doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Round Block Webley's, how strong?

...although the lever is just as ugly, awkward and larger~~

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Now that is one thing we can all agree upon, the Webley lever is ugly.

For my money no English single shot compares to a Gibbs sporter for feel or looks. The firing pin retraction system on a Gibbs is the weak link. It works OK at best on black powder cartridges and quite poorly on nitro stuff. The best of the lot mechanically is the Westley 1897 with its inline rebounding firing pin and rebounding hammer, they can be beautiful rifles as well, but Gibbs sports make my hear go pitter patter.

You will not find many Westley rifles this embellished. I need to take better pictures of it some day.

Webley claimed they where designed to take .400/.360 to .600 when brought out 1902 .

My friend has a Rigby retailed Webley 1902 chambered in .577 3", 100grs of Cordite and 750 grain bullet. Oh, original scope with it too!

Thanks for the pictures of the Westley, Steve. I like the rib on it, looks very interesting. Someone way back when seems to have known how to do a little fitting and finishing.

The large frame 1902s could probably handle anything. The small frame round blocks may be best with something like what you normally see them in, oddly 32-40. They are nothing like my large 1902 and having fondled one I dearly wish it was mine.

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30-40 on a round block should be fine.

Going to disagree with the experts.
Would not fail catastrophically but believe it would shoot loose over time.
Just my opinion based on the design. Probably great for a 32-40.
Chuck