You remember my new toy? http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... =1&t=20435?
Well, don't get shocked as it's still very much unmolested. I wouldn't fettle with an almost original-condition gun, now, would I? Fact is, I've bettered it by putting on the original sling which has the adjustment clasp. I'll post some photos once I get them uploaded.
Also my father has the original tool. Alas, not the cleaning string or whatever it's called.
Part of the reason for obtaining that particular gun was that my other one was at the gunsmith's.
What is about to follow will hurt the purists badly, so if you are for original guns only, please skip this post.
Well, my other gun proved to be non-original from the action forward: the sights and caliber had been altered in the 1950's due to the then hunting laws.
This made the gun little valuable from a collector's perspective, but more so attractive for one who seeks a good "to go" gun.
As the gun shot very high and the rear sight was adjusted as far as it goes, I took it to the smith's to get new sights fitted. While there, I also mentioned a new rear stock - the original is, as you know, in a steep angle, rather short, narrow, and has the concave metal buttplate all of which make the recoil feel nasty. (Worry not: I took care of the original stock!)
No problem so far.
Then I asked for the real McCoy: can it be made take-down? "Yes", said the 'smith.
So off we went: shorter barrel, new sights, new sling swivels, Weaver rail for red dot sight/scope, new stocks, and make it take-down.
It took a long time: he got the gun in May and the work was supposed to be finished well in time for the hunting season. Well, I got the gun last Friday!
Took it to the range on Saturday, grouped about 1 MOA @ 100 meters both with 123grs FMJ practice ammo and 200grs Sako Hammerhead JSP hunting ammo.
On Sunday we went hunting and, well, let the photos speak for themselves!
Any questions?
Photos with some details.
1) This is the set-up
The stock is made of plywood (laminated). The material was supplied by my father who once obtained a nice piece expressly to make a couple of nice stocks.
It's very heavy. Good for recoil management, not so good for toting the gun around.
The DocterSight II red dot sight is fitted.
2) Take-down
No explanation needed here, I think. Docter fitted again.
3) The thread
This is actually the original thread: this is how the barrel is attached to the mechanism.
This made it easy to execute the take-down feature.
The downside is that it takes 8 twists to get the gun apart.
We did discuss a half-thread whereby only a quarter of a turn is needed, but this is simpler.
Underneath you can see the locking piece that slides into the frame of the gun.
4) The latch
This the latch that you open when taking the gun apart. It's actually taken from a shotgun.
You pull the latch and twist the barrel/forend loose from the frame.
Above you can see the Weaver rail. It was fitted on the frame of the old rear sight enabling the use of a scout-type scope and/or red dot sight. The open sights are visible above it so any combination can be used.
5) Comparison
Old above, new below (in case someone didn't spot the differences...)
I put them so that the the action/barrel "cut" is on the same level. This clearly shows the shorter barrel and the about 2 3/4" lengthened rear stock (inc. recoil pad).
The stock is also quite a bit thicker and it gives a pleasant grip.
What is not so visible is that the stock line is also straighter: there is less drop. Approx. 2 1/8" v. 1 5/8", in fact.
6) Proof that it works
A big moose cow. I hit her @ about 25yds and she ran about 50yds, a bit more.
Ammo used was Sako's Hammerhead 200grs. The box says 770m/s, i.e. 2525fps but I doubt if the short barrel gives much above 700m/s (2300fps). I've yet to chrono them.
I used the red dot sight for the hunt. An excellent piece of kit!!! Very fast shooting, good all-round visibility, good accuracy.
- Lars/Finland
A.k.a. Bwana One-Shot
Congratulations !! 
..............and by the way, welcome to the fire. Thanks, Tom
