Inspired by Phil's Old Ugly saga, I seem to be gaining new repect for my version of Ugly.

This 1978 vintage Pre-Safety 1895, 45-70 was a project many moons ago. It's been in the safe, not getting much respect or use. That's fixing to change.

Back in the day, I took off the top of the factory stock with a table saw, glued a slab of wood to create a cheek piece and higher comb. I painted it with Brownell's Wrinkle paint for a good grip. That paint goes on with a rattle can, wrinkles as it dries. Well, over the years the wrinkles have worn thin from handling. It's never been pretty, but with the wear and tear on the Wrinkle paint, it's gotten even uglier.

The 4200 2.5-10x40 is a really good scope. All up as shown, without ammo, it weighs 8#'s, 13 oz, not light, but who wants a featherweight 45-70? I don't. Fully loaded, the weight will go up a bit.

I had done some work on the trigger and it's a clean, smooth 4#'s. Now. would $100 invested in a Wlld West trigger be worth bringing it down to 3#'s or less? Maybe. I have another 1895, Cowboy 45-70, with one and it's really nice. But with a hunting gun, heavy hitting ammo on a cold day, 4#'s may be OK.

I've gotten it out of the safe, am fixing to work up some loads, including cast. I remember it liking the 300 gr. Hornady, but there are other options to explore, Loony stuff for sure.

BTW, this gun has one of the slickest, smoothest 1895 actions I've ever handled. It's even smoother than my 45-70 Cowboy with the Wild West trigger and a CAS action job before I got it.

Pretty is as pretty does....

DF

Definitely ugly, no arguing that! :-)

needs a quad rail forend....

Phil’s rifle is ugly pretty/utilitarian kind of way.

This is just plain fugly. Not even in the same class.

Dayum dat is fugly

Agreed. She be ugly.

DF

Posted over on the are wood stocked rifles doomed thread, it'll make the folks with bad taste drool....

Ha!

You may be onto something.

DF

Here's the CAS Cowboy I referred to. I did stock work on it, too.

So, here't the offset to Ugly.

DF

Dirtfarmer: I say, the appearance of that Rifle hurt my sense of calm!
It is as if someone went out of their way to ugly up that once fine Rifle?
It is as if someone sat down one day and asked themselves HOW can I make this Rifle look as bad as possible?
I am not saying it won't perform - I am saying it won't win any beauty contests.
Good luck with it.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Yeah, took courage to post it. Almost as much to bring it out of the safe.

But it works pretty. Shoots about as good as it is ugly.

DF

Form follows function

Cool!

Dirt; I think utilitarian is a better term than ugly. It looks built for a purpose, far from pretty but handsome is as handsome does.

I like it

You guys are too too kind.

Ugly is ugly.

But it does shoot.

DF

Where do you attach the chainsaw, and how long a bar are you running?

It may not win an ugly rifle contest, but bet it would be runner op or at least get a dishonorable mention.

DF

I guess the more you drink the better it'll start looking

Ugly ... Homely gals need lovin too!