Actually 2 questions.
At a gun show this past weekend I picked up a very nice low wall in 25-20 SS. It is a take down model with a #1 octagon barrel. I’ve never had a take down model in an 1885 before and am not sure how to separate it. I thought after sliding the lever forward it might twist apart but the dovetail sections won’t allow it to twist. Tried lightly pulling it straight out but also a no-go. Can someone please instruct me on how this comes apart?
The seller included 2 boxes of Jamison ammo with the rifle but I’ve searched for additional brass with no luck. I would also like to find reloading dies. In the meantime I imagine I can use 25-20 WCF dies to neck size and seat bullets. Yes/No?
Does anyone have any insight on where to find brass and dies?
dbro said
I thought after sliding the lever forward it might twist apart but the dovetail sections won’t allow it to twist. Tried lightly pulling it straight out but also a no-go. Can someone please instruct me on how this comes apart?
You’re doing the right thing, but it’s merely stuck because it hasn’t been broken down in a long time. There’s no “dovetail” to it, but interrupted threads on brl. & rcvr. Apply Kroil to the joint & slider, wait a few days, put some muscle to it, & it will twist off.
Your Jamison brass in the best available; why do you need more? I’ve never had .25-25 SS dies, merely used .25 WCF dies as you suggested; though I think they can be customed ordered from C-H for around $200, if you don’t mind waiting many months to get them.
dbro said
At a gun show this past weekend I picked up a very nice low wall in 25-20 SS. It is a take down model with a #1 octagon barrel. I’ve never had a take down model in an 1885 before and am not sure how to separate it. I thought after sliding the lever forward it might twist apart but the dovetail sections won’t allow it to twist. Tried lightly pulling it straight out but also a no-go. Can someone please instruct me on how this comes apart?
This might be a silly question, but after sliding the take down button forward, did you open the action and clear the extractor from its nested slot in the barrel breech?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
This might be a silly question, but after sliding the take down button forward, did you open the action and clear the extractor from its nested slot in the barrel breech?
Bert
It’s a “silly question” the moron at Shilen Brls. should have asked himself before breaking the extractor & breaking a big chip out of the brl. of a bolt action I sent there to be rebarreled.
November 7, 2015
clarence said
It’s a “silly question” the moron at Shilen Brls. should have asked himself before breaking the extractor & breaking a big chip out of the brl. of a bolt action I sent there to be rebarreled.
Indeed. I bought a Marlin 1894 in 32WCF at an auction and discovered someone had tried to take it down before opening the action. Although I was able to save the extractor it was a pretty tedious project getting it tuned right. Had to replace the ejector anyway but it was a learning experience.
Nice looking rifle! How does the bore look?
Mike
TXGunNut said
Indeed. I bought a Marlin 1894 in 32WCF at an auction and discovered someone had tried to take it down before opening the action.
A mistake any neophyte might make; but should a neophyte be doing critical work for a famous barrelmaker? At the time (40 yrs ago), I regarded it as spilt milk that it wouldn’t do any good to cry over, & “let it pass”…& have regretted it ever since.
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