Just For Fun Project: “The Apache Pug” - NAA Homage to 19th Century Gangster Knuckleguns

[Rudukai13]

Alright I think it’s time to give a bit more substantial update here about what’s been going on and the status of these project guns. For those of you who aren’t aware, on the morning of March 16th I was hospitalized with a stroke (PSA of the month, don’t crack your neck at home). I received brain surgery on the 17th to allow the tissue to swell and drain normally. I’ve been resting comfortably at home since the morning of the 22nd, with interspersed scheduling of doc and physical/visual therapy appointments. Although it had the potential to be much more severe, I seem to have gotten off lucky with the only lasting results being a bit of double vision and some very slight instability when I walk - both of which I’m assured can be resolved via said therapies.

 

Moving on from the pity party, how does this effect the gun projects I’ve currently got going? The answer is, quite simply, not much. While it will take some time before I personally feel comfortable with live fire again, it turns out that pistol sights - both red dots and irons - make for some pretty effective visual therapy practice, so I’ll be maintaining my safe dryfire schedule going forward. There are no outstanding components or work to be done on the P320s and the money I set aside for the Pug knuckle grip is unaffected by my medical woes. The maker I’ve contracted to create them is hammering out the design with his business partner and there should be more significant updates in the near future.

 

In the meantime I’ll continue lurking and engaging on these forums as I have previously. If anyone has any questions or just wants to chat you’re of course always welcome to post here or send me a PM any time. My apologies for the delay in updates over the last few weeks and the slightly off-topic nature of this expository post. I can assure everyone that I, and by direct extension these projects, aren’t going anywhere any time soon!

[Rudukai13]

On 3/21/2021 at 9:55 AM, Steve RA said:

You can also shoot .22 LR in it.  Give that a try.

I’ve heard varying reports on that, but I think I’ll try it at some point in the future at least once. If I like it enough I’ll send off for the NAA fitted 22LR conversion cylinder

[Rudukai13]

Vision’s getting better even before starting proper visual therapy. The sights on my pistols (RDS and front sight) now appear to be one, relatively crisp dot as opposed to distinctly two different, very fuzzy points as they were when I first got home. Next range trip is scheduled for my brother’s birthday in two weeks and I plan to attend and shoot then. Early signs are good!

[joenuclear]

+100

[Rudukai13]

 

First post-stroke range trip is in the bag and I believe my shooting has not been made significantly worse (or better for that matter) by recent medical issues, so that’s a relief. Shot the P320s and broke up magazines with several cylinders through the party popper. While I don’t view the Pug as an accuracy-oriented gun, I was at least able to hit the paper plate each time with slow-fire weak-hand-only shooting at 3 yards, and that’s good enough for this style of firearm as far as I’m concerned.

 

I spoke with Billy about the knuckles, he’s working on a new casting method that his work partner thinks will work better for larger/geometric structures like the attachment method for the grip design. Once he has that down he’ll be able to figure out the best way to manufacture the final piece and we’ll go from there. More soon!

[Bakerjd]

Looking forward to more updates. I always like a good crazy build idea. 

[Rudukai13]

15 hours ago, Bakerjd said:

Looking forward to more updates. I always like a good crazy build idea. 

Thank you! Right now I’m just trying to stay patient while the knuckle maker gets to this in his queue. It...It’s difficult to be patient 

[Rudukai13]

 

Went ahead and re-upped on the CCI FMJ while I was doing a round of ammo purchases anyway. I know the momentum behind this project seems to have settled quite a bit but I assure you it’s still at the top of the list, just waiting for movement from the craftsman on the grip to make more serious progress.

As a side note, I believe I figured out a way to make another modern Knucklegun build using one of the Bond Arms derringer pistols as the base, using similar techniques for integrating a functional set of knuckles into the frame of the firearm. Once this is all finished up I may see about setting that in motion as well…

[Rudukai13]

EDIT: Whoops wrong thread 

Edited June 17, 2021 by Rudukai13

[Rudukai13]

There’s movement being made!

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUgjiGrMuWt/

 

Progress being made on Billy’s original single finger NAA knuckler grip which is the precursor to my full-fist version. Time to get excited!

[Rudukai13]

 

More on the single finger prototype, being made on a CNC

[Rudukai13]

 

More progress on Billy’s single finger knuckler version, being made in collaboration with Turner CNC. Sounds like the SFK version will be ready for sale in a few weeks, then moving on to my full-fist piece!

[Rudukai13]

 

If anybody wants one, the single finger knuckler grip for NAA magnum frame mini revolvers is now available for purchase!

[Rudukai13]

Well crap…After quite a few iterations of trial and error in CAD the knuckle maker and partner have reached the conclusion that a full-first knuckleduster grip isn’t feasible on the NAA revolver frame, at least to their level of satisfaction and comfort to go through with it. Which means at this time this project is unfortunately suspended while I figure out whether to pursue the design with a different maker or cancel it outright

[Rudukai13]

Check out what Gun Jesus just posted earlier today:
 

 

If anyone’s wondering, yes this project is still in the works. I’m currently in discussion with a shop on feasibility and their willingness to give this a shot, and should hopefully come to an agreement soon. Sorry for the delay, but bear with me!

[shred]

This is a cool project, but one thought-- have you consulted ATF on if a modern build would be considered as a regular firearm?  I would think these are 'close enough', but they can get weird about things that don't look like guns as in pen guns, cane guns, wallet guns and so on.

 

 

 

[Rudukai13]

7 minutes ago, shred said:

This is a cool project, but one thought-- have you consulted ATF on if a modern build would be considered as a regular firearm?  I would think these are 'close enough', but they can get weird about things that don't look like guns as in pen guns, cane guns, wallet guns and so on.

 

 

 

I am very aware of the potential issues of creating an AOW, but nothing about this project is going to do anything to disguise the gun as anything other than a gun. From a legal standpoint, what I’ll be doing is no different than changing the grips on the revolver

[Rudukai13]

Alright, an agreement’s been reached to put some knuckles on this little party popper with Wright Armory out of AZ. I’ll be sending the Pug their way this week!

[Rudukai13]

The Schofield is with my local gunsmith and the Pug is on the way to the shop in AZ. Now we wait

[Rudukai13]

Email typo unexpectedly put the gun in limbo at the shop in AZ for a bit, should be hearing more soon though

[Rudukai13]

 

Design approved and commissioned

[kneelingatlas]

On 5/11/2022 at 2:07 PM, Rudukai13 said:

 

Design approved and commissioned

 

That's a beautiful thing!

[Rudukai13]

On 5/14/2022 at 6:29 AM, kneelingatlas said:

 

That's a beautiful thing!

Thank you! I’m pretty excited, should be seeing it in the metal sometime soon!

[Rudukai13]

I went ahead and ordered a set of checkered rosewood grips with some mother of pearl inlays for this little tenderizer. They should go well with the two-tone CCH frame and stainless steel accents/knuckles:
 

https://premiumgungrips.com/north-american-arms-rosewood-and-pearl-accent/

[Rudukai13]

 

Grips showed up today. I wouldn’t normally comment on it but I’m compelled to mentioned these were beautifully packaged and presented.

 

 

They look gorgeous, excellent fit and finish and the inlays feel solid. They’ll be ready to go on the gun once I get it back, which should be any day now…