Author Topic: Navy Arms 1885 High Wall Rifle (Read 2308 times)

Runs with Scissors · « **on:** March 25, 2004, 06:33:50 AM »

I have been thinking about this rifle for a long time and wonder if it is as accurate as it looks.
I like the idea of silhouette competition with iron sights and this rifle strikes me as being capable of superb accuracy.
Does anyone have one or know about it?
I think if I had one I would rechamber it to 45-90 (or 45-120) and shoot black powder cartridges.

Bill

Prince of Wales · « **Reply #1 on:** March 31, 2004, 06:35:41 AM »

Hey Bill if you can please post a picture or link here. I would like to know more about this rifle. What is the price range? What calibers are available? What barrel length? Etc etc. Thanks and good luck. POW

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #2 on:** March 31, 2004, 07:25:53 AM »

I wish I knew more about it too. The best information about it is on the Navy Arms site. < http://www.navyarms.com >
Look under "products" then "single shot rifles" and you will find it.
My FFL says he can get it for just under $900 :eek:
But, the demand is apparently high and the supply is minimal. It will be towards the end of this summer before they become available.
Uberti also makes an 1885 High Wall. It is not as pretty, and by the time you add their optional sight, you are paying what Navy Arms wants. Theirs comes with a cool tang sight.
I think this rifle could be a supreme long range target item, but I would like to know what it's owners are saying, particularly for it's price.

Bill

Gunny · « **Reply #3 on:** April 05, 2004, 09:06:23 PM »

Scissors,
The Highwall you are referring to from Navy Arms is in fact made by Uberti. Uberti is the only foreign maker of highwall reproduction with the exception of the Browning which was made in Japan by Mirouku (sp). These are pretty good highwalls actually and if you buy from Uberti you can order this rifle in 45-90 from the factory. There is a local shooter here that has shot himself into Master Class in BPCR Silhouette with this same rifle in 45-70. I have seen them for as little as $795.00 new so if you are willing to do a little shopping around you should be able to find one worth the money. Try checking at gunbroker.com under "Winchester Replicas" They have a few listed almost all of the time.

Gunny

Gunny · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2004, 09:08:44 PM »

Scissors,
Let me correct myself. That web-site is gunsamerica.com not gunbroker. Good Luck

Gunny

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #5 on:** April 06, 2004, 02:44:44 AM »

Thanks Gunny.
If I had the money I would buy one immediately.
Navy Arms says they will be around by the end of this summer.
Time enough to save some $$.

Bill

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #6 on:** April 07, 2004, 04:15:44 AM »

Gunny.

Are you sure it's Uberti and not Pedersoli ?

Bill

Gunny · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2004, 06:22:57 AM »

Scissors,
Absolutly it is Uberti, to the best of my knowledge Pedersoli does not now or have they ever made a replica of the Highwall or Winchester 1885. Uberti is the only Co currently making Highwalls in Italy.

Gunny

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #8 on:** April 07, 2004, 08:15:02 AM »

Thanks Gunny.

I guess I somehow linked to Pedersoli while I was searching for information on the High Wall.
I have since found that two US custom gun makers produce the High Wall-Cimarron and Taylor.
The price of one of these rifles certainly allows time to research all angles.
I'll get one someday, but I'll be confident in my purchase.
So far, I'm leaning towards the Navy Arms Uberti.

Bill

Gunny · « **Reply #9 on:** April 07, 2004, 08:37:44 PM »

Scissor,
Sorry bud but i am going to have to make a little correction to your statement about Taylor and Cimmarion (sp) both use Uberti as actions. In the case of Taylor they actually are an importer and there 1885's are the exact same as Uberti, with Uberti markings as well as a Taylor marking. cimmaron imports unfinished Uberti's from Italy to there shop in Fredriksberg Texas where they install a much improved and blue printed Uberti action with custom wood and very nice finish work to the metal and wood as well. But both of these are Uberti's. Uberti has recently been purchased by Beretta and that should improve Uberti a lot.

