I am about to pull the trigger on getting a 1885 type rifle. I have been looking to get a .45-70. I have a Browning 1885 Low Wall .22 Hornet, and two Winchester 1885s,a .17HMR and a .22lr. I really like these rifles.

I found a 1885 BPCR in .45-70 and it is really nice but I am not sure if I should get it for $1600 (after taxes) or just keep on saving for anotther year and get one from  C.Sharps, Ballard or one of the other American 1885 makers. 


I guess what I would like to know is if the cost of the American built guns are worth the extra $1000 or more???? I intend to try some black powder silhoutte and to do some long range Cowboy Action Shooting side matchs with it. I would think that with a Lee Shaver trigger job, MVA sights and some nice hand loads, the Miroku rifle would be a good one for the money. 

What do you guys think. Any thoughts on the subject would be appreciated. 

Jay

The Browning is a great rifle.  With the original sights, it is competitive right out of the box.  $1600 is not a bad price for one, by careful buying, you may be able to knock $100 or $200 off of that, but you'll be waiting a while.

If it has MVA sights and a lee shaver trigger job, it's probably a real good deal.

I have a custom rifle that I shoot, but I have a Browning that I use as a loaner.  It's as good as my custom.  You'd be in the $3000 range with a C sharp or other semi-custom rifle before you'd have the quality that a Browning BPCR came from the factory as.   

Only bad thing about them is they're very hard to reassemble if you ever take them apart.  Without a couple slave pins, good directions, and preferably a tool to compress the springs, you'd be hard pressed to ever re-assemble it.  Most owners just use a spray solvent followed by oil, and never dissassemble to clearn.

dave

I would echo what other posters have said.  My Browning has worked well for a few thousand rounds.  I don't know that the "true" 1885s actually work any better, other than whatever advantages the triggers may have.  Mine has a Shaver trigger job that has held crisp and constant over the years.  Of course if you just have to have a set trigger, you'll need to go with another brand.  A big plus with the Browning is the Badger barrel, and it's made in the USA.

Being prepared with a take down kit is a good idea.  I have never taken mine apart, but my son and I have done his.  Once you do it, is isn't too difficult.

I shoot my Browning for silhouette (it's a .40-82 now), and a Shiloh .45-90 for long range.  I enjoy shooting the Browning just as much as the Sharps, and certainly don't feel that the Browning is inferior.  Each has its pros and cons.  The Browning takes fewer steps to fire, as it cocks on opening.  The Sharps is simple to field strip even without tools, and the parts most likely to break, the lever spring and firing pin are easy to replace.  I'm not that knowlegable about rifle design, but the through bolt stock attachment of the Browning seem pretty solid to me.

I have seen a few of the high priced 1885 replicas fail at matches, so I don't think they are necessarily more reliable than the Browning.

Paul  

Hello Kentdep, I just purchased the newer Hi Wall. 45-90 The action extracts the shells. The rifle is very accurate. I just sent it out this week. To Shavers for a trigger job and recoil pad.
Plumloco

Another way to skin the cat.

Some time back I struck a deal where I ended-up with 3 Uberti 1885 Carbines in 45/70.... $600 each.

I had a Badger barrel installed and chambered in 45/90 on one of them.... $390.

A trigger-job done.... $75.

For less than $1100, I have a MOA rifle that will shoot with the best of them.

At this time, I have well over 7000 BP/cast-bullet rounds down the barrel and the head-space is still zero.

Building yourself a rifle is just another way to git-er-done.

C. Sharps and Browning 1885s ARE top of the line rifles and will serve you well.

Good luck,

Jim