New In My Family: CVA Pennsylvania Long Rifle .50

[Amikee]

Hello Everyone:

It happened again. Got another muzzleloader. This time it's a percussion Pennsylvania long rifle in .50cal. I will receive this rifle in a week or so, so I would be posting more pictures. I got it in a trade. I chose percussion, because I'm told and many here confirmed that, that production flint locks just sucks for most of the time unless someone gets lucky. I'm not too sure about this drum thingy that holds the nipple. I've never had one with drum. Any info on that? Is this supposed to help in ignition? Is this a reliable piece of hardware?

Can anyone provide any information about the lenght, twist, perchaps replacement parts such as drums or entire lock, overall quality? All and any info strongly appreciated.

It looks pretty for a production rifle. I mean people say Traditions' Pennsylvania rifles are approved as period or historically correct or period correct (what's the difference from CVA anyway?).

This rifle has few inlays, decent patchbox, fit and finish pretty good as well. I plan to work on it hard. Got it as my winter project. I plan to refinish the wood, file down some brass, perchaps add some inlays and/or engravings. We'll see.

Few picturs can be seen in my photobucket profile. There is more pictures of the rifles I had or still have. Link is at the bottom. If it doesn't load, you can look me up. amikee

Thank You All in advance!

http://m1135.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/amikee/securedownload.jpg.html?o=0&newest=1

 

[Ed Wingenroth]

Congratulations on your new Cap-lock !!!

I can understand your excitment in receiving it but you may want to shoot it this Winter before you go off half-cocked (pun).
I would respectfully suggest you sleep with it before you buy the ring for it, (if you get my meaning)...

Enjoy & good luck.....

Ed....

 

[Amikee]

Thanks Ed

I laughed my butt off when I read your comment :haha: :haha:
So you're saying she may not be the best in certain positions, is that it? :blah:
I read mixed reviews on other websites, that's why I post here to get the real answers.
Thanks for reply Ed.

Michael

 

[Zonie]

If you have read about it on other web sites then you probably heard that CVA is not noted for its high quality guns.

IMO, that is a pretty good assessment but I will point out that the barrels on their imports are usually very good.

The gun was made by Ardesa, a Spanish company that has been making muzzleloaders for years and during more recent times they have improved their product.
Traditions is now the importer for the newer Ardesa made guns and they may have replacement parts if you need them.
If they don't have the parts, a place called:

Deer Creek Products
6989 E Michigan Rd
Waldron, IN 46182

(765) 525-6181
will have the parts.

The side drum you refer to is somewhat different than the side drum design that is only screwed thru one side of the barrel, commonly used on custom made percussion rifles.

The CVA (Ardesa) design installs the threaded portion of the drum almost completely thru the breech plug threads with a intersecting hole drilled in line with the bore to feed the blast from the cap into the powder charge.

I mention this because it is impossible to remove the barrels breech plug without first removing the side drum.

As for being HC/PC (Historically Correct or Period Correct), it will do for a gun that might have been used in the percussion era.

That is not to say it is an accurate representation of any particular rifle or school of Pennsylvania (Kentucky) rifles because it is not.

 

[Amikee]

I love you Zonie. Truly. You and few others here are my inspirations and mu black powder gurus. Thank you for the informations. So I understand that it could be a pretty good rifle then, yes? I've seen folks shooting Ardesa's rifles, and they were very accurate. I mean target accurate, not hunting. Like I said. I'm planning to work on it and maybe even replace the lock with like L&R at some point. I just like them fullstocks. Sooooo beautiful! Thank You again

 

[mooman76]

I believe if I remember right they had something like a 39" barrel and probably the slow twist 1/66. Fine for RB. At one time the Traditions and CVA had interchangable parts but they changed over the years and started making their own. They weren't the best guns but still good and quite reliable and usually shoot better than most people shoot anyway. Parts can still be had either used or their are a few dealers that handle the parts if you need them. CVA quite making the sidelocks and switched to inlines. I have several CVAs and they shoot good and are fun too. Have fun shooting it.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

That looks like it might be fine shooter. A couple of good pictures would be nice. I think several years ago, one outfit was offering a rifle very similar to that, with a walnut stock. :hmm:

Enjoy your new rifle :thumbsup:

 

[Trot]

Are you positive that is a CVA? I've never seen a CVA like it.

 

[Amikee]

That's what I'm told. On the picture it lays over a Traditions box. Now you got me thinking.

 

[Leatherbark]

That's what I'm told. On the picture it lays over a Traditions box. Now you got me thinking.

I remember people bringing CVA Pennsylvania Rifles to the range back in the early 90's.

Bob

 

[Amikee]

Damn. It is probably Tradition's PA long rifle. Well, that could be a good thing though. I will confirm that when I receive it. I did a trade for it, fair one also. This rifle sells over $700.00 so it's pretty expensive for a production piece (e.g. www.possibleshop.com). I traded my production Hawken by Investarms, a 12in damascus bowie, and added a little over a $100.00. I think it was a very fair deal. This rifle is new, mine was used and such.
Thank You

 

[8905c]

Amikee -

I own a CVA PA. .50 cal. percussion rifle. My wife gave it to me for a Christmas gift in about 1987. At that time, I attended some muzzleloading rifle matches and shot the rifle at some of the matches. The rifle shoots very well and I won a few matches with it. I am not crazy about the lock and would like to replace it with a L&R RPL someday.
8905c

 

[Black Jack]

You don't have to be in a great hurry to replace the lock with the L&R. It is true that the CVA/Traditions flintlocks can be tedious and the RPL lock can improve performance. However, the percussion locks are quite serviceable and you will not see any improvement over your lock, which is consructed with a bridle and is quite durable. I have a couple of CVA Mountain Rifles from the 80's and they are still going strong. Replacement parts, if required, are readily available. Your Traditions is a very attractive rifle. They shoot as well as most custom built guns and you will get much enjoyment from it.

 

[Amikee]

Thank You for the info. I'm not sure what the rifle is right now. Seller said CVA but on pictures is displayed on Traditions box, so it may be Traditions PA. I'll know when I receive it. I'll post some pictures as well then. Thank You

 

[S.Kenton]

When I sen your pic.. I was thinking it was a Traditions as well. I had one, got it new from a trading company that was going under.. I gave 400 for it new. Mine was a 50 cal and shot very accuratley.Good luck and let us know how she shoots!

 

[Roguedog]

One of my guns is a Traditions Springfield Hawken which has the side drum configuration you mention. For what it's worth, the lock on mine is quite good and when kept clean, I never have any issues with ignition. The gun is pretty darn accurate. It looks like you just may have a fine rifle there.

Jeff

 

[Amikee]

I'll see how the lock works on the very first trip ro the range with her. I don't think I will abuse it much. This year we had so much work on the coast that I went to the range a couple of times only. Then we had Sandy, the Northearn snow storm. I'll tell you... busy busy busy. Same with hunting. I have a state forest in my backyard, under 60 sec drive really, and I went twice for a couple of hours. On top of that my brand new son :grin: so that calls for double duty. What a shame. Hopefuly next year will be a little more promising. Either way, I really love the looks of this rifle. Fullstock with inlays, long barrel with 1:66 twist... doesn't get much better than that!

 

[Roguedog]

Congrats on your new son. Kids are one of the blessings of life.Wouldn't know what to do without them.

Jeff

 

[Amikee]

Thank You very much.
Before he was born I posted a topic about choosing a name. Look it up. It became a hilarious discussion
I chose Adam.
Thanks Again