I like to name my rifles, especially high walls and this one currently is the ''Not Quite"  
I finally installed the 40-65 barrel that came with the Gun Broker action.  No real problems except the forend screw location was 'not quite' close enough so there is a slight gap between the forend and the action.  The wood does 'not quite' match. The firing pin strike is 'not quite' high enough although it fired just fine. The front sight dovetail adapter was 'not quite' flush with the barrel and finally, the Marbles tang sight is 'not quite' clicking into a positive vertical position.  I know how to handle the forend and pin strike (needs longer link) but will have to research the tang sight.
Oh, also there is 'not quite' a finish on the metal.  

That would assume that I can use iron sights effectively like I did years ago. I have an eye Dr appointment on Monday and will ask about my annoying artifacts when looking through a small aperture.  I will try it out as is or probably with my mid range Heilman sight.  I probably will not keep it as a 40-65 though. I have a nice one already. I need to do some measurements of the flat spring and forend screw locations. If both are 1/16” too far out I need to check headspace. The flat spring hanger I used has the hole slightly forward so maybe the barrel needs to be screwed in 1 turn. That might require a reamer.  The investigation begins after breakfast tomorrow.

You forgot the buttstock is not quite checkered to match the forearm.

" I think it is a modern made forearm with a ‘plastic’ look to it. "

Interesting, so what finish is on it? What is it made of? I'd like to see a close up of the finish and checkering.

The 'Not Quite' is ready to rock and roll.  The forend gap is more like 1/32" and is acceptable.  Some recommend such a gap to prevent any forend/receiver accuracy interference. The pin strike is OK as is IMHO. The flat spring dovetail is in the correct place and the one hanger I put in which moved the screw location in about 1/16" works fine with the flat spring that came with it.  I had to drill out the top tang screw hole which looks to have been welded and a standard (no sight) screw head would not fit.  The is still a gouge on one edge. The head space is about .006 without a case.  I also made a temporary wood insert for the sling swivel cut out so it can be fired off a bag.   
I will see how it shoots as a 40-65 but in the long term oit will most likely be rebarrelled.

Still thinking about the headspace without a case?   

OK Joe, how about barrel to block clearance. It is important of to close with a case that sticks out.  In this rifle case both are fine.

Gee whiz, Jack, give a dog a bone.......   

bpjack wrote on Mar 3^rd, 2025 at 8:30pm:


Beware the man with one staple gun. I stole mine froma contractor back in 1986. Yes, I still have it and I know how to use it. Be careful what you wish for ole buddy. 

No no. we're still on. Your best bench rest 1885 against my plain Jane untested 1885 rifle. I don't mind givin a dog a bone. Yer gonna choke. 

I hope someone there knows the Heimlich maneuver.

I'm on? Jack chickens out? What?

You're a hard man to pin down, Jack.

Gas up the buggy and come on up this summer. Bring the jerky with you. Pin that down. 

I'll think about it. 

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Saw him live in Nashville some years back. That guy was nasty!!

Old-Win wrote on Mar 4^th, 2025 at 3:52pm:


Nasty? Foul language and such?   

We are still talking about Joe here right?  I will let everyone at Spokane know of his new nickname.

Great research skills Joe. You must have be an investigative detective?

Li'l Jimmy

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My posts are frequently Not Quite on topic. The ‘Not Quite’ action is now a 38-55 and seems to have a sloppy breech block mortise.  The 40-65 barrel which looks to like a newish barrel that was polished but never blued resulting in what looks like an older finish has an excellent bore but since I have a 40-65 already this barrel will go on the auction block.  Since the block is a bit loose resulting in a loose hammer as well it’s new name is the ‘Not Quite Tight’.

I did one even better although I did buy a nice original block from Joe Dobrzynski off of eBay so that may eventually be an option.   
The 40-65 'Not quite' as it came from Gun Broker (with the barrel removed) would 'not quite' fire reliably.  I wasn't sure if it was the action, block or barrel. I could get it to fire most of the time with just a primer in the shop but during the 3 trips to the range I had major issues and even gave up the last time after two rounds would not fire.  That is when I put the 38-55 barrel on that action and except for the first round which took 2 attempts, the remaining 12 rounds fired first time just fine even though primers are backing out (with 2 blocks.  The current breech block has a 1/2" plug that holds the spring loaded firing pin in and after some thinking (ouch), I plan on adding a spacer behind the threaded insert which will put it closer to the barrel,
That left a question as to whether the VERY nice 40-65 barrel was in spec so I installed it on the action that originally had the 38-55 barrel on (confused yet?) and added the Winchester front sight and my mid range Ron Heilman soule sight. So now I have the 'Not Quite Tight" and this "Really Quite Nice" 40-65.

Jack

Hi Marlinguy and Westerner,
All my little BSA Martini's have that space and I always rest the  barrel on the front rest for best accuracy.
I have had to do a cold wet over night stay on occasion but two days lost must had been a real worry but what has the to do with your eye sight? I used to carry a compass on my wrist and another on a cord around my neck in case I didn't believe one of them was not working.