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Cody Ballard rifle barrels (Read 1107 times)

KFW Oldtimer Offline Posts: 594 Location: Wyoming Joined: Dec 18^th, 2016	Cody Ballard rifle barrels Oct 10^th, 2025 at 10:19am	Print Post
	When the rifles were being made in Cody Wyoming by Steve Garbe what barrel mfg. did they use? thanks KW
	« Last Edit: Oct 10^th, 2025 at 10:24am by KFW »

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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 17199 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #1 - Oct 10^th, 2025 at 11:31am	Print Post
	KFW wrote on Oct 10^th, 2025 at 10:19am: When the rifles were being made in Cody Wyoming by Steve Garbe what barrel mfg. did they use? thanks KW Some came with Badger barrels, and others I believe were Douglas. Mine made in 2000 is a Badger .22 barrel that my friend ordered for it new. Hopefully "rmc" here on ASSRA will see this thread and confirm if Douglas is correct for sure.

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CptCurl Full Member Offline Posts: 197 Location: Botetourt County, Virginia Joined: Jan 23^rd, 2017	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #2 - Oct 10^th, 2025 at 11:36am	Print Post
	Back in 2020 I asked that question and got a reply from Steve Garbe. This is what he said: Quote: Mr. Stephenson, If you remove the forearm and check the bottom flat of the barrel you will probably find a "B" for Badger. Badger barrels were standard for us when your rifle was manufactured, however we did also use Douglas ("D") and Krieger ("K") as well as some 7C barrels. The 7C barrels were a slight gain twist barrel that was made by Ballard Rifle and Cartridge for a short time. They were exceptional in quality and were discontinued because of the cost of manufacturing. You have a very fine rifle that represents our second year of production. Hope this helps, Steve Garbe My rifle, which he referred to, was made in 1999. Here's a photo for a little excitement: (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) Curly
	« Last Edit: Oct 10^th, 2025 at 11:42am by CptCurl »

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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 17199 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #3 - Oct 10^th, 2025 at 11:50am	Print Post
	CptCurl wrote on Oct 10^th, 2025 at 11:36am: Back in 2020 I asked that question and got a reply from Steve Garbe. This is what he said: Quote: Mr. Stephenson, If you remove the forearm and check the bottom flat of the barrel you will probably find a "B" for Badger. Badger barrels were standard for us when your rifle was manufactured, however we did also use Douglas ("D") and Krieger ("K") as well as some 7C barrels. The 7C barrels were a slight gain twist barrel that was made by Ballard Rifle and Cartridge for a short time. They were exceptional in quality and were discontinued because of the cost of manufacturing. You have a very fine rifle that represents our second year of production. Hope this helps, Steve Garbe My rifle, which he referred to, was made in 1999. Here's a photo for a little excitement: (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) Curly I was told that most unmarked barrels without a letter were Badger barrels.

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KFW Oldtimer Offline Posts: 594 Location: Wyoming Joined: Dec 18^th, 2016	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #4 - Oct 10^th, 2025 at 12:42pm	Print Post
	Thank you all for the great info!


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Old-Win Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1763 Location: Minnesota Joined: Nov 24^th, 2005	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #5 - Oct 10^th, 2025 at 1:39pm	Print Post
	Both of my Cody manufactured rifles were marked with a B for Badger.


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fayettefatts Participating Member Offline Posts: 24 Joined: Jan 18^th, 2022	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #6 - Oct 12^th, 2025 at 8:03am	Print Post
	Would this apply to Cody Highwalls also?


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jhm Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1855 Location: georgia Joined: Sep 4^th, 2011	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #7 - Oct 12^th, 2025 at 8:57am	Print Post
	Very nice wood on that rifle. What caliber? JMH


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Old-Win Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1763 Location: Minnesota Joined: Nov 24^th, 2005	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #8 - Oct 12^th, 2025 at 12:43pm	Print Post
	fayettefatts wrote on Oct 12^th, 2025 at 8:03am: Would this apply to Cody Highwalls also? Yes, I had both a Cody Ballard and a Cody highwall, each marked with a B for Badger.


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gunlaker Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2428 Location: lower mainland, B.C. Joined: Dec 13^th, 2010	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #9 - Oct 12^th, 2025 at 1:00pm	Print Post
	Interesting. Another point of data. I have a Wyoming Armory highwall so thought it might be the same. It has no markings other than caliber & serial number, but I think it's a Douglas or RKS barrel on it due to the 0.319" groove diameter. It's just a guess as those are the only 32-40 barrels I've owned with that groove diameter. Chris.


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Old-Win Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1763 Location: Minnesota Joined: Nov 24^th, 2005	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #10 - Oct 12^th, 2025 at 1:35pm	Print Post
	I wonder how many people stayed around at Wyoming Armory after the Ballard rifle company was moved to Michigan? I know production of receivers and parts was halted after the move, probably because the new owner took over the inventory and the CNC programs with him. I know Keith Kilby was at Wyoming Armory for a while but I don't know if anybody else is or not? Ron Long has passed.


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gunlaker Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2428 Location: lower mainland, B.C. Joined: Dec 13^th, 2010	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #11 - Oct 12^th, 2025 at 1:44pm	Print Post
	Oh I thought that Keith Kilby was still at Wyoming Armory. I think they mentioned it on a recent YouTube video (the Cinnabar channel). They have a couple of recent videos on Wyoming Armory 1885's. I don't know if he built this particular rifle, but it is probably the most accurate rifle I own. I assumed, but have no real idea, that a few of the Cody people were still building their rifles. Chris.


