Well, I finally got the old 32-40 back together! I learned quite a bit about how the 1885 works by putting it together incorrectly….in more ways than one. It was a busy week so all the pieces were simply piled up last weekend until I had the time to try again last night. I finished the cleaning process and started back together but things weren’t going well. I wisely tidied things up and walked away. Things went better today and I was actually enjoying using Campbell’s book and learning how the different pieces interact. I corrected all the earlier assembly errors and things were coming together nicely….until one of the LAST screws. I noticed the screw I was trying to install was pristine and I recalled the one I took out was buggared. That indicated to me I had a screw in the wrong place. I went back through the gun looking for that screw and practically disassembled it in the process. Turns out I’d left out one of the screws that retains the trigger housing and was trying to install it where the damaged screw belonged. The damaged screw was located, I’d set it aside while I decided to repair it or let it be.

Every now and then I get in over my head just to remind myself I’m NOT a gunsmith. I do the same thing with cars. I’m actually a pretty fair mechanic but most of the cars I know how to work on were crushed long ago. 

Sorry about babbling on. After all that talk about springs that lesson I learned long ago was right. Sometimes all the gun needs is a good cleaning. Pretty sweet trigger and the action is somewhat improved as well. Range trip!

Mike

Bert H. said
Mike,
I knew you would figure it out. The Model 1885 has a rugged but quite simple action to work on after you get the feel for it. What specifically did you end up doing to the trigger spring?
Bert  

Thanks, almost took you up on your offer for help but the diagrams and photos in Campbell’s book finally started to make sense…and it was a bit early to be calling your time zone when I started. I didn’t want to modify the spring until after I cleaned and reassembled, especially after I discovered it was already thinner than standard (.015 vs .020”). After cleaning the trigger is actually quite good, likely very much as it was when it left the factory all those years ago. It’s hard to believe even that amount of heavy goo affected the trigger that much but it appears it did. I wouldn’t be surprised if it had never been detail cleaned.

Mike

I haven’t put my scale on it yet, Bert, actually just a little lighter than I’m used to. Shot pretty well after the fouling shots. Still working on load development.

Mike

Bert H. said

I will assume that you are shooting cast bullets, but at what velocity?  What is your load data?  

Current load is 16grs 5744 under an Accurate 322170A bullet, RP 9 1/2 or WLR primer, reformed WW 38-55 cases. Haven’t chronographed any loads but suspect it’s 1450-ish. The 32-40 mould I bought from Dana arrived recently, will cast a few to see what Winchester intended. I cast the 322170A bullet for the 32WS so I pressed it into service for this cartridge. It wears a gas check but I’m open to trying plain base bullets. I understand tapered bullets were once popular for this cartridge. I ordered a tapered mould by mistake a few years ago and sold it to someone who is using it for the 32-40. 

I need to read up on tapered bullets and the 32-40. Any suggestions?

Mike

Thanks, Chuck. Beautiful rifle! I’ve been wondering about RX7 powder, it’s one that has worked well for me in other cartridges. Which cast bullet are you using!

Mike

Not sure I’d like the close-coupled set trigger, Bert, would probably like the single set. Haven’t paid much attention to the Schützen trigger, if it’s like what’s on my 1874 C. Sharps I would probably prefer it too. I’m pretty impressed with this trigger, wish I’d put the scale on it before but I don’t think I did. Pretty sure it was close to five pounds. Night and day.

Mike