« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Falling Block Works  (Read 2491 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Prince of Wales

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 376
Falling Block Works
« on: December 30, 2003, 02:02:20 PM »
A few years ago there were a lot of nice singleshots being built around the various FBW actions. Hav`nt heard about them in awhile now. Does anyone know if these are still available? Best of luck. POW
Logged

Offline marlinman93

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 849
Falling Block Works
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2003, 04:28:15 PM »
I'm not 100% certain, but I believe the FBW Co. has gone out of business. They used to advertise in my ASSRA Journals, but I haven't seen an ad in years.
 They were a very strong action, and I still see the actions, or completed guns for sale. The last one I saw was a complete action for $300.
Logged
Ballard, the great American Rifles!

Offline FAsmus

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 99
Re: Falling Block Works
« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2003, 12:49:38 AM »
Prince of Wales,

P: A few years ago there were a lot of nice singleshots being built around the various FBW actions. Haven't heard about them in awhile now. Does anyone know if these are still available? Best of luck.

F: I bought a FBW "J" action way back in the 80s and have used it ever since.

The company is out of business for sure; gone.

Their actions were investment-castings and very strong. Mine has been used for shooting cast bullets its entire lifetime and has always done well. The triggers are crisp and tunable.

The design has one outstanding flaw so far as I'm concerned: The mainspring will break pretty reliably after about 2500 rounds. Since the company is no longer around I had to learn how to make the jig to make the springs myself.

Good morning,
Forrest
Logged

Offline PeterF.

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 230
Falling Block Works
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2004, 04:18:29 AM »
They are not currently producing, but there was some possibility they might get going again.  It was run by 2 brothers, one of whom had a "day job" in government. I talked to him maybe 4-5 years ago.  He said that, when he retired (which could be by now), they might get back into it.  I assume that, if they did, there'd be some ads in the appropriate places.  They were very pretty actions, Browning/Winchester style with modern metallurgy; Frank deHaas liked them alot.  I keep an eye open for them and see FBW-based guns occassionally on GunsAmerica, under either "Benchrest/Varmint  Rifles", "Other F", or "Custom Rifles".
Logged

Offline FAsmus

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 99
Falling Block Works
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2004, 05:23:36 AM »
Peter,

P:  They are not currently producing, but there was some possibility they might get..

F: Yes, I've heard that rumor too. I'm not counting on it at all. The production of these actions had to be a pretty major undertaking in the first place and for them to re-up at this late date seems quite unlikly to me.

The action is good looking and in profile looks like a Hi-Wall, however, the design is as completely different as it may be and still incorperate the basic falling block breech.

Good morning,
Forrest
Logged

Offline Awf Hand

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 372
FBW actions/parts
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2004, 07:29:27 AM »
Where would be the best place to search for parts or actions?  Does anybody have any contacts?

Thanks
Logged
Just my Awf Hand comments...

Offline cooper

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 152
Falling Block Works
« Reply #6 on: January 06, 2004, 08:18:49 AM »
On one of these boards (maybe it was shooterstalk) someone posted the phone number of the guys in Michigan who made it.  

Evidently, they really weren't ready to get back into production, because after a few days the guy who originally posted the number got back on the board and told us NOT to call the number - and that they weren't ready to make any more actions at this time.

Hopefully in the future????
Logged

Offline FAsmus

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 99
Re: FBW actions/parts
« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2004, 08:30:19 AM »
Awf Hand;

AH:  Where would be the best place to search for parts or actions?  Does anybody have any contacts?

F: I don't want to be critical about the FBW actions really, but there
are better actions for sale than this one out there!

I've owned mine since 1984 or so and it has worked well. It is strong, the trigger is easily tuned and the action is simple enough that I can make the parts that I need since the source is dried up. (Note above the mainspring is not as good as it should be)

If a fellow is out for a really good singleshot action today just call the folks over at CPA, buy a reproduction Stevens 44 1/2 and hang whatever barrel you wish. It is a better action from start to finish. Maybe not quite so strong but unless a fellow wanted to shoot 30/378 or something equaly silly I think it'd work just fine, and worth the asking price for certain.

Good afternoon,
Forrest
Logged

Offline Prince of Wales

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 376
Falling Block Works
« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2004, 08:42:30 AM »
Forrest do you have a link or phone# for CPA? Best of luck. POW
Logged

Offline FAsmus

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 99
Falling Block Works
« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2004, 09:50:36 AM »
Prince,

P: Forrest do you have a link or phone# for CPA?

F: Here is their contact person:

Gail Shuttleworth
CPA Corporation
gail@cparifles.com

Gail is knowledgeable and will respond to all inquiries.

