I would not touch it. You'll take a 95% original finish gun (with just 5% surface messed up) and turn it into a 0% original finish gun. Not worth the cost, and it may not look that great when you're done. I'd shoot it as is, not worrying about the trigger and barrel marks.

 

[Kyarno]

Oh I agree, I'm not refinishing it. Really it's the cylinder binding that concerns me. i started to get some major dragging, and even a slight turn ring on the cylinder face, so I think it needs to be addressed unfortunately. This was after maybe 90-110 rounds too.