38 special or 357?

General firearm discussions that do not fit in our specific firearm-related forums.
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Justsomedude
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38 special or 357?

Post by Justsomedude »

Well, either way I hope it got your attention. I made another one but a pistola in 357 caliber and using my new valve that I really really wish I could go into details about but I cant,, for reasons 😉. As usual started with a Green Mountain barrel blank and machined the breech into it and added the bolt probe which I machined to have an integrated o ring that seals the chamber.

Used the typical crosman grip/sear assembly as usual. I still have to make a cocking knob for the rear and the rear portion that ties the back of the breech to the lower pressure tube so it doesn't have that gap. I've been pulling 148 grain bullets from some 38 special that were given to me to use as test fodder and I've only tested it to 1500psi and it's pushing just under 800fps! Increased pressure should exponentially increase velocity but I'm pretty happy with its performance as of now and I've not tuned it yet.
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Diver43
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by Diver43 »

That is one interesting pistol. How loud is it when fired?
Too loud for the backyard?
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Justsomedude
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by Justsomedude »

It's definitely not backyard friendly being that it dumps alot of high pressure really fast. It's probably about like it's powder burning counterpart.
Diver43
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by Diver43 »

Justsomedude wrote: Sat Aug 19, 2023 11:37 pm It's definitely not backyard friendly being that it dumps alot of high pressure really fast. It's probably about like it's powder burning counterpart.
Was afraid of that.
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Castle
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by Castle »

Is it possible to place an integrated suppressor on it? Would it be legal for that build?

I know some of the smaller pellet rifles supposedly have integrated suppressors. I suspect it would help in sales.
When it hurts – observe. Life is trying to teach you something... Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.
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Justsomedude
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by Justsomedude »

Integrated is likely okay but I'm not 100% sure, especially since the alphabet boys shut down the largest manufacturer and supplier of airgun suppressors. Apparently some guy was caught using one with an adapter to make it fit a firearm so they are now considering them to be real suppressors.
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CPJ 2.0
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

This is getting interesting. :popcorn:
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
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Justsomedude
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by Justsomedude »

Not too much interest in airguns I suppose. Weird because it's a projectile down a tube, regardless of how it gets going.
But I appreciate those that have responded.
Diver43
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by Diver43 »

Justsomedude wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 10:11 pm Not too much interest in airguns I suppose. Weird because it's a projectile down a tube, regardless of how it gets going.
But I appreciate those that have responded.
I've been following
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shotgunshooter3
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by shotgunshooter3 »

Diver43 wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 10:36 pm
Justsomedude wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 10:11 pm Not too much interest in airguns I suppose. Weird because it's a projectile down a tube, regardless of how it gets going.
But I appreciate those that have responded.
I've been following
As have I. Lurking without much to add.
"Speed is the economy of motion" - Scott Jedlinski
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Chiro1989
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by Chiro1989 »

Also lurking with interest.
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn away from their ways and live. Eze 33:11
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Castle
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by Castle »

Have you weighed that pistol yet?

As is, it almost makes minor PF! I wonder if an airgun shooting sport would takeoff in the US? New restrictive gun laws could make it happen and you would already be set up to capitalize on it 🤑
When it hurts – observe. Life is trying to teach you something... Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.
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CPJ 2.0
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

Justsomedude wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 10:11 pm Not too much interest in airguns I suppose. Weird because it's a projectile down a tube, regardless of how it gets going.
But I appreciate those that have responded.
Oh I’ve got a lot of interest. A PCP is a one of these days project.
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
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bullsi1911
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by bullsi1911 »

shotgunshooter3 wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 10:46 pm
Diver43 wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 10:36 pm
Justsomedude wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 10:11 pm Not too much interest in airguns I suppose. Weird because it's a projectile down a tube, regardless of how it gets going.
But I appreciate those that have responded.
I've been following
As have I. Lurking without much to add.
That’s my deal. I barely understand how you are building one, but I wanna see the terminal ballistics
To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov

AKA ‘Admin’
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Justsomedude
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by Justsomedude »

Ah, well in that case I retract my statement. I'll also add as a response to the weight of it that it's not very heavy at all. It looks cumbersome but even my wife held it up and said "wow, it's actually very light compared to how it looks." There's probably a good joke in there somewhere 😆

