Widder, SASS #59054
-
Posts
19,325 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
23
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Posts posted by Widder, SASS #59054
-
-
4 hours ago, WD Farren said:
Wider, what is your take on the Rossi quality of materials and workmanship, compared to the new Ruger Marlin offerings?
I can only account for this one Rossi I own (model M95) and a couple new RUGER 1894's that Slater has worked on.
Basically, I think BOTH companies have done very well. Slater tells me that a couple 'gunsmith type mods' seem to
be incorporated into the new 1894's. And as I've stated above, the new Rossi has a couple areas in the manner I would
add into its workings.
Slater tells me the Rugers are clean inside.....machined very well.
My Rossi M95 also is machined well and clean inside.
Both seem to be in the 1K price range (which includes tax and background check cost).
..........Widder
-
2
-
-
Here's a true story. Yea, I know I'm not known for telling true stories, but this one is.
On Tuesday of this week, my brother and his son drop over to deliver me some fire wood for my fire pit in the back yard.
Well, my nephew brings his 1+ year old daughter along for the ride.
My brother and nephew begin to tell me that 'Layla' was born breached and that
when she delivered, her little legs were bent up over her body and her feet were basically up
around her head.
I quickly said......"Did you tell the doctor that was the same position her momma was in 9 months earlier"?
They both laughed!
..........Widder
-
5
-
-
Longfoot: I think you are on the same 'brain waves' as I am on this modification.
Here's some more info to share: The rifle is the newer Rossi M95 in .454 Casull. I advised my friend that
he would be better off with the M95 in 30-30 and switch out the barrel, and possibly have to modify the bolt
face.
Yes, he was consulting me because I understand timing issues and the inner workings of the Rossi M95 are very
much like the Marlin.
The M95 in 454 Casull is a shorter action than the 30-30 and 45-70. I think that's why he likes the 454 action
for his modification. Do I think it will work..... oh yea. Setting up the timing would be no problem.
His biggest obstacle will be in EJECTIONS. An empty piece of 460 brass will clear the port but a live
round won't. So he would be greatly hindered in removing live rounds from the rifle.
Pulling the barrel and rechambering would be no problem for him.
BUT....I was concerned more about 'pressures' because he was thinking that 60K generated by the 454 Casull
would be the same as 60K generated from the 460 mag. And the red flags started generating in my brain.
I knew some Saloon Pards would know more about this stuff than I....... and their info has helped ALOT.
Thanks again, everyone.
..........Widder
-
3 hours ago, Chantry said:
Your phrasing suggests HE is going to do something stupid & unsafe.
Yea, that's the reason I posted this question because he's thinking that one equates to the other and I
wanted to learn more about it to advise him correctly.
I had a gut feeling that just because the pistol cartridge was xxxx psi, modifying the firearm to accept the awesome 460 S&W mag
at xxxx psi involved some serious 'precautions' and more knowledge of this type of mod.
Thanks everyone. Good stuff.
..........Widder
-
7 hours ago, Longfoot said:
Short answer. No.
I'm not formally educated on this.
But, was an LR/Palma target shooter prior to coming to CAS and have read plenty of internal/external ballistics texts, from 19th century ordinance manuals to several of B. Litz, and have utilized Quickload and Streloc (when it was available) quite a lot for both SAAMI and wild cat cartridges.
It has everything to do with powder used, it's burn characteristics and where/when it's pressure spikes.
You'll see discrepancies between Piezo derived p.s.i.and burst disc c.u.p. in the same brass using the same charge.
Long answer.
p.s.i. is p.s.i., BUT, powder characteristics determine how quickly it's arrived at and how long it maintained down the barrel.
What is your real world curiosity?
My real world curiosity is because I have a friend that wants to convert a 'PISTOL' caliber rifle into a S&W 460 mag because, as HE says,
".....the pressures are the same so I should be o.k. with the modification".
Honestly, I didn't know what to tell him after he made his brief comment.
Thanks for the info.. Personally, I did have a thought about the type of powder used, when the pressure spikes, etc.....
..........Widder
-
If a shorter cartridge generates 40K pressures, is it the same as 40K pressure in a longer cartridge?
