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Siamese Mauser Conversion I found instructions on building a Siamese Mauser conversion to chamber 45-70 Government in an old copy of Rifle Magazine (issue 12, November-December 1970). Things don’t always as smoothly as planned, so here is how I addressed it. I found I needed anew extractor as the original was broken but a replacement did not seem available. I remedied this by using a standard 98 Mauser extractor and then welding up the front of the part using a TIG welder with foodgrade stainless steel.

I set my welded replacement next to the original to compare for a more close fit and contoured my work using a Dremel cut off wheel. I’ve provided a sketch to illustrate. I also enlarged the feed ramp in the action as this action was made for a pointed bullet profile in military ammunition, which wouldn’t work with the Hornady FTX 325 grain bullets I was planning to use.

This works well despite not having an original magazine spring which I replaced with one from a regular Mauser 98 shimmed forward with a soldered piece of metal on the floor plate. I also ground the front of the extractor to push feed the cartridge if it happens not to slip under the extractor. Free Video Library From Paul Mazan. My son Matt passed away in January from complications of Covid. Since his hospitalization in December, the .45 Alpha Charlie Papa channel he started on You Tube has been in limbo.

Since then, Matt’s son Quinton has taken over the library of videos there. As I did with Matt, I’m helping Quinton with the content. The videos are free to you and increased traffic helps generate ad revenue for Quinton and his family. Please watch them at You Tube. com/45Alfa Charlie Papa. Series 70 Comparison? On page 9 of the March 2022 issue in the "Future of the Past" a comparison picture is shown that is purported to be the rear end of a Series 70 Colt 45 ACP on the left and a Series 80 on the right.

My Series 70 looks an awful like the right side of the picture. Since I do not own nor have worked on any Series 80 1911s (I refuse to work on an abomination like the Series 80!) I can’t comment about the authenticity of it. Did someone made a mistake labeling the picture? Henry Fischetti Wellsboro, PA Your March Osiris Carter has a photo of two 1911s comparing a supposedly Series 70 next to a Series 80. A Series 70 without an internal extractor and a flat firing pin?

Compare that photo with the attached photo of three 1911s of mine. Left to right in my photo: German Sports Gun 1911- 22, Auto Ordnance Series 70, Colt Series 80. Note the internal extractor in both center fire models. Also, my Series 80 Colt does not have a half-cock position as described by the Dr. in the article text. Is your proof-reader on vacation? Ralph Riggs Dr. Osiris Carter responds. On some 1911 handguns the slide has been updated to have the firing pin block as well.

Those are not widespread as the Series 70 1911s didn’t have that safety feature. Harry Volberg Also, the picture was not purported to be a Colt; both of those handguns pictured are SIG Sauer pistols. The one on the left is a SIG 1911-22 and the one on the right is a SIG Ultra Compact 1911. Colt originated the terminology but it has been used by some to describe modifications for an additional firing pin safety (Series 80) or not (Series 70) for SIG, Remington, Ruger, and other 1911 models.

Kimber has made use of the Swartz-type safety in their Series II pistols, which is a firing pin block actuated by the grip

safety instead of the trigger. William Swartz was a Colt employee but his safety design was not implemented in Colt’s Series 80 pistols but this is also referred to by some as being a "Series 80" as well. As with Colt’s addition of those extra safety parts, describing non-Colt 1911s in this manner is not universally liked. Some historical background. Colt is the original manufacturer of 1911 pattern pistols, making them for the military and the commercial market since 1912.

The first commercial versions differed only in markings and finish. Colt’s commercial pistols made before 1970, now dubbed "pre- Series 70", only had minor changes such as eliminating the lanyard loop and increasing the size of the thumb safety. In 1970 the Series 70 was released, Colt’s first major design change to the Government Model in nearly 50 years. This included a redesigned bushing with four springsteel fingers in an attempt to improve accuracy by gripping the front of the muzzle when in battery.

Models using this new barrel/bushing setup were the Government Model and Gold Cup designated the "Mark IV Series 70". The collet bushing did work but was found to be prone to breakage. Colt’s next change came in the early 1980s as the "MK IV Series 80" which introduced anew firing pin block safety system. As noted, this was not the first as Swartz’s grip safety firing pin block was patented (U. S. Patent 2,169,084) in 1939.

Colt’s Series 80 also included are-designed half-cock notch which was changed to a flat shelf rather than a hook. Ruger Rant Perhaps someone with some insight into Ruger can explain who they are marketing to? Ruger made their name by offering great quality at moderate prices. They were successful because the average working guy could afford a Ruger when Smith & Wesson and Colt had pretty well priced themselves out of the market.

They have become so successful that they recently acquired Marlin from Remington when they in turn went bankrupt. Ruger now seems to be following in the footsteps of every firearms company that has failed. First, they offer the 10/22 in a left-handed version. Great, I’m a lefty and ready to put down my hard-earned cash for one. But it isn’t a standard version, it’s an "enhanced target version" that doesn’t take the standard 10/22 magazines.

It also has a muzzle brake installed, a laminated stock, an integral Picatinny rail, a BX trigger, and comes with a hard case, certificate of authenticity, a challenge coin, and a cleaning cloth all for just $899. Nine hundred bucks for a 10/22, the primary selling point was it being accessible and inexpensive? Let’s look at that again.

Lefties are about 10% of the population and because many of them learn to shoot with right-handed rifles only about 3-5% of the shooting population purchases dedicated left-hand guns. Of that 3-5% perhaps 2% are interested in a dedicated target rifle. That pretty much guarantees the volume of sales on this rifle at this price point will be bad enough that it will disappear from their catalog in two years. I get the feeling that someone in upper management at Ruger is lefthanded and wanted a custom 10/22.

It reminds me of when Remington reintroduced the Parker A-1 special shotgun a few years ago. I heard the custom shop produced two of them and they both went to executives. Ruger has reintroduced the Marlin 1895 SBL in 45-70 made in Mayodan, North Carolina. This is great news being American-made and having Ruger quality, but at astronomical pricing with a suggested retail of $1,399! I’d say it would be a great $800 rifle.

I can only assume that Ruger hasn’t learned a thing from what happened to Remington, Colt, Smith & Wesson, and others when they priced themselves out of the market. Now I may be totally wrong. I know gun prices have skyrocketed almost as fast as gasoline but how shooters with families to support are going to afford to buy these is beyond me. Personally, I’ve put my wallet away.

I want a left-handed 10/22 and I’d love to have a Marlin lever action in 45- 70, however, at these prices I have to pass and I suspect a large portion of the gun buying public will too. Paul Mazan AG