If you get on YouTube and search airguns, or especially PCP airguns, you'll see how big the airgun community is. I'm drawn to doing things that are over the top or shouldn't be possible. I also just love building my brain childs.
Rugerfan
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by Rugerfan »

I’m jealous of your skills and knowledge. I certainly enjoy your airgun builds
Japhy
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by Japhy »

Beautiful machine work! (As usual)
It’s always so easy for observers to add requirements and at times suggestions are helpful but added complexity and less reliability invariably result. I learned that long ago in the engineering business
Once the round goes supersonic (1100fps) a suppressor isn’t going to be effective. When the velocity transitions from supersonic to subsonic the slug may become unstable. That is probably why most air guns hold below that velocity. The best approach may be to keep it subsonic or get it significantly above supersonic velocity.
130gr .38 specials have plenty of mass to do what handguns were made to do. You are on the right track.
Wicked cool!
sakodude
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by sakodude »

Lack of comment does not imply lack of interest. I have nothing to contribute but do enjoy watching your progress. Which reminds me, i owe you something.
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Justsomedude
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by Justsomedude »

I appreciate the compliments. And Sako, no rush on anything. You really don't owe me anything but if you'd like and get the time, then I'll happily ablige your generous offer. I still have some kinks to work out with the pistol like increasing the shot count and somehow regulating each one but I have some ideas. Apparently if I can get over 200fpe, I'll be in the legal territory to hunt game bigger than rabbit and squirrel lol.
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CPJ 2.0
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

Justsomedude wrote: Mon Aug 21, 2023 3:37 am I appreciate the compliments. And Sako, no rush on anything. You really don't owe me anything but if you'd like and get the time, then I'll happily ablige your generous offer. I still have some kinks to work out with the pistol like increasing the shot count and somehow regulating each one but I have some ideas. Apparently if I can get over 200fpe, I'll be in the legal territory to hunt game bigger than rabbit and squirrel lol.
Not sure there is a FPE requirement in Missouri, but it must be at least .40 caliber. Off to Googles
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
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CPJ 2.0
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

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“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
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GrapeApe
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by GrapeApe »

Come down here to visit, the state only requires a 30 cal airgun here, PLUS an arrow shooter is legal
Rifles using centerfire, mushrooming ammunition.
Pre-charged pneumatic air powered guns, .30 caliber or larger.
Pre-charged pneumatic arrow shooting rifles using an arrow equipped with a broadhead which has a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inch and 2 sharpened edges.
Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller using buckshot, slugs, or single round ball.
Muzzleloaders and Black Powder Handguns: .40 caliber or larger.
Long bows, compound bows, or crossbows in conformance with regulation 220-2-.03.
Handguns or pistols using centerfire, mushrooming ammunition.
Hunting with fully automatic firearms is prohibited.
You can legally use a smaller pneumatic than you can muzzle loader

https://www.eregulations.com/alabama/hu ... 220%2D2%2D.
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain)
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Castle
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by Castle »

Justsomedude wrote: Mon Aug 21, 2023 3:37 am Apparently if I can get over 200fpe, I'll be in the legal territory to hunt game bigger than rabbit and squirrel lol.
How far off are you from 800 fps with those 148's? I mean, 780 fps puts you at about legal territory.

It's also possible that by using a lighter 125 grain bullet or something close to that, you could be over that 200 fpe mark already.

Just wondering.
When it hurts – observe. Life is trying to teach you something... Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.
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Justsomedude
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by Justsomedude »

Well, back to the drawing board. To answer the above question, and I didn't even try the math on fpe yet because I was just assuming that it wasn't at the 200fpe mark yet, but my shots were between 789 and 798. So now that I actually used the online calculator I see that I'm at 209fpe. BUT, there's always a catch and I ran into this when I built my 50 air rifle, I'm having an issue balancing performance and reliability. It's alot to get into but it's either get a high velocity and tear up seals or make it robust and get lower velocity so now I'm back to staring at the wall while the wheels turn, but I'll figure it out eventually. I'm just tired of pulling this thing apart and putting it back together.
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bullsi1911
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Re: 38 special or 357?

Post by bullsi1911 »

Go work on something else for a bit. The solution will come to you.
To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov

AKA ‘Admin’
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