At the Range/Match

[Griff]

So, for the past year I've been using a Cowboy45Special carrier in my 1873 short rifle I use for cowboy action shooting. With the short stroke kit and tuned springs, I've noticed that my times have come down (slightly, as I'd still rather shoot with no misses than be fast and miss) and the rifle has been surprising reliable and fun! Since I've been off getting some medical stuff done, I thought maybe it was time to break out the black powder (or sub) and do a little practicing in preparation for a bigger match this September. So last week I shot my 1851s and this '73 with the BP rounds, loaded with about 18 grains of 3F APP and a 160 grain bullet. It ran quite well up until the sixth stage when it started acting sluggish. Being a long time shooter of BP in a toggle link, I knew it was the fouling around the lifter gumming the lifter and slowing it's free travel! I got thru the match clean, no misses, no penalties and while I was slow... so what? I had fun!

Today, I went to another club to shoot their cowboy match. After cleaning the rifle, from last week, I thought maybe it was the APP, vs using real Black. So I loaded 10 rounds with Goex Cartridge and the same bullet. The gun felt smooth and responsive in test cycling after the cleaning and I anticipated another great day, outdoors and shooting with friends. Would that it came off! The very first stage, after about half a magazine, the rifle started the same sluggish action, taking quite a bit of force to move the carrier up and down thru the mortise. Usually having a back up plan, I put the gun up and got out the 1860 Henry. It's outfitted with the same Cowboy45Special carrier, so I could keep using the ammo I had with me. After shooting one stage with this rifle, it developed the same symptoms and I knew that it was going to be a chore to get either rifle to run for the match. And in fact, the very next stage, after two rounds the carrier locked up tighter than a drum. So... eight shots not fired and a rifle that wouldn't make the next four stages. I didn't have a plan C for the day! I figured, what the heck, I learned something. The C45S doesn't like BP in my rifles! It may take annealing the case mouths for them to seal in the chamber better. Something I've never had to do with the 45 Colt, but... the shorter cartridge might be just thick enough at the mouth to not have any real seal in the Colt chamber.

So, in cleaning the rifle tonight, I had to disassemble it to hammer the carrier out. Yeah it was stuck like it was glued in! I typically use brake cleaner to blast out the baked on fouling in the carrier mortise and use a wire brush to really scrub the area of any remaining residue. After cleaning thoroughly, including used a screwdriver bit to scrap off some really stuck on fouling. When I went to put the carrier back in, it wouldn't go but about ½ way and it stuck solid. What???? Took it out and inspected the mortise again... did some more scribbing to be sure it was clean... and thought... hmmm, I wonder if the original 45 Colt carrier will work. Dug it out of the spare parts stash and put it in. Fit fine, slide up and down like it's always done. So... at tomorrow's match I guess I'm shooting 45 Colt in the rifle and keeping the C45S dedicated to the pistols. Just in case, I'll be taking my other '73 for a backup! If I remember to set the alarm!

[Nath]

Griff, would it be possible to either relieve the block with some sanding or how about a little oil can with some olive oil in it. Keeps BP fouling nice and soft.

[JimT]

or pull the sideplate off and pee in it quickly ...between stages ... you know .. hot water and all .....

[Nath]

or pull the sideplate off and pee in it quickly ...between stages ... you know .. hot water and all .....

[Griff]

Griff, would it be possible to either relieve the block with some sanding or how about a little oil can with some olive oil in it. Keeps BP fouling nice and soft.

I've sanded one side, the other has a spring and lever in it to hold the shorter cartridge up near the breech to enable the next cartridge in the magazine to slide back. Makes me a little nervous to sand on one side only, in case the carrier gets too off-centered on the breech. I do prefer to run a dry carrier so it doesn't attract quite as much fouling.

Jim, I don't need to take the side plates off, the sticky part is the carrier... I'm pretty sure how the rest of the competitors would feel if I employed that technique at the range!