Pedersoli's Trapdoor Springfield

[Philc40]

Looking for comments on this rifle.

[Timberlake]

phil,

you can but an original that keeps value and shoots better for less money.  check just about any gun show you care to go to.

TL

[John Traveler]

I had a close examination of two Pedersoli Tradoors in the last year or so.

I also own a couple Trapdoors and have examined dozens of other originals.

While the Italian-made copies of the M1874 are certainly "okay" for re-enactments, casual shooting, etc, here are my objections to them:

1.  The rear sights lack the refinements and detail of original Buffington rear sights.

2.  The investment cast receivers have obvious casting marks and rough internal surfaces.  The receiver and tang are cast as one piece.

3.  Hammer fall feels very light.  I haven't examined the lockwork, but it might be coi spring operated.

4.  Overall fit and finish do not match the quality of an original Springfield.

5.  hot caustic blue instead of original rust blue finish.

I agree with the previous poster:  An original Trapdoor in good shooting condition is probably more satisfactory if you like authenticity.

John

[John Traveler]

As for the Pedersoli version of the Remington Rolling Block rifle, I've examined several new ones, and two weeks ago, looked closely at  a used one about 5-8 years old.

The wood-to-metal fit and finish are very good, as is the bluing and color case hardening.  I didn't care for the brass trigger guard, but that is how they come.  

I've had a chance to examine authentic Remington Rolling Blocks from the late 1800's, and Pedersoli has done a credible job of making affordable quality rifles for the BPCR shooter.

I've not examined a John Bodine Edition, but expect that it will be at least as nice as the other tapered octagon barrel ones I've seen.

What would I look for and insist on is that your tang rear sight be windage adjustable, and the adjustments be crisp, positive, and snug.  The biggest single complain among BPCR shooters with the repro Italian tang sights is that some lack repeatability and precision.

If you compare my previous comments on the Pedersoli M1873  Springfield Trapdoor rifle, you might wonder "WHY THE CHANGE IN OPINION??

The answer is simple:  Look at the Rolling Block reciever and trigger guard, and you see all straight cuts, simple design, and few critical curves and fits.  It can be duplicated easily on a CNC mill, something the 1873 Springfield can not.

John

[ShortStake]

JT,

The two late 1800's Rolling Blocks you perused are in .43 Mauser and 7mm Mauser and are the result of quality control and hand fitting that no longer exists.  At least not at affordable prices the average person can afford.    

The Pedersoli Rolling Block with the brass trigger guard IS much older than you quote..............."5-8 years old".  The Rolling Block with the brass trigger guard was used at the 1985 End of Trail for the long range side matches.

And yes, all three are still in the inventory and remain disposable.

Pedersoli Rolling Blocks of present day manufacture are of the same ilk, without or with brass triger guards.  Quality of Pedersoli products runs towards being on the high end.  Some; with deep pockets filled with Yankee dollars, will be of another opinion...........

From the Land of Enchantment,

Windcutter, SWNM

[Shorty]

Why pay $700 + for a repro when you can buy an original, even a "put-together", in good shooting condition for $300-$500?  So you can use smokeless powder/ metal patch bullets?

[John Traveler]

Hiya, Shorty!

Well, I prefer the originals too.

But, the practical end of things say that many shooters prefer to put their faces up against a rifle made of modern steel even the design dates back to the late 1860's/early 1870's.

Loaded and fired with properly reloaded blackpowder cartridges, the original Remington Rolling Blocks and M1873 Springfield rifles are perfectly SAFE.

Loaded and fired with properly reloaded smokeless powder loads, those old orginal guns SHOULD be safe, but the potential exists that gun steel made over 130 years ago is "tired" and unsafe.

I guess a major appeal of the modern Pedersoli repros of the Remington Rolling Block and M1873 Springfield designs is is cosmetic "prettyness".  They are undeiably good-looking rifles, and the modern shooter can fire factory ammo without worry.

HTH
John