Not all Cody products are without problems. My hiwall broke two firing pins before it had two hundred rounds fired. The sear broke in half during a match and the chamber was not concentric with the bore. Rechamberd to 32-40 Krag now. A patch on the corner of the forestock is coming loose.

My Cody Ballard has a huge chamber, 38-55. Breech block sits to high in the frame causing the firing pin to hit off center. Will not set off Remington primers reliably. Winchesters go off every time. Lock up is very loose.  

So whoever it was who said Cody products are better than originals, I don't agree. Having said all that I wish they were still making rifles and especially parts.  
In Dutchers book he states frames were made in house at Cody?  I think that was one of Longs first assignments, was to get the programing going on the HW frames?

Cpt Curl, yours is the highest Cody Ballard serial number I have ever seen. We had a shooting friend pass away a few years ago that had at least four Cody Ballards and they were sold through his estate. I now have one of them in 45-70 and I would describe it as a one and three-quarter Far West. Yours is a very nice looking rifle and someday I would like to pick one up with a loop lever in a smaller caliber like 32-40 or 38-55.

westerner wrote on Dec 23^rd, 2021 at 8:42am:


Yep, like I said, not all Cody Ballard products are without problems. A good friend was having a problem with a Cody Ballard just a few days ago after receiving it in the mail. The hammer was falling off half cock on opening causing the firing pin to hang up. Said he polished the fly. Think that's what he said. Working now.   

Just thought I would jump in on the subject. I bought my HW from Cody in 2007. I dealt mainly with Keith K. I was a newbie at the time saw an add someplace and fell in love. I didn't think much of the Ballard,(at the time) I liked the lines of the high wall and wanted one. Some $5000 later it was mine sn 1045 I believe. I also had the firing pin problem. I discovered soon after the company closed that the 38-55 chamber was about .040" short and there was no lead, just end of case to rifling. I had to send it to the new owner in Mi, and he did correct the length but not the freebore/lead issue. It just had none. I started doing BPCRS and soon had a Ron Smith gain twist ss barrel
in 40-65 put on by Curt Hardcastle, with a match chamber. I recently had it checkered by, Mary Ann Hockenbury. I don't care for the SS barrel, just doesn't look right un-blued. I have moved on to bench rest shooting now with a very nice CPA. I would also like to say that my color case hardening (color) has washed out, not gone but certainly not how it was when new.

GT posted about a bluing agent for stainless steel. One might PM him for more information and results seen. The photographs he posted showed promise.

I have two Cody rifles, both high walls. Number 144 is in 40-65 with case colored receiver, octagon #3 barrel, single set trigger and crescent butt plate. The wood is straight gripped and has some figure. Number 598 is in 30-40 krag with a blued receiver and round #3 barrel, single set trigger and shotgun butt. The wood is straight gripped and a slight bit of figure. Oddly, the Ballard name is in Gothic script on top of the receiver, just ahead of the rear sight base. They both came from the same estate in Maine. The previous owner was diligent in his care, so they are in good shape. The 30-40 came with scope blocks, so a few calls with MVA and it was determined that a B5 would work, so that's what it wears now. I traded my Ballard rifle straight across for both rifles. I'm very happy I did, they are beautifully built, accurate as all get out and I have had zero problems with them. The fit and finish is to die for!
I hope you all had a great Christmas and I wish you all a very happy and healthy new year!

I am the second owner of three Cody Ballard rifles. All are Ballards. 
One is a #6 offhand in 22LR 
One is a #4 1/2 Mid-range in 25/20 SS
And the third one is a # 4 Perfection in 40/70 SS. 
All are used in competition. As is typical, they shoot better than this old man can hold. Very happy with them.