Okay, I've successfully avoided buying yet another lever action platform. I have a Browning M71 and a USRAC/Winchester M1886 with semipistol grip, and one of the finger lever assemblies must be changed. Discussing only the metal involved, what Midwest parts will I need to acquire to alter the lever ...

It should always be possible to dissolve Parliament by sending a lieutenant and ten enlisted men to do the job. Elard von Oldenburg-Januschau (a neighbor of Paul von Hindenburg, who enjoyed the reputation of being a "reactionary brute")

Please identify manufacturers or sources for laminated rifle stock blanks -- made from maple or walnut laminations rather than birch.

The only manufacturer I am aware of is Serengeti, making an unusual five-ply laminated walnut stock blank.

O.S.O.K. wrote:Looks like a Marlin...

Look under the hood, rear portion of receiver where aperture sight might go. Not visible, but it's there.

If I'm not mistaken, the description is not as thorough as it could be. The 425 locks with a tilting breech, like the Savage M99, M12, and Ithaca M37.

What are production numbers of each? I believe there has been but a single run of Browning while USRA has been run several time. It may still be in the production que for the reconstituted Winchester brand. While the safety mechanism affects price significantly, scarcity also does so. *** Parentheti...

I thank you all for your time and replies. I have identified a kludge that allows me to square the aperture mechanically.

. . . Does the $60.00 cover a simple rechamber job or does it cover additional work? I would like to know. Thanks. 1886. This is an excellent question. I am unsure. I assumed the conversion included rendering feeding of 2.88-inch cartridges (LNF bulleted cartridges being shorter). Your reply makes ...

Okay, I have the M1886. It is a USRA/Winchester in .45-70. A friend of mine has the same rifle, but his has been converted [slightly] to .45-90. I understand completely that were I to do this, working up loading data for this specific rifle, and [each] specific load must subsequently be done. For ab...

Apparently, the only way to lock vertical adjustment on XS's ghost ring is via LocTite or other fixent -- not even locking screws? Is there any top-receiver-mounting adjustable aperture sight that incorporates precise indexing of vertical adjustments? OR is anyone aware of a gunsmith who offers alte...

Looking at the graphic of mounted XS sight, I have a question that the web site does not answer. The XS sight's vertical adjustment appears to be via turning the threaded aperture 180 degrees [in either direction]. How do you make sure that aperture is perpendicular to front sight? Unless there is s...

Regarding photographs, I think we're in deep dutch. I have a flatbed scanner but no film OR digital camera. Of course, I could pirate graphics that show what I have, but that's not kosher. *** Some more information, about some of which I'm not happy. 1. The Browning M71 has a smaller, shorter finger...

I picked up my Browning M71 and USRA/Winchester M1886 rifles. I'm embarrassed to report that I was in such lust earlier that I did not examine either rifle thoroughly. I noticed two things, one is a design detail, one quality control. 1. The Browning M71 is significantly smoother to operate while be...

Regarding resistance to bee venom, Africanized bees' venom is no more potent than other stinging bees. These bees are merely more suicidal. Everyone becomes sensitive to bee venom were they stung enough. I do not mean being stung hundreds of times in a few minutes, rather the sensitivity as a cumula...

95fan wrote:+1, It can be done but there is really no reason since there are plenty of 86's available

Thank you for your reply.

Those of you who are knowledgeable of the variations among the M1886-based mechanisms, I have a question I hope you can answer. The Browning M71 is chambered for .348 WCF. Can it be converted backwards to .45-70 or .45-90? I do not refer to the barrel, that must be replaced, rather the action. I thi...

There are references in this thread to Miroku M1886 and Browning M1886. I understand Miroku is the manufacturer. Are these M1886s the same as USRA M1886s? If not, please identify the differences.

Among the USRA M1886 with tang safety, Browning M71, and Marlin XLR .45-70 mechanisms which do you prefer? Why? I appreciate the fact of the XLR's stainless steel for many operating parts, plus strong, warp resistant stock. I also appreciate an inherently smoother M1886 basis mechanism, plus superio...

Naphtali, The "Browning" guns will have the original half cock action. The "USRA" guns will have the rebounding hammer and safety. Joe Since the M1886 has a rebounding hammer, that's that. The Browning does not have this. Its additional safety feature is, I believe, a multiple-p...

Naphtali, The Browning M71 and 1886 are earlier production rifles. Now long out of productioin. The USRA are current or at least recent versions. Both are made by Miroku in Japan. The parts for the older versions will with some latitude for fitting work in the newer guns. The problem is finding the...

I have a pretty good "safe". Cost me ZERO dollars, so I guess on an ROI it's pretty good. Admittedly, the lock is not as "secure" as a Vault type safe, but someone has to be interested in opening it first... What crook really wants popsicles & frozen pizza? A Freezer is esse...

Hodgdon, and probably all publishers of reloading data, classifies .45-70 reloads by the platform that shoots it: Trapdoor Springfield is the weakest; Winchester and Marlin lever actions being intermediate; and Siamese bolt actions and Ruger #1s being strongest. Can I safely use loading data intende...

Synchronicity -- I watched it last night also. Did you notice that Lee Marvin had more than one campaign hat? Look at the Montana peaks. One is pointed; one is rounded. The DVD I saw also included special features on Burt Lancaster, the making of the movie, and participants' memories of the making o...

US Repeating Arms' M1886 incorporates a tang safety and a rebounding hammer while Browning's M71 has neither (or a completely different form of rebounding trigger). Is it possible, during a caliber conversion, to have either Browning's trigger assembly replace only the rebounding hammer assembly, or...

crs wrote:My takedown Win/Miroku 1886 and 1895 shoot fine, including first shot.
There was thread on this subject recently and you may be able to locate it with a search.

Thanks for the heads-up. I did a search on the term "takedown" and did not find what you mention. Help me out, here?

While I will not take advantage of this information for perhaps six-to-eight months, it's necessary information. Comparing a fixed barrelled Winchester 71/1886 or a Marlin 1895 rifle with a takedown version of the same rifle: 1. What is the difference in accuracy I should expect -- that is, is a tak...

Some of you migrated to different stocks during the conversion. Is reinforcement of the butt stock desirable -- that is, using laminated (Serengeti) wood, or perhaps, some sort of butt stock through bolt assembly?

I just acquired a used, fired Browning Model 71 High Grade. Over time it will change calibers, but that's another topic. Among the first things to do is to have a receiver-mounted adjustable aperture sight installed. I do not care for Lyman's or Williams' with the sight base being affixed to the lef...