Quality of Stevens 44 1/2 made by CPA Corporation in Dingmans Ferry, PA

[griecke]

I'm contemplating ordering a rifle from this firm and I'm wondering what information anyone can give regarding the overall workmanship of what they produce.

Thanks.

[451 Pete]

grieke ,
Welcome to the forum. Quality of a CPA rifle is very good. I have owned and competed with a CPA and it will hold its own with about anything out there IMO. They have some of the nicest case coloring of any and wood to metal fit and quality of parts is excellent. One very nice feature of these rifles design is that you can easily use the same action with more than one barrel or caliber, in effect giving you several rifle choices from the same gun.

Pete

[griecke]

grieke ,
Welcome to the forum. Quality of a CPA rifle is very good. I have owned and competed with a CPA and it will hold its own with about anything out there IMO. They have some of the nicest case coloring of any and wood to metal fit and quality of parts is excellent. One very nice feature of these rifles design is that you can easily use the same action with more than one barrel or caliber, in effect giving you several rifle choices from the same gun.




Pete

Thanks for the info

They have been very good to work with by email as I decide exactly what I want to order but I was looking for some information like you supplied before I plunk down a good chunk of money for something I can see ahead of time.

Thanks again

G.Riecke

[The Goose]

What Pete said. I have one in 40/70 SS and it shoots a whole lot better then I do. It is also a work of art. Beautiful fit and finish. Great balance.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l299/sgoselin/CPA.jpg (http://s99.photobucket.com/user/sgoselin/media/CPA.jpg.html)

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l299/sgoselin/PICT0381.jpg (http://s99.photobucket.com/user/sgoselin/media/PICT0381.jpg.html)

[wch]

I have one CPA action and two stocks, two fore ends, and three barrels, two centerfire and one rimfire.
I couldn't ask for better accuracy or for better appearance, but the real delight is in dealing with Gail and Paul.

[Gunlaker]

I have one and like it. The triggers are excellent. I'll probably get another, but mine is not quite as well put together as my Shiloh's are. Gail is an excellent person to deal with and you'll not find better customer service anywhere.

Chris.

[country gent]

I have one on order now. Its due late january early febuary. 40-65 in the shillouette model mid range soule rear and front globe with level 30" octagon barrel. I also opted for the fancier walnut stock, forearm and loop fill in. Nieder but plate. Its also drilled and tapped for a malcom scope with the creedmoor blocks. Its going to weigh around 11 lbs. Im planning on shilouette matches and plinking with it. I started with a pendersoli Sharps in 45-70 added a Hepburn in 45-90 and now the CPA/Stevens. The people were great to work with and very informative helpfull and knowledgable. I had asked about a stock upgrade ( the one with the higher comb) and was told it was to high for NRA sanctioned matches. I have everything here ready to go brass, bullets ( a buddy donated 100 to get me started), mold will be here in the next few days ( Lyman 400 grn Postell style), dies and a meacham sizer set up. I may in the future have a 38-56 barrel done for it also.

[John Boy]

GR, you will not regret in the least owning a CPA in which ever style and caliber you desire ...
The Shuttleworth's make an excellent quality fit to finish and accurate firearm and their service is the Best of the Best.
How would I know?
I own their 44 1/2 Stevens with 5 different caliber barrels (25-21 up to a 45-70), a Silhouette & Schuetzen stock, forearms to fit all the barrels and Pope Palm Rest. This allows me to shoot Schuetzen matches, short-mid and long range paper target matches and steel silhouettes out to 500m. Plus adding barrels, you only need one rear vernier sight and can put scopes on each of the barrels which I have done.
Most buyers of CPA's don't live within driving distance to their shop in Dingmans Ferry, which I do, so meet the Shuttleworth's, Paul who is sharp as a tack being 84 yrs' 'young' and daughter Gail who knows as much as Paul does about Stevens rifles...
86954
86955 click on pictures to enlarge

Might add: They both are excellent marksmen so ask their advice for the mold, bullet weight and loading data for the caliber your buying

[Tatume]

Wonderful, beautiful, accurate rifles. I love mine (a 45-70).

[Gunlaker]

Goose, that's a beautiful rifle. The next one I'm thinking of would be a silhouette model ( mine is a #52 Schuetzen in .38-55 and .32-40 ).

They can shoot well. Here is a recent target from some load development with the .38-55. Distance is 100m on a reduced target ( 3/4" 25 ring ) using an 18 power Unertl. The upper right shot is from a clean bore, 5 more into about 0.67" center to center, and a flyer high and right because I still haven't learned to manage this stock from the bench.

87032

Chris.

[Jon K]

I have a 44 1/2- 3 barrels and a 4th to be fitted in Dec....What more can I say that hasn't already been said?

