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low wall conversion

slowhand4570
i have a 32rf low wall i'd like to have converted and rebarreled.
any recommendations for a gunsmith
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9 comments

Date Votes
  • Bert H.
    Hello slowhand4570...

    Unless your low-wall is in horrible condition, I wouldn't recommend doing that... unless you prefer to throw away more money than just teh cost involved in having the work done to it. ALL complete, working, original Winchester Model 1885s are collectable... and some of them are worth $eriou$ buck$$$.

    Additionally, depending upon exactly when your low-wall was made, the frame may not be up to the task of rebarreling it to a modern cartridge (other than a rimfire cartridge).

    For what it is worth, I do know just a "wee" bit about this particular model (OK, I am actually writing a new reference book about it), and would like to discuss the details of your rifle with you in greater detail. Please take a look at this topic link - http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=110244



    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • Hangfire
    Tackey, tackey, tackey!!!!Hawking your book on Gunbrokers....[xx(]

    Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by Hangfire
    Tackey, tackey, tackey!!!!Hawking your book on Gunbrokers....[xx(]

    Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob


    Bob... the first time we meet face-to-face, I am going to punch you right in the snoot[B)][}:)][;)]... than I will buy you a beer or two[:D]

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • Hangfire
    Sounds like a plan....you buy the Beer, I'll buy lunch[8D][8D]

    Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob
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  • 01DUSE
    Drill 'er out, solder a liner in, then rechamber for .22 Mag or 17HMR. Guns were made for shooting, not for just lookin at.
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  • slowhand4570
    the bore is pretty well shot and there is some mild pitting under the forearm. the action is very good inside and out with decent wood.
    i was thinking of converting it to 25-20S.S. or one of the other
    black powder rounds. i'm not sure about relining vs. rebarreling
    ( comments....?)
    it would be strictly a cast bullet--black powder plaything.
    i'm afraid the centerfire conversion and five dovetail cuts
    might get painfull but the end result might be worth it.
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by slowhand4570
    the bore is pretty well shot and there is some mild pitting under the forearm. the action is very good inside and out with decent wood.
    i was thinking of converting it to 25-20S.S. or one of the other
    black powder rounds. i'm not sure about relining vs. rebarreling
    ( comments....?)
    it would be strictly a cast bullet--black powder plaything.
    i'm afraid the centerfire conversion and five dovetail cuts
    might get painfull but the end result might be worth it.



    Hello slowhand...

    The problem you face in converting your low-wall is bigger than you realize, and that is why so many old Winchester single-shots are found in "bubbaized" condition. I will try to explain this as simply and briefly as possible so guys like Hangfire, only winchesters, Nord, etc. can't piss & moan about me getting too long winded[:D]

    Specifically, in addition to either relining the barrel to a cartridge like the 25-20 S.S., 22 W.C.F., 25-20 W.C.F., 32 W.C.F., or 38 W.C.F., or putting a new barrel on it (a lot of extra work involved to fit it up and headspace it, possibly a new forestock or fitting the original to the new barrel contour), you must understand and consider the following;

    1. Your LW has a rimfire breech block in it... and it is physically different than a centerfire breech block (firing pin orientation, and the firing pin itself). You would need to locate a serviceable centerfire breech block, and then possibly have to do some minor fitting of it.

    2. The extractor is specific to the cartridge and would require replacement if you convert to a different cartridge.

    If it were my rifle and I wanted to make a "shooter" out of it, I would have it relined back to the original 32 RF. That will cost you the least amount $$$, require a LOT less work, and retain most of its originality (which will translate into more $$ on the value end). BTW just in case you did not know, new 32 RF ammo is available from Navy Arms.

    Please send me an email at Win1885@msn.com so that we can discuss your rifle in greater detail.

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • slowhand4570
    i have some of the navy arms ammo,a little pricey but what ain't.
    any recommendations as to who might do the work?
    my father ended up with this gun in the forties so i woulden't sell it
    but it seems a shame not to shoot it. he mentioned doing something with it but never got around to it.
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  • Bert H.
    Hello slowhand...

    Randy Redman is who I personally recomend (he is located in Omak, WA).

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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