CVA "Blazer"

[crazyjennyblack]

I bought a cheapo .50 cal rifle today, but it needs some TLC and some parts, especially a nipple. It's an old CVA Blazer rifle, and seems in decent shape. Can anyone provide clues about the reliability of the rifle, if they had any safety issues, and most of all, what size and thread nipple I should use....

Oh, and I'd like to see pics if any of you own one! I'm going to refinish the stock and a bit of other stuff, so pics of any finished products would be cool.

Thanks!

 

[arcticap]

It takes the standard 6 X 1mm nipple used for most all of the Spanish CVA and Traditions guns.
Several people have posted about owning CVA Blazers.
Because of the 1 in 38" twist, folks tend to shoot conicals with it which can create small cracks in the stock where it mates with the receiver.
I don't know of any specific safety issues, but the open hammer design did make me wonder if the nipple could come flying out of the breech. I would want to make sure that all of the nipple threadings are in good shape.
See these previous threads for more details and photos:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=640767&highlight=blazer

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=237212&highlight=blazer

 

[crazyjennyblack]

That's good to know. I'm curious if they use #11 nipples or if they used musket cap nipples? Probably #11's by the looks of the pics in the other threads.

I'll probably try with a PRB over about 70-80 grains. 1 in 38 twist shouldn't be a problem, as I shot an inline a couple years ago with a 1 in 28, and under 75 yards it did OK. Maybe I'll also use lighter conicals in it too, somewhere around 225-240 grains.

I never was really interested in inline rifles - black plastic and BP just don't go together IMHO. This little rifle looks to be a more or less 1800's style inline, and it has a wood stock. I'm kinda excited....

 

[BHP FAN]

I recently traded into a .50 ''Centurian'' that's pretty similar.

 

[running-gun]

i own 2 of the blazer rifles, both seem to like 60-70grns powder,--1 likes prb just a bit better than the outher.both are acceptable shooters,though, nothing to brag about.they are fun to shoot, just make sure yr nipple is in right,and don't go overboard on powder charges.enjoy the old blazer

 

[crazyjennyblack]

Thanks so much for advising safety glasses, people of THR! It literally saved my face about a week ago. Put a nipple in and went out to shoot the rifle. I loaded it with 60 grains of FFG and a round ball. When I went to fire it, I felt a hot blast in my face and something went through my hair!

Turned out the nipple threads were pretty rusted, and as it shot the ball it also shot the nipple back at me! I looked rather sooty afterwards.

But I'm not going to give up on the little rifle just yet. I'm going to drill out the remaining threads, tap the hole, and put in a wider nipple. The next test, however, will be remote with a string and vise and not in front of my face....

 

[BHP FAN]

good plan!

 

[arcticap]

I glad that you didn't get injured.
If you send that Blazer in to CVA they may offer you a brand new gun.

 

[crazyjennyblack]

I know about the recall and replacement thingie. I kinda like the Blazer and would like it to work, but if the worst happens I'll send in the Blazer, get my brand new gun, sell the ugly modern thing and buy something I do like!