Next Gun Purchase Little Sharps ?

[Bruce]

I will soon be making another gun purchase and I seem to be torn between two options. I want a straight walled cartridge and I am leaning towards the 45-70 or the 38-55. I have had both and most of the others (modern ones). If I go with the 45-70, it will almost assuredly be the Marlin XLR or maybe a newer 1885. I am familiar with both models and would not need any info on them. My other option that seems to be calling to me is the Charles Daly Little Sharps in 38-55. There is something about that package that keeps calling to me.

Is there anyone here that has any hands on experience with the Little Sharps? Issues such as quality, accuracy and reliabilty are real important to me as I am sure they are to everyone here. Has anyone slugged the barrel of the 38-55? I may even want one with the Malcolm scope. Any experience with them?

[Hobie]

There have been a couple of topics on the little sharps from Charles Daly. One of the problems I remember was that the trigger guard is likewise reduced in size and some shooters thought it cramped. I think a single trigger would be fine, not so much a double set trigger.

[hfcable]

There have been a couple of topics on the little sharps from Charles Daly. One of the problems I remember was that the trigger guard is likewise reduced in size and some shooters thought it cramped. I think a single trigger would be fine, not so much a double set trigger.

also the bore was way oversized like .381 or .382, so accuracy would be a problem, and using loads that work in other 38/55's would be a problem.
why on earth did they not make the bore something between .375 and .378???

[2ndovc]

I was really wanting one until I picked one up. To me and this is totally personal but they are really tiny and just feel cheap. Fit and finish looked pretty good but the wood seemed kinda "rough". Can't quite put my finger on it. I reallly wanted one in 45 Colt but I just can't part with that kind of scratch for one. The "gotta have" just wasn't there. After playing with one I thought a project rifle on an old rolling block action would be more fun.

jb

[marlinman93]

I have a good friend who bought one in .38-55. Not sure about others, but his bore is .380", which is right at SAAMI Specs. People these days seem to think that a .380" bore is oversized for a .38-55, but that's right where all my 7-8 .38-55 guns are, and right where they've always been for over 100 years. Some a little smaller, and some a little larger, ust like the Sharps. I've never had problems with my various old .38-55 guns getting them to shoot, or getting bullets, but I don't shoot jacketed, and they're almost always .375".
I've shot and closely examined his CD Little Sharps, and it's a nicely fit and finished gun, especially for a gun that cost only $850. The only thing he changed was the trigger pull. He worked it over to lighten and clean it up. It wasn't bad at all, but he likes really clean, light triggers. He also took the sights off and scoped his to get the best accuracy, and it will shoot under 1 1/2" at 100 yds.
If I was looking for a modern rifle, I wouldn't think twice about owning one.-Vall

[TedH]

I thought there was someone here that bought one of those a while back?

BTT maybe they'll see this and give their take on it.

[Bruce]

Thanks for the information so far. I was kinda hoping the bore would run a little smaller allowing the use of jacketed bullets. My hands are medium sized, so the trigger guard may not be a problem. I don't normally wear gloves while shooting or hunting either. I'll wait to see if there are more responses before making a decision.

Val, did your friend mount the 3x Malcolm scope that is available with the rifle. If not, what mount system did he use. On my hunt club, we have antler rules that make a scope almost mandatory and to be honest they help my 50 year old eyes.

[Rusty]

Oldgeboy bought one in .38-55 some time back. I swapped a few PM's about it with him. At that time he had just bought it and hadn't had a chance to put it through it's paces yet. If he doesn't see this you might try sending him a PM.

[marlinman93]

Bruce,
My friend has old eyes too, (don't we all?) and he's got a modern Burris rifle scope on his.

[Bruce]

Thanks for the info.

Val, I have not acutally seen one so I did not know if they were D&T for scope mounts other than the Malcolm.

Alright Oldgeboy, come on out and play.

[6pt-sika]

I've had the Dakota "Little Sharps" in my hands before and they are real real nice !

Haven't had my hands on a Charles Daly as of yet ! But I thought the pic in the Daly brochure of the Little Sharps with the 3x Malcolm style scope was pretty neat !

Have a buddy that purchased one of the Hi Lux 6x Malcolm's for his C Sharps 45-100 ! He used it a couple times and now he has a MVA 6x scope on top ! That setup is pretty darned nice as well !

[6pt-sika]

I have to say though the neatest looking setup I've seen in awhile has to be Marlinman93's Marlin 1893 in 32 HPS with the old Marlin #2 scope on top !

I'd take that hands down over the "Little Sharps" Malcolm scope combo anyday !

[marlinman93]

Thanks 6pt for the kind words!

[6pt-sika]

Thanks 6pt for the kind words!

U R welcome

[Ysabel Kid]

My other option that seems to be calling to me is the Charles Daly Little Sharps in 38-55. There is something about that package that keeps calling to me.

Bruce, that one is calling to me too - but I can't hear it over my wallet screaming "I'M EMPTY - I'M EMPTY!!!)

Good luck on your purchases!

[6pt-sika]

My other option that seems to be calling to me is the Charles Daly Little Sharps in 38-55. There is something about that package that keeps calling to me.

Bruce, that one is calling to me too - but I can't hear it over my wallet screaming "I'M EMPTY - I'M EMPTY!!!)

Good luck on your purchases!

Personally I'd like to see them make it in 32-40 and or 7-30 Waters !

But the 30-30 and 38-55 ain't bad choices either !