Laramie No. 2

[Irish Dave]

Well, pards, I just picked up my second Laramie. 5" .45 LC blue -- in other words a match for No. 1.
Just FYI, it exhibited the same out-of-the-box issue as my first one, the hammer block "Safety" mechanism was permanently blocking the hammer. These are great pistols, IMHO, but that hammer block deal is a POS.

But it's a simple fix, thank heavens -- removal. And voila' problem solved.
Did do a little additional internal polishing while I had her apart and fitted a new set of repro S&W hard rubber New Model No. 3 grips.

No all I have to do it get it sighted in with my standard load and maybe remove 1 to 1/12 coils from the mainspring and she'll be done.

No real point to the post other than just wanted to tell somebody and also to let you know that the hammer block is still as useless (actually detrimental) as the early ones were.

[Will Ketchum]

Great for you!  Now if they only made them in 44 Russian

Will Ketchum

[Irish Dave]

Agreed.

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[Dr. Bob]

Howdy Irish Dave,

I picked mine up Saturday afternoon from Jean at James Country Mercantile.  I wore it at the KVC Christmas Dinner at the Golden Ox last night!  Got to show it off right away.   Now I need to fit the grips and get a proper holster for it! Boy howdy, it sure is a fine pistola!

[Irish Dave]

Congrats, Bob. I'm sure you're going to be very pleased.
BTW, did yours have the hammer "safety" fubar I referred to above?

[Dr. Bob]

Howdy Irish Dave,

Well, I don't think so.  I was just thinking about your comment a few minutes ago.  I pulled the hammer to full cock and pulled the trigger and the hammer started forward.  I don't have any snap caps, so I haven't let the hammer fall all the way.  Have I done enough to know?

[Irish Dave]

Bob:

Well, not really.

The hammer will fall forward, but will not go far enough to allow the firing pin to extend through the frame so as to strike the primer. These, like the originals, have a rebounding hammer, so in the "at rest" position the pin does not protrude through the frame. On firing from full cock, however, the hammer/pin is supposed to travel far enough to strike the shell's primer and then return slightly backwards safely into the frame.

The problem with both of mine was as I just described. The solution, as I posted earlier, was simple removal of the hammer block which, of course, cured the problem.

I was just wondering if you had found the same situation with yours.

[ammodave]

Where did you find the reproduction S&W new model no.3 grips?

[Irish Dave]

Ammodave:

They're available from Dixie Gun Works. Part #AP1813 "S/W NO3 AMER GRIPS"
You'll also need a grip screw and escutcheon set since they don't come with one.

Either set # SP0405 or SP0507 will work. I have one set on my first Laramie and the other set on my second one (as Dixie was out of the first one at the time).

Hope this helps.

[ammodave]

Thanks, I've dealt with Dixie before; they're nice people to deal with.

[Irish Dave]

You're very welcome and yep, they're good folks in my experience.

[W0LFY]

Congrats on the new irons.  Has there been much by way of comparing these Taurus repros with their Italian counterparts?

If only they were available in 44 special...

[Irish Dave]

Frisco:
I assume you're talking about the Gaucho? Sorry, pard, but I don't have any experience at all with Taurus revolvers, (or even Beretta's Colt copies for that matter). In fact, I can't say as I ever fondled one-- let alone shot one.

I'm finding myself ever-increasingly drawn to the breaktops. I was in love with my NMR until I acquired my first Laramie. The Russian is still a mighty fine pistol in my opinion, but it doesn't fit my hands like the Laramies do.

Got Colts and clones etc, but right now it's the Laramie that speaks to me. Who knows? Maybe just a phase I'm going through.

[Arms]

Hello,

I have one of those Laramie's and I've been wondering some things about it.

At first when I dry fired the gun I couldn't see the firing pin come out of the frame and I wondered if the hammer safety was broken some how. But when I went to the range to test the gun it did go off even though I still couldn't see the firing pin coming out of the frame. Don't really know what this thing is but it works.

There is though one thing I'm not sure if it is correct. Does any of you know if there's supposed to be a forcing cone in the barrel because this Laramie doesn't have one? I think there should be a forcing cone 'cause this would be the first gun that I ever see without it.

-Arms

[Irish Dave]

Arms:

The Laramie (like the Smith New Model No. 3 it emulates) has a rebounding hammer. On pulling the trigger, the hammer travels forward, through the frame striking the cartridge primer, then retracts slightly back into the frame. This all happens very quickly and chances are that its just too fast for the eye to catch.

Another check on that is to break it open, place your finger over the firing pin hole in the frame, cock and fire. If all's working well, you'll feel the firing pin poke your finger slightly.

If it's firing OK then your safety is probably working as intended.

[Arms]

Thank you Irish Dave! I guess my eye just can't catch everything.

You wouldn't happen to know about the forcing cone of Laramies. Because it seems mine is missing one.

Thank you!

-Arms