A friend of mine is considering buying a C. Sharps 1885 and is unable to find any opinions on fit, finish etc. I did see 2 at Etna Green once and they looked well made but he would like more input. I really have not herd much about them. Any thoughts?

I cannot speak about the 1885 C Sharps but this past December, I ordered and received (three week production time) a 1875 in 22 LR with a set trigger.  The owner told me the barrel is a Badger even though it was a 22 LR.  Fit of metal to wood is very good.  Trigger is not adjustable but has a set pull weight of about 7 ounces with a 3 1/2 pound unset trigger weight.
While not as accurate as a full decked out 22LR, bolt action bench rest rifle, probably because of me, the iron tang sights I use and the long hammer throw with heavy main spring, I can still get 3/8" groups at 50 yards from the bench.

Rich

I have two C.Sharps, with one more on the way.  Shooting from bench... my 22Hornet has the shotgun buttplate, with a Malcolm long tube scope.  Trigger has been reworked to 2lbs... sweet.  With 11gr IMR4227 it will do 1/2" if I do mine thing, 1" with no effort.  I don't expect a 22hornet to do better, or that I can.  I tried 13gr Lil-Gun but shots and velocity were very erratic; SD doubled, accuracy sucked.  I have a .32-40 with the set trigger, prong buttplate, soule, and palm rest.  I am still trying to find a good load but during breaking-in I put 5 shots in 1". I was more surpised at myself than the rilfe, think it was blind luck.  I have a Low-wall on order, 22LR with curved buttplate and mid-range tang sight.  Overall, I think you will get you money's worth.  Are they the same quality as Meachem or Ballard, NO!  But the cost and wait-time are also less.  Stay away from Uberti or Pedersoli unless you want a hunter... then I would by either a Winchester or Browning.

  Hi folks, I just had to reply on this one. I've had my two Shilohs since 1983, both bought from Wolf & John, after much phone discussion. Have shot hundreds upon hundreds of rounds (cast bullets only) through both of them, they are far more accurate than I am capable of. Over the past few years I've handled and fondled Shilos & C Sharps rifles. All have been superb in fitting and workmanship. Many have been been plain Janes with superb workmanship and fitting, & a few have been over the top Custom built,super superb,super accurate rifles. This past year, as a present for myself, and, as a lover of the 1874 Sharps, I decided it was time for a real nice one. I decided on a Custom C Sharps, after reading hundreds of opinions on both Shiloh & C Sharps, and don't  regret it one bit! Workmanship is superb, wood is fantastic, finish is ideal, shoots great. What it boils down to, is, if you are willing to spend many dollars on your dream rifle, you will get what you pay for. As an old man, that's been around for a long time, there will be many "Who'll give you an Apple For an Orchard" any day of the week. I have only original hi-walls that I shoot myself, but have handled a C Sharps 1885, was great to fit and finish. Don't know how they shoot. In closing, I'll stick my neck way out by saying, "How can you spend your money on crap that is made outside of this wonderful country of ours, and then complain about the screwing you took"   martin 1940D28

I have a C Sharps '85 Hiwall in .40-65 and am well pleased with it. The workmanship is great and the Badger barrel shoots very well. The single set trigger works fine althougth I like the double triggers on my CPA better. I am told that original '85s did not have double triggers.
Lynn

38_Cal wrote on Jun 13^th, 2010 at 11:51am:


I find posts like these (not the poster) troubling.   I can only believe these mixed reports come from customers who have had varied experiences with products and service.  Getting at the truth is also made difficult because most people want to be fair, so the benefit of the doubt is given and negative experiences not always reported.  I have never owned a C. Sharps rifle, but I know several shooters whose opinions I respect who have been very happy with theirs. I have, however, seen "first year gunsmithing student" workmanship from other shops that generally have a solid reputation.  I have also had the experience of being insulted or stonewalled for daring to complain or question the vendor.

It is my belief that these problems often arise from owners who fail to adequately train and supervise employees.  Managing employees and customer relations require an entirely different set of skills from gun work.  In any event, there is no excuse for the owner or master smith not performing final quality checks before the work goes out the door, and fully standing behind it.

Meanwhile, the old adage "caveat emptor" is good advice.

Do your homework.

Paul

Paul & Lynn, what I was reporting on was what was on display in their sales room.  I have no idea what was going onto the brown truck, but I would think that they would want to showcase their best products for members of the public who might come in to see what their shop was all about.  To say that I (and my buddy that I came with who already owned one of their 1885 rifles and was generally pleased with it) was surprised at the lack of consistency on their woodwork would be an understatement.  The metal work was what I had expected from seeing their rifles over the years.  Prices on the display rifles were seemingly not  discounted from what was in their catalog.   

David

I have one old c sharpes from approx20 years ago and ordered another about3 yrs ago both are fine rifles and shoot well.both rifles are 75 sharpes, ordering an 85 soon, bull44