Author Topic: underhammers and left handed (Read 906 times)

hipshot300 · « **on:** September 13, 2005, 11:17:55 AM »

Hello to everyone.
I have been shooting a left-hand Hawken .54 (Cabela special)for a couple of years and have enjoyed it. Lately though I have been wanting to go to a smaller calibre and have not had much luck finding anything affordable in a left hand sidelock in .36 or .45.
I then found several discussions about the underhammers that are available in kits for around $250. What I have not seen though is any discussions about the triggers. Are the trigger pulls decent on these guns? Is there any type of adjustment that can be made on them if necessary as from what I understand the trigger guard is the actual mainspring? I am by no means looking for a match winner but I do want a managable trigger.
The idea of an ambi type of rifle is appealing and some of these underhammers can be obtained in a switch barrel format which would also help with the left-hand curse as far as availability.

Ramrod · « **Reply #1 on:** September 13, 2005, 01:07:56 PM »

From the only example I have tried, the trigger pull was light and quite crisp. The only thing that might be a problem was that there was alot of overtravel. I think it is inherent in the design. Underhammers are kinda cool, and they can be match winners. Some heavy barrelled guns lack a forend, and are extremly accurate from a bench, or off sticks, or over a log.

dodd3 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 14, 2005, 12:39:42 AM »

hipshot check out blue grouse web site they do one with a target trigger.
bernie

crow_feather · « **Reply #3 on:** September 14, 2005, 10:15:10 AM »

One little bad thing. I have shot my wife's 45 underhammer and it does shoot very well. The problem is that if I am not wearing a long sleeve shirt, my forarm feels the backblast comming from the nipple. It doesn't hurt, but it does tingle a bit.\

C F

Ramrod · « **Reply #4 on:** September 14, 2005, 12:40:39 PM »

crow_feather, you need a little metal cup, called a flash-guard, on that nipple. They direct the blast, and the cap fragments away from the gun, in whatever direction you choose. I have one on my .58 Enfield. Works like a charm to keep those big musket cap fragments out of my face, and keeps the lock area clean, too. I can't see why it wouldn't work well on an underhammer. You can point it away from your arm, and direct everything down, foward, and to the right, if you shoot right handed, or left, if that is what you need. I got mine from Cabela's, but I don't see it in the current catalogue. I think it was made by Ted Cash, really don't remembrer, though.

hipshot300 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 14, 2005, 01:12:39 PM »

Thanks for the info on blue grouse.
This flash guard mentioned---When I 1st got into bp, I was told by an elderly gentleman that the weakest area on a bp gun is where the nipple is and that if a failure ocourred (K--BOOM), it was best that this area be away from the face for safety reasons. Figured he probably knew more than me so I have been only considering LH guns till now. Anything to that? If not, then the Flash guard may open alot of doors.

crow_feather · « **Reply #6 on:** September 14, 2005, 05:03:03 PM »

My wife's underhammer has a flash guard.

When I shoot my wife's rifle, my arm holding the forend is directly under the rifle and the nipple. The flash guard actually directs the blast towards my arm.

C F

dodd3 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2005, 12:38:39 AM »

thats an easy fix wear a leather cuff like a bow armgurd that way you wont feel the bits flying of.
bernie

Tom H. · « **Reply #8 on:** September 16, 2005, 03:40:47 PM »

Hey hipshot.
Put together an underhammer last summer and it is terrific. The nice advantage is that you can switch barrels and have practically any calibers that you like.
If you don't want the blast, as reported by CF, you can always go with a nipple that fires rifle primers. There is an extra step to capping, but it really isn't any big deal.
I don't like overtravel if avoidable, but there is so much of it it doesn't seem to effect the shots.
The .50 I built will group into 2" off the bench at 100yds.
It shoots well offhand as well.

Tom

hipshot300 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 17, 2005, 01:17:46 PM »

Tom H.
I believe I am going to try the underhammer. What is your est. weight on the pull? Is there a lot of take up getting there also?

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #10 on:** September 18, 2005, 01:19:16 PM »

Suugest you check out the Blue Grouse site: http://www.underhammers.com/ Lots of info there.

Crow Feather, my first ML rifle was a Numrich Arms underhammer. I still have a BP tattoo on my left underarm from the back blast through the nipple. I learned real quick to wear a long sleeved shirt when I shot it! I think a stronger main spring would have helped to keep the hammer on the cap to contain the blast.

-WH-

Slamfire · « **Reply #11 on:** September 18, 2005, 07:32:51 PM »

Quote from: Crow Feather, my first ML rifle was a Numrich Arms underhammer. I still have a BP tattoo on my left underarm from the back blast through the nipple. I learned real quick to wear a long sleeved shirt when I shot it! I think a stronger main spring would have helped to keep the hammer on the cap to contain the blast.

-WH-[/quote

A new nipple wouldn't hurt either. Hammers being forced back indicates too large a hole in the top of the nipple. :wink: