1873 Trapdoor Carbine UPDATED WITH RANGE REPORT

[poules'deau]

Hi all,

Does anyone have information or knows of publications on this Model?  It's a 45-70 Trapdoor Carbine by H&R but I think they quit making them in the  1970's or so.  I'd like to get a mfg date but don't know where to start.  Any information will be greatly appreciated

Thanks
Jim

[quickdtoo]

Look down the page and previous pages on this forum, lots of posts on them, maybe the links will be good too, you can also do a google search on it, in the past there have been a few on different auction sites with info.

Tim

[Graybeard]

Why did this one get moved? It's an H&R and it's a centerfire rifle so it seems to be it fit on NEF/H&R Centerfire rifles better than anywhere else. Just cuz it's not a Handi don't mean it's not an H&R Centerfire rifle.

[quickdtoo]

Cuz it's an H&R collectiible and all the info on em is here?

Tim

[poules'deau]

The new toy with accessaries

[quickdtoo]

Nice, range report next?

Tim

[poules'deau]

RANGE REPORT

This rifle shoots better than I can.  With 4 different loads it gave excellent accuracy but that aside, it has one issue......the front sight is not tall enough.  With the rear leaf sight in the lowest position and holding the finest bead I can manage on the front at dead center, it shoots about 6" high at 50 yards and even higher at 100 yds. 

I can allow for the trajectory and hold low but I'd rather not.    A taller front sight would cure it but where would you get one?  Anyone have any suggestions or experiences with their's and similar results?

I'd appreciate any help.

Thanks


 

[quickdtoo]

If the front sight is a standard 3/8" dovetailed sight, just order a taller sight, knock the old one out and install it or have a gunsmith install one if you're not the DIY type.

Tim

http://trackofthewolf.com/(S(2xsx4i55l43e12yo2wjeycu0))/categories/catList.aspx?catID=14#167

[poules'deau]

Thanks  Tim,

I need something a bit taller than .411 which is the tallest Track of the Wolf shows.  Any other sites I can look at?

Thanks
Jim

[quickdtoo]

You may have to change the style of sight, but there are lots to choose from...

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/2,217.html

You'd have to call Dixie to get some specs on this sight....

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=5299

http://www.marblearms.com/sights/contour.html

Tim

[poules'deau]

Thanks Tim,

I ought to be able to find something here which fits the bill.

Jim

[poules'deau]

After installing a taller front sight (0.500" H) the H&R carbine was dead on at 100 yards using he second lowest position on the rear leaf sight.  At 50 yards it was 2" high.  Looks like the new sight did the trick. 

[quickdtoo]

Congrats, where'd ya get the sight for future reference?

thx for the report!

Tim

[poules'deau]

It's a Lyman Model 3SF with 0.500" blade height.  Got it from Midway.

I'm now looking into installing a tang sight.  Any suggestions, experiences, preferences etc ?  You don't see many carbines with such.  Reason?

Thanks,
Jim

[quickdtoo]

If it has a tang, it shouldn't be hard to mount a sight, Buffalo Arms, Track of the Wolf, as well as Midway sell different kinds of vernier and post sights that may work, it's just a matter of getting one the right height with a base contour that matches or can be made to match and getting it mounted. 

Tim

[quickdtoo]

Jim, here's a thread you should read from Shooters forum on the H&R trapdoor, particularly the post made today.

Tim

http://www.shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=43839

They are beautiful rifles made of modern materials, but are actually not as safe as the originals. The fault is in how the locking cam is attached to the thumb piece. On the H&R the shaft of the cam where it connects to the thumb piece is round and held in place by a set screw. The original is a square shaft fit into a square hole. It has been reported that the set screw on the H&Rs can loosen and allow the shaft to rotate slightly and lose it's "timing". If it's off far enough, the breech block won't lock down. If it's off slightly, the breech block will stay down but won't be locked securely. When the hammer is dropped on a live round in this condition the breech block will fly open, sometimes with catastrophic results. Hammers have broken and breech blocks became UFOs. Some people who shoot them regularly drill and pin the thumb latch to the locking cam shaft to eliminate this possibility. Others have fitted original Trapdoor parts to their H&Rs. If you're going to shoot them, be aware of this.