The $1 Million Question...

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 7:40 am

Assume for a moment that there is a Venture Capitalist that lurks on Leverguns.

And assume that this Venture Capitalist will to a 100% Startup for the "I want to build this gun" that most intrigues him.

WHAT GUN WOULD YOU PROPOSE?

BrentD · Post by **BrentD** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 7:46 am

Winchester Highwall - probably in the venerable .45-70 caliber, but a .45-90 might be opted for depending up on usage requirements. There is no venture capitalist that has as much startup costs as a custom Highwall MAY require, but a mighty fine one can be built to fit almost any capitalist's budget.

This one is mine, built to suit me and only me. And so it does.
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~jessie/P ... %20yds.JPG

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 8:33 am

And here I am thinking of a lowly Winchester 1894 clone, just as it was introduced, TE in .32-40, TD rifle, ½round-½ octagon w/full or ½ magazines, CCH'd receivers etc., engraving when desired, XXX-fancy wood, double set triggers... silly me! MADE IN TEXAS! We'll call it the "Venture Capitalist & Griff mdl 1894"! Carbines & other calibers available as special order.

Oh yeah, the 1st 100 will be marked "First Hundred - Paco Kelly Levergunners Special". Instant classic... sales estimated somewhere between 10 & 7 million.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 9:18 am

Always on the cautious side, I don't believe anybody could produce anything that would a good seller. If you want it, its out there, and usually pretty darn good.

It never has been so good for we guncranks.--------6

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 9:24 am

Single shot rifles, with the original long tube brass telescopes.
I would buy one.

BrentD · Post by **BrentD** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 9:27 am

Currently, no one is making the Sharps Borchardt. Many folks say they would love to have one for hunting, long range competition or to varmintize as was popular prior to the WWII. I have a Schuetzen version that I am not much enamored of, but given other people's interest, that might be a profitable way to go.

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 9:52 am

.

A stainless steel .22LR Marlin 39a clone, re-engineered large enough to also handle the .17HRM & .22WRM.

.

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 9:54 am

With a long tube scope on it!

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 10:02 am

A Ruger 96 lever gun in 45 Colt and 32-20 and 480 Ruger or better yet 475 Linebaugh.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 11:27 am

A Ruger 96 Leveraction in .22 Hornet...

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 12:00 pm

Even a Rossi 92 in 32-20, or 22 Hornet (maybe the Ackley version), or even better - 218 Bee...

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 12:36 pm

Nothing in any classic caliber or classic gun would work. This is the "niche" market and Marlin, Browning and the Italians have that pretty well covered. No newcomer could make it as cheap as those guys.

Funny thing about the Sharps Borchardt, there were only about 7K made, which is only about 2K more than the '74 sidehammer but can be found at a third of the price. I paid 2 for mine 10 years ago and its not worth much more today and its a 90% gun.

Individual manufacturers have brought back about 95% of all major guns ever made.

Hey! How about a Remington-Keene?

Its nice to dream---------6

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 12:48 pm

Then again, THIS is on my wish-list, and already is in production...

http://www.bighornarmory.com/catalog/bi ... carbine-2/

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 6:05 pm

OK, my turn:

A re-engineered/envisioned Savage 99C-TD that feeds from mil-spec 7.62 NATO mags and comes with all 3 .308 based barrels.. A brush-length .358, a 20" .308/7.62 and a .243 barrel.

There is very little you couldn't do with that gun...

Marlin32 · Post by **Marlin32** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 6:12 pm

A marlin style (or angle/ side eject and optics mountable) rifle in 8mm , 348 or .358 caliber. SOmethng that can take upwards to 50+ pressures.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 6:35 pm

Old Ironsights wrote:A re-engineered/envisioned Savage 99C-TD that feeds from mil-spec 7.62 NATO mags and comes with all 3 .308 based barrels.. A brush-length .358, a 20" .308/7.62 and a .243 barrel.

Ooh, now that would be cool...!

