H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619

Obviously, I am gonna agree that you did the right thing. Opinion has always been divided on cutting the barrels on original 97s, (or, I assume, other "original" long barreled shotguns) with neither side having a clear majority. (At least, not here on the Wire.) I have my own ideas on the matter, and other people whom I respect do not share it. But that's okay. I still think you may come to enjoy the long barrel, but if not, it's actually pretty easy to find an existing shorty, or a Chinese replica that's short to begin with. I just wish I could get a 30" full choke barrel for my 93-97! But I am a strange duck.

This might also be a part of the problem. I have found that some guns, especially my Lightnings, must be kept clean to work right. I remember once at a 2 day match, my Rossi acted a little funky on day 2. Ever since then, I clean my guns after every match, and if it's a 2 day, after day one I at least flushit out with gunscrubber and re oil it before day 2.

But how do you get your guns there? Can't drive 'em.

The only example I could think of would be trying to put a Colt Lighting hammer on a Peacemaker, or vice versa. The Lighting is in many ways, a scaled down, and DA, version of the SAA. But I don't think the hammers for the 2 guns would fit each other.

What is your overcall cartridge length? I had problems like you describe, stove pipes, live round jack out, with mine when running .44 Specials in it. Switched to Magnums, problems went away. You say you've checked, but are you at the max? Wild guess on my part.

The difference between the AKM and the AK-47 is analogous to the difference between the AR-15 and the M-16.

I go through windows and stuff at every match that has them. You quickly learn how to navigate around them. The 10ths of a second are much better lose then having to shoot again at the same target that you missed. No one is perfect, but I hardly ever miss with the long barrel. I can't say that about the short one. I also find myself getting the gun on target more quickly. Although we are very much in the minority, and there is prolly a reason for that, and while I can't count myself among them, I have seen super fast shooters with long barrels that don't seem to be handicapped by them at all. To each their own, yes. But the idea that long barrels are not good for the game is a myth.

Don't cut it! I used to use a 20" 97, and I wanted to get a long barreled one, just to have, and when I finally found one, I used at a shoot on a lark. After that, it was my primary main match shotgun. I strenuously object to the idea that long barreled shotguns are not good for our game. Try it, you just might like it. And, it is very easy to find short barreled 97's, originals and reproductions. It's getting harder and harder to find long barreled originals, and long barrel reproductions don't exist. You have an excellent, unmodified gun. Don't cut it. You can't go back if you do. And even if you decide that you don't like the long barrel for SASS, save it for cowboy trap. But seriously, long barrels are great. I almost never miss with them, something I can't say about the short barrels. I find the same to be true with my SxS's I'll take my 30" FF Parker over my 19" no choke one any day of the week.-

Did not know the delay function existed, so that's a plus. I suppose that even if all 4 rifles are owned by the same shooter, the shooter very well may do better with his or her favorite of the four. It has been argued that there is no such thing as a truly objective test. That may be true. This was just as close to one as I could think of.

1/30th or 1/60th of a second?

I found myself thinking, is there an objective way to determine which rifle is the fastest? I got to thinking that the best way to do it is have the same shooter try the guns in question, and see how they come out. Then it occurred to me that I happen to own, unmodified, an original Winchester 73, Winchester 92, Marlin 1888 and a Colt Lighting, all in .32-20. And, I am a lower mid to bottom of the pack shooter. This truly would be a test of the GUNS, not the shooter. I figure I'll go out and do 2 left to right sweeps of 5 targets, 1 doubletap left to right on 5, and 1 "dump" on a single target. All I need to find is someone to operate the timer, and record it all. Or find someone else who can do it before I get a chance. Notice that with all the guns in the same caliber, all vintage, unmodified guns, and all fired by the same shooter, (who is mediocre at best speed wise) the only real variable is the guns. Do others agree that this is an objective test?

Hello to everyone who shoots 12 gauge all brass Magtechs. Midway has 'em. Just $39.99 for a box of $25 plus tax and shipping. Does anyone else think that's over priced? https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1657554245?pid=554245&utm_medium=display&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=evergreen-dpa&utm_content=AllCategories_PageView_Overlay_NewCBO&fbclid=IwAR3r5n_asuveJe__AjRKK0EjiCCd8N6qG_cQBSa-uGa5hT3hYviNPVb2p4U

Well, I am not sure you can call them "carbines," as they are legally pistols, but there is this by Chiappa in .44 Magnum... Or, AWA made this in .45 Colt, but they are super rare. Less than 20 were made, as far as I can gather, and that's probably a high estimate... Or, if you wanna make your own, this is an Uberti, .44-40, 16" barrel, and even with the butt the way it is, its overall length is still over the minimum length, so no tax stamp needed. It's just a rifle with a really short length of pull. I guess THIS could be considered a carbine... And if you want a shotgun, Chiappa makes this little number... Not SASS Legal, but fun to shoot!

Depending on caliber, type and amount of powder, you will get more or less flame, but you always get some. If you want a LOT of flames, use black. If you want less, experiment with different smokeless powders till you find what you want. Or, don't worry about it. OR Get yourself a Sheriff's model in .44-40 and load it with black. Lotsa fire and smoke.

