Widder, SASS #59054

This thread has generated some good stuff and some good stories. Thanks everyone. I still enjoy my .22's, rifles and pistols. And for now, I'm waiting for my 460 brass to arrive, work up a few 'thunder boomers', and carve a few new ditches into the back hillside. Of course, the glove and wrist wrap will be dress code for the day...... ..........Widder

3 ft.......... WOW, I really like that. And you look like a pretty big feller but that recoil surely got your attention. I wouldn't shoot a 700 grainer because those 450 grainers was about all I wanted to deal with. ..........Widder

Other than personal example and testimony, I ain't sure there is a good way to prepare someone for their first experience with the 500. Heck, I love big bore revolvers and pistols. My Ruger SBH's are loaded with hot .45 Colt hand loads. My .44 mags are loaded close to max for my Anaconda. Even my 1911's are on the potent side because I've had 3 of them set up for the 460 Rowland, which is rather stout also. And, I have owned and shot a few .454 Casull revolvers. But nothing I have ever shot prepared me for the kick of that 500. I'm just glad it belongs to somebody else to play with in the future. I'll be loading up some home brewed 'thunder boomers' for ole TW to shoot when I take it back. Some 450 grainers with a full load of LilGun should humble the ole boy. ..........Widder

Henry. I think the model number is H001. The Golden Boy Youth might be too heavy if he is a small kid so you'll want to look at the standard 'Youth' model. ..........Widder

TFJ, I have the 5" (w/comp) 460 mag but I haven't worked up any reloads yet. It shouldn't be as punishing as the 500 and I will probably limit my bullet weight to 300 and 325 grainers. You surely have an impressive list of big bore hand cannons. ..........Widder

UPDATE: Well, I fired off 55 rounds this week with the 500. All my load data was from Hodgdon manual and LEE manual. Basically, their load data mirrors each other. Bullet were the 325 gr Barnes XPB and a 450 grain hard cast gas-check. Powders were Enforcer, AA9, H-110 and LilGun. Best and consistent performance was obtained using H-110 and LilGun with both bullet weights. A good ROLL crimp kept the bullets in perfect place. All my loads were established at the starting load data. None were at the Max amount. Even at the 'starting' load data, it was necessary for me to wear a glove AND wrist wrap. And those 55 rounds were fired over a 4 day period. The 500 is a beast. To my best guess, I didn't develop any fal.....falin.....falinch.....flinch. But it sure makes me studder..... ..........Widder

How do WE (the Wire Pards) really know you are the REAL Pat Riot? The scammers might now have access to your SASS Wire connections. And how do you know if I'm the real Widder? Is ELON really a Borg? ..........Widder

Hey Pards, admittedly, I fired 2 rounds on Sunday without a glove/wrist wrap. But the last couple days, I've fired about 30 rounds using a small padded glove and wrist wrap with 'little' discomfort. I didn't develop any flinch and was steady enough to use a chronograph without blowing it up..... ALSO, I wore plugs AND muffs. Its loud. The 500 I shot has the comp'd 4" short barrel, which probably didn't help with recoil much. ..........Widder

Don't tell TW, but while visiting him last week, I swiped his S&W 500 mag and some ammo. Well, shooting the first 2 rounds 'without a glove or wrist wrap' was my punishment for 'borrowing' his pistol. In the Navy, we referred to it as a 'midnite requisition'. Anyhow, a glove and wrist wrap has helped me endure that beast..... but, I love it. Sooooo, I went out and got me a S&W .460 Mag. So far, I've only fired .454 Casull ammo in it and those are pretty stout..... but not even close to a 325 gr and 450 grain slugs in the 500 mag. If any of you are edging towards buying one..... I think you'll love it. Indeed, it can be punishing but its power is awe inspiring. Godzilla has yet to come thru my back yard since I fired it off on Sunday. ..........Widder

I have not........ BUT, I have found it to be an EXCELLENT 9mm powder. EDIT: Let me rephrase my comment. I have not tried it in 12 ga or any SG ammo. BUT, I have tried it in 9mm reloads and REALLY like its performance. Basically, its my #1 choice for the 9mm because of overall performance in loading, case capacity, and good power. ..........Widder

Oh the HUGS... 🥰 And one of the biggest kept secrets when visiting Scarlett's vendor tent is that Tommy is a Hoot. He's a blessing to talk with and listen too. And indeed, he has great knowledge of shooting experience in other shooting disciplines. He and I usually talk about 1911's and other 'non-cowboy' guns because he is well versed in a lot of stuff. As others read this, just continue to pray for Tommy's eye sight. Your thoughts and prayers are coveted. ..........Widder

Howdy SD. Yea...... that's true. I guess I was offering a method to help ease the anxieties of those who are reluctant to dry fire and wanted some kind of an alternative, although with very little effect. But you are right, the FP will beat that brass to death in only a few strikes. ..........Widder

DOC, you can take an empty .22 piece of brass and grind off the area of the rim where the Extractor grasp the rim....... and that 'should' keep the same piece of brass in the chamber while your class can still work the action, pull the trigger... and the brass won't extract. Just a thought! EDIT: you can even remove the Extractor by tapping out the small pin in the side of the bolt. The only parts are the pin, a small spring and the Extractor. And, its as easy to reinstall as it is to remove. Therefore, the empty brass in the chamber won't get kicked out. Best regards ..........Widder

