Cowboy Campfire - September 2006
Welcome round the campfire folks as we enjoy the cooler days of autumn. This summer has been hotter than a blacksmith shop at full forge, but it sure didn’t stop the action. Sugar Creek Sal and I attended the Illinois State SASS Championships and the Iowa State SASS Championships in past weeks and both were ‘a mite on the warm side’. Shucks, I thought I was going to melt at Sparta! But as always, the sponsoring chapters put on a great event and ole’ Badlands here intends to shoot those two state matches again next year, too. Sal and I get lots of ‘invites’ to matches all over the country, but just as with you folks, there is only so much time in the day. Speaking of time of day, it’s time to review some of those fine cowboy items offered by Brownells. Let’s have a look.
In Catalog #59 (our newest Big Book released this August – get yourself a copy if you don’t have one) we find a new Double-End SA Revolver Base-Pin Puller from Brownells (#080-000-367). This rascal is 5” long and one end fits the base pin of Rugers while the opposite end is sized for Colts. A number of you cowpokes have been asking for two-tools in one for this chore and here it is! The tool length provides good leverage and allows you to get a calf-ropers grip on those stubborn pins – you can safely pull them free and not mar the finish on your revolver. Whether stored on your home bench or in your gun cart, this puller is sized just right.
The Firearms Takedown Guides by J. Martin have been a popular offering in our catalog and now we added the L.C. Smith Double (#100-002-256), the Marlin 1894 & 1895 (#100-002-257), the Ruger Blackhawk (#100-002-271), the Ruger Vaquero (#100-002-272), the Winchester 1887 (#100-002-263), and the Winchester 1892 (#100-002-264) to the line. The format is 8.5” X 11” and the approximately 14 pages per guide are easy to read with large photos and excellent step-by-step disassembly instruction as well as reassembly tips. They are thin enough to take along on any cowboy outing and inexpensive, to boot. Even if you aren’t into the parts swapping end of firearms, these guides are mighty handle in learning to get your shooter broke down for thorough cleaning – then getting those parts back into their working locations again.
Back the road a piece, ol’ Badlands here use to be a member Bob Allen’s posse when Bob and Matt had their spread in Des Moines. Bob is hunting up yonder these days but we sure had some fine times back in the 1980’s – what a shot and competitor Bob was! Anyway, we developed a product back then that is still being carried by the owners of the Bob Allen product name – Boyt Harness Co. At shoots around the country, several of you folks have asked Sal and me if we carried a strap-on recoil pad and by-crackie, we do now. The Absorb-A-Coil Pad (#100-002-484 and others) with the Bob Allen name is basically the same one he and I developed in 1988 and it works as well today as it did then.
The shotgun models will be especially beneficial to youth shooters and gals tired of the scattergun hammering their shoulders. Up to 40% of the felt recoil is eliminated and the apparatus is easy to wear under a cowboy shirt or blouse. It isn’t bulky and doesn’t shift around, so remains very comfortable throughout a match. These are offered in RH as well as LH models, and, you folks doing the big bore side matches will appreciate the same comfort found in the rifle models (#100-002-482). Whether Elder Statesman/Grand Dame – Buckaroo/Buckerette – or somewhere in between, these recoil pads for the body can make the shooting experience a lot more comfortable. Try one out and I think you will be glad you did!
Pardners, the last item this month is another of those ‘often requested’ parts from you folks who shoot the Uberti replica of the Win. 66. The folks at Brass Action Gun Shop have a replacement Loading Gate made of spring steel and it fits just like the original part on replicas made by Uberti (this part does not fit original Win. Model 66’s). This is a drop-in installation and the part is heat-treated and drawn for added strength, while the deep, bullet-contoured radius of the gate makes your loading table chores slick and easy. It comes complete will easy to follow instructions and the part looks just like the original.
Well sir, the campfire is burnin’ low for this month, but with winter coming on soon, we’ll be back again next month with a roarin’ campfire and more new cowboy products to talk about.
Until then, keep your aim straight and your belly full!