I like the Savage 99 concept for the same reasons I like the Ruger 96 - I tend to dislike tubular magazines, due to slow loading, awkward unloading, bullet-tip restrictions, etc... But I really LIKE leverguns.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 6:37 pm

AJMD429 wrote:
Old Ironsights wrote:A re-engineered/envisioned Savage 99C-TD that feeds from mil-spec 7.62 NATO mags and comes with all 3 .308 based barrels.. A brush-length .358, a 20" .308/7.62 and a .243 barrel.
Ooh, now that would be cool...!

I like the Savage 99 concept for the same reasons I like the Ruger 96 - I tend to dislike tubular magazines, due to slow loading, awkward unloading, bullet-tip restrictions, etc... But I really LIKE leverguns.

If you build it around HK magazines, a 20 rnd mag is less than $10 and a 5rd mag is less than $30.

With it being a TD you could do a dedicated suppressed barrel too...

Pick your furniture: Wood, Laminate or Polymer. Rails, no rails. Old School or Tacticool.

Lots of options, only one 4473...

ollogger · Post by **ollogger** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 7:42 pm

Old Ironsights wrote:OK, my turn:

A re-engineered/envisioned Savage 99C-TD that feeds from mil-spec 7.62 NATO mags and comes with all 3 .308 based barrels.. A brush-length .358, a 20" .308/7.62 and a .243 barrel.

There is very little you couldn't do with that gun...

I was doing some thinking on that one, but no more, Im putting in a order
that's perfect!!!!

ollogger

wvfarrier · Post by **wvfarrier** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 7:46 pm

A winchester 92 clone that has nano tech boolits that only kill lying politicians

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 7:53 pm

ollogger wrote:
Old Ironsights wrote:OK, my turn:

A re-engineered/envisioned Savage 99C-TD that feeds from mil-spec 7.62 NATO mags and comes with all 3 .308 based barrels.. A brush-length .358, a 20" .308/7.62 and a .243 barrel.

There is very little you couldn't do with that gun...

I was doing some thinking on that one, but no more, Im putting in a order
that's perfect!!!!

ollogger

You wanna help me buy the old WYRULEC facility in Lingle? It would be perfect for a Gun MFG operation...

(If I could find a non-fictional VC... it's a dream of mine... sigh...)

ollogger · Post by **ollogger** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 8:30 pm

OI I was content dreaming of the 3 gun set, now I have to add more???

ollogger

missionary5155 · Post by **missionary5155** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 8:44 pm

Gretinga
An American built model 1892 in caliber 41 Magnum.
Mike

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 8:46 pm

ollogger wrote:OI I was content dreaming of the 3 gun set, now I have to add more??? ollogger

It would be nice to have a gun operation on this side of the state though... wouldn't it?

Somebody's got to compete with Buck Elliot...

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 9:19 pm

My levergun, in .454 Casull; .475 Linebaugh; .475 Maximum, and .500 S&W..

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 9:28 pm

BrentD wrote:Currently, no one is making the Sharps Borchardt. Many folks say they would love to have one for hunting, long range competition or to varmintize as was popular prior to the WWII. I have a Schuetzen version that I am not much enamored of, but given other people's interest, that might be a profitable way to go.

For many years, Angus Barker has been making Sharps-Borchardt rifles, in Stevensville MT.. Don't know for sure if he's still working.. I used to work with his brother Don, who founded Ballard Rifle & Cartridge, here in Cody, as well as the Gain Twist Barrel Company..

BrentD · Post by **BrentD** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 9:50 pm

Buck,
Never heard of him. Strange that I have not given the number of folks in MT that shoot long range and want a Borchardt. Al Story did, but he is out of the business and one guy in upstate NY for those that can afford him. Does he have a website?

Panzercat · Post by **Panzercat** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 11:55 pm

A single lever that will consume: 45LC, 454, 460, 45ACP and 410SS. Hell, let's throw in 45-70 while we're here

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 12:07 am

Panzercat wrote:A single lever that will consume: 45LC, 454, 460, 45ACP and 410SS. Hell, let's throw in 45-70 while we're here

Somebody is a glutton for feeding problems, I think.. And the .45-70 is definitely the odd-man-out...

