There was a gunsmith in PA doing such conversions at one time. It is a simple matter to make the action into a rimfire, by shortening the lever link so the breechblock closes to a shallower position, permitting the firing pin to hit at the side of the chamber rather than in the center. All that is required in addition is a .22 rimfire barrel and putting the sight 1/4 rib on the new barrel. Why Ruger has never made any of these is a mystery to me. I'd love to see a No. 1A so treated, also would love a .22 Hornet or .218 Bee in the 1A rather than 1B.
I saw a 22lr in a ruger 1a at the Austin texas gun show about 3 months ago. Asking was $600.00 Looked to me like a factory job, but I didn't look that close.
A scaled down (say 2/3) rimfire version would probably sell like hotcakes (and I would buy one). I've seen Darwin Hensley's miniature Farquharsons and a rifle I believe made in Scotland (a Fraser?) that are just plain cute, for lack of a better term.
[ 12-15-2002, 08:03: Message edited by: JB in SC ]
Posts: 129 | Location: South Carolina | Registered: 16 March 2002
I would have to own one too. Are you guys aware that winchester is comming out with a Low Wall 17 HMR? Case colored reciever, cresant buttplate and case colored lever. The barrel is not the heave contour like the 22lr was a couple years ago. Looks like a nice rifle. Jay
Posts: 241 | Location: Grand Rapids, Mi, usa | Registered: 27 March 2002
I have a Daniel Fraser .22 Hornet. At the time I bought it, it was also available in .22 LR. It is a nice handy little rifle, but according to the late Frank DeHaas, the action design left something to be desired. I have had no trouble with mine, but don't shoot it a lot. It likes a handload with a Lyman cast 45-grain bullet with 4 grains of Unique for a .22 LR equivalent load, in addition to shooting pretty well with full-power handloads. Never did find a factory .22 Hornet load that it would shoot, however.