bending the tang

[Acer Saccharum]

For certain guns, I like to start the bend right behind the parting line between barrel and plug. It's hard to do because the metal is thick and resists bending. There is also a fillet between tang and upright plug flats.

So I had an idea today that helped me get the bend closer. I filed away the fillet between tang and plug, which made the tang even thickness all the way up to the standing plug. Then heated it orange hot, and tapped it with a heavy hammer to start the bend, maybe 1/4" away from the seam.

[EC121]

Good idea.  It helps eliminate the chance of a humpbacked wrist.
      After squaring the fillet, I usually make a hacksaw cut into the lug at the fillet to allow the tang to bend closer to the breech.   I don't have a good enough heat source to forge it.

[frogwalking]

I have even made a cut with a hacksaw where the fillet used to be where the tang joins the lug:  Not far, but maybe 3/16 inch.  If I could weld, I might weld this up after bending.  This allows me to begin the bend even closer to the barrel breech.   

[chubby]

Hi Acer,I will take a small round file about 3/16 dia. and file the corner away about half of the file, this takes bending resistance out of the corner allowing a closer start on the bend.It works good for me!!   Chubby

[Mike Brooks]

I have always cut that radius off of the plug....Otherwise recoil will naturally want to push your barrel up and out of the stock. Then I just put my monkey wrench on it and give it a bend, no heating involved. Gotta keep it simple for me other wise things can go awry. These sorts of methods are why my guns always shoot so well. Heck, sometimes you don't even have to aim to hit what you want to hit.

[frogwalking]

That is the kind of gun I need.  I have a 20 gauge pistol that I shoot #4 buckshot out of.  It is like that.

[Daryl]

That is the kind of gun I need.  I have a 20 gauge pistol that I shoot #4 buckshot out of.  It is like that.

Try some buck and ball at a 12 to 15 yard silhouette. That is fun!  Loading 3 000 (or 00 buck) buck under the ball and testing this pattern wise against over the patched ball as well. A thin card holds the shot nicely.
Loaded the buck over the ball in a .54 rifled pistol, with a .526" ball on the powder, 3 buck over the ball produced a series of 7" patterns at 12 yards, with the balls radiating around the central single ball hit.  This would be a decisive protection-type load at close range.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

That is so brilliant, and simple!  Thanks Tom.  It is amazing what you come up with once the lakes freeze over.

[Bill of the 45th]

Just as I am about to bend a tang, along comes this wise and educational hint.  Thanks Tom