Reader Forum

Since then, as a bowhunter, I now need a crossbow, as most my age (82) do. Of the various cocking aids used, the rope cocking device, which reduces pull weight by half, is very popular. I know several women who can cock a 150-175 pound bow. A high percentage of bowhunters prefer to perch high above their targets on a fairly small stand. Here both the rope cocking aid and various cranking systems are very popular due to convenience and ease of use.

Proper use of the knees in cocking a crossbow with a belt-hook system would take a load off the back. But, a large number of those who really need a crossbow are lucky if they can even flex their knees, say nothing of cocking a crossbow in such away, without the aid of the affordable leverage offered by the rope cocking aid or the nifty crank system. A rope cocking aid fits neatly into a pocket as well. Would your scissors jack system actually be usable from a tree stand?

Sure it could work, but I suspect it might be inconvenient. Safety is not to be overlooked either, particularly from high up in a tree stand. Cranks and rope cocking aids are almost a must up there. Any unnecessary contorting movements must be avoided. Thus far, I have not heard of a 300-600 pound or higher crossbow. Frankly, such a powerful crossbow built on today’s frame would virtually explode upon firing. I like seeing differing views on anything connected with hunting, shooting and gunsmithing.

Your comments reflect that of a thinking person that we need more of. Bruce Bibee Marlin Model 81 I have a marlin model 81 with a couple of issues. The first is the magazine tube is not retaining the rounds and they just fall into the stock. The second is it will not eject around. The extractor fit is good but I’m not familiar with the Marlin and can’t figure out where the ejector is. The only schematic I have is the parts list in the Jack First catalog.

Samuel Garrison This rifle succeeded the Marlin Model 80 and was produced back in the 1930s. At that time, the ejector was a thin, single coil spring mounted on a base within the receiver. We believe the spring was later abandoned and replaced with a more formidable improvement but are not certain of when the change was made. As for the escaping rounds, the received end of the mag tube has likely outlived its usefulness and should be replaced. Call Brownells for a copy of their Parts Source List.

When it arrives expect your fingers to do a whole lot of walkin’.

Oblong Barrel A friend has a double barrel 12 gauge caplock muzzle loader. It looks like it has fallen on its right barrel and bent the first inch or so about 0.018 out of round. How can I fix this without spending a bundle on a tool from Brownells? You’ll probably spend as much prep and time to equal the cost of the tool mentioned, but a mandrel the exact ID of the barrel can be used.

It initiates as a hard wood dowel or long, brass round and its end needs to be tapered to a lesser diameter with its extreme tip rounded. Insert that rounded end, well greased, into the barrel and tap it further in until the dent or bend has disappeared. You have to be really careful the mandrel doesn’t get stuck in there. It would take a whole lot more than a worm, commonly used to extract an unfired ball from a smoke pole, to dislodge it.

Herters Model U9 I came across a Herters Model U9 rifle in .30-06 but can’t find any assembly/ disassembly info for it. It’s marked on the barrel "Herters Inc. Waseca Minn." and "Made in England and BNP" with a small circle with a line through it. Do you have any back issue that might cover this rifle or know of any book that would list it? Bill Katula Sr. Herters was active until 1980. The U9 was made in Yugoslavia. The J9 rifles were made in England. Both were Mauser action sporting designs.

The latter fact should be useful in your search for disassembly/reassembly as there are many books on Mausers. At least two are very specific regarding your needs, The NRA Guide to Firearms Assembly and The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly: Part IV: Centerfire Rifles. We admit to being quite curious regarding your particular .30-06. To our knowledge, with the exception of the US-produced 1917 Enfield, the cartridge was never a favorite with European manufacturers.

It might well have been special ordered for export to Herters. Ruger Single Six I am working on a Ruger .22/.22WMR Single Six revolver (#62-03xxx) with a locked up action. With the cylinder removed the action can be worked with the exception that when the transfer bar rises into location it hits the firing pin and locks up all further movement. In addition, I have also observed that the during initial cocking of the hammer the cylinder latch does not lower, allowing the cylinder to rotate.

Because the arm on the cylinder latch extends up into the frame and action parts, I am unable to determine how the latch is engaged. I am not sure at this point whether I have one problem or two. C. A. Breese You can read of what we believe is causing your problem in an article on the new Ruger Single Ten, published here in December 2011. It involves reassembly of the base pin. The pin has a dished out section on its collar. When installed, this section must be adjacent to the bottom contour of the barrel.

The pin has to be fully inserted and locked in that position by the base pin latch. Otherwise, the transfer bar will encounter the firing pin and jam the action. Loose base pins are frequent culprits when Ruger single actions get stuck. What’s really the matter is a matter of incorrect reassembly. Andrew Ciofani Marlin Camp Carbine Looking for a past issue schematic for Marlin Model 9 (Marlin Camp Carbine) in .45 ACP. I took it apart to clean and replace springs and have apart left over—never good.

John Mulhall Way back in 1992 we published one of our first disassembly/reassembly articles on the Camp Carbine. It was a 9mm Model but the .45ACP is mechanically the same. We don’t believe reprints are available that far back but you can secure an owner’s manual from Marlin. If you can’t reach them in North Haven, CT, go to the Brownells website. They have downloadable schematics on it. AG