More Fun With My 1873 Rehab project

[rbertalotto]

I bought on Ebay a new bolt and carrier. As I explained in the article I wrote, I thought the original bolt had been shortened so I needed to set the barrel back to correct a headspace problem.

http://rvbprecision.com/shooting/winche ... build.html

But the "new" bolt I just received is actually a few thou shorter than the original bolt! I can't correct this with longer toggles as the two shoulders of both bolts are hard and fast against the receiver and can not be pushed any more forward unless some material is removed from the bolt.

The carrier fits perfectly so it isn't that the frame stretched in this area. Strange...

Seems the only way I'm going to be able to correct is to solder a disc to the front of the bolt and machine and drill a hole for the firing pin.

Onward and forward!!

[BrentD]

I'm not familiar with W73s but if you do your prescribed fix, will the extractor still be able to reach around and grab the front edge of the rim?

I'm wondering if you might be missing something given that both bolts give you the same, unacceptable answer.

Puzzling through these old guns, when there is no blueprint of correct and proper, is a lot of fun, but also a lot of frustration.

I have had somewhat similar issues with the carrier for my 95 Marlin square bolt. Mostly, it's must my misunderstanding of how it really is supposed to work.

Good luck!

[rbertalotto]

Yes. You are correct. The extractor will need to be modified. More fun!

[w30wcf]

And......will the firing pin be long enough......

W30wcf

[rbertalotto]

No, the firing pin will need to be modified or a new one made..... Good call!

[BrentD]

And the ejector? not sure how that works on the 73s. And will the ejection port be long enough for reasonable length ammo?

Seems like this change you are contemplating has lots of downstream issues. I keep wondering if you are making a mistake in "fixing" it this way. Seems like whatever the problem is, lengthening the bolt face is probably no the correct solution.

[rbertalotto]

Ejection wouldn't be an issue. The chamber length on these 1873 rifles is very proud. Lots of length. When the 38-40 is set up for a revolver and the 180g bullet crimped in the crimp groove, the OAL is easily short for the chamber.

I agree....I sometimes get involved in these projects just to have a project....if you know what I mean. The solution I have currently of the barrel being set back and the carrier modified works great. No feeding or ejecting issues what so ever. But it bugs me that it isn't correct.

Not sure what I'm going to do. Might just leave it alone for now and move on to other projects.......Like building that Remington Hepbun kit I received a few weeks ago.....

[BrentD]

The Hepburn would be my choice, that's for sure. And then shooting it in every silhouette and long range competition in the country. Basically, that's what I do anyway but I use a Highwall and a '77 Sharps