McCandless

To answer your question, I have not seen a 19th Century manufactured rifle with a big loop lever that was original to the gun. Not saying there never was some... Just have not seen any documentation on them.

I ran a blonde wood 311 12ga for a couple of years... I think it was 2002 and 2003. As you grow in experience and speed, you might find that you're being slowed down by that shotgun. But, for now, use whatcha got and git 'ta chootin'!

Don't forget those who say we can only shoot with a one handed grip!

And who qualifies the "qualified" personnel? How would we compensate them for their work, tearing down guns in case of a protest? Who makes sure that the qualified personnel are using the proper tools and have trained on that particular firearm? Is a pistol with Wolff springs a "stock" gun, or do we have to leave in those automotive springs some repro guns come with? Does everyone have to use the same ammo? If someone using a stock .38 beats someone with a stock .45 are they "cheating?" If we want to 'level the playing field', we need to run the same guns with the same ammo at the same power factor, parsed by skill level. Seems like an awful lot of effort for "just a farshtunkene game" with nothing on the line but a trinket and 15 minutes of bragging rights.

Carrier, Lever, Bolt, ejector position, and more... all done by hand. No kits. Then you need shortened cartridge length.

If a gun is of collector value, leave it alone. If you want to shoot it, you could clean out the 140+ years of collected gunk from the insides so that it functions properly again. However, just because a gun is "old" does not mean it is sought after by collectors. For instance, I bought a beater old Marlin off the Classifieds that I knew would have to be a reclamation project. It sat there in the Classified Forum for quite some time, price drop after price drop. So, I bought it at 600. I simply wanted a 19th century .44W Marlin in an original configuration. No, it probably wasn't worth what I paid for it. Restoration and repair was the cost of a new Uberti '73. But, to me, it was worth it, and that's all that matters. I could care less what I can get back out of it when my shooting days are done. What matters is the amount of enjoyment I got from it while I was here, If you have a gun with true collector value, you might opt for "conservation" instead of "restoration". Where any further rusting is stopped and any remaining original colors are brought to the fore. Junk is removed from the innards and bore, screws unbuggered, and the gun put back into fully-functioning condition. This is my Marlin, before and after. All original factory stamping is preserved. Fully functional. Rust bluing process was used. Again, to me, it was worth getting this old girl out of the recycle bin and back into the fight.

I've have a few Colts, not a huge collection, but enough to scratch that itch. My personal opinion only (worth what you paid for it...), is that the 2nd Gen Colts were some of the best Colts ever made. They're not as collectible as 1st Gens, especially not the blackpowder frame ones. But, they are well worth having. Of the later 3rd Gen Custom Shop guns, they are almost the equal. But, some parts, such as barrels, are not interchangeable with previous versions. I was able to get a pair of blackpowder frame, bevelled cylinder, sequentially numbered, 1st Gen roll-stamped, stunningly case hardened examples with the removable bushings, in 38-40. The Colt Custom Shop at one time turned out some absolutely beautiful guns. Too bad they dropped everything except .357 and .45... Now, I'm not even sure the Custom Shop makes SAA's anymore. Of the current reproductions, the closest to the Colt Prewar models in a mid-priced revolver, are those offered on the EMF (Pietta USA) website, their Great Western II line. In the higher end, those made my Standard Manufacturing. In the blackpowder frames, the Cimarron Uberti Old Models are the way to go. They are a fine revolver. When ordering, specify that you want ones with the old "4-click" action, if they are still on the shelf. The retractable firing pin hammer/trigger mechanism have started filtering into the Old Model line.

Just personal experience... I've had an empty stay in the port of my Marlin after I've opened the lever, sometimes flipped backwards, because I didn't rack the lever hard enough. Lift up the gun from port down and there it is. Another time I made it all the way to the unloading table before we discovered an empty in there. Have seen it happen to a shooter with a Henry BB also. I solved my Marlin problem by going to a coil-spring extractor. But, if the T.O. doesn't see the last case eject, they can't rule in your favor. MSV. Another reason for the T.O. to be keeping an eye on the gun and shooter.

And here I thought it was a kitchen utensil for slicing veggies thinly. But, the stuff comes out all mushed up when I try to push it through the strings!

Welcome Vail Vigilante! I run a Winchester Model 1873 in .38 WCF that was manufactured in 1880. Although I do recommend shooting these iron-framed guns with black-powder, I have run a few lightly loaded "smokeless" rounds through it. But, like I said, I don't recommend it. When I'm shooting a match, I do it with BP cartridges. I had a gunsmith go completely through the gun. I have new springs to replace the originals, (save the old ones for if you ever sell it). All the gunk from over a century of life was cleaned out. New links were be specially made. (save the old ones!) And, modern sights to make it easier to use in competition were added, (save the originals!). The timing and headspace needed to be adjusted. The work was done by Nate Kiowa Jones at Steve's Gunz in TX. A little later action was smoothed somewhat and some minor work done by Three Cut in NC. Since you're in AZ, you have some great gunsmiths there who can help you. Arizona - Jim Bowie, Cowboys and Indian Store, Mojave Valley, AZ (714) 210-2720 Arizona - Tom Squibber, Old Western Gun Repair, LLC, Maricopa, AZ, oldwestrepair97@gmail.com - Email is the preferred method of contact. Arizona - (by Appointment Only), Johnny Meadows, James Peoble johnnymeadows55@yahoo.com Arizona - Ol' #4"s Tuning & Repair, Tucson, AZ, olnumber4@gmail.com, (503) 890-7440 Colt/Colt Clones (C&B, Cartridge); 1873’s; BSS Shotguns (by appointment only)· and shortly... Shotgun Boogie, Uwe Bartch, Shotgun Boogie Gun Works!

I never understood the concept of going into a store that has a new off the shelf product, and having to negotiate the price. New car dealerships are about the only throwback to the old "horse traders", left. I want to go to a store and if I see a product I want at a price I want, then I'll buy it. I don't want it to be an hours long trial just to get it.

I decided I wanted something that looked exactly like a Black Powder Frame Colt...

It's kind of a given that many movies and TV shows will mess up with anachronisms or when depicting firearm usage. But, when writing a book, the authors have the time to consult on subjects they know nothing about. Obvious errors really take me out of the flow when as I'm reading and I come across them. So do passages in parentheses, but that's another subject. I was reading a "Repairman Jack" novel, when the protagonist takes out his revolver, which he describes as a .357 Magnum Ruger Security Six. He then carefully loads it with 5 rounds, hammer down on an empty chamber, in preparation for confrontation with the bad guy. Okay, but the Security Six has a transfer bar safety, and was made so you could carry 6. It was, and is, a big selling point. Then he goes on to describe it as a double action, "because you have to cock the hammer before you can pull the trigger" Aaurgh! Sounds like the writer had a "gun friend" give him some tips and got the whole thing wrong, or the author took terrible notes.