missionary5155
03-19-2009, 09:14 AM
I make weekly trips to the 3 gunshops here in Arequipa. My main reason is to encourage them to read the Bible. But I am also a shooter and this is where we connect. They KNOW my interest in lever actions and revolvers but leveractions are RARE down here. I bought my first 44-40 about 10 years ago. It was made in 1893 and was a bit muzzle worn so I had to remove 2 " to get it to shoot.
Last week I was in the one shop and there in the rack was a Winny SRC. It has been a while since I saw one. RUSTY inside (-1) and somewhat on the outside. I checked it over and it is a 44-40. I stuck my little finger in the muzzle and could just feel the tiniest bit of rifling (+1). Working the action was like prying nails. (-1) The stocks are worn.. the rear cracked (-1). Someone had it reblued over the minor pits and scratches (-1) . Serial # is worn off at the center but it is a 41xx07 old pre- 64(+1). Minor bend in the lever on bottom (-1).
So I added it all up and that is a negative rifle. Ammo VERY expensive here ($2.50 a cartrige). I already have one that shoots real good (after amputation).
So I asked the only question I had ... " How Much" ? $200 was the response. Owner tried to sell it fort a long time and NO one is interested (+5) . So I offered $180. Returned two days later with $200 in my pocket. Final price was $190 happily paid and the rifle is HOME.
I cleaned it out discovered one broken/repaired sring on the shell stop. It cycles much better but still stiff. I took all 13 cartriges I had to my little range and surprisingly it shoots much better than I expected. It will clover leaf at 25 yards with my basic 44-40 load. Reset the rear sight for windage. Today I may get back to shoot at 50 yards.
The rifle on top is the NEW one. So maybe the old one will get some slack time off and on. It just all depends on if I can get the NEW one to cycle 100% and it will group as well as the old one.
Last week I was in the one shop and there in the rack was a Winny SRC. It has been a while since I saw one. RUSTY inside (-1) and somewhat on the outside. I checked it over and it is a 44-40. I stuck my little finger in the muzzle and could just feel the tiniest bit of rifling (+1). Working the action was like prying nails. (-1) The stocks are worn.. the rear cracked (-1). Someone had it reblued over the minor pits and scratches (-1) . Serial # is worn off at the center but it is a 41xx07 old pre- 64(+1). Minor bend in the lever on bottom (-1).
So I added it all up and that is a negative rifle. Ammo VERY expensive here ($2.50 a cartrige). I already have one that shoots real good (after amputation).
So I asked the only question I had ... " How Much" ? $200 was the response. Owner tried to sell it fort a long time and NO one is interested (+5) . So I offered $180. Returned two days later with $200 in my pocket. Final price was $190 happily paid and the rifle is HOME.
I cleaned it out discovered one broken/repaired sring on the shell stop. It cycles much better but still stiff. I took all 13 cartriges I had to my little range and surprisingly it shoots much better than I expected. It will clover leaf at 25 yards with my basic 44-40 load. Reset the rear sight for windage. Today I may get back to shoot at 50 yards.
The rifle on top is the NEW one. So maybe the old one will get some slack time off and on. It just all depends on if I can get the NEW one to cycle 100% and it will group as well as the old one.