US made: 1885 High Walls: Ballard Arms vs C. Christian Sharp

[kaschi]

I'd really like to have an 1885 High Wall and was hoping to get some input about the ones Ballard Arms and C. Christian Sharps make. How do they compare to each other quality wise? Which one would you buy? The Japanese made Brownings get good reviews but I'd be interested in one of the above. Thanks.

[barbarossa]

I have one of the c sharps 1885 high walls in 22lr and love it.it is a beautiful piece of work and a quality piece.

[Griff]

Don't own either, (just one from Miroku), but have heard very good things about both. The nicest thing, is that you can get custom features that aren't available from Miroku.

[jdad]

Is Ballard Arms even in business anymore? Their web site hasn't been updated for 6 years.

C Sharps makes an excellent product.

[Ray Newman]

From what I read on the American Single Shot Rifle Asso. board, apparently Ballard is no longer in business.

[kaschi]

Oh…… that's interesting/sad news that Ballard is out of business so it looks like I'll have to investigate the Sharps Arms rifles. Their website shows an array of caliber offerings (as well as other options). It also states the receivers on their rifles are 8620 hot rolled steel billet, then CNC machined. Receivers can be bought separately. Now, what I'd REALLY like is to have is an 1885 in 9.3x74R (which Sharps doesn't offer). One reason is because I have several hundred Norma factory loaded rounds and the other being I'm just infatuated with that cartridge. Tomorrow I'm going to email Sharps Arms and run my idea by them. Don't know if they'll build just one rifle in the 9.3x74R, so maybe getting one of their receivers and having it built may be the route to take.

[earlmck]

I have the C. Sharps one in 44/40 I got from fellow levergunner Mike Armstrong a couple of years ago. Fine piece of machinery, and a good shooter.

[Ray Newman]

Wyoming Armory is taking orders for M1885's. Steve Garbe -- one of the 'founders" of Ballard Rifles when it was in Wyoming -- is affiliated with Wyoming Armory.

http://www.wyomingarmory.com/

[Wildgoose]

I have been involved in BPCR for a long time and am familiar with both rifles. I recently sold a C. Sharps that I used for many years in long range buffalo and creedmoore type match shooting. It had many rounds through it and was still an excellent shooter when I let it go. My shooting partner/spotter owns several Ballard rifles purchased before they unfortunately went out of business. All are top quality guns. If you can find a used one it should be fine if well cared for. Most of them are.
I don't believe you would go wrong with Wyoming Armory either. The folks there have been in the game for a long time and know how produce fine guns.

[KWK]

Uberti also makes an 1885, but their quality is said to be hit and miss, and their version deviates some from the originals. Their site in Italy doesn't show a 9.3x74R at this time. (They do offer the .405 Win.)

I've not dealt with C.Sharps, but from what I've read, I wouldn't be surprised if they'd be willing to chamber for the 9.3. They have a good reputation.

Ballard faded away many years ago; the web site continues on as a zombie. Pity, for they made beautiful rifles.

[M. M. Wright]

I have the Japanese Browning with tapered octagon barrel in 30-06. One of my favorites. I bought it new when they first came out. Sold it at a gun show when I needed money and got the buyers address so I could mail him the flush mount sling swivels. 10 years or so later he sent me a letter offering to sell it back at the same price he bought it for. I quickly took him up on the offer so it's back with me until I croak.

[kaschi]

Here's a little update regarding the C. Sharps Arms 1885 High Wall. I communicated with them and got a response saying that IF their supplier can come up with a 9.3 caliber barrel, they could rent a chamber reamer and make it happen. So, we'll wait and see how that pans out. If a barrel can be acquired, it would be about a 16 week wait. C. Sharps Arms did not mention who their barrel supplier is. I'm also interested in seeing what twist rate the barrel will have. After a little investigating, it seems that 1:10 and 1:14 are the most common with the former being used in Ruger's #1 9.3x74R which was offered a couple of years ago. The most usual load in the 9.3x74 is 286 grains (which is what I've got oodles of in Norma factory fodder). There is also a 232 grain loading by Norma (have some of that too but not much). What are your feelings about the twist rates for this caliber?

[Griff]

Maybe one of the guys from the far side of the pond will have some experience and answer up.