What Blue Gun Do I Need?!

[mikekratz]

I'm making a holster and need a blue gun for a 1976 Rossi .357. I can't find any information on this firearm. Does anyone know which blue gun I can use? It's for a cowboy rig so it doesnt need to be a wet mold. I think close enough will work. The gun is a 4" barrel. The picture attached is the actual gun.

A- 3 1/8

B- 3 3/8

D-3 7/8

E-6 7/8

Don't mind "C"

these were measurements I received from the customer. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you

Edited February 4, 2016 by mikekratz

[George B]

That's a hard one to answer if the customer has the gun. Problem for me would be not knowing which revolver frame it corresponds with. There are some S&W dummy guns and some Rugers but I haven't seen much on the Rossi.

Need to determine that first then shop for the dummy gun with a similar frame size in 4 inch .357.

Could be a J, K or L but I would bet a J or K S&W. Also how many shot cylinder? That can make a difference in the girth of the gun.

[Dwight]

Mike, . . . I had the same dilemma a few years back on a big Colt, . . . .44 mag.

I sent the owner a picture of another gun, . . . outlining the measurements I needed, . . . then when he measured it all, . . . I made up a dummy wooden gun in all of about an hour.

Like your customer, . . . it was for a cowboy type holster, . . . it fit perfect, . . . he was absolutely thrilled.

If I were in your position, . . . I'd do that all over again.

May God bless,

Dwight

[JLSleather]

Okay, I'll guess with ya

Ask your customer for the RED measurements in the pic, in which case you may not even NEED a blue gun (stitch and send, he can form).

Judging by the shape and [apparent] size, I'd lean towards a K-frame (looks a bit like the old M19) EXCEPT for that lug, which may put it closer to the 686 (which is an "L").

Better yet, ask your customer to measure the cylinder. Caliper, or drop it out and use a ruler, whatever.

All of which is the long version of saying "I don't know,too".

[Josh Ashman]

Have the customer fold a piece of paper in half, place the pistol upside down with the sights centered on the fold and roll it over to the side. Then have him trace around the bottom edge of the pistol and mail, fax, scan and e-mail you the piece of paper. He just did the first few steps of your pattern making for you. Since it's a western holster and not molded any similarly sized pistol should work to rough fit it once it's stitched up. If you don't have a similarity sized pistol a hammer handle will work. Just open up the pouch and you're going to be close enough.

I've done it a few times and had good success.

Good luck,

Josh

[stu925]

My K frame from the top strap to the bottom of the trigger guard is closer to 3.5", J frame is just a hair under 3.0". However I suspect his measurements are skewed and it's a K frame sized gun but that's just a hunch. With the slope of the trigger guard I can pull a 3.18" measurement if I go forward on the trigger guard to pull the measurement. For an L frame to get a 3.18" measurement you have to be all the way forward on the trigger guard almost to where it curves upwards into the frame. If you can get the customer to use a set of calipers on the cylinder that should clinch the frame size for you.

Stu

[mikekratz]

Thanks to everyone. These are some great ideas.

My K frame from the top strap to the bottom of the trigger guard is closer to 3.5", J frame is just a hair under 3.0". However I suspect his measurements are skewed and it's a K frame sized gun but that's just a hunch. With the slope of the trigger guard I can pull a 3.18" measurement if I go forward on the trigger guard to pull the measurement. For an L frame to get a 3.18" measurement you have to be all the way forward on the trigger guard almost to where it curves upwards into the frame. If you can get the customer to use a set of calipers on the cylinder that should clinch the frame size for you.

Stu

The cylinder is about 1 1/2 wide

[JLSleather]

Cylinder 1 1/2" diameter rules out the 'J' frames. Depending on how close they measured, could go 'k' or 'L'. Now ready for the kick in the pants? Colt made an "I" frame revolver that could go here as well -- just smaller than the 'L" but bigger than the 'K'.

[stu925]

Thanks to everyone. These are some great ideas.

The cylinder is about 1 1/2 wide

Cylinder 1 1/2" diameter rules out the 'J' frames. Depending on how close they measured, could go 'k' or 'L'. Now ready for the kick in the pants? Colt made an "I" frame revolver that could go here as well -- just smaller than the 'L" but bigger than the 'K'.

My K frame cylinder measures 1.44" in diameter.

L frame blue gun measures 1.54" (sorry don't have an actual L frame to measure)

I think JLS got it right, that full under lug barrel screams L frame to me. I suppose Rossi could have built it of Colt frame specs but I doubt it. As I recall, Rossi is affiliated with Taurus who built knock-offs of S&W guns for years. My money would be on an L frame. K frame guns will supposedly fit in L frame holsters but I've not tried one to see how close they will fit and that's all based on internet speculation and rumor.

Stu

[mikekratz]

You guy's are awesome. Thanks for all your help! I'm so happy i found this website its been a huge help since I joined it! Finding someone else with the love for leather craft is rare where I live in south florida. I've only meet two other leather workers face to face!!!