That was my original idea but I'd have to get rid of the grip cap/protrusion or else it'll look weird.
Pinfire rifle.
Re: Pinfire rifle.
This is the lever on my Hopkins & Allen Junior 922.
- Justsomedude
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Re: Pinfire rifle.
That's what I was going for in my last sketch. I think that would look good with my style stock.
Re: Pinfire rifle.
Looking better, but I'd do away with the bent down "tail" at the end
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain)
- Justsomedude
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Re: Pinfire rifle.
I just thought it would give a positive purchase to get it past the detent.
Re: Pinfire rifle.
You're doing the designing and building, so feel free to do as you wish.Justsomedude wrote: ↑Thu Jul 03, 2025 2:48 am I just thought it would give a positive purchase to get it past the detent.
You asked for ideas/input, so I figured I'd put mine out there. It's worth everything you paid me for it
Making the trigger guard large enough to hook your thumb in it would serve the same purpose, I'd think though.
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain)
Re: Pinfire rifle.
For the lever, look no further than the Winchester 1885.
WWJMBD?
I believe we should stand on Ceremony. . . while our friends handcuff the sanctimonious little prick and take him away.
I believe we should stand on Ceremony. . . while our friends handcuff the sanctimonious little prick and take him away.
Re: Pinfire rifle.
Experiment with a slightly longer, more “gentle” curve.Justsomedude wrote: ↑Thu Jul 03, 2025 2:48 am I just thought it would give a positive purchase to get it past the detent.
Re: Pinfire rifle.
I looked at a pic of one. I like the 1884 Sharps better
Though from JSD's drawing, it appears he likes the 1885's style better
There's no accounting for taste, which is probably why I'm in the minority of people here that demands my 1911s have an arched MSH
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain)
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Wambli Ska
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Re: Pinfire rifle.
On the last picture, recoil will drive your hand into the lever and pop it open. Also looks like a knuckle rapper to me. I think your original direction was correct or go with the 922 design to allow your grip hand to help lock down the lever.
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Wambli Ska
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Re: Pinfire rifle.
I think the arched MSH thing is really a matter of fit to individual's hand, not taste. I like the slimmer profile of a flat MSH because it gives me a better grip on my 1911s.GrapeApe wrote: ↑Thu Jul 03, 2025 1:35 pmI looked at a pic of one. I like the 1884 Sharps better
Though from JSD's drawing, it appears he likes the 1885's style better
There's no accounting for taste, which is probably why I'm in the minority of people here that demands my 1911s have an arched MSH(Depends on who you ask whether I'm the one WITH or WITHOUT taste because of that
)
But the fat ass option is Ok if you'r into this things.
Re: Pinfire rifle.
We used to have "snake" with the 270, and now we have Wambli and the arched MSH

"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain)
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Wambli Ska
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- Justsomedude
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Re: Pinfire rifle.
I finally gathered enough time to pick this project back up. The lever is 4140 that's 3/8" thick. I rough cut it but my bandsaw blade had to snap and leave me with the chunk that you can see in the picture, and I'm out of replacements. It'll obviously get filed and contoured nicely, but I'm pretty happy with the overall shape of it and it clears my fingers very well, even the tail of it. The rest of the build should go pretty quickly from here.
- Justsomedude
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Re: Pinfire rifle.
Looks good
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain)
Re: Pinfire rifle.
I love the curves and shape. It looks “right”Justsomedude wrote: ↑Sun Nov 09, 2025 7:47 amThank you. It'll look much better once I file to my scribe lines and do the contouring as well. It's grossly oversized right now.
- Justsomedude
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Re: Pinfire rifle.
I need some advice on brass. I'm ready to cut my chamber but I've not yet settled on which brass to use. The 500 S&W brass is nice but it only holds 60 grains of 3F and I'd like it to hold at least 100 at minimum. The problem is that all of the other brass for larger calibers are usually for a .512 diameter bullet and it'll be near impossible to size a straightwall case down that much, especially past the rear web portion. @CPJ mentioned making my own, which I'm inclined to do but the thin web that I'd be left with is also a little worrisome from using tubing. Any suggestions?
- Justsomedude
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Re: Pinfire rifle.
Oh yeah, an updated picture.
Re: Pinfire rifle.
Considering how long 50-90 brass is (2.5") it's probably going to be difficult to find a modern 50 cal case to hold 100gr
I started to suggest 12.7x42 (non-copyrighted 50 beowulf) brass, but it's less than 1mm longer than the 500S&W
I only use 75gr of 777 in my inline ML. the 3 deer it's accounted for haven't seemed to mind
I started to suggest 12.7x42 (non-copyrighted 50 beowulf) brass, but it's less than 1mm longer than the 500S&W
I only use 75gr of 777 in my inline ML. the 3 deer it's accounted for haven't seemed to mind
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain)
Re: Pinfire rifle.
I have no idea what the dimensions are, but I thought about .50 AE brass.
Re: Pinfire rifle.
50 AE is shorter.
The 50 beowulf was originated from 50AE brass that wasn't trimmed to length during manufacturing and had the head size trimmed down to 7.62x39 size
The 50 beowulf was originated from 50AE brass that wasn't trimmed to length during manufacturing and had the head size trimmed down to 7.62x39 size
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain)
Re: Pinfire rifle.
60 grains with off the shelf brass and a huge margin of safety, or 100-ish grains with obscure brass or something you have to fabricobble yourself that may or may not be a bit sketchy.
You’re making a pinfire rifle for the sake of making an pinfire rifle. You ain’t hunting elephants.
You moppin what I’m spillin? Pickin up what I’m laying down? Smellin what I’m cookin? Smokin what I’m rollin?
You’re making a pinfire rifle for the sake of making an pinfire rifle. You ain’t hunting elephants.
You moppin what I’m spillin? Pickin up what I’m laying down? Smellin what I’m cookin? Smokin what I’m rollin?
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”