Lyman Great Plains Rifle Questions...........

Due to the weight of my .54 GPR, as well as to help facilitate its use packing in and out, I'm wanting to install a sling on it. Slings really help when hunting in the mountains, especially when packing out critters. So, here are my questions for those that know the GPR.

One. I'm considering one of those stock/boot lace up, frontier type. However, I've never seen one in person, only in pics. My concern with those are, I often hunt from tree stands. I use slings for several different things doing so. Some of which is I sling my rifles over my back when I want to use my pee jug and sometimes to just stand and look behind me for a while. The sling must be durable enough to hold together under any type of pressure a person can put one through. Just like an unmentionable.

Second. On my New Englander, I use a leather sling with quick attachments. I have no problem with those whatsoever. Been using them all my life with all sorts of rifles. Never a problem. However, when looking at the GPR, I do not see how to remove one of the pipes. I don't even see how the barrel rib is held onto the barrel. With my New Englander, I purchased a different pipe that facilitates a sling swivel attach point, easily removed the factory one, then installed the new pipe.

If anyone can chime in here on the durability of those frontier type slings, that would be great.

If anyone knows how to remove the lower pipe and rib, please post up.

If anyone knows where to get a replacement pipe that will facilitate a swivel for a sling, please let me know.

Also, looking for a spring for the rear simi-buckhorn sight.


Thanks.

I have and use the lace on leather sling. Works fine on whatever rifle I use it with. My TC's and my custom guns. I know nothing about GPR's. Good luck.

Dave Marsh said:

I have and use the lace on leather sling. Works fine on whatever rifle I use it with. My TC's and my custom guns. I know nothing about GPR's. Good luck.

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How would you rate the durability of them? I put my ML's through some tough conditions much of the time.

I made my own- that way I knew it would be sturdy. About a 2 hour project. I just looked at pictures of commercial ones and made a thin cardboard pattern. I would put it up against any leather sling for durability. The only thing I think you need to double check- make sure the front loop that goes over the barrel is fit right so it won't interfere with your sight picture.

ETipp said:

How would you rate the durability of them? I put my ML's through some tough conditions much of the time.

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Well, I have been using mine for at least 15 years with no issues. In and out of tree stands whitetail hunting, turkey hunting as well as 3 elk hunts in Arizona, Washington and Utah.

Dave Marsh said:

Well, I have been using mine for at least 15 years with no issues. In and out of tree stands whitetail hunting, turkey hunting as well as 3 elk hunts in Arizona, Washington and Utah.

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That's what I'm looking for. Thank you.

towgunner11h said:

make sure the front loop that goes over the barrel is fit right so it won't interfere with your sight picture.

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This is an issue I’ve run into with mine. It’s one I bought from The Leatherman.

CoHiCntry said:

This is an issue I’ve run into with mine. It’s one I bought from The Leatherman.

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Perhaps too thick of leather?

I think I found one that I like. Should work.

Now if I can find a rear sight spring for the simi-buckhorn sight. Not having much luck.

ETipp said:

Perhaps too thick of leather?

I think I found one that I like. Should work.

Now if I can find a rear sight spring for the simi-buckhorn sight. Not having much luck.

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Actually the loop is just a little too big which makes it stick up due to the slack. If that makes sense? It’s fixable, just something to be aware of.

You could also get a magazine tube swivel.

So then, the next question naturally arises about the fit of the lace-up type sling on a crescent stock. With the deep crescents, does that have an effect on if the end of the lace area will properly fit down into the crescent?

I have a good quality lace-up sling, but haven't used it on my Great Plains. Here's a pic of a trial fit on the crescent butt. It sure looks like it should work out okay.


One thing I didn't think of is how the strap could interfere with the ramrod. There's ways to make this work I'm sure - maybe just have it further to the rear. On my rifle the strap shouldn't interfere with the sights.


My two Great Plains Rifles and my Great Plains Hunter are set up like this. Pretty sure these detachables are from Uncle Mike's.

Rum River said:

I have a good quality lace-up sling, but haven't used it on my Great Plains. Here's a pic of a trial fit on the crescent butt. It sure looks like it should work out okay.
View attachment 365710

One thing I didn't think of is how the strap could interfere with the ramrod. There's ways to make this work I'm sure - maybe just have it further to the rear. On my rifle the strap shouldn't interfere with the sights.
View attachment 365711

My two Great Plains Rifles and my Great Plains Hunter are set up like this. Pretty sure these detachables are from Uncle Mike's.
View attachment 365712View attachment 365713View attachment 365714

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Thanks for the information. It helps.

I’d much rather have the quick detach system. However, I’m not seeing how to remove one of the pipes nor the rib. How did you get to those?

It clamps over the ramrod pipe.

bluemule66 said:

It clamps over the ramrod pipe.

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Oh, got it now. I have used those before on a couple of unmentionables. In fact, I might still have that attachment that just might work.

Thanks for the info

ETipp said:

Now if I can find a rear sight spring for the simi-buckhorn sight. Not having much luck.

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If you have more detail on what you are referring, I might be able to help.

longcruise said:

If you have more detail on what you are referring, I might be able to help.

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Under the adjustable blade there is a small spring. That’s what gives it the necessary tension to keep it in place.

ETipp said:

Under the adjustable blade there is a small spring. That’s what gives it the necessary tension to keep it in place.

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Is it this sight?

longcruise said:

Is it this sight?

View attachment 365950

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Looks like it. Between the buckhorn and the screw on top, you will notice a small circle. Pretty sure the spring goes between that and the base. Mine came apart and the screw was missing. I made one out of a spring from an ink pen but its a bit long, so it restricts the sight adjustment from going down as far as it should.

I also lost the one out of the sight for my New Englander so I have one on the way from TOTW. I made one for it as well and ran into the same issue with the adjustment being restricted.

In all actuality, now that my vision has been restored, I can clearly see iron sights now. So, if I cannot fined the proper spring, or get my improvised repair to work, then if I could find another adjustable, replacement buckhorn sight, I would most likely go that route.

Rum River said:

I have a good quality lace-up sling, but haven't used it on my Great Plains. Here's a pic of a trial fit on the crescent butt. It sure looks like it should work out okay.
View attachment 365710

One thing I didn't think of is how the strap could interfere with the ramrod. There's ways to make this work I'm sure - maybe just have it further to the rear. On my rifle the strap shouldn't interfere with the sights.
View attachment 365711

My two Great Plains Rifles and my Great Plains Hunter are set up like this. Pretty sure these detachables are from Uncle Mike's.
View attachment 365712View attachment 365713View attachment 365714

Click to expand...

I bought one and never used it? I sold it here to a member here in Alabama, I think that is where he resides ? It looked like it would interfere with my sighting the rifle? I never tried it ?