Webley fans ?
- Thread starter guy sajer
- Start date
Guy .... great pieces of history . I also have a MkVI in .455 ... shoot it occasionally. It does tho have a slight prob with internals .. in as much as if the hammer drawn back too far with S/A it doesn't hold .... tricky sear I think. D/A is OK.
This one was pretty sad originally .. had to fit new mainspring and a new (not very good copy) locking lever spring too. It was in bad shape externally and I did a prep' and cold blue job .. which altho not that durable is OK for this, which spends most time in the safe ..... apart from odd fondles!
This one was pretty sad originally .. had to fit new mainspring and a new (not very good copy) locking lever spring too. It was in bad shape externally and I did a prep' and cold blue job .. which altho not that durable is OK for this, which spends most time in the safe ..... apart from odd fondles!
cleve land
Inactive
MK I converted to acp
MK VI "
MK VI 455 Webley
MK IV 38/200 no safety
MK IV 38/200 safety
MK IV 32
The converts shoot pretty well with light target loads hith lead bullets. The 455 shoots great with Fiocci factory ammo and the 38's are ok with 38S&W ammo. The 32 is a pisser with any 32 ammo.
MK VI "
MK VI 455 Webley
MK IV 38/200 no safety
MK IV 38/200 safety
MK IV 32
The converts shoot pretty well with light target loads hith lead bullets. The 455 shoots great with Fiocci factory ammo and the 38's are ok with 38S&W ammo. The 32 is a pisser with any 32 ammo.
Johnny Guest
Moderator in Memoriam
Sure do want another one.
Had one when I was in high school, a four-inch round butt, converted to ACP. Never handloaded for it, though - - Just shot GI .45 ACP ball in it, which of course didnt make for extreme accuracy.
And in the 1970s, I owned one for a few years, in original .455. Had about 40 CIL cases, which I reloaded in .45 ACP dies, after searching for a shellholder for a month.
I've always just called them MK IVs, but I suspicion they were really MK Vs, because they held up to some pretty decent loads using .45 Colt SWC bullets that weighed out at around 270 gr.
Definitely want a MK V, either ACP or .455, just to play with, and not worry about using decent charges of smokeless powder. Actually, I'm kinda glad I DIDN'T know, back in the day, that Marks I through IV were black powder guns.
Best,
Johnny
Had one when I was in high school, a four-inch round butt, converted to ACP. Never handloaded for it, though - - Just shot GI .45 ACP ball in it, which of course didnt make for extreme accuracy.
And in the 1970s, I owned one for a few years, in original .455. Had about 40 CIL cases, which I reloaded in .45 ACP dies, after searching for a shellholder for a month.
I've always just called them MK IVs, but I suspicion they were really MK Vs, because they held up to some pretty decent loads using .45 Colt SWC bullets that weighed out at around 270 gr.Definitely want a MK V, either ACP or .455, just to play with, and not worry about using decent charges of smokeless powder. Actually, I'm kinda glad I DIDN'T know, back in the day, that Marks I through IV were black powder guns.
Best,
Johnny
I have a MkV , birds head 4" barrel 1914 production, I have a 1927 MKVI converted to acp.which shoots superbly. I just bought 3 boxes of Fiocchi .455 at $20 ea on an internet auction. Now I can shoot up my old military (80rnds left) .455 in the MkV which hasn't been fired in 15years 
Hand_Rifle_Guy
New member
I've got two of the old beasts...
Both have been converted to run .45 ACP, more or less.
"Less" means the Mk. I has the cylinder faced off to acccomodate 1/2-moon, but NOT full-moon clips. That means only the outer half of the radius, which puts me in mind of an OLD conversion. Seeing as I haven't actually GOT any half-moons, I've never run this gun. However, since it's only partly faced-off, the center section of the extractor star will still locate and extract thin-rimmed .455 fodder, should I ever be so lucky as to locate some for a reasonable price. I'm not holding my breath, and since this 1888-vintage gun really wants blackpowder loads anyhow, I'll just hold off firing it until I can load up some black or equivalent-pressure loads with round-nose lead bullets to run on.
Now the OTHER choice is my Mk. IV, circa 1913 or so. This one's been fully faced across the back of the cylinder, and accomodates full-moons as well as Auto-Rim ammo. It's also wearing the grips that I made for it that rival some of Hakan's best, although you can't see but a tiny corner of them in this picture. So much for bragging rights.
This is the same pic, albeit MUCH bigger, should you desire a close-up. Slightly bigger than life-size, no less! You can darn near read the lettering on the frame! Thank you Sven!
