Good Day All,
I purchased my first single shot rifle this last fall, it is a #9 Ballard in 38-55.  I've been working on loading for it through the winter and getting ready for sighting in, and load testing/chrono.

My gunsmithing questions relate to spare parts to keep around.  I 've ordered a screw set from Sam Simmons but I' wondering what else should I get?  Here are my questions.
1.Steve Earle makes mainsprings, should I get the original or the roller spring?  If the roller spring, is there any modifications that need to be done?
2.The Rifle Shoppe has the castings and was thinking about an extractor and lever to breech block link.
3.Should I get anything else?

I've been shooting and reloading for forty five years and this single shot thing is a whole different ball game.
Thanks for your time.
Tim

Get a roller main spring. No modifications needed.




Tom Klinger

I've got a fair number of spares I've purchased over many years, and honestly never used any of them so far to repair my Ballard rifles. I've used some in builds where I bought clunkers to fix up though. 
Firing pins are so simple to make for a Ballard that I don't make one unless I bought a gun or action that had a broken one. Only takes a piece of drill rod a drill press and a file to turn one out. Then harden it and it's ready to use.

jhm wrote on May 24^th, 2026 at 8:36pm:


I think the metallurgy on Rodney's cast Ballard actions is much different than the old original Ballard cast actions are. So without the hollow it will be stronger, and better steel will also add to that. Hope Rodney sees this and replies, but I think these actions will handle any of the old original cartridges the forged actions were offered in.