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Experience With Codymatic short stroke?


Doc Justuce

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Posted

I am considering sending sending my Taylor's and Co. 1873 to Taylor's to have them do the Comanchero tuning and short stroke done.  I'd just like any input on your experience with T&C upgrades and their short stroke in particular.

Thanks in advance.

Doc Justus

Posted

I had a negative experience with a new "codymatic" 1873 I bought as a retirement present for myself about 10 years ago.

It never was right -- wouldn't reliably extract.

Sent it back twice -- never was right.

I gave up & gave it to a local smith.

He replaced the bolt that Cody's crew screwed up doing the action work.

He also took out Cody's short stroke work, and put in a C&I kit and a new lever.

Rifle's been great ever since.

Hate to say something bad about a smith.

I'm sure he can and does do good work, but not on the rifle I bought from him.

--Dawg

Posted

I have two Cody-matic 1873s, both run smooth as butter never a hitch.

  • Doc Justuce changed the title to Experience With Codymatic short stroke?
Posted

Thanks Silver Creek Jack.  I've heard some good things but thought this would be a good place to get first hand information.

How old are yours?

Posted

Thanks Silver Creek Jack.  I've heard some good things but thought this would be a good place to get first hand information.

How old are yours?

Posted

I have two Codymatics - I am nothing but pleased with the work AND customer service.

I have spoken directly to Cody everytime I have ever had cause to call him.

 

I have handled and shot nearly example of short stroke kits; cut and welds, 3rd, 4th and 5th gen kits.

Assembled and polished by many, many differing gunsmiths.

 

When everything is factored in; stroke, feel, turnaround and pricing - I have never regretted going with Cody.

Posted

My first rifle was a Codymatic in 45 colt. The rifle worked great. He cuts and welds the lever. The short stroke is similar to a gen 3 cowboys and Indians version. Cody was excellent to deal with and is very timely. I sold the rifle when I switched to 38 special. I got close to what I paid for it when I sold it. 

Posted

I have two 45 Colt Cody '73s. Both exceptional rifles. Both purchased 10-12 years ago, one ordered from him directly, the other purchased new at a match from a vendor.

 

Although both Cody's, both straight stock rifles, one is smoother than the other. Not that the "not as smooth" rifle ain't really good, but one is definitely a bit easier to run the action on. Either are exceptional however.

Posted

I bought a Codymatic my first year of shooting Cowboy (2010).  It happens to be a Deluxe Short Rifle in .357, 20” barrel.  No issues whatsoever.

 

Some top shooters prefer a different setup and it’s possible to get a slicker, faster rifle for more money.  I doubt a “better” rifle would improve my scores.

Posted

My 73 done by Cody has had thousands of 38’s through it over many years without any issues and still runs smoothly. I would not hesitate to recommend his work. 

Posted

Ditto on all the good comments. Have had no problems. He also has a fast turnaround.

Posted
8 hours ago, Doc Justuce said:

Thanks Silver Creek Jack.  I've heard some good things but thought this would be a good place to get first hand information.

How old are yours?

One is I think around 8 and the other maybe 10 yrs.

Posted

I bought one from The Brisco Kid at COWBOY SHOOTERS SUPPLY in Fort Towson, OK 74735 back around 2011 and it has worked great.

Posted

I have owned and when in firearms business, sold many Codymatics for close to 10 years.  Even had  several Cody designated as The Billy Boots Model (shortened 24" to 19", rolled crown, and more of Cody's tricks).  Great rifles.  But, as Stan mentioned stroke is not as short as many of the newer "drop-in" (not cut/weld) 73s now available.  Codymatics always impressed me as to how smooth they ran.  IMO when one goes to the newer short strokes, they usually give up some smoothness and gain a bit more resistance (effort inn throw) for the shorter lever throw achieved.  

 

 

Posted

My wife bought me a taylors deluxe 73 for our anniversary. I sent it to Cody and I honestly have not been really happy with it. If you do not work the lever with force the lifter will get stuck and you have to either push it down or up by hand. I think my case is an oddity, because everyone has recommended cody. But that is my experience. 

Posted

I've been very happy with mine and never had an issue.  If I were looking for another 1873 or 1866 I would definitely choose Cody

Posted
1 hour ago, Bear Saint Paw said:

I bought one from The Brisco Kid at COWBOY SHOOTERS SUPPLY in Fort Towson, OK 74735 back around 2011 and it has worked great.

Same here. CSS had some great Codys then. I miss their vending tent...

Posted
11 hours ago, Doc Justuce said:

I am considering sending sending my Taylor's and Co. 1873 to Taylor's to have them do the Comanchero tuning and short stroke done.  I'd just like any input on your experience with T&C upgrades and their short stroke in particular.

Thanks in advance.

Doc Justus

I bought a used 73 from a shooter out of Florida that was a Codymatic. Had some ejection problems and ended up sending it to Shotgun Boogie for a complete overhaul and never looked back. It runs smooth and is faster than I ever will be. Might want to check with Boogie about an upgrade as well and compare the two.