On the Henry .22, the frontal portion of the bolt that surrounds the recessed portion of the rim area, extends out more than the protrusion of the firing pin. Therefore, the firing pin can't touch or hit the edges of the chamber when dry firing. AND, to help keep the tip of the firing pin from touching areas around the chamber entrance, Henry has devised their firing pin that has a small slot cut into REAR area of the firing pin (its more like a 3" flat rod) and a small steel pin runs thru the bolt and slot to also keep the firing pin from moving forward too far. Basically, the firing pin on the Henry only extends from .025 to .035 into the rim area of the bolt. But the front of the bolt surrounding that area is quite a few .000's greater. This keeps the firing pin from hitting the chamber entrance area. As for the Rossi......... I don't know about those because I've never looked at them. But, if their design is similar to the Henry, it would be safe to dry fire. Just the view from my saddle. ..........Widder

Tough and fast competitor....... and well deserved EOT champion. Congratulations HC. Keep em smokin. ..........Widder

"What do you think I am........ a radio"? ..........Widder

WOW...... great looking group of Cowboys and Cowgirls. It was good to see Scarlett Darlin there for the JEDI Council. And no doubt, Lady JEDI's were well represented. ..........Widder

As Lumpy noted, it was probably more like .020 After talking with DD on the phone about his symptoms, I had advised .005 or such, but after some initial testing, the .005 was not enough and I think it ended up somewhat thicker. I don't know what adhesive DD used at this time, but his fix is 'temporary' right now. He's taken it to the range and shot it and is very happy with the results. ..........Widder

Hey Lumpy, DD is gonna try and drive down to Fort Widder sometime next week and we hope to set up his carrier and a couple other quickie fixes to help give him a better Marlin. Looks like he just lives a couple hours north of me. I'll enjoy the visit........ and I get a free BBQ sammich out of it. ..........Widder

DD, You did a good job and I enjoyed talking with you on the phone. Keep us all informed of progress or future issues and the 'Wire Pards' will try to surf you thru cures and proper 'fix it' methods. Keep my number and feel free to call anytime. ..........Widder

Howdy Gator. It can, but normally, some .44 caliber Marlins will already work o.k. with Mag/Specials/Russian DEPENDING on the OAL of the ammo being used. With the C45S size and the .45 Colt size, the OAL is so drastic that a 'Timing Curve' needs to be built into the carrier ramp...... and it makes a big difference where that curve is put. Slater has successfully modified a 'Widdermajik' and now knows enough to fix even 44 caliber rifles IF they need the timing adjustments for Specials and Russians. Hope this info helps. ..........Widder

Dirty Del, In the attached video, the 1st rifle I am demonstrating is the 'Widdermajik'. Notice the different type of cartridges on the table as I put them in the rifle, including a couple empty pieces of brass for the C45S and the .45 Colt. The 2nd rifle is a 'Widdermatic', set up in .38 special. Hope this helps. ..........Widder

Howdy Dirty Del........ and welcome to SASS and Cowboy Action Shooting. Before I share info on the 'Widdermatic', your title mentioned 'Widdermajik'. The 2 type of mods are totally different in that the Widdermatic is typical for any 1894......... but the 'Widdermajik' is only for the 1894 modified to run the C45S and the .45 Colt cartridges interchangeably. There's a little more involved in making the Widdermajik. To my knowledge, there is only 1 'active gunsmith' who is making the Widdermatic type mods at this time. His name is 'Slater' and his business number is: 865 / 591-5129 As for a 'do it yeowndangself' project, there have been a good handful of Cowboys who have successfully modified their Marlin's with the Widdermatic mod......... which is basically modifying the carrier. To find out more about those mods, details and pictures can be found at Marauders website: Marauder.Homestead.com Just surf thru all the information he and others have shared about Cowboy guns, including the detail info about the Marlins. I retired about 4 1/2 years ago and taught Slater about the Marlin mods. He's a gun dealer/gunsmith...... and fellow Cowboy shooter here in E.Tennessee Check out Marauders website and then decide if you want to send Slater your Marlin for modifications. He's a darn good smith and does a great job setting up the Widdermatic. If he wasn't, I wouldn't let him use my name..... Hope this helps. ..........Widder

I talked with DD again this evening after looking at the picture of his carrier. I advised him that the material he added actually needed to be lengthen to the bottom area of the carrier ramp and not just the middle section. So, he's gonna add a little more. He'll proceed with his fix-it procedure tomorrow and report back to us. EDIT: DD did say that the 1.50 ammo did help a little but he still got the occasional jam. He may try some a little longer tomorrow, but basically, he's gonna focus on adding some material to his ramp. ..........Widder

Indeed. I talked with DD this afternoon and gave him information on how to test his timing. I told him my guess was that he was using ammo that was probably 1.45 to 1.47 in length and he informed me his ammo was 1.46. (Lucky Guess) I instructed him to test some 1.50+ and call me back. I haven't heard from him yet. But, we talked of his situation, the causes and cures......... along with those who can help him, etc...... I hope to hear from him again. ..........Widder