Thread: Resurrecting a great vintage rifle ( poor photo heavy )

Originally Posted by Tentman

We need a write up on the comparison between underlever and toplever. David you are now thd gun correspondent from The Times 1885 "Hunting edition" What can you tell us?

Well in comparison Coster vs Webley

The Coster has a superb trigger
The weight is nicer for the recoil
The sights are ok but the front blade needs a small silver bead added
It is very nice to shoot and very accurate
It slings and carries nicely
The hammer needs to be brought to half cock before opening the action after firing. Because it is an older style non rebounding hammer

VS

Webley

Lighter
Shorter barrel
Front sight has a silver bead and faster to use
Recoil is very perky because a full pound lighter
It is a joy to carry
Has a rebounding hammer so very quick and easy in the field
Not as accurate as the Coster
Clearly a rifle to be carried a lot ( light) and shot rarely ( recoil ).

So both have pros and cons.
I will address the Coster front sight.

There is another 500 3" BPE in my collection
It is perhaps my favorite 500

An original Winchester 1885 50 Eley aka 500 3"

It is even heavier
Good trigger
Tang rear sight
Globe front sight
Bore mint
It is used full noise ( very strong falling block action) with a nitro for black load and 450 grain bullets.
Despite its weight the heavy charge does give it considerable recoil and muzzle jump
It is very accurate and has easily the best sights for hunting
Horsepower to burn

It needs a no drill sling and it would go hunting more often

now you have mentioned the third one..you will have to take another photo...with all three LOL.
re the no drill sling...maybe carry in a fabric gun case untill hot sign/promising area is entered then put bag in your daybag.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

now you have mentioned the third one..you will have to take another photo...with all three LOL.
re the no drill sling...maybe carry in a fabric gun case untill hot sign/promising area is entered then put bag in your daybag.

Number 3 is a fixed frame 30" barreled falling block rifle.
I need a sling on it because I would never lean a rifle against myself when I need my hands free for glassing
And not the type of rifle you put on the ground to have hands free