Jon

[bigted]

please do excuse the ignorance of these rifles ... how is the barrel changed so easy? it looks like a solid marriage like the winchester Hiwall. can someone kindly explain this system or even better ... a photo essay would be keen so my imagination cant go awry. thanks.

[Tatume]

There is an Allen-head screw on the bottom front of the receiver. Loosen it, open the action, and unscrew the barrel from the frame, by hand. No need to remove the fore end or iron sights. Telescope sights must be removed.

The screw is pointed, and there is a conical recess in the barrel. When you reinstall the barrel, turn it in hand tight, then put tension on the screw. The point entering the conical recess will put in the last tiny bit of rotation.

Take care, Tom

[John Boy]

There is one step missing in the dis-assembly & assembly of the Stevens 44 1/2 threaded barrel:
* The breech block tension plug - spring and plunger (flat end facing the spring) must be either loosened or removed to change the specific caliber extractor. It is on the left face of the receiver. And be sure to seat the extractor in the cut before threading in the changed barrel

If one orders multiple barrels, be sure to ask that the caliber is stamped on the extractor or ask for the chart of the extractor sizes that go to each caliber. Greg, the machinist, sometimes does not mark the caliber on the extractors

And if you own one of the older low serial number CPA's, call to have them send you a free new wider shank tang screw. They will substantially reduce the harmonic vibration of the upper tang for better accuracy

[johnson1942]

i got one years ago and had a smith gain twist barrel put on it. 45/70 1-22 twist. i would have done a 1-18 twist but back in those years i knew nothing of twist. however ive never changed the barrel because with a custom 475 grain bullet from a custom mould i had made it is a tack driver. love the gun, i did my own stock in tiger stripe maple and the forend in african ebony. still looks good after a lot of use, works perfectly. ive set up around 15 -1 gallon milk jugs at 100 yards filled with water and let a new shooter break every one with out a miss from the deck rail. reliable and shoots very good.

[bigted]

thanks for the explanation. sounds like a neat setup and sure are beautiful. just looked on the CPA site and they are a very attractive rifle. looks like another list rifle for me. list meaning a "when the eagle gets to me" kinda thing.

[kcajeel]

The only thing wrong with owning a CPA is that one is never enough. Even though you can easily change barrels and calibers I'm sure you'll want another.
Gail is a real "jewel". Just the nicest person you could talk to. She seems to always have time to answer my questions, and knows what I need to know.
I just love my CPA's.
Jack

[Lead pot]

I'm a little late getting in on this thread. I just picked up my CPA with wood in the rough that I finished. I sent them my barrel and a .44-75 Ballard reamer I had made up to match the original chamber used. I also had a .22 rim fire barrel made with the same profile as the 32" .44-75 but cut at 28". The rifles weighs the same with both barrels on.
I dealt with Gail and later met John when I picked the rifle up. They are fine people to spend time with and doing business with.

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww43/Kurtalt/th_IMG_2142_zps7e4e7fbb.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/Kurtalt/media/IMG_2142_zps7e4e7fbb.jpg.html)
This is with the first coat of Tung oil on it.
http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww43/Kurtalt/th_IMG_2157_zps73187b07.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/Kurtalt/media/IMG_2157_zps73187b07.jpg.html)http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww43/Kurtalt/th_IMG_2153_zpse5b54a13.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/Kurtalt/media/IMG_2153_zpse5b54a13.jpg.html)

Here is the finished rifle after 6 coats of Tung oil.
http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww43/Kurtalt/th_IMG_2177_zps3d2a52dc.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/Kurtalt/media/IMG_2177_zps3d2a52dc.jpg.html)
It turned out quite well.

Kurt

[Cimarron Red]

Lead Pot,

Is your finish pure tung oil or tung oil finish such as Formby's? Thanks!

[Lead pot]

Red I used Formby's low gloss. It does a good job filling the pores and keeps the natural wood look.

[Don McDowell]

How is the quality of the CPA Shuttlesworth rifles? Excellent is a word that come to mind.:bigsmyl2:
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f358/Ranch137/013_zps74f64995.jpg

[Gunlaker]

I've got another on the way :-). This one is mostly going to be used for schuetzen benchrest. It'll have an RKS gain twist barrel in .38-55, and an XX Douglas barrel in .32-40. Both will be #5 profile so there'll be some weight to it. It'll be stocked in English walnut. I can hardly wait to see it. The only other thing I'm considering is adding a .22LR barrel to it.

Chris.

[Don McDowell]

I'm comtemplating a 22 .

[Lead pot]

Chris I will be waiting to see that one.

Don that is the best I have seen your rifle. That is some nice wood on it. Nice straight grain in the wrist where it's needed and good figure on the rest of it.

I'm already contemplating sending the .22 barrel back to them and have them screw it on a second action so I don't have to keep switching barrels around.

