I have been looking for a decent falling block rifle in 45-70 and everybody throws big numbers at me. This is a simple mechanism with fewer parts that a bolt or semi-action. Are we being screwed? I wish someone would explain this to me. I don't need fancy wood or any exotic bells and whistles. Just a functional firearm at a reasonable cost that fires one shot. Boys and girls, I think we are going to miss Bill Ruger more than we know.
Posts: 1542 | Location: Anchorage AK | Registered: 03 July 2002
quote:Originally posted by Alaskan Al: I have been looking for a decent falling block rifle in 45-70 and everybody throws big numbers at me. This is a simple mechanism with fewer parts that a bolt or semi-action. Are we being screwed? I wish someone would explain this to me. I don't need fancy wood or any exotic bells and whistles. Just a functional firearm at a reasonable cost that fires one shot. Boys and girls, I think we are going to miss Bill Ruger more than we know.
I can't answer your question but a Pedersoli Sharps might be the best choice. From Dixie it should be about $900 or maybe a bit less. Great gun too.
Brent
Posts: 2257 | Location: Where I've bought resident tags:MN, WI, IL, MI, KS, GA, AZ, IA | Registered: 30 January 2002
I would suspect the answer is "cost of production". Compared to say, bolt guns, the demand for SS is very low. A widget thats sells 1000 units is gonna be a lot more costly that a comparable widget that sells in the 100k unit range...
Ruger #1's are not expensive at all. We are very lucky that one came along. Before that we were scrambling for every old High Wall there was to make a nice varmint rifle. Now we can afford to hunt game with them using modern rimless cartridges.
The #1 could be improved with a faster locktime but gee wiz! Be happy.
Thanks for the input. I think a couple of you thought my comments were directed at Rugers and they were not. I meant we are going to miss Bill Ruger because he was able to build a good gun at a fair price. My comments were more directed at Uberti, Sharps, and some of the other higher costs firearms. But, after giving some of your comments some thought, maybe these are not as overpriced as I presumed. I don't mind paying for someone's time and worksmanship; but greed truly angers me.
Posts: 1542 | Location: Anchorage AK | Registered: 03 July 2002
quote:Originally posted by Alaskan Al: Thanks for the input. I think a couple of you thought my comments were directed at Rugers and they were not. I meant we are going to miss Bill Ruger because he was able to build a good gun at a fair price. My comments were more directed at Uberti, Sharps, and some of the other higher costs firearms. But, after giving some of your comments some thought, maybe these are not as overpriced as I presumed. I don't mind paying for someone's time and worksmanship; but greed truly angers me.
AA, as an owner of a Shiloh, they are not overpriced in my opinion. They are simply that much better. Most Shiloh owners agree, although they regularly get beaten by Pedersoli shooters as their accuracy is comparable. Shiloh, btw, is rumored to have a MUCH reduced waiting period. This will make the used rifles less attractive and thus less valuable, ie, my own Sharps is becoming worth less rather than more. But that doesn't bother me since it's not for sale at any price.
As for Rugers they may be cheap, but my god, what do you do with your thumb and no hammer? Real guns have hammers.
Brent
BTW, there are at least 4 or makers of Sharps rifles now No, make that 6 or 7 I think.
Posts: 2257 | Location: Where I've bought resident tags:MN, WI, IL, MI, KS, GA, AZ, IA | Registered: 30 January 2002
I own a bunch of No. 1's, and had a C. Sharps Arms New Model 1875 in .32/40. It was worth every penny, as far as workmanship and quality were concerned!!
Have you concidered E.Arthur Brown's falling block rifle (or pistol)? Reasonably priced, great action, compact, and varmint accurate. 1" or smaller 5 shot 100yd group guaranteed from the factory. And they'll do it, and usually much better. Also, you can still find sporterized Martini's at fair prices. My Martini 45/70 has a Shilen octagon BIG barrel. It is a one holer, but too darned heavy to tote in the woods much. A Martini Enfield with a sporter weight 45/70 barrel would be the way I would go, if I wanted to hunt with a falling block 45/70. Lefty
quote:Originally posted by cas: Isn't a Martini a dropping block, rather than a falling block?
I didn't know there was a difference. Please enlighten me. TDLefty
Dropping and falling are the same to me, but my Martini is a "tilting block". The front end only drops and the back end pivots on a pin. Blocks fall, roll or tilt. Dropping is a synonym for falling in my book at least.
While I have a Martini and shoot it a fair bit, guns w/o hammers are like days w/o sunshine. Barely endurable. And Suluuq, if a Ruger doesn't have an exposed hammer, it doesn't have a hammer, heck, I'd be hard pressed to even call a #1 a gun
Yes, I know there are technically shrouded hammers and the like, but why work so hard to be so ugly? Hammers are important - for estetics if not function.
Someone once said I was not opinionated and might even be open minded. I think I can prove otherwise
Good shootin' Brent A Sharps shooter - The gun that made the West safe for Winchester.
Posts: 2257 | Location: Where I've bought resident tags:MN, WI, IL, MI, KS, GA, AZ, IA | Registered: 30 January 2002
The Uberti 1885 falling blocks are pretty good values at around $600-$700, very accurate and nicely finished. Ruger #1's are the best value, particularly if you can find a nice used one for around $450 (check the auction sites, GunsAmerica, Gun List, etc.), and of course they are probably the strongest.
Posts: 9487 | Location: Texas Hill Country | Registered: 11 January 2002
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