Good afternoon,
Forrest
Logged

Offline Awf Hand

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 372
Falling Block Works
« Reply #10 on: January 07, 2004, 01:25:03 PM »
FA:  

There might be better actions out there but I require parts for one I already own.  Is there still somebody in or near Maybee, MI that might have pieces?  I'd buy a complete action just to be sure my favorite Schuetzen rifle doesn't leave me hanging...
Logged
Just my Awf Hand comments...

Offline jeff

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 193
Falling Block Works
« Reply #11 on: January 07, 2004, 04:54:30 PM »
POW

Gail's  web site has lots of info on the rifles:

  www.singleshotrifles.com

jeff
Logged

Offline FAsmus

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 99
Falling Block Works
« Reply #12 on: January 08, 2004, 06:22:22 AM »
Awf Hand,

AH: There might be better actions out there but I require parts for one I already own.  Is there still somebody in or near Maybee, MI that might have pieces?  

F: It has been awhile since I tried to find one of those fellows (without any luck), I can't help you unless you want to buy a mainspring or two: I finally had to make my own springs to keep my rifle shooting and I have extras.

I was trying to find them because I needed a source for mainsprings at the time: no luck. You might try contacting:

Wayne Schwartz
970 E Britton Rd.
Morrice, Michigan  48857

Wayne is a gunsmith that has done a fair amount of work with the FBW actions. He might have what you need in his shop. The trouble is he sometimes forgets letters or requests.

Good luck,
Forrest[/i]
Logged

Offline Awf Hand

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 372
Falling Block Works
« Reply #13 on: January 08, 2004, 03:54:55 PM »
FA

How may I contact you about purchasing one of your mainsprings?

I've been shooting mine for 3 years now and I've been very pleased.  An appraiser at Rock Island Armory told me that this action was good in that there is nothing inside that would give me trouble.  Usually that means I'll have trouble...
The mainspring was all I could see that might give problems which I'd have difficulty repairing myself.  
I was hoping to buy and build a mate in a quarter bore for the 25 cal Schuetzen matches.  Any leads on one for sale?

Thanks much,

Dean
Logged
Just my Awf Hand comments...

Offline Voyageur

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 14
Falling Block Works
« Reply #14 on: January 09, 2004, 12:25:36 PM »
It is not my intention to get anyone stirred up, but I have been making up rifles on the FBW action since they first came out.  I think I have about 5 left but they are not for sale.  I just found this site and thought I'd drop by from time to time and see what was going on with the single shot rifle gang.

With two exceptions, all my FBW single shots are made into .30-40 Krag, .32-40 Winchester, .40-60 Maynard, .40-65 Winchester, .45-70 Govt., .45-90 Winchester, .45-120, .50-85 & .50-140.

I have only one of the minature FBWs left and it is going to be made into a .25-35 for my grandson.

Other than that, I have built on Navy Arms Martinis, original Martinis, Navy Arms Rolling Blocks, original Rolling Blocks, Trapdoors & Sharps.

I'm retired now and the firearms I'm making are pre-1800 rifles and smoothbores.  Northwest Trade Rifles, Northwest Trade Guns and Utility Muskets.  I make these for my own amuzement and to coincide with projects upon which I am engaged with regard to my historical research.

Unlike some, I have never had any trouble with the FBW and, if it is going to be manufactured again, will probably replenish my supply.

Voyageur
Logged

Offline ssdave

  • Trade Count: (71)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 265
Falling Block Works
« Reply #15 on: January 25, 2004, 01:25:52 PM »
I have in my parts bin a new in the white Falling Block Works action (I believe it is the J).  I bought it from the estate of a fellow that was going to make a .45-70 out of it, but died before he finished.  It has a partially fitted stock with it.

I was going to make a schuetzen out of it, but now have an original wide spaced set trigger high wall action to use instead.  

I would entertain interesting trades on the action and stock, what I really want now is a ballard .22 rimfire schuetzen.  Also interested in other single shots, but only ones that have hammers.  (Can't seem to get used to having one without)!  I can be reached at dplummer@accesswest.com
Logged

Offline Prince of Wales

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 376
Falling Block Works
« Reply #16 on: January 26, 2004, 05:33:42 AM »
Dave when you say stock do yor refere to butt stock only? Since your use is singular I am going to assume that. Best of luck. POW
Logged

Offline Jetflyer

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Falling Block Works
« Reply #17 on: January 26, 2004, 03:04:53 PM »
Try here they may be able to help as they are not far from Maybee, 40mins 1 hour drive at most, I'm sure some one there is familiar with this action good luck!!     http://www.williamsgunsight.com/gunsmith.htm
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »