I had the oportunity to hold one today and the price was just under six grand! I had a chance to see how the elevater worked and the dust cover moved back and all,but didn't like how the firing pin was set up at all!
The wood was a special grade and fit to finnish was great(but just couldn't get out of my mind how the fireing pin was exactly eye level) I know some of my bolt guns are near that level but it unnerved me enough to not trade for it!
And I allways thought I wanted one,but I'll stick with the 86,92,94 and 95 for now!
It was a very nice rifle and in 44-40 also.
Bob
They are indeed a neat gun..."the gun that won the west". I have been fortunate to have owned five of them, a .44, two 38's and two .32's. The .44 was a 2nd model, produced in 1883, IIRC. Wish greatly I still had it.
I have shot them. I don't really understand your concern. Within their limitations, black powder is all I would shoot an original with, especially the older versions, they are fine. I would not buy one for a shooter anyway. If I wanted the experience to any great extent, I'd get a newly-manufactured replica. They are much better guns and prettier than any original. An original with any condition whatsoever is so scarce that it shouldn't be fired save for the most minute amount for the experience.
None of them, original or replica, should ever be fired with loads that are tailored for an 1892 or the like.