This gun originally came with a 4" barrel that had been "Americanized" by virtue of the addition of a coarsely-made rib on tob of the barrel, with a pinned-in holster-friendly sight. The rear sight notch had a block soldered in and a new square notch cut into it. While solidly made, the craftsmanship on this added rib left much to be desired, as it was covered with coarse file marks, and the top surface was actually canted to one side by a few degrees. It looked home-made, for lack of a better description. "Hacked out", would also fit. Functional, yes. Attractive, no. If someone paid a gunsmith to make this thing, they should've found someone who took more pride in their work.
Additionaly, when the rib was mounted, it was pinned on, or so I suppose, as there's two ~1/8" dia. holes running from the top down INTO the barrel. That's right, into the rifling and interior, where the pressure lives! Talk about HACKED! Despite the gun's inherent accuracy with this set-up, and a lack of any sign of issues with the holes, I was motivated to switch the barrel for the Mk. VI unit it's wearing now. I also just happen to be a big fan 'long toms', so the 6" length suited me down to the ground. I got the 6" barrel from Springfield Sporters for a whopping $30 as brand-new surplus, and it dropped right in, requiring only a small amount of stoning on the extractor cam to assure reliable function, i.e. so it would drop down at the end of the break-open movement after extraction. You can see the difference in finish from the pre-war blued frame to the war-finish parkerizing on the barrel.
Surprisingly, with the moly-coated RNL's I typically run this gun on, it has proved to be one of the more accurate revolvers I own. Although it shoots about a foot to the left at 100 yards, it can happily harass a two-litre bottle with about a 4/6 hit ratio after a couple of sight-in shots. That's about a 6' group at that distance when I'm having a good day, with most issues being vertical stringing. (The above pic is shooting offhand at 100 yards at a milk jug. I stunk that day, and wound up killing the jug with Sven's Valtro. On the second magazine. I'm outta practice,)
My nominal future plan for this gun is to load up some Auto-Rim cases with 250- or 255-grain RNL's at .455 speeds to duplicate it's original intent and to preserve the old gun's frame dimensions. I haven't got a Prideaux Quick-Loader, but I DO have a couple of old (But still in blister packs!) HKS speedloaders for Auto-Rim. They're for 1917's and M-25 S&W's, but they fit the Webley, just like the moonclips do. I think I'll leave the 6" barrel on it, and save the old Mk. I for the 4" "snubby" role.
Webley's have Style, Panache, History, and Character, just like a classic SAA. Their strange appearance is part of their mystique, and their Rube Goldberg, springs-on-the-outside mechanism is surprisingly simple and robust. Internally they're amazingly efficient, with all functions running off the mainspring with a minimum of parts. And being .45 caliber, I feel just as well-served by one as I would with any more modern design. I'll pass 'em on to my kids, and I hope I get a chance to buy another 1 or few.
Both have been converted to run .45 ACP, more or less.
"Less" means the Mk. I has the cylinder faced off to acccomodate 1/2-moon, but NOT full-moon clips. That means only the outer half of the radius, which puts me in mind of an OLD conversion. Seeing as I haven't actually GOT any half-moons, I've never run this gun. However, since it's only partly faced-off, the center section of the extractor star will still locate and extract thin-rimmed .455 fodder, should I ever be so lucky as to locate some for a reasonable price. I'm not holding my breath, and since this 1888-vintage gun really wants blackpowder loads anyhow, I'll just hold off firing it until I can load up some black or equivalent-pressure loads with round-nose lead bullets to run on.
Now the OTHER choice is my Mk. IV, circa 1913 or so. This one's been fully faced across the back of the cylinder, and accomodates full-moons as well as Auto-Rim ammo. It's also wearing the grips that I made for it that rival some of Hakan's best, although you can't see but a tiny corner of them in this picture. So much for bragging rights.
This is the same pic, albeit MUCH bigger, should you desire a close-up. Slightly bigger than life-size, no less! You can darn near read the lettering on the frame! Thank you Sven!
This gun originally came with a 4" barrel that had been "Americanized" by virtue of the addition of a coarsely-made rib on tob of the barrel, with a pinned-in holster-friendly sight. The rear sight notch had a block soldered in and a new square notch cut into it. While solidly made, the craftsmanship on this added rib left much to be desired, as it was covered with coarse file marks, and the top surface was actually canted to one side by a few degrees. It looked home-made, for lack of a better description. "Hacked out", would also fit. Functional, yes. Attractive, no. If someone paid a gunsmith to make this thing, they should've found someone who took more pride in their work.
