Comment by Reader Velocette about our little TDSA excursion:
“That Winchester High Wall is the class act of the lot, unless you were enjoying an 1873 Colt or a P 35 Hi Power”
Not quite an 1873 Colt, but we did have a 1980 Colt Python 6″ (.357 Mag), not mine, alas for I own one not:
…and yes, a Browning High Power:
…and sundry 1911 variants, of course:
…as well as several .22 pistols and revolvers, and a few other .357 Mag/.38 Spec revolvers.
Also on hand, a Winchester 1894 lever rifle (.30-30):
…a Taurus (Winchester copy) Model 63 ( .22 LR):
…the aforementioned Browning High Wall (.45-70 Gov):
…and lastly, my M1 Carbine (which Doc Russia managed to break; Mr. FM’s comment: “It survived WWII and Korea, but not one range session with Doc”):
There were other guns, most of them high-tech / gadget-loaded 9mm and .223 EVIL BLACK RIFLES WITH SILENCERRRRRRRS, but of them we will not speak.
I can’t believe that we blew through so much ammo, but considering that firing commenced at about 10:30am and the guns finally fell silent at 3:30pm, perhaps it’s not all that surprising.
In conclusion, I cannot say enough good things about TDSA and its owner Len Baxley. If you haven’t ever been there, you should. Mr. FM has been there twice (two separate trips Over Here), and says it’s the most fun he’s ever had, on both occasions. If you want to try the place out, let me know and I’ll give you advice on what to take and not take so you can have a great time.
As the owner of a 1943 production Winchester carbine I’d be interested to know what was broken on your rifle. Except for the garbage G.I. magazines the guns are honest steel with no plastic or aluminum that I know of and there just aren’t many parts to break. As I think about this before my second cup of coffee, the only parts I might suspect would be the 80 year old wood. You can find new furniture without resorting to the plastic abominations. Anyway it sounds like you had about as much fun as you could with your pants on.
> I can’t believe that we blew through so much ammo,
My wife and I will go through 250 to 300 rounds in an hour at the pistol range, and that doesn’t include any “running and gunning”.
That Python is a thing of beauty.
fun indeed. What ltdavel said. Pity about your carbine. My guess would be the extractor, it’s a known weak point.
In the far way back times when I still had my FFL, there was a period when surplus carbine parts were coming onto the market by the boat load. I assembled a number of carbines for customers as well as two for my self. Should other sources fail you, I still have a modest stash of G.I. parts and my tools, including a receiver wrench, barrel vise, and bolt disassembly tool.
As you suggest, it was indeed the extractor.
Re reading this post is delightful!!
Glad to hear everyone has sprained cheecks from excessive smiles!!!
JQ
I grew up with a father who reloaded and was a 1911 fanatic. He kept a Ruger Speed Six in the glovebox of the farm truck. I had a Browning High Power as my first pistol. I bought it used from the new Sheriff of our county. It had lots of holster wear but it shot well. I sent it to a premature death with hot +P loads.