Now as to American Made Custom 1885's. There are several Co's out there making Highwalls. Steve Meacham of Meacham Highwalls is one of the best (I have 5 Meachams) these are a little pricey though with a brand new Highwall from Meacham costing around $4,000.00 today and the wait is about 1 1/2 to 2 years after you place your order. Ballard Rifle Co in Cody Wy also make a Highwall, as does C.Sharps in Big Timber MT. Then there is Cumberland Mountain Arms who make finished actions as well as barreled actions, they have gone out of business but if you look around there actions are still out there. These are excellent actions I have 3 of them and when finished and colored with nice wood are great shooting rifles. There are a couple of other folks also making Highwalls one at a time. So there are a lot of rifles floating around out there.

If you don't have to have a brand new Highwall there are many, many original 1885's for sale that where made by Winchester. Sometimes you can pick one of these up for around a $1,000 or so, give one of these some TLC and you really do have a rifle that you can be proud of.

Good Luck
Gunny

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #10 on:** April 08, 2004, 03:35:21 AM »

Thanks again Gunny.

This is a learning thing for me and you are teaching me well.
So far, you are the only one I've met who both owns and is informed about the High Wall rifle.

Bill

marlinman93 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 19, 2004, 03:05:31 PM »

RWS,
Since you live in Oklahoma City, you should take a look at Outdoors America. I was there last year visiting relatives, and they had the Uberti Hi Walls sold under the Taylor's brand name. They were in either .45-70, .45-90, or .38-55, and all were under $650! I thought they were excellent looking guns, and the price was so good, I wish I was a resident, so I could have bought one! If I remember corectly, they were in 30-34" barrel lengths. Full octagon, with straight grips.

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #12 on:** April 19, 2004, 04:29:17 PM »

Marlinman.

That's the first place I shopped. Unfortunately, Outdoor America no longer carries Navy Arms products.
They said they could order a Cimmaron, but were talking 8 months and $1500.
Since you were there, what do you think of the service staff?
There's no question that Outdoor America has the best prices, but their help, particularly their gunsmith, are real (censored word) IMO.

Bill

marlinman93 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 20, 2004, 02:53:46 PM »

Same thing my brother told me before we went there! He warned me that getting someone to give decent customer service, even when the store was empty, would be like pulling teeth!
I didn't need anyone to help me look at the Taylors, but when I wanted to ask them a question, they took forever to come over, and then knew very little about the product. I had to do some investigation when I got home, to find out Taylors were made by Uberti.
Overall, I understand what you're talking about, but if they had one in stock, and I lived there, I would have bought from them, just because they were so cheap. My brother said he doesn't like going there, but he can't help it with their pricing.
You might check with another dealer on the Taylors. My local dealer told me he could order one for under $750 for me. I have an original 1918 High Wall, in .22LR, and I'd sure like to have a centerfire, but originals are way too expensive!

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #14 on:** April 20, 2004, 06:33:02 PM »

There is a web dealer called < www.northamericanrifleman.com > that has the Uberti for just under $800. The most necessary vernier tang sight is another $75.
The last time I visited Outdoor America to buy a rifle, I wanted a T/C Encore in .270 caliber. I had the necessary $469 in cash in my pocket. The salesman pissed me off so bad that I left. I went to Outdoor Outfitters (ask your brother) and they matched their price with a smile.
I have a new friend who just moved here from AZ. He is both a shooter and a darned good smith. He wanted to visit Outdoor America.
Anyway, it took less than 20 minutes for this kind-hearted soul to become absolutely irate in that store. I hate the place. Still, I was there just last week to pick up a few boxes of Sellier & Belliot .223 FMJ for $3 a box.
I'm really close to buying that High Wall. My Irish friend (mentioned above) just bought a Moisen Nagant and wants me to shoot "as issued" military with him. Hmmmmmm. a 6.5mm Mauser and all the reloading equipment for less than half the cost. And someone to compete with?
I wish I was wealthy.

Bill