MOONDAWG
US Veteran
Welcome aboard from a the "GunShine" state of Florida. 
State of over "1 MILLION 150 THOUSAND" Concealed Carry Licenses.
State of over "1 MILLION 150 THOUSAND" Concealed Carry Licenses.
New member trapdoor owner
- Thread starter alfajim
- Start date
Hi guys sorry for the delay in thanking all the welcome aboards I find it a little difficult to navigate around the site as I don't have a S & W gun.
Best of my knowledge my great grand father was in the Union Army during the Civil War and afterwards I believe he got it after he got out later. Am trying to trace his and it's history no joy so far.
Jim
Best of my knowledge my great grand father was in the Union Army during the Civil War and afterwards I believe he got it after he got out later. Am trying to trace his and it's history no joy so far.
Jim
Not going to alter the original rifle just clean and oil it a little re-oil the stock and put it back together with the necessary parts to make complete and operational. The extractor and main spring swivel thats it.
That's why I got all the pieces to build one for just shooting so the collectable one is for viewing, might shoot it once in a while, maybe?
Jim
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model70hunter
Member
I too have my Grandfathers Trapdoor.
It is in excellent condition, looks almost new.
Purists would scream but gramps left it in a small space behind the bathroom plumbing, there was a water leak for some time, the finish was gone when Dad picked it up.
He redid it. But is is nice and shootable. Not all guns can be saved with the original patina. Good for you on saving your family heirloom as close to original as possible.
We had one uncle who came to deer hunt with us, he used the trapdoor but never saw nor got a deer. Dad and I would shoot 410 shot shells out of it once in a while.
It is in excellent condition, looks almost new.
Purists would scream but gramps left it in a small space behind the bathroom plumbing, there was a water leak for some time, the finish was gone when Dad picked it up.
He redid it. But is is nice and shootable. Not all guns can be saved with the original patina. Good for you on saving your family heirloom as close to original as possible.
We had one uncle who came to deer hunt with us, he used the trapdoor but never saw nor got a deer. Dad and I would shoot 410 shot shells out of it once in a while.
Targets Guy
US Veteran
Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have a good plan.
Funny how things are different and yet remain the same. My brother and I shot 410 shells in this one when we were little about 8 or 9 yrs old until the main spring swivel broke. Put it away for years, then my sister stored it for a while wrapped in towels in her like pantry with the water heater got rusty on lock plate, hammer and trigger guard not sevier thou. Cleaned up with out bad pitting.
Jim
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Welcome aboard.
I have reloaded for and shot a couple of carbines and an original rifle that was very good condition by modern gun grading. The later with its excellent condition bore was a delight. Firing 500 to 540 grain bullets its sight calibrations were very close out to 600 yards. Granted it was not prairie dog accurate but firing prone we could make a 55 gallon drum ring with every shot at 600 yards.
Two different approaches to accuracy both worked. By modern standards Trap Door bores are all oversize and vary a lot. While they were in service that didn't matter because black powder upset the soft lead bullets to fill the grooves. That approach still works well. It takes a mold custom cut for your barrel to get good accuracy using smokless powder and modern hard cast bullets like we use in .30 calibers. Random .458" off the shelf bullets loaded over smokless don't shoot so great.
Rust from black powder fouling was never a problem. It is pretty well confined within the bore which is easily cleaned.
Next we'll work on your S&W shortage. Used K frame 4" .38 specials are still affordable. They are comfortable to fire, easy to shoot accurately and a good place to start.
I have reloaded for and shot a couple of carbines and an original rifle that was very good condition by modern gun grading. The later with its excellent condition bore was a delight. Firing 500 to 540 grain bullets its sight calibrations were very close out to 600 yards. Granted it was not prairie dog accurate but firing prone we could make a 55 gallon drum ring with every shot at 600 yards.
Two different approaches to accuracy both worked. By modern standards Trap Door bores are all oversize and vary a lot. While they were in service that didn't matter because black powder upset the soft lead bullets to fill the grooves. That approach still works well. It takes a mold custom cut for your barrel to get good accuracy using smokless powder and modern hard cast bullets like we use in .30 calibers. Random .458" off the shelf bullets loaded over smokless don't shoot so great.
Rust from black powder fouling was never a problem. It is pretty well confined within the bore which is easily cleaned.
Next we'll work on your S&W shortage. Used K frame 4" .38 specials are still affordable. They are comfortable to fire, easy to shoot accurately and a good place to start.
RobertJ.
Member
Greetings from Up North!
I think it's a great idea. You'll have a shooter that's also a looker, plus an heirloom. What's not to like about that? We'll need to see photos.
Last year I almost bought a refinished carbine in .45-70. It was beautiful, (including the bore) and 700 bucks. While I waffled, someone else grabbed it. It was one of the coolest rifles my LGS has had for a while.
I think it's a great idea. You'll have a shooter that's also a looker, plus an heirloom. What's not to like about that? We'll need to see photos.
Last year I almost bought a refinished carbine in .45-70. It was beautiful, (including the bore) and 700 bucks. While I waffled, someone else grabbed it. It was one of the coolest rifles my LGS has had for a while.
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