Traditions Fox River 50

[WALKERs210]

I looked at a used Fox River 50 today that a local gun store has for $110.00. The gun has some rusting but nothing drastic, wood is excellent but the trigger is broken about half way down. It still functions but ruff on my tender finger. I went to Traditions website but there is no information on it there. One thing I liked is the weight and length, because I was looking at getting it for my grandson who is 10yrs old. The twist rate stamped on barrel is 1:48 isn't that quite a high rate for the length of barrel ? And replacement of the trigger who would have it or could a different brand/type be used.

 

[Oldnamvet]

1:48 is a typical twist rate that works well with both patched round ball and many conicals. Check with Dixie gun works on the trigger. It should be easy enough to find and replace. What I wonder if how the trigger would be broken? Would there be something binding at times to cause someone to pull on it that hard? If there is rusting on the outside be careful to inspect the bore before you do anything else. Also make sure the nipple is not rusted in place.

 

[mykeal]

These are nice little guns, excellent for a youngster or as that short carbine to carry in heavy cover. The twist rate is just fine; it's the same as Thompson Center's White Mountain Carbine and the Fox River has a longer barrel by 2 inches. You should have no problem shooting either prb's or conicals at ranges up to 100 yards. Performance will drop off a bit with either round at longer ranges. I'd stick with lighter loads, on the order of 50 to 60 grains, a .490 ball and a 0.015 or 0.010 patch. You'll need to work up the best load.

I don't have a source for a drop in replacement trigger. Give Traditions a call and see if they can provide one.

 

[WALKERs210]

Oldnamvet I too was very curious as to what could have broken the trigger. It does pull even with half of it missing with very little effort. Rust is not major and with a quick look at bore the rust is from what I can see surface and no pitting. MYKEAL thanks for your input and it looks like I will be driving back over tomorrow and bring it home with me. Wife said go now but its late and I hate driving more than two or three miles any more, (heck of a thing since I drove 18wheelers for 30 + years.) Thanks again for input and info.

 

[Oldnamvet]

If you have any trouble locating a trigger, PM "mongrel" over on
http://www.blackpowdertimes.proboards.com/index.cgi
He is a master gunsmith and works with those guns (CVA, Traditions, T/C, etc) all the time, refurbishing and repairing them.

 

[Fox River]

I replaced the broken trigger on my Fox River 50 with a part # TR-FUSIL-D-T trigger from Track of the Wolf for $6.99. Needed to drill a hole in it where it pivots. It works fine and much stronger than the original.