Speed shooting with a levergun

[Doc Hudson]

Talking about The Rifleman, and those two kids shooting up over 20,000 rounds in a month got me to thinking, which anyone can tell you is dangerous.

Have any of you tried modifying a levergun to fire on closing the lever?

I remember capguns from the 1960's that had a lever on the trigger guard so that it fired when the lever closed. But have you ever seen a real world rifle so modified?

What are the opinions on safety, and usefulness? Any ideas on the method? The Rifleman used a screw through the triggerguard, and the capgun used a lever on the triggerguard, what would be the best method?

[GANJIRO]

The old Winchester 22RF pump guns (1906?) I believe could slam fire by holding the trigger while working the pump ala 1897 Winchester shotgun. The Rossi/Taurus 62s are basically the same design, I wonder if they can be slam fired like the old Winchesters. My Taurus 62LAR is basically the model 62 pump but with the pump replaced by a lever. I wonder if the trigger was somehow held back if the rifle would fire on the bolt closing. I guess this would come in handy if a herd of rabid squirrels were charging, but then again I have my 10/22 for that scenario.

[rjohns94]

During the Rifleman thread I started a ways back, someone posted a pic of a modified '92 with the screw method employed. Their comments were very positive. I rember the lever on my cap guns and I think the screw, from and engineering perspective, is a much better (ie simpler) method. There is a company that does do this on their guns, you can actually order a rifleman's clone. I don't see much benefit except to put down suppresive fire. I prefer a well aimed shot to letting loose a full mag. the spray and pray method does not work for me, but I bet it would be alot of fun to play with. I don't think I would like that in place while I was swing cocking the lever gun though. (I know it was adjusted to allow it to work only when tightly gripped, but still!)

[KCSO]

According to Rod Redwing (I Taught the Rifleman To Shoot) the first takes of the opening sequence were done by Chuck Connors by hand with NO mechanical help. Later when he pinched his finger they devised the set screw. The set screw will work and you can also use a flip up catch installed on the lever. With practice you can keep all your shots on a man size target at up to 15 yards or so firing from the hip. If you use the trip you need to be super carefull as it is easy to forget how it is set and lever one off by accident. With just a little practice you can empty the gun just about as fast using your finger and there is then nothing to forget. Thhe associated spin cocking bit is strictly for show though. Unless uyou also modify the ejection port when you spin the gun the shell either drops oout or hits the top of the chamber. The best mod for spin cocking is drilling the top of the barrel and installing a retracting pin that is puushed in by the breech block. When the block is open the pin sticks out enough to catchh the bullet on a loaded round but clears an empty. Only about once every 10 or 15 shots does a case hang up and that is when you have a re take, hold it Mr. Deer we need to re shoot you?

I'vs done these mods for over grown kids to play with but I have never wanted to ruin one of my guns.

[Hagler]

Doc,

Here is my Henry H001L, with the lever almost closed:



...and, me using the rifle, to play Lucas McCain:



Once you get the timing right, it is a pleasure to shoot. Whenever I let someone else shoot my Henry, I take out the screw, and put it in my pocket.

Shawn

[Griff]

Talking about The Rifleman, and those two kids shooting up over 20,000 rounds in a month got me to thinking, which anyone can tell you is dangerous.
Have any of you tried modifying a levergun to fire on closing the lever?

No, and while it tempts me every once in a while, I don't really have the desire to do so.

I remember capguns from the 1960's that had a lever on the trigger guard so that it fired when the lever closed. But have you ever seen a real world rifle so modified?

I had one of those, like a small paddle on a pin that could either clear the trigger or engage it. Neat deal, easy the switch between rapid and regular fire.

What are the opinions on safety, and usefulness? Any ideas on the method? The Rifleman used a screw through the triggerguard, and the capgun used a lever on the triggerguard, what would be the best method?

Besides showmanship or should I just say, showin' off I don't see a real usefulness. The safety concerns would be mainly ability to react to any changing conditions downrange. I think the flip up paddle would be useful, but for real safety I think the removable screw would be the better method. Although the paddle (ala capgun), could be installed using an easily removed pin, allow the entire paddle to be removed with little evidence of any tampering. Also doesn't require tapping the lever and cross-threading issues when re-installed.