Newbie W/Questions

[usmctop]

I have been collecting Milsurps for several years now and am currently looking at several Trapdoors that a local dealer has. He has an 1873, 1884, and what I believe is a Cadet rifle as it is slightlly shorter than the other two. The 1873 seems to be in the best shape of the three and the one I am most interested in. The 1884 has a cracked stock at wrist. As someone with no knowledge of these rifles, what should I be looking for besides obvious bore condition? Thanks in advance to any answers received.

[Dick Hosmer]

TDs can be a minefield, if you are looking for anything more than a shooter. Don't buy ANYTHING without getting at least some basic knowledge!!!!! At the very least get a copy ($20) of the .45-70 book by Poyer & Riesch at www.northcapepubs.com

[usmctop]

Thanks Dick. I actually was referred here by a member of CMP forums who stated that you were the expert. I will just be getting a shooter, but don't want it to be too far from "not right". I don't mind replacement parts etc.

[Dick Hosmer]

You're certainly welcome.

For a shooter, the breechblock shouldn't have any side-to-side play, and the lock should give sharp positive clicks. Trigger should pull off cleanly at something less than 6 pounds. The best rear sight for target shooting is the Model 1884 - long and flat on top, with two small knurled knobs at the right front. If you have any further questions, just ask.

[John Sukey]

And whatever you do, DO NOT dry fire it. Have seen some with the area on the block around the firing pin battered by kids playing "Cowboys and Injuns" with them "old guns"

A funny story I heard from a friend many years ago. They wanted to shoot a trapdoor, but didn't have any ammo. so they took apart a couple of .410 shotgun shells, dumped the powder from both into one and used the slug. The hammer was embedded in the garage door behind them and they never found the breechblock.:eek:

[usmctop]

https://picasaweb.google.com/fmftop/4272011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM6onN_Lvbv6DQ&feat=directlinkWell, I finally gave in and bought the 1884 Springfield with the cracked stock at wrist. The crack is very tight and has been pinned. I have only fired 4 rounds of Ultramax cowboy loads thru it and it shoots fine....I'm not going to target shoot with it until I receive my dies and molds from Midway. The shells here cost 43.95 a box for the cheapest ones. I am very pleased with this rifle. It has a nice blue/brown patina'd barrel. The stock besides the crack, has the usual dings/scratches. I can't find a cartouche, but the circle P is there although very faint. I have been cleaning the stock with a rag and BLO. I am not gonna attempt to remove the character dings...part of its history. I am for sure gonna love this rifle.

[11mm]

You can cast your own , of course, but you can buy swaged and lubricated bulk bullets in .459 diameter that makes casting unnecessary. Of course, if you really want to cast them, that's part of the hobby, too....

[usmctop]

You can cast your own , of course, but you can buy swaged and lubricated bulk bullets in .459 diameter that makes casting unnecessary. Of course, if you really want to cast them, that's part of the hobby, too....

I really do enjoy casting them.