Jim Bowie Custom vs Factory Short Stroke

[Tall John]

Just got my hands on an EMF-Uberti “SASS” 1873, .45 Colt Cat#5988 with a Jim Bowie Short Stroke / Action Job!   Never Heard of EMF(?). This rifle has all the love scars of a well-loved match rifle but also carries the SASS brand and an incredibly smooth Jim Bowie action job.

 

in the picture below, you’ll see the EMF rifle on top of my Taylor Comancherro 1873 .357 that was tuned & short Stroked by the folks at Taylor.

 

 

Jim’s short stroke job is ever so slightly shorter than Taylor’s and while the calibers are different,  the EMF rifle is smoother and tighter than my Comancherro which is pretty slick on its own.

 

I’d love to know the history of this rifle model given that EMF is no longer and this rifle carries the SASS badge on both receiver plates.  Serial number is in the W39xxx range, 

 

Is there anything I need to be aware of before taking this out to a match? Or adding a flat trigger or having the grip & forearm checkered to improve its handling?

 

I think I got a good deal on it but I’d also like to know what it’s really worth if someone in the know wants to PM me? 
 

PS.  Not trying to sell it.

 

[Boggus Deal #64218]

https://www.emf-company.com/

 

They’re still around. Owned now by Pietta. 
The rifle started life like any other Uberti made 73.

Bowie does great work.

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

A Uberti is a Uberti regardless of who the importer is.

[Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator]

Like Larsen stated, the 73 EMF is still a Uberti.  IMO your real prize is that  the EMF is tuned (assumed) by Jim Bowie and with C&I parts.  Don't get much better than that around my house.  Jim is one of the best of the best 73 smiths and a heck a a nice guy.   Cowboys & Indians parts are my choice also.  Heck of a deal.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

"EMF" Early and Modern Firearms.  Established by Boyd Davis (US GRANT alias), a prime importer of Uberti products.  Many years ago, EMF got into some sort of Brouhaha with Uberti and lost their contracts with Uberti.  Then EMF hung their hat on Pietta and Rossi.  During the Pandemic, EMF got into deep guano and Pietta chose to invest in EMF (BOUGHT THEM).  Also, way back when, Boyd Davis was looking for a replacement for the Great Western.  Pietta was the only manufacturer to meet (exceeded) EMF's quality standards, hence the Great Western II.

 

Jim Bowie (Cowboys and Indian Store) was probably the first major manufacturer of Short Stroke Kits.  Fantastic products and the Kits were the standard against which ALL others were judged.  As the C&I kits were improved, those kits created the "Generations" of short Stroke as the C&I lever throw got shorter and shorter.  When I had my shingle out, Cowboys & Indian Store were my prime supplier of SS Kits and other Speed and improvement parts.

[Yul Lose]

Sadly Jim is not doing well, he could use everyone’s thoughts and prayers.

 

Jim Bowie (Cowboys and Indian Store) was probably the first major manufacturer of Short Stroke Kits.  Fantastic products and the Kits were the standard against which ALL others were judged.  As the C&I kits were improved, those kits created the "Generations" of short Stroke as the C&I lever throw got shorter and shorter.  When I had my shingle out, Cowboys & Indian Store were my prime supplier of SS Kits and other Speed and improvement parts

[Eyesa Horg]

🙏 Prayers up for Jim🙏 Best wishes for health improvement.

[Griff]

And to add:  Boyd Davis, then owner of EMF was one of the founding members of SASS #2, and a huge supporter of many of the early shoots around the country.   In the years preceding SASS, him, along with Judge Roy Bean, Hipshot, R.J. Poteet and a couple of others were known as the "Wild Bunch", Hosts for the "End of Trail" matches held at Coto De Caza in Southern California.  After organizing into SASS, they continued to host EOT thru 2019.  And until his passing, Gen'l Grant was a large part of that.

 

Prayers up for Jim.  

[Tall John]

Thanks for the history lesson….love the innovation that this sport has created.  I just hope that the legacy is passed on to those who follow these giants.

[Joe LaFives #5481]

I'm kind of sad that folks don't know about EMF - considering just how important it was to the hobby.   "The times they are achangin"

[Yul Lose]

Cowboys and Indians and EMF used to be right around the corner from each other up in Santa Ana or Orange. Cowboys and Indians front room of the shop looked like a saloon and they always had rifles and shotguns for sale behind the counter. I remember EMF letting you hold and fondle the guns that they had on display and if they didn’t have what you were interested in on display they’d go find it and unbox it for you. Met General U.S. Grant there one time and a pard Buffalo Sam Peed was a salesman there and shot with the Cowboys out at Norco quite often.

 

I learned today that there is a Go Fund Me site set up for Jim and his wife. Since he can no longer work on guns he could use the help.

[Yul Lose]

BTT.

[Tall John]

On 11/12/2025 at 9:12 PM, Joe LaFives #5481 said:

I'm kind of sad that folks don't know about EMF - considering just how important it was to the hobby.   "The times they are achangi

[Tall John]

Well I took this rifle to the range today and all I can say is there is a reason Jim Bowie has a great rep.  Holy Cow, this rifle is smoooooooth!  

[SouthwestShooter]

Is there s link to the go fund me for Jim?

[Tall John]

1 hour ago, SouthwestShooter said:

Is there s link to the go fund me for Jim?

https://gofund.me/dc2cbc82d

[SouthwestShooter]

On 11/17/2025 at 8:35 PM, Tall John said:

https://gofund.me/dc2cbc82d

Thanks. Sent my donation today.