[Don McDowell]

Yessir it's a real nice rifle, looking forward to running it and running it hard next season. Captec says they should be getting 45-90 brass out here just shortly, really looking forward to seeing what this thing will do with good brass.
I think your dedicated 22 is a grand idea.

[John Boy]

Kurt - how high for distance did you set the scope up for and power?

[Lead pot]

John.

That is the DZ scope and it's 8 power. I have the .175" and .225" bases that gives me 200 MOA.
I have not shot the rifle with the scope on it yet so I don't know what the base zero is yet. Right now the .22 barrel is on the rifle and I'm about to go out and get a 100 yard base zero for it and se what the rifle likes for ammo. When I get this done I will put the .44 barrel on it.
I hope the bases will let me get down as low as 100 yards with the .22. The barrel does not have much of a taper. I might have to get a lower rear base????????

[Don McDowell]

I use those same bases with my Leatherwood/DZ set up, and I can get down to 25 yds on the original stevens 44.

[John Allen]

Shuttleworth guns are know to be high quality. I have never heard anyone have a complaint.

[John Boy]

Thanks Kurt for the finishing touches update. Have to remember, multiple barrels on the CPA is a Work in Process. Get settings for the scopes then comes the vernier settings. Enjoyable though :smile:
Am reloading a box now of 25-21's - next vernier settings for 100 & 200

[Lead pot]

John.

Got some sight settings today for the 50, 75, and the 100 yards and shot some Norma Tac-22 and some Fed. Auto Match.
Those dots are 2"
I have some .22 rounds loaded with 4.5 grains of black powder and I will see how they shoot tomorrow.
I do have a 50 yard tang sight setting and it is 19 pt.
http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww43/Kurtalt/th_IMG_2179_zpsd9f9c15a.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/Kurtalt/media/IMG_2179_zpsd9f9c15a.jpg.html)http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww43/Kurtalt/th_842b3b45-6e17-44ad-aa99-fbf46de7c763_zps75e9c14f.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/Kurtalt/media/842b3b45-6e17-44ad-aa99-fbf46de7c763_zps75e9c14f.jpg.html)

[John Boy]

Kurt, I'd say your going to have fun with that barrel - nice shooting

I have some .22 rounds loaded with 4.5 grains of black powder and I will see how they shoot tomorrow. [smilie=w:
Your going to be surprised. Do a 20 shot string and your going to be even more surprised!

[Lead pot]

My Low wall gets a steady diet of black powder rounds and it shoots it just as good as the Wolf match.

[Cimarron Red]

Thanks, Lead Pot. My CPA 44 1/2 should be shipped any day now!

[Don McDowell]

Thanks, Lead Pot. My CPA 44 1/2 should be shipped any day now!

More details please [smilie=s:

[Finnmike]

I have a 32-40 benchrest on order with extra-fancy wood on a sporting/benchrest stock, Niedner checkered steel buttplate, and lapped Shilen air-gauged barrel in standard blue. I'll be shooting CBA plain-base with it this Spring with a Lyman STS scope. Got one in 20x in hand, looking for a 30x. Hope to have it by February! January is to cold for me!

[Lead pot]

Yes Red we need more details!! Model, cal, barrel, one or two ?

[Lead pot]

I drove out 850 miles to pick up my rifle. I just have read too many incidences of shipping damage to the wood. I did the same with every Shiloh. Those where 1200 mile 18 hour trips.
The CPA shop is a small shop out in a Pennsylvania State park. Gail and Paul are downright good Country folks.
When I got there Paul was working on my rifle as I walked into the shop and he walked me through changing the barrels and breach block.
Business must be good because they are expanding the shop and adding a couple more machines and help. When you see this happen you know they are doing something right.
Since I have had my rifle in hand and have shot it I wish that I would have had them build one for me sooner.
I had a lot of things that I wanted in this rifle that some rifle shops would not do for me. Paul and Gail are great people to work with.

Kurt

[Cimarron Red]

Well, guys, I must admit that I got carried away with this CPA order. The rifle will be a silhouette model with a number 4, 30 inch, part octagon barrel in .40-65 with extra barrels in .45-90 (4 weight, 30 inch full octagon), .38-55 (4 weight, 30 inch part octagon), .30-30 (3 weight, 28 inch part octagon), .32-20 (3 weight, 28 inch part octagon), and .22 LR (3 weight, 28 inch part octagon.) The wood will be extra fancy American walnut, unfinished.

[Lead pot]

Red,
You did well, yup, nothing wrong with that.
My Wife asked me today if I had any problem switching barrels and I said well they are tight and I had to use a strap wrench to break it loose. She said before you break it why don't you send that barrel back and have them make another gun for you so you don't have to mess around changing barrels. I said good idea :)

[Don McDowell]

Red I hope I get to see you and that rifle in action next season..