Or better yet, would 50K in a pistol cartridge be the same as 50K in a rifle cartridge?
thanks
..........Widder
-
6 hours ago, Stump Water said:
Looks like there's an aftermarket "Medium Lever Loop", but it says:
FITS RIFLE CALIBERS: Rossi 95 Medium Lever Loop 45-70, 30-30, 444, 360
DOES NOT FIT: Rossi 95 small caliber rifles: 357 Mag, 44 Mag or 45 Colt
https://rangerpointstore.com/rossi-95-lever-loop
I'm guessing the 454 is also "small caliber" ?
Howdy Stump.
Your right.
Those longer RIFLE calibers you mentioned have a receiver that is about 1" longer than my 454.
And therefore, the levers are different.
I took my rifle to Slater today for one of his 'trigger jobs'. Because the trigger is like the Marlin (2 piece), he was able to
weld it info a 1-piece and then modify the 'trigger/lever safety bar' info a trigger stop.
I now have a nice, crisp trigger with no flop or overtravel. I really like the way he does his trigger work..... (Slater's In-House-Guns).
..........Widder
-
5
-
-
2 hours ago, Sixgun Seamus said:
Rye, what's the problem? You keep going to the gun store and never buy ME anything.
He's like TN Williams in that he don't like nobody..... especially me and you.
..........Widder
-
3
-
-
1 hour ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:
Think you can heat the lever and reshape it?
Oh yea. I'm thinking about cutting about 3/4" out of the lower 'oval' area, heat up a portion of the front section and bend it upwards to
achieve the type lever I want. But....I'm gonna consult my gunsmith/welder specialist before making my decision.
Today (Sunday afternoon), I tweaked the lever plunger to open real smooth and easy and yet not pop open when loading thru the loading gate.
At present, it only holds 7 rounds in the mag tube but I'm sure I can tweak the mag tube spring to allow 8 rounds in it.
If not, it's no big deal. The 454 Casull is a beast and my reloads, as mentioned above, feed smooth and reliable.
I've got some various red dot/green dot sights I could put on it, plus a Leopold 'Gilmore' red dot that I presently have on my Marlin 94 in ..45 Colt.
That rifle, with hot loads, is awesome. And the 454 will be even 'awesomer'.
..........Widder
-
2
-
1
-
-
3 hours ago, Texas Joker said:
Because they sell. I bet one of the first things most folks do a spin lever cock. Probably before they even load it
You may be correct....... but not me.
Even after I got it home, I haven't been tempted to twirl it and doubt I ever will.
Actually, the lever design is the only thing on the rifle I would change. I wish it was a little smaller in diameter.
..........Widder
-
2
-
-
-
1
-
2
-
-
FIRST UPDATE:
I took the Rossi apart today and behold, it looked like a modified (improved) Marlin 1894.
I replaced the hammer spring with my favorite Ruger 10/22 spring.
And, I lightened up that trigger/lever safety bar spring.
The carrier is the ;swivel bar; style, similar to the older Marlins.....no plunger stud.
And more importantly, the area where the cartridge sits has some similarities to how I set up my 'cradle' area on Widdermatics.
I did some slight policing of that 'cradle' area and put the rifle back together. It's darn slick.
And more importantly, I've fed it 300 grain XTP's, 300 grain hard cast lead rounds and 325 grain hard cast lead ammo.
They all fed very smooth with no discernible glitches or hesitations to feed.
Also, the chamber entrance is ramped into the chamber at the 12 o'clock position. This also is a little similar
to mods I've had to do on some Marlins that had trouble feeding smoothly.
The 'Triple Black' models come with a long picatinny rail mounted and the large lever is already 'rope wrapped' from
the factory. A very nice touch.
At the 1K price range, some shooters might shy away from this Rossi. But in my opinion, during this first checkup and testing
process, I'm glad I got it. Its a humdinger of a rifle.
If someone is looking for a rifle in .454 Casull, 30-30 Win or 45-70......this Rossi R95 models are worth the look-see.
DISCLAIMER: I don't have a thing to do with Rossi, etc. But there are aspects of this rifle that looks like I would have
designed it.
Can't wait for weather to dry up.
..........Widder
-
3
-
2
-
-
The wind is always blowing.
..........Widder
-
1
-
-
I'm gonna pick up a new rifle today.
Its the Rossi R95 'triple black' in .454 Casull w/16" barrel.
I've never owned a Rossi lever rifle but it resembles the Marlin action.
And the .454 Casull can be a potent round on any game animal I've aware existing.
Any of the Saloon Pards have one....or know much about them?
There are YouTube videos on the Rossi model 92 in .454..........and there are some videos on the triple black models.
