Big Horn Armory

SargeMarlin · Post by **SargeMarlin** » Wed May 01, 2013 11:27 am

So, it's been a while since they announced the Model 89. Has anybody seen or handled one live yet? If so, how'd it shoot, cycle, look?

SM

Rimfire McNutjob · Post by **Rimfire McNutjob** » Wed May 01, 2013 8:20 pm

I'm curious as well if anyone has had their hands on one yet.

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Wed May 01, 2013 9:50 pm

AS OF THIS PAST JANUARY....THEY ARE IN PRODUCTION.....PER GUNBLAST
http://www.gunblast.com/BigHorn-SpikeDriver.htm

piller · Post by **piller** » Thu May 02, 2013 6:33 am

I haven't seen one, and would like to.

SargeMarlin · Post by **SargeMarlin** » Thu May 02, 2013 3:27 pm

I just tried to call the company and left a voice message in hopes of a response. The website says 6-8 month lead on orders, so I hope to verify that if they call back. I will keep you all updated.

SM

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Thu May 02, 2013 11:56 pm

I saw two examples at the Cody Winter Gunshow, and there was one on the wall, for sale, at Rocky Mountain Sports, a month or so ago...

Birdman · Post by **Birdman** » Fri May 03, 2013 5:57 pm

Hey Buck. I know you have had a lot to say about these over the years. How'd they look?

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Fri May 03, 2013 8:58 pm

Birdman wrote:Hey Buck. I know you have had a lot to say about these over the years. How'd they look?

Same question from me, too...

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Sun May 18, 2014 12:54 pm

Well, I ordered one back around March, and they told me it would be 6-8 months potentially, but I only had enough aside for the down payment anyway, and that gave me some time to sell other stuff or otherwise save some funds (and find some factory ammo, since I always break in 'new' guns with factory ammo so there are no other variables).

Last week they notified me that they are about ready to ship mine, so I guess that once I raid the plastic bank, and get my paws on it, I will post a "Range Report".

It will be my first '1886' style gun (it is sort of half '86 and half '92 - thus the "89" designation halfway between those numbers), my first 'custom order' gun other than an Encore barrel or two, and my most expensive firearm ever (I haven't gotten into buying vintage collectable guns of 'collector' grade, though I've bought several vintage/used 'shooter' grade firearms over the years).

I ordered the 'carbine' style and with the 'hunter black' finish (all the metal is stainless steel though), and the walnut stock.

My Guide Gun may get pretty jealous; the Spike Driver is exactly the same length (37"), weighs 6 ounces less, holds one more round, and. . . is prettier. . .

Jeff Quinn is here holding the shorter-magazine version 'rifle', but it sure looks well-built.

Spike Driver vs Marlin.jpg

This is the 'glamour shot' from their website of the carbine, but mine will have the black finish.

Rimfire McNutjob · Post by **Rimfire McNutjob** » Sun May 18, 2014 3:52 pm

They have finally decided to offer the longer magazine on the rifle version. Probably too many inquiries about it.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Sun May 18, 2014 4:13 pm

Rimfire McNutjob wrote:They have finally decided to offer the longer magazine on the rifle version. Probably too many inquiries about it.

I think it was 'an option' when I ordered, and I thought about it seriously, but the gun it was 'replacing' was my Guide Gun, so I decided to keep the overall size the same. I have my 444 Marlin that is about the same size as their rifle version, if I need big-gun power.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sun May 18, 2014 6:55 pm

AJMD429 wrote:
Rimfire McNutjob wrote:They have finally decided to offer the longer magazine on the rifle version. Probably too many inquiries about it.
I think it was 'an option' when I ordered, and I thought about it seriously, but the gun it was 'replacing' was my Guide Gun, so I decided to keep the overall size the same. I have my 444 Marlin that is about the same size as their rifle version, if I need big-gun power.

The 500 is not more powerful than the .444?

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Sun May 18, 2014 7:57 pm

BlaineG wrote:
AJMD429 wrote:
Rimfire McNutjob wrote:They have finally decided to offer the longer magazine on the rifle version. Probably too many inquiries about it.
I think it was 'an option' when I ordered, and I thought about it seriously, but the gun it was 'replacing' was my Guide Gun, so I decided to keep the overall size the same. I have my 444 Marlin that is about the same size as their rifle version, if I need big-gun power.
The 500 is not more powerful than the .444?

They're both in the 3,000 ft-lb class from a long gun, and I wouldn't expect all that much difference in 'terminal effect' from either one. BOTH are plenty for anything I'd ever take a shot at.

For a long-action firearm, that is often with a 20" or longer barrel, when talking 'leverguns', there are plenty of 444 Marlins, 405 Winchesters, or strong 45-70's out there, not to mention the 450 Marlins, and 450 Alaskans and so on.

When it comes to short-actions, short barrels, or short lever-throws, in the 'really powerful' class, it comes down to the 454 Casull in the Rossi 92, and now the 500 S&W in the Bighorn 89.

Here's the ballistics sheet they provide:

http://www.bighornarmory.com/downloads/ ... 9fd485e01/

kaschi · Post by **kaschi** » Sun May 18, 2014 9:24 pm

There was one for sale on GB not so long ago....I'm thinking within the last 3 months.

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Sun May 18, 2014 10:10 pm

Rocky Mountain Sports in Cody has another one on consignment in the store.. $2,400 will send it home with you... I've handled this one more than just a bit.. (belongs to a friend of mine..) i still don't like the way they feel in the hand.. The lever/trigger guard feels awkward to me. The stock feels "clubby" in my hands, and the fore end has a pronounced bulge in its mid-section.. This particular rifle has a very tall front sight, to match a bolt-mounted peep sight arrangement that resembles the Williams "sliding" rear sight seen on some bolt guns.. I have to raise my cheeck off the stock a bit to pick up the sights.. There is no rear dovetail in the barrel for a conventional rear sight..

I still have my previous objections to the angled locking geometry, which will only accelerate battering of bolt, receiver and locking lugs..

For the price, I'd want something better thought-out..

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Sun May 18, 2014 10:49 pm

Buck Elliott wrote:....for the price, I'd want something better thought-out..

I guess I'll have to see if I like it enough better than my Guide Gun to justify the difference. So far if one wants a 500 S&W lever gun, there aren't any "better thought-out" ones I was able to find to choose from.

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Sun May 18, 2014 11:10 pm

There will be.....

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Mon May 19, 2014 6:11 am

Buck Elliott wrote:There will be.....

That's not a surprise - most of the time I wait and wait and finally can't wait any more, and get something, something better comes along a week later that I wish I'd got instead.

I think that's a cycle I've repeated hundreds of times with all kinds of purchases, and at least a dozen or so times with guns.

Rimfire McNutjob · Post by **Rimfire McNutjob** » Mon May 19, 2014 10:34 am

Buck Elliott wrote:... i still don't like the way they feel in the hand.. The lever/trigger guard feels awkward to me.

They do seem to have a very short radius to the lever/grip. Though perhaps not too far off from a 71 short tang. Hard to tell just eyeball'in it.

kaschi · Post by **kaschi** » Tue May 20, 2014 10:01 pm

Boy, Buck, I sure hope you are right when you say "there will be"!

I think with all the money these companies invest in R&D in order to manufacture neat guns, they would simply be better off sticking with totally original design and styling.

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