Cowboy Campfire - November 2006

Welcome friends to the November edition of the Cowboy Campfire. Glad you stopped by and I invite you to sit a spell while we gab about some products that will make your enjoyment of Cowboy Action Shooting even better! Each month we try and review some new items that may catch your interest – not just cowboy items – but gear that will appeal to a variety of shooting interests. Let ol’ Badlands here toss another log on the fire and we’ll get right into the products this month.

This time of year, many of us folks in the northern climate have to wait-out old Mother Nature till warmer times return, and one popular activity for cold weather months is attending gun shows. Shucks pard, one never knows when that new firearm or piece of gear you didn’t know you needed, just sorta jumps off the table at ya! Why folks, that ain’t ‘impulse buying’ – it’s a ‘scouting mission’ that hit pay dirt! Militaria, Inc. makes a dandy Flexible Bore Light (#622-000-001) that is a bright, diode-charged light with a flex neck that allows you to get that white light into those hard to reach places such as bores, chambers, and receiver insides in general. Yep, you’re right – there are scores of bore lights out there. But, this rascal is very well made, lightweight, uses common batteries (supplied), and is economical in price. The casing is anodized aluminum in ½” diameter and the steel neck brings the overall length of the product to seven and a half inches. This light is shockproof and water resistant and comes with a handy pocket or key-ring clip. The unit is perfect size for carrying to that gun show or in use on your work bench. Before you lay down that hard-earned cash, take the time to see how the innards look. A silk purse exterior may hide that pig’s ear bore; get a good look inside with this light!

Since I pack a pair of Ruger New Vaqueros in my SASS journeys around the country with Sugar Creek Sal, I am commonly asked about the springs in these revolvers. Folks want to know if I a swapped springs and if I did; what with. The short answers are ‘yes’ and with ‘Wolff’. Behind those answers are other comments, however. As you would agree Pilgrim, every shooter is different in what they prefer in cocking force and trigger pull. What is fine for me may be a bad choice for another. And, to be honest, the New Vaqueros came with some fine springs that would have served me well just as the hog legs arrived factory new. I decided to replace springs since I was going to shoot the Gunfighter class this year and thought they would be better suited for one-hand cocking than the factory offerings. If a spring replacement is in your future, then read on!

The Ruger New Vaquero and 50^th Anniversary Blackhawk – those guns with the internal hammer lock and XR-3 grip frame – can benefit from these fine Wolff products.

The 30/14 Reduced Power Shooters Pak (#969-000-156) comes with a 14lb hammer spring and a 30 ounce trigger spring. For those wanting a stouter trigger spring, the 40/14 Reduced Power Shooters Pak (#969-000-157) comes with the same 14 pound hammer spring, but a heavier 40 ounce trigger spring. The folks at Wolff have been producing some of the finest firearms springs for a very long time – their products are reliable and well respected – and Badlands tested and endorsed.

For you Winchester shooters out there – whether shotgun, rifle, or single shot – Moulds offers a very nice replacement mainspring. These units are CNC machined and heat-treated to withstand competition far longer than the original springs. For your Model 1894’s below SN 2,700,000, the stock number for ordering is (#578-000-003). For SN 2,700,000 to 4,580,000, the number to order by is (#578-000-004).

The 1886 Mainspring (#578-000-005) fits the 1876 and 1866 as well, and the stock number is. The 1885 Mainspring (#578-188-501) fits both High Wall and Low Wall rifles. For you 1890 fans, 578-000-006 fits this model as well as the 06 and 62. All of the mainsprings noted are made from 1065 spring steel and have a polished blue finish.

Many times in working on firearms, we need an extra good hold on the critter – a grip that will keep the gun locked into position but won’t harm the metal or finish. A vise is needed, but with its use comes the danger of damage to the part being held. Wagner Industries manufactures Magnetic Soft Jaws (#100-002-397) and these offer excellent holding power while protecting the piece you are working on. The surface of the jaws is covered in very rigid – yet soft – polyurethane. The jaws fit a 4” or 5” vise and are held in place by magnets embedded below the surface. The grips have ‘lips’ on top that allow an extra 2” of work area from the top of the vise. Each set comes with a separate polyurethane cover for vise screws or anvils so you can be absolutely sure no part of your gun or tools comes in contact with the vise. Back when I was a younger pup I used polyurethane extensively in metal fabrication dies, due to its robustness and long life. I am certain you will find this product one to provide you excellent service for many years to come.

The campfire is burning low for this month folks but be sure and pass through here next month – good Lord a’willin’, we’ll chat again about that favorite pastime of ours – stepping back to the 1800’s.

Keep your aim straight and your belly full!