 

TM

Posted

The wife and I have owned three Codymatic rifles.  We ran our two main match rifles for over 15 years with no issues.  Eventually, both rifles developed issues that heavily used 73's eventually have; broken lower bolt tabs and worn-out carriers.  These issues were caused by heavy use, not Cody's work. I can't complain about Cody's work or his customer service.

 

I had all three rifles rebuilt and went with C&I third generation short stroke kits.  We added new bolt assemblies (with replaceable lower tabs), one piece firing pins, and new milled brass carriers.  I wanted to try some Shotgun boogie parts in the last rifle we had done, but many of his parts have been out of stock for awhile. I don't regret purchasing my Codymatic rifles, but the throw is shorter on our rebuilt rifles and my rifle times have improved.   

Posted

I bought two for my wife directly from Cody.  There were no issues with the rifles as received.  The main spring on one broke after twenty years of heavy use.  That's not an issue with the short stroke - just metal fatigue.

Posted
1 hour ago, Dantankerous said:

Same here. CSS had some great Codys then. I miss their vending tent...

Interesting story here:

Our store's major cowboy gun dealer at time was Cimarron so we ordered '73s from them and usually had them sent directly to Cody.  We then sold them as "race ready" for customers.  Some Cody sent on to customer and never came back to us.  Others we often sold to Joe then he resold them.  When Miss Ann (my late wife) passed away Donald (Cody) and his wife Linda flew down for funeral.  There Cody and Briscoe (Joe) met face-to-face and struck up more of a one-on-one "partnership" so no middle man was involved.  We were all friends so it worked best for all.  There are a number of shooters that still mention to me how they got their Codymatic from me.

BTW, the Briscoes are fine, traveling a lot, not tent vending any more nor shooting much.  They were at EOT passing thru this year.  I do not live far from them so can go visit easily.

Posted
40 minutes ago, TN Mongo, SASS #61450 said:

The wife and I have owned three Codymatic rifles.  We ran our two main match rifles for over 15 years with no issues.  Eventually, both rifles developed issues that heavily used 73's eventually have; broken lower bolt tabs and worn-out carriers.  These issues were caused by heavy use, not Cody's work. I can't complain about Cody's work or his customer service.

 

I had all three rifles rebuilt and went with C&I third generation short stroke kits.  We added new bolt assemblies (with replaceable lower tabs), one piece firing pins, and new milled brass carriers.  I wanted to try some Shotgun boogie parts in the last rifle we had done, but many of his parts have been out of stock for awhile. I don't regret purchasing my Codymatic rifles, but the throw is shorter on our rebuilt rifles and my rifle times have improved.   

Mongo,

 

I was told Boogie doesn't keep his web page up to date on his inventory and to always call him to verify if it is indeed out of stock. So far he has always had what I wanted but I did have to order direct from him. He does respond very quickly to emails and texts as well.

 

TM

Posted

I have a Codymatic.  My main match rifle in .45 Colt (with a C.45 Spl lifter Installed).  He uses a cut and weld instead of links.  I've run it very hard for about 5 years.  As with anything run hard, you will eventually break things.  Never had a problem related to worksmanship.  He has been there any time I've called with a question.  

Posted

I purchased a new Taylor’s Comanchero  73 short rifle a few months ago. The rifle is very smooth with a modest “standard” short stroke. It is not a cut/weld modified action. Everything inside has been smoothed and lightened and timed to the new links. The work looks very fine to me. I replaced the front sight so I can see it and installed a Shotgun Boogie 66 style loading gate to make it easer to load.

Posted

Thanks to everyone that has replied.  I reached out to SB via email late last night and will chat with him before making final decision.  Overall it sounds like it would be hard to go wrong either way.

As always this group is extremely helpful and courteous.  Ya gotta love SASS folks!

Posted

I bought a brand new Comanchero 1873 in 45 Colt 4 years ago from Taylor’s and bought a used Codymatic 1873 in 45 Colt 2 years ago for backup. The second one is over 5 years old. A spring broke on the used one right after I bought it and I happened to be shooting with Cody in a two day match the next week. He took it home with him after the first day of the match fixed it and give it back to me the next morning. I have been shooting both rifles randomly since with no problems.He is a good guy, stands behind his work and even though it was used refused to let me pay him for fixing it.

Posted

I have two CodyMatics, a 24” ‘66 rifle in .45 Colt that I bought used and one of the old Navy Arms “.38 only” ‘66 carbines the I had done for Schoolmarm a few years ago!

 

Both are smooth and reliable. The .45 has survived fourteen years of use and abuse by my son, Hatfield and by me with thousands of rounds through it in every kind of weather and with smokeless and Black Powder both!!

 

Those old Navy Arms carbines were known for being finicky about ammo and difficult to make go fast.  This one works extremely well and is very smooth.

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