Protoype completed, mold under construction

November 15, 2009

The prototype of the Dragon Slayer^tm action has been completed. It was built for the installation of Contender barrels, several of which I happen to have on hand.  Stocks are nearly completed and I work on them as toime pemits. I will post photos as soon as possible.

The prototype was built from two CNC aluminum blocks which were then bolted together and the outer contours milled manually.

In the process of building the action, I used a number of castings from the Dragon Slayer^tm swinging block action.  This turned out to be a bit more difficult than originally planned, but it did work and works very well indeed!

While building the prototype, I discovered it would be MUCH easier to build the action using the Farquharson based Wyvrn^tm design.  The trigger guard is integral with the receiver which eliminates a lot of machine work and saves a lot of build time.  Most of the components are simply made from stock that is simply cut to length.  Only a few items are made on the lathe.  Mill work is very simple and "fixturing" is kept to a minimum.

Additionally, I 've recently redesigned the action for another new model.  The new model as well as the models designed for the Contender, Encore and 1.25 diameter barrels can all be built using the same casting.  Consequently, I've dessigned the mold accordingly.  More information on the new action may be found in the adjoining news article.

 Engineering of the molds is done.  I am in the process of developing the CNC programming to machine them.  Testing the programs and actual construction of the molds will probably take a month or so.  I hope to have them done before the end of December. 

Projected availability of castings is now early March of 2010.