But, I can't find any videos on the R95 models in .454 Casull.
EDIT: Rampaging groundhogs beware!
And who knows, even some of those Jurassic coyotes might experience the consequences of my new acquisition.....
..........Widder
-
3
-
-
Only the shadow knows!
..........Widder
-
3
-
-
-
6 hours ago, Waimea said:
Widder's a popular guy.
This happens frequently.
If I had a $1 for every good things said about me..... I'd have a dollar.
If I had 25-cents for all the bad things said about me..... I'd have more than a dollar.
Notoriety ain't all it's cracked up to be.....
..........Widder
-
1
-
1
-
4
-
-
1 hour ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:
Widder and I did prototype testing for them.
Great folks to deal with.
Yes, indeed. Ranger Point Precision was good to work with and listened to our suggestions and comments.
..........Widder
-
1
-
-
JEDI GF 383: N.A.Custer has been a SASS member for over 20 years.
He is RO1 and RO2 certified.
He has won local and annual matches as a GF.
He has helped form 2 clubs. Helped in the actual building of berms, targets, etc...
He is currently Match Director for the Dry Gulch Rangers in PA.
He came recommended by Hooligan Howes (JEDI 246)
JEDI GF 387: Ike The Butcher's name was given to me in a phone conversation.
I don't have any written resume but he has been shooting GF for a good spell and is
also RO certified.
He shoots Frontier Cartridge GF.
JEDI GF 388: SGT. Hampton's name was also given to me in a phone conversation.
He is RO2 in Cowboy and Wild Bunch.
He started shooting GF back in 2000-2002, then resumed his gunfighter category in 2022 thru the present.
He is presently the TG for Butterfield Trail Cowboys, Arkansas Lead Slingers, and White River Gang.
and a Range Officer for the Southern Missouri Rangers.
He has shot several clean matches.
1st Place Senior GF Missouri: 2022, 2023
Illinois 2022, 2024
Iowa 2023, 2024
Arkansas 2022-2025
Adobe Walls in Texas 2025
SouthWest Regional 2024
Although not part of his SASS resume, SGT Hampton served in the U.S.Marines.
The JEDI ranks are proud to have such members involved in SASS and being a part of JEDI GFer's.
..........Widder
-
2
-
-
-
Their resumes are impressive..... very impressive.
JEDI GF #383: N.A. Custer PA
JEDI GF #387: Ike The Butcher Tuckerson AZ
JEDI GF #388: SGT. Hampton MO
Congratulations.....and keep em smoking in 2026!
..........Widder
-
4
-
2
-
-
-
1 hour ago, TN Mongo, SASS #61450 said:
Widder is the "Yoda" of Marlins. He has retired from working on them, but he is always willing to talk with someone who is having issues.
He might chime in on this thread or you might try sending him a PM and see if he might offer some sage advice.
Thanks Mongo.
But the best advice I have, without actually looking at the Marlin, is to read some of the good advice above and basically, let the
original gunsmith check out their work.
This I can say from experience: I've worked on about 6 Marlin 1894's that had been short stroked. The work was VERY GOOD
and specific within certain cartridge OAL. Reread Larsen's post above. On those specific Marlin's, all I had to do was
reset the timing for their specific OAL recommendations.
Even based on a perfectly set up Marlin (regardless of who the smith might be), Marlin's will wear. And one of the first signs
of a little wear is in the timing. And even the elite setup of a Widdermajik will eventually have wear in its timing functions.
Its just the nature of the Marlin 1894.
TELL, you've probably got a couple of real nice rifles with some worn parts issues. Your 'short stroke smith' can be your
best cure because they can look for other aspects of their work and ensure the rifles are back to their working specs.
Best regards.
..........Widder
-
5
-
1
-
-
Like Stan stated, he was one of my heroes also.
To say he was a fine cowboy would be underscoring his character and contributions to the game and especially to many of
us individually.
He was, without a doubt, my first GF hero. And when I finally met him down in Florida, I wasn't disappointed in his friendliness
and personality. Just a decent man who made me feel like I was an old friend.
Many of the Wire pards may not know, but Cypress Sam was also the first GF to set the Cowboy World Record in GF speed
shooting. An inspiration to many of us.
No doubt, he will be missed.
My condolences to you, Son, and his family and many close friends.
..........Widder
-
1
-
Always ready to help a friend.
in SASS Wire Saloon
Posted
We do have much in common......
..........Widder