KiwiKev · Post by **KiwiKev** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 4:27 am

A .50 cal Lever action!

Anyway you want it.
Mules leg, 24 inch octagonal.

You may not get too many of those .50 cal rounds down the tube.

But that will be fun at the range.

3leggedturtle · Post by **3leggedturtle** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 1:52 pm

game keeper wrote:A Ruger 96 Leveraction in .22 Hornet...

+1

Been thinking that for quite spell. Other calibers I would like to see in the 96 are: .30 Carbine, 25/20, 32/20, 357 Mag or 218 Bee

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 2:33 pm

.256 Winchester...

hfcable · Post by **hfcable** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 3:36 pm

Buck Elliott wrote:My levergun, in .454 Casull; .475 Linebaugh; .475 Maximum, and .500 S&W..

+1 for me !!

[ and of course i still want a volcanic , or a scaled down 1860 Henry, in 22 lr ]

hfcable · Post by **hfcable** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 3:38 pm

Buck Elliott wrote:.256 Wincbhester...

i have one of the marlin 62s in 256 but a ruger 96 would be nice, and handier i think.

tman · Post by **tman** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 5:45 pm

I'd build a 94 to oldtime saddlering carbine standards, chamber it for the .356WCF. Buy an ammo company, load it to 180 and 200 grain flextip and 250 grain flatnose at Superformance ammo levels, and LOOSE MY SHIRT, but I'd have something really neat.

tman · Post by **tman** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 5:49 pm

#2 1895 src carbine 30-06 with a 19" barrel. #3 1886 45-70 saddlering carbine 20" barrell. #4 1892 SRC .357 that SMOOTHLEY feeds .38 waddcutters up to .357 magnum 180grn. hardcast.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 6:46 pm

hfcable wrote:
Buck Elliott wrote:My levergun, in .454 Casull; .475 Linebaugh; .475 Maximum, and .500 S&W..
+1 for me ! ]

You know, I can't figure out why people want to punish themselves with all of that recoil. .......wait a minute, I'm more of a shooter than a hunter....only thinking for myself.....wait.....you can load it down. .....forget it.......

A Colt Lightning in 50-110 Ex.!!! That's one I've never heard of. Even Scoville never thunk that one up!------6. After all, you don't need a strong action for a cartridge in that pressure range. No bolt thrust!!!!!!!

----6

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 7:03 pm

Colt's LMR was chambered for the .50-95 Express, if that makes anyone feel better...

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 4:00 pm

How about re-engineering all leverguns to use a detachable mag? Then we could shoot spire points, and reload on the fly without asking for a time-out. Ok there's the BLR but it's a little fat looking.

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 4:33 pm

What's easier to load than a traditional Lever-action rifle or carbine..?

Stuff 'em in the gate, one at a time, or one after another, if that's what you need to do, to keep the magazine tube full.. If the loading process bothers you, the limitations are your own; not the guns'...

No loose magazines to drop or lose.. Or get dinged up, or full of dirt..

Besides, spitzer-nose bullets are highly overrated at iron-sight distances any ways, and a scope merely detracts from a levergun's svelte lines and unmatched handling characteristics..

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 4:42 pm

Next thing ya know, folks'll start clamoring for revolvers that shoot just by pulling the trigger, and feature "swing-out" cylinders, and simultaneous ejection of the empty cases...

hfcable · Post by **hfcable** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 4:49 pm

Buck Elliott wrote:Next thing ya know, folks'll start clamoring for revolvers that shoot just by pulling the trigger, and feature "swing-out" cylinders, and simultaneous ejection of the empty cases...

well, that is hard to imagine, but some folks would probably buy anything, even a rube goldberg revolver like that !

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 4:53 pm

I've even heard tell of a pistol that don't have a cylinder a'tall.. Ya just shove a "magazine" fulla cartridges up its butt, then yank back on the top end, sorta like a slingshot, only it sets that pistol ready to shoot, fast as you can tap the Go-switch, and when it runs dry, you just mash a button, drop that "magazine" in the mud, and start all over again...

