Plainsman Rifles

[The Revenuer]

I am looking for an inexpensive rifle option for Plainsman matches.   Is the Henry H15 in 45-70 allowed?

Edited March 1 by The Revenuer

[Hoss]

Yes …but not a real good choice as I don’t think you can cock it with lever open. Much better (faster!) to open latch & cock in one motion line you can with a Handi Rifle. A short barreled highwall that cocks when you lever is also good. A trapdoor can work well too, just have to really practice working the trap. 
the Handi Rifle  38-55 is arguably the best all around. Light recoil. Nice long cartridge to grab and hold onto. 

[El Sobrante Kid]

Expensive, or "inexpensive"? Could make a big difference.

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

Visit a Plainsman match sometime.  We will let you handle and fire our rifles.  There were several H&R Buffalo Classics at the EOT swap meet that are legal for the Plainsman.  45-70s can be downloaded for the Plainsman to save both the targets and your shoulder.

[The Revenuer]

1 hour ago, El Sobrante Kid said:

Expensive, or "inexpensive"? Could make a big difference.

Nice catch, edited to inexpensive 

[The Revenuer]

27 minutes ago, Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 said:

Visit a Plainsman match sometime.  We will let you handle and fire our rifles.  There were several H&R Buffalo Classics at the EOT swap meet that are legal for the Plainsman.  45-70s can be downloaded for the Plainsman to save both the targets and your shoulder.

Thanks, I have been able to shoot plainsman a few times with borrowed rifles.   Just mostly wanted to understand if the Henry was allowed.   I bought a handi rifle on gunbroker and it has ended up being a piece of junk!!

[Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409]

I have been shooting an original trapdoor carbine for plainsman.... There is a bit of a learning curve but a lot of fun.

 

 

Hochbauer

[Sedalia Dave]

13 hours ago, The Revenuer said:

Thanks, I have been able to shoot plainsman a few times with borrowed rifles.   Just mostly wanted to understand if the Henry was allowed.   I bought a handi rifle on gunbroker and it has ended up being a piece of junk!!

 

What is wrong with it? Handi-Rifles are pretty simple.

[The Revenuer]

26 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said:

 

What is wrong with it? Handi-Rifles are pretty simple.

Hole that the firing pin comes through is oval shaped and the firing pin is hitting the primers very off center.   Approximately 20% of the rounds do not fire. 

[Nostrum Damus SASS #110702]

2 hours ago, The Revenuer said:

Hole that the firing pin comes through is oval shaped and the firing pin is hitting the primers very off center.   Approximately 20% of the rounds do not fire. 

That sounds like a bent firing pin.  The hole in the breech face is not what centers the striking end of firing pin; the entire rear portion of of the firing pin riding in its channel in the receiver should keep a straight firing pin sufficiently centered.

[Leroy Luck]

A question about the handi-rifle… most of them came with a mount for a scope, does it need to be removed in order to use it for Plainsman? I’d imagine it’s a yes 

[Brett Black]

If you can get a Buffalo Classic at a good price .

They have them in both 38-55 & 45-70.

They are a excellent beginners gun .

I used one for 10 years before I bought something else .

( lol I still play with is some times )

  

[Black Angus McPherson]

I figure the Handi-Rifle has got to be the fastest.  Push a button and the barrel flops down and the empty pops out.  It's almost like cheating.  Although, they have zero cool factor.

Pop in a round, close the action, cock the hammer and pull the trigger.

I don't own one, but they are a lot faster than the Trapdoor and Sharps that I do own.

 

Angus

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

There are two equipment-based categories in Plainsman: Modern and Traditional.  Rifles like a Handi-Rifle with ejectors are in the Modern category.  Rifles without ejectors are in the Traditional category.  Without ejectors they are slower shooting.  I have rifles for both categories and enjoy shooting both.  My Baby Rolling Block was ringing steel at 50-yds nicely at the recent EOT Plainsman match.

[Sedalia Dave]

4 hours ago, Leroy Luck said:

A question about the handi-rifle… most of them came with a mount for a scope, does it need to be removed in order to use it for Plainsman? I’d imagine it’s a yes 

 

Yes the scope mount would need to be removed.

[Diamond Jake]

14 hours ago, Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 said:

...Rifles like a Handi-Rifle with ejectors are in the Modern category.  Rifles without ejectors are in the Traditional category.  ..

 

A trapdoor ejects the round when opened; is that in the Modern category?

[Sedalia Dave]

6 minutes ago, Diamond Jake said:

 

A trapdoor ejects the round when opened; is that in the Modern category?

 

I can no longer find it in the SHB but it's my understanding that Trap Doors are legal for Traditional.

[Sedalia Dave]

1 hour ago, Sedalia Dave said:

 

I can no longer find it in the SHB but it's my understanding that Trap Doors are legal for Traditional.

 

Clarification by PWB

 

[Jasper Agate]

Not the fastest but I love my roller in 50/70

[Griff]

On 3/3/2026 at 7:26 AM, Diamond Jake said:

A trapdoor ejects the round when opened; is that in the Modern category?

When I last checked with PWB, the Trapdoor can be a legal Traditional gun.  Since it's not delineated in the SHB, it's kinda up the MD for a particular match.  Most I know, allow the 1873 Trapdoor in the Traditional Plainsman category,