I have a question I'd like to ask of someone who actually owns a shotgun in the Marlin 98 family. But it has to be one that has the button release thingee on the right side of the receiver. Since this is more a question of curiosity about, added to the fact that it's not SASS legal and that I have no desire to see this turn into a thread about that topic, I ask that someone who has one PM me, and I'll send you the question,

Anyone here make them, or know someone who does?

Generically, if you are going to do a stage like that, you need to advertise it in advance so people know to bring the extra stuff. AND, it probably needs to be optional or scored separately from the main match for anyone that chooses the option. To have be designed to keep visitors from winning is just wrong.

The closest I can offer to that is what we used to call an "Iron Man" match here in New England. 4 pistols, 2 rifles, and the shotgun. As much shooting as a 6 stage match in 3 super stages. Someone, I can't remember who, was the designated "gun handler" to help the shooter stage and carry his or her guns. The same procedure could be used at a 10-10-5-4, perhaps.

There are times when I wonder if instead of swapping out the regular "main match" rifle for a "Cody Dixon" type rifle, if adding such a thing as a 5th gun could be a viable alternative variation of CAS. In other words, instead of 10-10-4+, 10-10-5-4+. Ten rounds from pistols, 10 from a pistol caliber repeating rifle (IE a Main Match Rifle) 5 rounds from a rifle caliber repeating rifle, and 4+ from a shotgun. Call it what you will. At minimum, you'd need one more target "a bit farther away" than the "regular" rifle ones. Which means you'd need shooting bays long enough to have said targets added. You could run it as an "experimental" extra category at any otherwise regular shoot to see if anyone would want to try it, or if it was popular. Along the same lines, have you ever noticed that there are essentially 2 kinds of rifle caliber (By rifle caliber, I mean cartridges that won't fit in a a revolver) cartridges? Type 1 are rounds that would fit in a Winchester 76, 86, Large Frame Lightning, Marlin 1895, or similar rifles. Type 2 rounds are things that would fit in a Winchester 94, Marlin 336, and other comparable rifles. I suppose there is a potential 3rd category that sorta bridges the gap between these two types, and these would be rounds that work in the Winchester 95. Things like .30-40 or .405 Winchester that have more "power" than the things you'll see in the 94, but are very different from what you'll see in an 86. There may even be some overlap in some cartridges, but I don't wanna get lost in the weeds. I've also noticed that the type 1 cartridges tend to have longer long range capability, but that just may be the fact that I'm not the best shot!

Interesting story. When Massachusetts passed its trigger lock law, a legislator pointed at the musket from the battle of Lexington on the wall in the chamber and pointed out they where now in violation of they put a trigger lock on it. Then they passed a law exempting antiques. Welcome to the PDR of Massachusetts.

I got a very nice Christmas gift from my nephews... Have to decide where it will hang. Once it does... The 86 was made in 1897 and the Colt in 1884, so I can legally display them without trigger locks.

That is the plan

Thanks, Cholla. I'll be sending off the letter request come Tuesday. Now this of course, creates a conundrum. I have some full size model 3's Now I have this miniature pocket pistol version of one. Does this mean I have to find and obtain one of those pistols that is smaller than the 3, but larger than this pocket model, but still has basic same design? Variations on a theme can be fun.

I have always thought that the Marlin was a handsome gun, and it seems to me that they, for the most part, have a reputation for being well made guns. The main reason why I have not had any in my collection is that I (mostly) shoot my shoulder guns left handed. Although, this past season, I did have occasion to borrow a modern made Cowboy 94 in .44 Magnum at a shoot, and the side eject did not bother me, nor did I get any hot gasses on my right wrist like I do with a Henry Big Boy. That has made me wonder if I'd like to get some someday. I have of course, long been aware of the early Marlin's being top breaks, but they are so rare, and usually so expensive, that I thought they were out of reach. Then I found this. So now... Well, maybe I'll have to find an 1881 to go with it. And a 39A. But... If I get the .22, that may lead me to to get a 94 and 36 for a true "matched set" of rifles. Oh, isn't collecting irksome!

I found a very nice S&W pocket pistol today. I purchased it from a local gunsmith who said it's in almost like new condition from a mechanical standpoint. It looks like a scaled down version of the Model 3 DA, and is chambered in .32 S&W. (It's a 5 shot.) I believe it's a "Fourth Model" pocket pistol, and the serial number is in the 216xxx range. I plan to letter it, I know that will give me the best information, but I figured that maybe one or two of the pards here who know more about S&W's than I do can at least confirm what the model is before I send in a vague letter request. Here's a pic... The smith I got it from said he got it from someone who inherited it from his grandfather who didn't want it, or even know what it was. He doesn't think it's been fired in decades, and probably not much at all in general. It apparently has been sitting in a drawer for a very long time. Is my guess at it being a Fourth Model close to the mark? FWIW, the gunsmith has done a lot of work for me over the years. Most recently he converted a .32RF Rolling Block to centerfire, for example. If you are looking for a gunsmith here in New England who can do good work on old guns like we shoot, I recommend him. https://www.rustbluing.com/ Is his website.