Additionaly, when the rib was mounted, it was pinned on, or so I suppose, as there's two ~1/8" dia. holes running from the top down INTO the barrel. That's right, into the rifling and interior, where the pressure lives! Talk about HACKED! Despite the gun's inherent accuracy with this set-up, and a lack of any sign of issues with the holes, I was motivated to switch the barrel for the Mk. VI unit it's wearing now. I also just happen to be a big fan 'long toms', so the 6" length suited me down to the ground. I got the 6" barrel from Springfield Sporters for a whopping $30 as brand-new surplus, and it dropped right in, requiring only a small amount of stoning on the extractor cam to assure reliable function, i.e. so it would drop down at the end of the break-open movement after extraction. You can see the difference in finish from the pre-war blued frame to the war-finish parkerizing on the barrel.
Surprisingly, with the moly-coated RNL's I typically run this gun on, it has proved to be one of the more accurate revolvers I own. Although it shoots about a foot to the left at 100 yards, it can happily harass a two-litre bottle with about a 4/6 hit ratio after a couple of sight-in shots. That's about a 6' group at that distance when I'm having a good day, with most issues being vertical stringing. (The above pic is shooting offhand at 100 yards at a milk jug. I stunk that day, and wound up killing the jug with Sven's Valtro. On the second magazine. I'm outta practice,)
My nominal future plan for this gun is to load up some Auto-Rim cases with 250- or 255-grain RNL's at .455 speeds to duplicate it's original intent and to preserve the old gun's frame dimensions. I haven't got a Prideaux Quick-Loader, but I DO have a couple of old (But still in blister packs!) HKS speedloaders for Auto-Rim. They're for 1917's and M-25 S&W's, but they fit the Webley, just like the moonclips do. I think I'll leave the 6" barrel on it, and save the old Mk. I for the 4" "snubby" role.
Webley's have Style, Panache, History, and Character, just like a classic SAA. Their strange appearance is part of their mystique, and their Rube Goldberg, springs-on-the-outside mechanism is surprisingly simple and robust. Internally they're amazingly efficient, with all functions running off the mainspring with a minimum of parts. And being .45 caliber, I feel just as well-served by one as I would with any more modern design. I'll pass 'em on to my kids, and I hope I get a chance to buy another 1 or few.
If you don't have an acquaintance with the Webley WG models it's more than worth your trouble acquire one. Despite the "vee" spring, the DA trigger (or trigger action as the Brits have it) is as smooth as a fine S&W, or a Colt that has been worked on by a real master pistolsmith. Most of these revolvers require a bullet with a deep hollow base, if this is provided they're quite accurate.
Bob
Bob
Johnny Guest
Moderator in Memoriam
That's true.
- - And you see even fewer W-V .50-80s.
Pocketa-pocketa-pocketa . . .
Johnny
- - And you see even fewer W-V .50-80s.
Pocketa-pocketa-pocketa . . .
Johnny
capermaster
Inactive
hipwr40: Is that what they call a bulldog? Looks mean enough.
Here's my 1917 mkVI shaved for .45 acp. It needed sanding and a cold re-blue. So far, so good. The grips are repros and the rubber sleeve is a hand-all junior. I've shot about 80 regular old factory 230 gr. fmj's thru it so far with no problems. Awesome gun, and accurate. I really want a Mk IV or V also.
P.S. how do you get a pic to show up automatically in your post (without having to click on a link)?
P.S. how do you get a pic to show up automatically in your post (without having to click on a link)?
Attachments
seeker_two
New member
I wish some enterprising gun company would start turning out repro Webleys in .45ACP, .455W, .38S&W, & .38SPL (or even 9mm). Webleys have such a classical panache' about them... 
I'd have to buy two of each...
I'd have to buy two of each...
I have one in .455.
It seems to be in pretty good shape.
I have only fired a box of factory ammo through it and then handloaded the cases and fired that one box. I was kind of surprised at the almost total lack of recoil. It also shoots way high.
I bought a holster, lanyard, and belt from the cartoon nazis and sometimes wear it to our local Vintage Military Bolt Action Rifle Matches. They sometimes have a stage where you shoot something with a vintage handgun and/or stab something with a bayonet. I got several very attractive trade offers at the match but didn't take them up.
It seems to be in pretty good shape.
I have only fired a box of factory ammo through it and then handloaded the cases and fired that one box. I was kind of surprised at the almost total lack of recoil. It also shoots way high.
I bought a holster, lanyard, and belt from the cartoon nazis and sometimes wear it to our local Vintage Military Bolt Action Rifle Matches. They sometimes have a stage where you shoot something with a vintage handgun and/or stab something with a bayonet. I got several very attractive trade offers at the match but didn't take them up.