Have shot them, always wanted one. Might have the opportunity to pick on up. Not sure of the price yet, or model. Only real info is US Springfield 45-70
Hmmmm........ I’ll follow the rules set by the OP and try to talk you out of a trapdoor. You’ll always worry before you pull the trigger that you accidentally loaded it with a “Lever only load.”
Wifey doesn't care. I have a gun fund filled from various sources. I just passed or missed a Annie 1710 Miester Grade and a Beautiful CZ452 so trying to make up on my always wanted list. Life is such that money (to a point) isn't an issue. Kids grown and 2 out of 3 married. Coasting toward retirement.
Case in point last spring hunted during a New Zealand vacation with the wife. Shot my Stag on day 4. Day 5 went into town, wife ended up with some nice jewelry as a souvenir. I ended up with ...
OK, dont do it. Put that old dirty gun down, you dont know where thats been.
Not sure i succeeded, trapdoors are very interesting old guns, ive seen and handled a bunch, shot a few, always regretted not buying any that Ive had a chance to. Dont be like me.
I would have no interest in a Trapdoor unless it's 100% mil-spec and in good shootable condition. Make sure it hasn't been molested by Bubba, left in the barn for 50 years or shot to death with hot handloads or jacketed bullets.
I only have this one. Model 1873, shipped in 1883.
I usually only shoot it once a year when we have the 'Black Powder' CAS match and we shoot our single shots as well as our regular CAS guns. 45-70, I only load 45-70 with Black Powder.
I have absolutely no use for a 45-70. I don't hunt and really have no where to shoot it. But, I bought one anyway. Maybe I just wanted to break my Colt and Winchester fixation.
The only thing more funner than .22LR is downloaded 45-70 with Trail Boss powder and about 800 FPS. In my guide gun it is fun, does not knock my face off and is accurate. Imagine it would do well in a Trapdoor rifle as well. And it will still take a deer if not a buffalo.
I will try, buy a rolling block, or a falling block like a sharps, but you know you will hate yourself for not buying a trapdoor. (whispering echoes....do it do it do it do it do it do it).
DO IT!
Join the dark powder side!
We have cornbread n fritters!
Seriously I have 2 trapdoor rifles and a carbine.
They always draw a crowd at the range with black powder.
You will make friends at the range.
If you reload. The brass lasts quite a while if you don't hot rod it. And it gets even cheaper if you cast your own bullets and or make your own black powder.
There's also a 1865 Spencer.
I've shot those too. If it's not converted to CF the conversion block is $300 and the brass is pricey. But the cool factor is PRICELESS.
NO I WILL NOT TALK YOU OUT OF IT! I love my Trapdoor even though some time in the past it was sporterized. It is one of the most fun guns I have to shoot or hunt with. It was made in 1888 so I only feed it lead and black powder, so it is a bit of a pain to clean. You get a big bore without the recoil of a 458 win mag, 505 Gibbs, etc. Whats not to love? I have had rolling blocks and falling blocks and they may be sexier, but there is just something about the trapdoor. Am added plus is this will give you hours of thinking about various grease cooking recipes paper patch....... You might want to pick up FORTY YEARS WITH THE 45-70 by Paul Matthews and THE 45-70 SPRINGFIELD by Joe Poyer and Graig Riesch.
I resurrected one my Grand Dad bought from Bannermans at the turn of the last century when he came west to Wyoming to homestead. He fired it once, never cleaned it.
It moldered in the saddle room for 40 years and in my Dad’s closet for another 20. Barrel nearly rusted shut, stock dried out and split.
I bubbaed an unfired barrel and a sporter stock onto the receiver and it’s now my favorite rifle. I have taken antelope, mule deer, and elk with it.
It’s my meat gun.
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