doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com An 1885 amongst AR's

I just joined a local shooting club and had to do my rifle and pistol safety practical test yesterday along with about 9 other candidates.

The Range Officers did a few at a time and I watched as case after case was opened and out came some type of semi-automatic rifle, some 22's, some AR's, even a tactical shotgun. When my turn came I unzipped my case and took out my 3 digit 1885 in 32-20. Looks of wonder and amazement (though one RO mentioned that "that's the kind of gun God meant us to shoot"). No fumbling with detachable magazines, loading and unloading tubular or box mags, two shots and done.

Same thing happened on the pistol side, shooter after shooter of Glocks and other boxy autoloaders. Lot's of fumbling with magazines and clearing chambers.

I used my 1956 S&W K-22 with target grips. 2 shots, eject rounds, done.

Sometimes the old ways are best.

Good for you! Now, allow me to be a little envious of your 1885 in 32-20. One of my favorite cartridges of all time, even if it is of limited use in the hunting fields.

For me, old ways are always best.

hey, Rob is your .32-20 a Lowall or a Hiwall? I've seen both and am just curious; had a .32-20 Hiwall and always wondered why it was made, since mine was made after lowalls were common. (I also have a Hiwall .38-40 with a Lowall barrel; nice balance.).

I've had similar reactions when I take a New Service (1912) .44-40 and my Hiwall .44-40 to a public range. There are guys that think they are antiques! (But wouldn't that make ME an antique???? Or maybe just a "Curio and Relic"?).

Good on ya Rob!

Indeed!

Reminds me of the time I impressed a young snot-nosed magnum/black gun/rapid fire freak by having him fire a cylinder-full through a stiffly loaded New Service in .38/40. That stopped the snide comments concerning the 'old dudes shooting antiques' comments we had been enduring all morning! (By 'old', I guess he thought that my then 40-ish age was 'old'!)

An even more gratifying incident occurred recently at a local pistol range when I encouraged a 12-year old stranger to fire my New Service .45 Colt, Police Positive .32, and Woodsman. He was from 'the city', and was with his granddad shooting a S&W 41. Gramps gave the go-ahead and the kid grinned from ear-to-ear. He was so excited about getting the chance to shoot some "cool old stuff" that he had me write down the particulars for each one and video record him with his cell phone Star Wars device so he could impress his buddies and be sure to get it right. When gramps offered to pay me for the ammo the kid shot away, I told him the smile on the kid's face was payment enough.

Mike,

Mine's a highwall with the flats on the receiver ring rather than a round one. Small shank barrel. JD checked it out for me a couple years back. The bore is rough, I have no idea where my shots went as we were using a 100yd range and they didn't care about accuracy, just safety.

Gary,
Gramps sounds like a fine fellow. Bringing the kid to the range, then offering to pay for the ammo. We need more like him. You did well.
Chuck

Gary, good on you!!! I'll have to agree with chuck also and his comment on Gramps.

Rob, good lookin' rifle. It may be sacrilege, but I have a Mod. 92 in 32-20 that had a bad bore. I desperately wanted to shoot cast bullets from it so I had it relined. No doubt I lost money in the process....well, maybe not now, it was close to 30 years ago....but I have a tack driver with cast bullets!

Sounds to me like you have spent time in "The Land Down Under"--I'll post some fotos of the BSA Martini 12/15 HT in .22lr once I have the scope mounted. I have always wanted an 1885 in .22LR, but then I have always wanted a Maserati too!!

Rob, very nice rifle. These "Hiwalls with a Lowall barrel" aren't as rare as you'd think. I have one (made in 1896 but still with a flatspring action) in .38-40; 28" oct. #1 weight barrel. They certainly have a nice balance!

Had a Hiwall .32-20 with a 30" oct. #3 weight barrel; it balanced like an iron fence post. The bore was shot; every kind of bullet I tried keyholed at all ranges and made a most peculiar noise on the way to the berm. Kinda like a woodcock taking off! Had it relined and it was accurate, but I lost it in the '80s recession. Managed to hang onto the .38-40 tho.

I notice that yours once had a tang sight and has the replacement tang sight screw still fitted. Just needs the sight!