Somebody said they might have a carbine that works the same way...!?!?

hfcable · Post by **hfcable** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 5:07 pm

Buck Elliott wrote:I've even heard tell of a pistol that don't have a cylinder a'tall.. Ya just shove a "magazine" fulla cartridges up its butt, then yank back on the top end, sorta like a slingshot, only it sets that pistol ready to shoot, fast as you can tap the Go-switch, and when it runs dry, you just mash a button, drop that "magazine" in the mud, and start all over again...

Somebody said they might have a carbine that works the same way...!?!?

now i KNOW you are pulling my leg !

and i was starting to believe the other stuff.

dang !

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 5:13 pm

I hear ya, I hear ya...

But I got it all, thru the half-open door to the bar at the Irma Hotel, in Cody, and you can b'lieve me, them boys in there Knows their guns.. Trust me..!

hfcable · Post by **hfcable** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 5:18 pm

Buck Elliott wrote:I hear ya, I hear ya...

But I got it all, thru the half-open door to the bar at the Irma Hotel, in Cody, and you can b'lieve me, them boys in there Knows their guns.. Trust me..!

havent been to the Irma in over 20 years..... but i do consider that an impeccable, unimpeachable [ see , i do know some big words ] source and i apologize sir for doubting you.

i do get down to bozeman frequently so i am going to have to run down to Cody sometime soon,, so i too can be up to date !

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 5:38 pm

I actually have all of them types of guns............... I like em.

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 7:35 pm

Mescalero wrote:I actually have all of them types of guns............... I like em.

Nooo..! Go 'Way...!!

Say it ain't so..!!

What's this Ol' World come to..??

Reckon I can't get caught hangin round outside the door to the Irma bar no more.. Why, me and that young Johnny Linebaugh kinda steer clear of the place, just on account'a them strange ideas. Sounds like those notions musta slipped out thru the bottom of that door, and took holt, like leafy spurge in a hay field..

DANG..!

So much fer blissful innocence..

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 1:52 pm

Back to the subject of the original thrust of the thread..

I see a few references to the 99 Savage and the Ruger 96..

IMHO, the failed Winchester 88, the floundering Ruger Levergun and the cultist's Darling, the 99 Savage, (not to mention Marlin's defunct Levermatic series) all suffer from the same, serious design defect: NONE OF THEM HAS AN EXTERNAL HAMMER, which would alllow for quick, safe and easy decocking of the firearm, which attribute was built-in to all previous designs, from the days of the Volcanics, and which descended from preceeding single shot types..

In my experience, levergunners instinctively Want that option, and if the gun has no hammer, the shooter constantly makes mental comments to himself, that he sure wishes the hammer was there.. think about it for a minute..

barbarossa · Post by **barbarossa** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 2:25 pm

I would like to see a scaled down version of a Henry rifle case colored steel frame in 22lr

hfcable · Post by **hfcable** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 2:34 pm

Buck Elliott wrote:Back to the subject of the original thrust of the thread..

I see a few references to the 99 Savage and the Ruger 96..

IMHO, the failed Winchester 88, the floundering Ruger Levergun and the cultist's Darling, the 99 Savage, (not to mention Marlin's defunct Levermatic series) all suffer from the same, serious design defect: NONE OF THEM HAS AN EXTERNAL HAMMER, which would alllow for quick, safe and east decocking if the firearm, which attribute was built-in to all previous designs, from the days of the Volcanics, and which descended from preceeding single shot types..

In my experience, levergunners instinctively Want that option, and if the gun has no hammer, the shooter constantly makes mental comments to himself, that he sure wishes the hammer was there.. think about it for a minute..

i agree... i am much more comfortable with the external hammer. the old evans lever gun is hammerless, and somewhat disconcerting to make safe.

that may have contributed to its failure also.

i will admit that i have several including the evans, the savage, the winchester 88, and the ruger 96s.... but then i do like to try them all.