Are the cast replacment handles a good way to go? I mean are these cast items just as easy or easier to work with compared the the milled handles? Will the finished work be just as strong whether using cast or milled?

Here are a couple of examplesof cast handles:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=524815

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.as...CUSTOM%20BOLT%20KNOB

Having read many of the posting on here, I see that most of you like the straight handle, such as the talley. I have looked at old postings and unfortunately most of the pictures have been deleted.

I have not become fond of the straight handle, like the Dakota. It looks good, and I can see why a smith might like it.

Frankly, I like the shape of the Brownell's dog leg handle. I'm wondering if any of you have used them and how did that work out? Pictures would be wonderful.

I'm not going to be doing this work myself. So far, the gunsmiths I have talked with use some kind of handle with a straight shank. But again, I think a handle should start straight down, for a 1/4 inch or so, then kick back or curve back as with the FN, then turn back down the last 1/4 to 3/4 inch -- just like the picture shows for the Brownell handle.

Looks to me like the Brownell's handle would save a lot of time in shaping and forging a straight handle to the dog leg shape before welding.

I figure Brownells must be selling these handles to someone.

I woud appreciate reading your thoughts and discussion on this.

Thanks, KB

Here are a couple of photos of an installation of a Brownells (formerly known as Dakota) cast bolt handle on one of my 1909 Argentine Actions.

If they are done correctly, as this one was, they are a very nice bolt handle.

However, there are a few things about them that are drawbacks.

1. You have to like the exact shape of it.
2. You have to like the shape of the knob.
3. You have to like where the handle meets the root of the bolt.
4. If you want it to look really nice (but I suppose its the case with all bolt handles) you really should have a milling machine to do the clean up, as this one had.

They take rust bluing beautifully. I rust blued this one with Gun Goddess Rust Blue.

I've welded on several of the "Dakota" bolt handles and they weld well and blue well.

What's not to like about them?

If they suit your likes then have at it! There's nothing wrong with that cast handle.

Here's one on a VZ-24

Thanks for the info. Good looking bolt handles.

Vapodog,
That handle looks plenty long, but I'm wondering about the scope clearance. Do you have to use high rings with this handle, or will medium clear, say a Leupold 2x7, or 3x9?

KB

quote:

Do you have to use high rings with this handle, or will medium clear, say a Leupold 2x7, or 3x9?

That particular gun has medium rings but the bolt handle would clear low rings as well.

The scope on that gun is a Leupy 3-9X33 ultralight and with medium rings the clearance is more than 3/8".....and that's a lot of room!