doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Bar action verses back action sidelocks hammers

I tend to favor bar action side locks a little over back action but only because the looks. What is the difference as far as shooting goes? Seems the bar action was the way for years then the back action came to be . Was it the fad for the time , Price??? What was the deal?

Bar action locks, or those with main springs ahead of the tumbler, predate back actions. For instance, flintlocks were almost always front action. Percussion locks were a mix of the two but tradition and general preference favored the front action. In breechloaders the front action was seen as leaving more wood in the wrist for strength. Back actions were favored by some, reasoning that it left more metal in the breech area for greater strength in that area and also allowed a sleeker action. The debate was never settled and each had its own adherents. I doubt there was any significant difference in cost of production. The back action does allow for a longer main spring and therefore somewhat smoother movement.

Don't forget as well there are locks which have the shape of a bar action but internally are back actions. As I recall the American
L C Smith & Baker both fit this category. Also I have a VL&D Knock-About built by J P Sauer which fits this category as well as a Birmingham built J P Clabrough. There are others but these are the ones I am most familiar with as have owned all at some point in time. Currently have one of each except the Elsie.

I covered these issues in some depth in 'Vintage Guns for the Modern Shot'. See if you can borrow a copy, it might help a bit.

Miller, you are correct about the Smith Baker lock, it is a back action lock.
This was probably the first time this lock plate was off this gun since 1883.

Thanks
I have the book" Vintage guns for modern shot" I'll check it out.

Bar Action locks only go in Bar Actions.

The Bar Action is stronger because it confines the lock springs in the action....if you've ever saw a muzzle loader with front locks that had a spring bust and destroy the wood around it's locks it would be easy to see why they evolved.

Yes jOe, but why if bar actions are stronger, are the majority of double rifles where pressures are much higher than shotguns, made with back action locks? Rifle makers clearly tend to favor back action sidelock construction.

I have both and must say that the back action guns are much nicer to carry in the coverts with their rounded design.

I do agree to the slender back action.But some one invented the back action for a reason!!!!!!I need William Greener to chime in. I'll keep reading until then.......Who came up with the first back action ? .....Please? I'm a slow reader...