Lyman Great Plains

[sturmkatze]

Lyman GPRs started in 1980. I believe Investarms made them from the beginning until sometime in 2020,

I’d disagree, as my gpr has a date code of 1979

 

[LSB]

Rather than taking the wood down, I'm thinking of filling in behind the metal to raise it to flush with the wood.
That and getting rid of the perch belly on the bottom of the butt stock.

Quality control was on a coffee break when that one was made.

 

[LSB]

Rather than taking the wood down, I'm thinking of filling in behind the metal to raise it to flush with the wood.
That and getting rid of the perch belly on the bottom of the butt stock.

I would definitely take the wood down instead of trying to raise the metal parts. Trying to raise the metal to the wood level is, in my humble opinion, just asking for trouble!

 

[chorizo]

I’d disagree, as my gpr has a date code of 1979

Proof code date is the date in Italy when the barrel was proofed. It doesn't mean the date the Lyman imported and began selling them. I suspect the first batch was made, exportation permits requested and received, importation permits then requested and received, firearms exported/imported, then distribution to retail outlets came next. Easily a year or more process.

 

[UndeadPoet]

I’d disagree, as my gpr has a date code of 1979

My apologies, then. Mine is from 1987, but I was quoting info from their (relatively) current advertising for the new Pedersoli versions.

 

[UndeadPoet]

Proof code date is the date in Italy when the barrel was proofed. It doesn't mean the date the Lyman imported and began selling them. I suspect the first batch was made, exportation permits requested and received, importation permits then requested and received, firearms exported/imported, then distribution to retail outlets came next. Easily a year or more process.

Thanks, for the clarification. I think you are probably right. My info was from Lyman’s ad for the new Pedersoli versions.

 

[springfield art]

I just got an unfired Lyman Great Plains rifle in 50 cal. It was made in 2018 by investarm. How good are they the fit and finish looks good.

They're highly regarded! My GPR is .54 in left hand. If they were around in the mid-1800's they would be very desirable, as well; would give Hawken a run for his money!

 

[BP Addict]

Was on a forum this morning with numerous people trying to figure out the twist of a Lyman Plains rifle. Someone posted the Lyman site. I email them to find out what my Lyman from the early 70s was. According to Lyman the 50 cal plains rifle has a 1:60 twist.
If anyone has seen that forum please let me know.

They've always been 1:60.

Walt

 

[BP Addict]

From what I was told, most of them had either a 1:60 or 1:66 twist. To my surprise, one member on here a few days ago stated that Lyman built a few with 1:48 twist. That got my interest up so I tried to measure mine a few days ago with a scatter gun cleaning brush. I couldn't get an accurate measurement but I do know the cleaning rod didn't rotate much from breech to muzzle. So, I'm hoping mine is at a minimum a 1:60 twist. Checked the date on mine and it is a 1990 model as indicated by an [AZ]. Most likely a kit rifle.

GPRs were 1:60. Others like the Trade Rifle and Deer Stalker were 1:48.

Walt

 

[BP Addict]

They were the closest thing you could get to a "Hawken" rifle from a factory. CVA, Thompson Center, and others fell short. Designed for Patched Round Ball, they are very accurate. If I had it to do all over again, I'd have bought one with a matching pistol in the 80s, before all the legal verbiage was added.

I've owned a few. They always seem a little heavy. The 54 is lighter but am not much into tolerating recoil anymore. I'm glad Investarm is still making them as the Gemmer Hawken.

Walt

 

[Robertakamagoo]

I know of a 54 caliber that my friend want to sell me. It’s only a few years old unfired.

 

[SgtMaj65]

Found CP (2016) stamped on underside of barrel on my .50 GPR. I love mine, very nice looking, well made and is extremely accurate with patched round balls. I have zero complaints and will be back at the range in a few weeks after my range re-opened after a year’s hiatus. Really missed shooting and making BP smoke.

 

[nkbj]

Left handers, .54 flint and .40 percussion.
Hard to beat but the deep crescent butt plates aren't always the best thing.

 

[frankie]

That one definitely wasn’t someone’s best effort!

i agree

 

[UndeadPoet]

Most manufacturers have used the two-letter code (year of manufacture) within a square and have for years. It's usually on the side of the barrel just above or below the stock on the right-hand side.

Some in the last few decades like CVA and Traditions actually put it on the barrel as you've described. It may actually be part of the serial number (last two digits).

I never knew that Lyman did until reading this thread.

Walt

I have a Pedersoli Blue Ridge that I bought new, and it has both the date code CU, and the year 2019 on the barrel. I think it may just have 19 on there, but it does include the date code. My older Italians do not have a number date on them. Just the code.

 

[springfield art]

They were the closest thing you could get to a "Hawken" rifle from a factory. CVA, Thompson Center, and others fell short. Designed for Patched Round Ball, they are very accurate. If I had it to do all over again, I'd have bought one with a matching pistol in the 80s, before all the legal verbiage was added.

I've owned a few. They always seem a little heavy. The 54 is lighter but am not much into tolerating recoil anymore. I'm glad Investarm is still making them as the Gemmer Hawken.

Walt

I had my barrel shortened when re-finishing my LH .54 GPR. They are indeed a bit heavy! The "lawyer barrel" is thick!
!

 

[frankie]

springfield. I also had mine shortened 2 inches and it is still very accurate.

 

[SgtMaj65]

Just take a file to it and touch it up with some cold blue, and you'll be good to go.

That’s what I did with my .50. Helped a lot.