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Old-Win Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1763 Location: Minnesota Joined: Nov 24^th, 2005	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #12 - Oct 12^th, 2025 at 3:20pm	Print Post
	Keith could very well be with them yet. I just have not had much contact with them after the Ballard rifle company was sold because that's where I used to get my high wall parts. I called a few times over the years looking for things but they never had them in stock and told me to go to MVA.


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waterman Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2898 Location: Behind the Redwood Curtain Joined: Jun 9^th, 2004	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #13 - Oct 12^th, 2025 at 3:39pm	Print Post
	Did the Michigan move ever result in completed rifles or parts?


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gunlaker Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2428 Location: lower mainland, B.C. Joined: Dec 13^th, 2010	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #14 - Oct 12^th, 2025 at 4:14pm	Print Post
	waterman wrote on Oct 12^th, 2025 at 3:39pm: Did the Michigan move ever result in completed rifles or parts? I believe it did, but am not 100% confident. I once considered buying a beautiful highwall in 40-70 with beautiful fleur de lis checkering that was supposedly built in Michigan after the move, but I didn't look into it too deeply. Chris.


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ssdave Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1997 Location: Eastern Oregon Joined: Apr 16^th, 2004	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #15 - Oct 12^th, 2025 at 11:48pm	Print Post
	Steve Durren was hired in Michigan to assemble Ballard rifles. He stayed with them for a year or so, before going back to Johnson Sporting Goods, where he retired from a year or so ago. Any rifles completed in Michigan were done by him. I'd expect them to be of the highest quality. I don't believe they ever produced parts again, I think Steve just completed rifles from parts on hand. He may supply some information if he's sees this thread.


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KFW Oldtimer Offline Posts: 594 Location: Wyoming Joined: Dec 18^th, 2016	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #16 - Oct 13^th, 2025 at 6:16am	Print Post
	waterman wrote on Oct 12^th, 2025 at 3:39pm: Did the Michigan move ever result in completed rifles or parts? I had a chance to look at a Michigan made and so stamped Ballard at Quigley last year.


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gunlaker Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2428 Location: lower mainland, B.C. Joined: Dec 13^th, 2010	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #17 - Oct 13^th, 2025 at 9:34am	Print Post
	If Steven Durren built them in Michigan they would definitely be of the highest quality. He build a highwall for me and it is as good as it gets. I asked him to build a reproduction of an original left handed Special Single Shot that I own and even the wood matches the original XXX wood somehow! Chris.


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RSW Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1261 Location: Arizona Joined: Sep 8^th, 2006	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #18 - Oct 13^th, 2025 at 1:14pm	Print Post
	Below is my "Cody" Ballard that was completed in the Michigan shop. I assume that Steve Durren did the work. I have been VERY pleased with the workmanship and accuracy. The rifle was started in the Cody shop and went to MI as a barreled action. It's a .38-55 with Green Mountain barrel. My apology for the soft focus of the images but digital cameras have improved a bunch since I shot those photos. This rifle has since been re-stocked with a Zischang style stock but that's a whole 'nuther story.

	Randy W ASSRA 10211 - ISSA 125 There are indeed two Americas. Simply put, it is not the haves and have nots. The two Americans are in reality divided into those who do and those who don't.
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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 17199 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #19 - Oct 14^th, 2025 at 5:23pm	Print Post
	When Wyoming Armory started I heard both Steve Garbe and Keith Kilby were both still there. Not sure about anyone else, and last I heard Keith was still there after Wyoming Armory sold to Cinnabar Ranch owner. This is my Cody Ballard built in 2000 in the Schoyen style. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)

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gunlaker Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2428 Location: lower mainland, B.C. Joined: Dec 13^th, 2010	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #20 - Oct 14^th, 2025 at 6:10pm	Print Post
	Those sure are spectacular Ballards! Chris.


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Skalkaho Oldtimer Offline Posts: 831 Location: Montana Joined: Sep 29^th, 2006	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #21 - Oct 18^th, 2025 at 12:20pm	Print Post
	my 38-55's love that marble cake Claro Walnut and English Walnut....
	« Last Edit: Oct 18^th, 2025 at 12:27pm by Skalkaho »
	May the Bullet Gods be with you.......
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TDW Full Member Offline Posts: 120 Location: Montana and Missouri Joined: Mar 21^st, 2010	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #22 - Oct 18^th, 2025 at 12:45pm	Print Post
	I am not sure about Keith Kilby, but Steve Garbe has moved on, and returned to Livingston, Montana. He still has his hand in several BPCR related businesses, and is active with the local silhouette club. Jim Rasch, who did stock work for Ballard in Cody, has gone back to Big Timber Montana, to work for Shiloh Rifle Manufacturing Co, where he is to this day. Tom Winters

	"The farther North you go, the more things you will run into that will eat your horse." S.P. Garbe, Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, 1980
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kootne Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 455 Location: Libby, Mt. Joined: Mar 6^th, 2012	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #23 - yesterday at 10:50am	Print Post
	TDW wrote on Oct 18^th, 2025 at 12:45pm: I am not sure about Keith Kilby, but Steve Garbe has moved on, and returned to Livingston, Montana. He still has his hand in several BPCR related businesses, and is active with the local silhouette club. Jim Rasch, who did stock work for Ballard in Cody, has gone back to Big Timber Montana, to work for Shiloh Rifle Manufacturing Co, where he is to this day. Tom Winters Tom, next time you see Steve and Jim, tell them hello from me. Thanks Dennis Heckman

	You can't make good decisions without good information.
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John Rigby Full Member Offline Posts: 229 Location: Midwest Joined: Nov 8^th, 2005	Re: Cody Ballard rifle barrels Reply #24 - yesterday at 6:51pm	Print Post
	That was probably Steve Durren in Michigan. Cody would use what ever barrel the customer wanted. I had 3 made with RKS barrels.

	John Rigby
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