TXGunNut said
I generally unload my 1894 hunting rifles the same way I load them; through the loading port. Simply depress the cover and manipulate the cartridge case head to clear the stop and the magazine spring pushes the cartridge into your hand, not onto the ground. Saves wear and tear on the cartridge and they don't get dirty or wet. Simplifies muzzle control, don't forget to cycle the action a time or two after removing the cartridges from the magazine to ensure it is unloaded.
 
 
Mike
  

Mike,

I found this interesting as I've also done this in the past, mainly not to spook game in a heavy brush area we hunt in PA, on our family property, and to keep the noise of racking the action down, as we have to unload our firearms at the end of shooting times. It's been a few years but I've done it, as I've also unloaded the conventional way that Steve mentioned also.

Tony

I'm in agreement with the other members, as we've seen the lack of information in the ledgers on various models, hence the letter issues we see and have as members. I wouldn't let it stop me, as you're rifle is a very nice specimen, and I can understand you're frustration.

oldcrankyyankee said
Does the numbers on the tang match the wood? 
  

I also would like to know what Tom is asking about the tang.

Thanks for sharing!

Whatever, your 94 is stocked with some handsome Walnut.  

BOLT ACTION RIFLES: 

Top prize must go to the Weatherby Mark V safety. When the tab is rotated to vertical, the firing pin and sear are blocked and the striker/pin assembly is lifted out of concentricity with the primer. You can drop it from 50 feet, butt or muzzle first, onto a steel deck or reinforced concrete - nothing happens. Unload the magazine by tripping the baseplate release. 

Runner Up is the Model 70 safety and the Ruger 77 semi-clone. Same as above but the firing pin remains concentric with the primer. In the middle position, the pin is not locked. Dropping from a tree stand in that condition theoretically can result in an inertial discharge. I don't climb trees or ladders anymore and any Model 70  suits me fine.

The vintage Winchester bolt action rimfires just have sear blockers but the box magazine versions are my favorites.

PUMPS:

Has anybody else almost been fooled by what appeared to be the follower tip of a tube fed .22 -- but wasn't? As much as I love my Model 61,the acrobatics the next round up performs to get inline with the chamber before the closing stroke of the bolt can confuse a novice staring into the ejection port to see if he's fired the last round. I may be biased because Dad owned a Model 90 in his youth but my reblued, shooter grade Model 62 is the very last rifle I'll give away. It comforts me that the whole top of the receiver opens up.  Half cock vs. Trigger blocking push button are both the bare minimum. 

LEVER ACTION RIFLES: 

A Browning BLR Gen 1 requires the shooter to lower the hammer and rotate the hammer face out of reach of the inertial firing pin. Browning "otherness". What sells me is the removable box magazine. No dumping of cartridges required. Ever. 

The inconspicuous tang safeties of the reissued Winchester 1886, 1892, 1894, and 1895 models are very useful when climbing down from a tree stand and cycling live rounds through the action. I can do what Mike suggests with a 25/20 Model 92 but it doesn't work for me with big guns.  Aged fingers, perhaps, but torpedo length. 45 caliber rounds aren't happy making sharp turns in confined spaces. Test dummies are indicated. 

The new Model 73 rifles have no tang safety and it's the half-cock sear notch or nothing. I'm going to try Mike's unloading method with these bigger pistol cartridges because it would be a comfort to do it that way. 

My problem with a half-cock safety is not what I do with it. It's what the other guy does with his while within rifle range of me. Like the cretin who put a .32 Special round between my feet after loading up his (borrowed) vintage Marlin 336 Sporting Rifle. At 4:30 AM in the Moonless dark. Nice rifle.  I had to be restrained from giving him a proctoscopy with it. It didn't have a full length magazine.

I think it’s neat you took a deer with your 1903 SRC.  I hate to be the bearer of bad news—and perhaps you are aware of this already, but it’s been reblued and the wood was heavily sanded prior to refinishing.

Top Colt is a Case colored 45 LC made by Uberti. Next is a Winchester 38/40 made in 1910, A great shooter with a pristine barrel.  Next is a beautiful case colored 45 made by Miroku and imported by Browning. Bottom is a beautiful 44/40 also made by Miroku and imported by Browning. These are some really Beautiful Rifles. I have another one hanging on the wall in a glass case in the living room. It is also in 44/40. It is a museum piece. A “1 of 1000”. There were only 25 of these made. It is really beautiful and has some stunning wood and engraving.  Check them out. Let me know what you think? Next I will post some of my Model 1892’s

426crown said
Me thinks it was an error in the ledger.....................Bill
  

Sounds logical. I've had a nice 1894 that didn't letter with a PG but the 1886 has the serial number on the lower tang so it makes the Frankenchester theory a bit of a stretch. Certainly presents as an honest gun, very nice wood and desirable configuration. 

Mike

antler1 said
I have recently purchased a model 1886 DLX extra light weight rifle in 45-70 caliber. I like the gun very much and realize some of its flaws but am asking members to evaluate it also and possibly point out some of its downfalls and also potential value. After some reviews, I will reveal as Paul Harvey said " And the rest of the story"
  

OK. Time for the rest of the story. I purchased this rifle before obtaining a Cody Letter. Everything is correct and original on this rifle. A couple of members noted the obvious flaws to the rifle but still a hard gun to get in this condition and caliber. I prized the gun as highly collectible.  Cody letter is picked up at the Cody show and I'm dumfounded to see that it does not letter. Letter follows. There is no way that this letter is for this gun even though the serial number matches. This has a PG tang as opposed to a straight tang for the most obvious. The gun is correct but the letter is not. So now what does this mismatch letter do to value of gun? It goes to show how much we count on the Cody Letters. Jessica even checked lines above and below and also similar numbers no ELW matches. Have others had such blatant errors in a Cody letter? Bought from respectable seller and no hard feelings to him or Jessica at Cody but a frustrating situation.

1873man said
Also I don't see a screw on the bottom of the mag tube holding the plug in but the picture is no the right angle for seeing it.
Bob
  

Your right I missed that