Champlin Arms?

26 January 2002, 19:18

McCray

Champlin Arms?

This isn't necessarily about Big Bores but has anyone had Champlin Arms build a rifle?

Besides dealing in doubles, they, at least used to, build bolt guns using an action of their own design. If I remember right Elmer K. had a 338Somethin' built by Champlin. I think Ross Seyfried has one also.

I know they have went through some different owners and whatnot, but it occured to me that I haven't heard or read of much about them recently.

Joe.

27 January 2002, 09:22

Brian M

Joe,

Yes,they still build rifles,right near you in Enid,Oklahoma.Elmer Keith had three Champlin rifles-a 458 Winchester,a 375 H&H (fully engraved my Hendrix from Texas),and a 338/378 KT.Both the 458 and 338/378 KT were "Keith Grades",which were Champlin's top of the line rifle (still),as designed by Elmer.

Ross Seyfried,Elmer's proteige,has a Champlin in 340 Weatherby that he has used all over the world on everything from deer to cape buffalo and has had nothing but praise for both the gun and the cartridge.

Champlin's has a website, http://www.champlinarms.com

I have had limited dealings with their owner.Was conducting a trade with him online.He said ok,I'll get right back to you and it's been approximately 2 months and I haven't heard a thing.I certainly hope they deal better in person than they do over the net.

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I'm out to wrong rights,depress the opressed,and generaly make an ass of myself!

27 January 2002, 02:19

John S

Champlin Firearms was started in the mid 1960s by Doug Champlin. I believe it was in the mid 1970s that he decided to sell out and pursue other interests so George Caswell bought the business from him. George is the current owner and these days the focus is more on buying/selling used guns than building new ones. The chief gunsmith, and the one that really knew the Champlin action, died four years ago. His name was Bill Rinie, and since his death I doubt there has been another new rifle built.
I was fortunate to have owned a few of their rifles and found them about the slickest action I ever handled.

27 January 2002, 02:54

<Rusty>

JJ Parodeau, at Champlin's is indeed a Master Gunmaker! It is always a treat to browse through his shop and see his projects. A trip to Enid and an afternoon with JJ and George is a wonderful treat! Time well spent in good company!

JJ's work on my double has been excellent and reasonable. If I were going to have a custom rifle made, JJ would make it!

Rusty
We band of brothers!

27 January 2002, 17:38

McCray

Thanks guys.

I actually live about 75 miles from Enid but hadn't been in the place till this fall, when I bought a 416 Rem Mag Safari Express from George. It appears to be the same gun as the one still on the website.

Two things I didn't ask about in the original post was, (A) Did JJ buy out the gun repair and manufacturing part? and (B) I heard that Wichita made the actions for Champlin. Anyone know anything about that?

The one time I was in the vault, there were several Champlin rifles there. Unfortunatly, I was fixated on the other bigbore guns and didn't give them the attention they deserved.

Might be the excuse I need to go back.

Joe

28 January 2002, 08:44

HunterJim

The Champlin website has a left hand Champlin magnum bolt face action for sale in the Gun Vault section for $1,750. It is worth a look.

After I looked it over, I got out my Frank de Haas "Bolt Action Rifles" which has a chapter on the Champlin.

I is a "fat bolt" push feed design with three lugs cut into the end of the bolt. The design would seem to ensure a slick bolt. The extractor looks similar to the Sako. Frank says early actions were machined from stock, but later they were cast.

jim dodd

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"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

29 January 2002, 03:53

MacD37

quote:
Originally posted by JMac:
Thanks guys.
Two things I didn't ask about in the original post was, (A) Did JJ buy out the gun repair and manufacturing part? and (B) I heard that Wichita made the actions for Champlin. Anyone know anything about that?
Joe

JMac, go to their website, and click on "OUR STORY". the whole croperate system is explained there! www.champlinarms.com

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..Mac >>>===(x)===>
also DUGABOY1
DUGABOY DESIGNS
Collector/trader of fine double rifles, and African wildlife art

[This message has been edited by MacD37 (edited 01-28-2002).]

29 January 2002, 14:38

fla3006

I have a 416 Rigby (originally an octagon barreled 338-378 KT) built on a Brevex action and stocked in a massive piece of English walnut by Clayton Nelson when at Champlin & Haskins. It was built immediately after Elmer Keith's with his suggestions and input. Great piece of work.