[4060MAY]

Red....Gary
About time....been shooting one since 1997..40-60 Maynard and 38-50 Rem +22lr


Chuck

[John Boy]

The CPA shop is a small shop out in a Pennsylvania State park. Gail and Paul are downright good Country folks.

For those that haven't or cant get to the CPA shop in Dingman's Ferry ... Meet the Shuttleworths!

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd220/Meadowmucker/CPA/IMGP0934_zps21e15c0f.jpg (http://s222.photobucket.com/user/Meadowmucker/media/CPA/IMGP0934_zps21e15c0f.jpg.html)

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd220/Meadowmucker/CPA/IMGP0936_zps7ad366d1.jpg (http://s222.photobucket.com/user/Meadowmucker/media/CPA/IMGP0936_zps7ad366d1.jpg.html)

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd220/Meadowmucker/CPA/IMGP0935_zps367f4c03.jpg (http://s222.photobucket.com/user/Meadowmucker/media/CPA/IMGP0935_zps367f4c03.jpg.html)

The room behind the white door on the right is where woodworking is done and there is an outdoor's building for bluing. BTW, Paul is 85 years old and in good health. May God bless him with many more!

[country gent]

I bought a Shillouette model last year 30" barrel tapered octogon rifle wieghe 11 lbs. Elected for the fancy wood and loop filler ball also. Mine is also 40-65 and shoots excellet. It sees only holy Black and lead bullets, right now the old west Nasa 400grn. And a few Lyman 400 grn snover styles. I have a MVA 34" 6X scope on it and MVA spirit globe with mid range tang sight and hadley adjustable eye piece. A beautiful rifle that shoots as good as it looks. The Shuttleworths are great to do buisness with and alot of options are available. They are very knowledgable and willing to answer questions and work with you. If ordering fancy wood they have blanks on line and you can pick the set you want, I simply told them to [pick a nise one for me. This was my second "custom" shillouette rifle and it was a even better experience than the first. When my arrived at the local shop and we unboxed it and assembled it we had a crowd gathered admiring it as it caught the attention of everyone in the store. Its just a beautiful reproduction of an fine rifle. I have it out almost every weekend now. Draw back is its so nice Im afraid of scratching it when I have it out.

[John Boy]

Folks, we all know CPA Rifles. I asked Paul on day - "What does CPA stand for?
Reply ... Catherine Paul Associates, aka CPA

[Cimarron Red]

Thanks, guys.

Don, I hope we get to shoot together next year.

Chuck,

I miss the guys at McDonald.

[Lead pot]

Thanks, guys.

Don, I hope we get to shoot together next year.

Chuck,

I miss the guys at McDonald.


Chuck,

I'm going to make it a point to shoot in Colorado next season and maybe the three of us can shoot together.
After Christmas I will load up the Gypsy wagon and I will go for a walk. I will spend a few days at the Whittington center and I will get acquainted with the CPA and the scope. I'm not much keen on using a scope with the powder rifles but it's getting to be a must.

Kurt

[Don McDowell]

Looking forward to it next year Gary, and hopefully we can get ol Kurt to hang around as well..

[Cimarron Red]

I'm looking forward to that too, Don.

[Don McDowell]

Been kicking around possibly taking in the sillouette matches at Raton, if the haying etc cooperates with the dates they set. Really like to give the levergun match a run.. So hopefully we'll get to shoot together somewhere along the line.

[Cimarron Red]

Hey, Don,

The Golden Gun Club shoots cowboy levergun silhouettes three times a month the year round, weather permitting, of course. The shoots are: rifle cartridge on the second Sunday of each month, pistol cartridge on the third Sunday and .22 on the fourth Saturday. These matches are not NRA-approved because the club management has some tighter rules in some areas and also because they have a single-shot class and a single action revolver class. I usually shoot both lever action and single-shot at each match. Here's a link to the cowboy levergun silhouette program at Golden:

http://www.goldengunclub.com/cowboysilhouette.php

[Don McDowell]

Red to bad those don't line up with the Saturday bpcr sillouette matches, that would make for a good weekends travel. But since I've got this ol 89 up and running good, I've got an itch to swat some steel with it. :)

[rfd]

geez, i think i must have to add a cpa stevens 44-1/2 to my s/s collection ... besides, cpa is only a 1.5 hour drive away :)

how easy is it to field strip the 44-1/2 action for cleaning?

[Gunlaker]

Rfd, you can drop the breechblock on the CPA rifles about as easily as you can on an original 1885.

Chris.

[rfd]

Rfd, you can drop the breechblock on the CPA rifles about as easily as you can on an original 1885.

Chris.

dunno about the 1885 - is that a good thing?

[Gunlaker]

It's pretty easy. You remove a screw that retains the lever pin, and then push the lever pin out. The breechblock and extractor will just drop out.

Chris.

[rfd]

cool - thanx, chris!