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Member
Hello friends and neighbors // I picked up a project rifle a while back, an 1885 D.O.M., Winchester 1873, chambered in .32-20 (first offered in 1882).
The metal had a nice brown patina and the stocks were outstanding in color with honest wear. The one fault on the exterior was a loose and bent mag tube which still retained the original spring.
With a little work, Dixie and Num. parts (a firing pin retractor and some springs) it was feeding and ejecting two rounds (all I could fit in the bent mag tube) neatly over my shoulder but needed a thumb assist to push the firing pin forward. Took a few test shots for function and put it back till I found a Gun Smith to tune up the old beauty.
Well...The GS was well worth it, actually reformed part of the lever and fixed the action, did the best he could with the mag tube.
Just got it back and put ten rounds of Black Hills .32-20 @ 650 down the 25yard indoor range.
Still need some sighting in but I'll do more at 50yards.
Green pen shows correct order. The black marker was used incorrectly at the range. I thought the first round was over the top, (wearing safety glasses not reading glasses) grr. Shots 8/9/10 were aiming at the smaller top left target.
As you can see ,,even with half century old eyes, iron sights and an elbow rest, I'm extremely pleased with the potential of this 128 year old.
Love see other 100+ year old firearm range reports.
The metal had a nice brown patina and the stocks were outstanding in color with honest wear. The one fault on the exterior was a loose and bent mag tube which still retained the original spring.
With a little work, Dixie and Num. parts (a firing pin retractor and some springs) it was feeding and ejecting two rounds (all I could fit in the bent mag tube) neatly over my shoulder but needed a thumb assist to push the firing pin forward. Took a few test shots for function and put it back till I found a Gun Smith to tune up the old beauty.
Well...The GS was well worth it, actually reformed part of the lever and fixed the action, did the best he could with the mag tube.
Just got it back and put ten rounds of Black Hills .32-20 @ 650 down the 25yard indoor range.
Still need some sighting in but I'll do more at 50yards.
Green pen shows correct order. The black marker was used incorrectly at the range. I thought the first round was over the top, (wearing safety glasses not reading glasses) grr. Shots 8/9/10 were aiming at the smaller top left target.
As you can see ,,even with half century old eyes, iron sights and an elbow rest, I'm extremely pleased with the potential of this 128 year old.
Love see other 100+ year old firearm range reports.
