R.E. Davis locks

[Billnpatti]

I am interested in everyone's opinion on R.E. Davis locks. I just traded for a gun with an R.E. Davis lock on it and I really like it, smooth action, nice trigger pull and good sparks. I'm happy with it :grin: but the man from whom I bought it said that his friend had advised him to avoid R.E. Davis locks. Both the man from whom I got the gun and I think (at least this lock) that R.E. Davis locks are good locks. What is everyone else's opinion on R.E. Davis locks? :hmm:

 

[rabjr]

Sure he wasn't talking about L&R Locks? I'd take an R.E.Davis lock over them anyday. My main hunting rifle has an R.E.Davis Twigg that needed some tweaking to get right but it is now a very good reliable lock.

 

[Zonie]

The only problem I've had with an R.E.Davis lock was my own fault.

I was using a Davis Jaeger lock to build a Pecatonica River "Transitional" style rifle and I needed to disassemble it for browning and polishing up a few areas.
In my haste, I tried using a pair of Vise Grips to hold the mainspring in the 'cocked' position.
This ended up breaking the mainspring.

On most of the rifles I've built I have used R.E.Davis set triggers. Excellent triggers! If I do say so myself.
Easy to 'set' and a light crisp let off.

 

[biliff]

Have one of their Early Germanic locks with the old style cock. Been working great for years now. Believe somebody has mentioned they changed their cock design and have replacements if you think you need one.

 

[LRB]

#1, Chambers
#2, Davis
#3 L&R
As far as production locks go.
Davis triggers, #1
Just my opinion, but even at that, I've never seen the lock, or set triggers that couldn't use a little extra attention.

 

[J.D.]

What Wick said, with the clarification that Davis locks are a close second to Chambers. IMHO, L&R is a far third.

Davis triggers are a close second only to full custom triggers.

God bless

 

[colmoultrie]

I have a trade gun with a Davis lock, and I'm very satisfied with it.

Tim Trexler (sp?) with Davis is at Dixon's Gunmakers' Fair, and he's a nice guy as well.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I have worked on several rifles built with Davis locks. And there was never a problem with the locks untill they were left uncleaned and not oiled for periods of time. A good cleaning and polishing returned them to very good condition.I would not hesitate to use a Davis lock.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

1. Chambers
2. Davis







3. L&R

 

[Robby]

I agree, that these days, L&R would come in a distant third. It wasn't too long ago that I would have put them along with Davis locks as third, with no second place, but the Davis locks are now finished at the Mold and Gun Shop I believe, and those fellows know what they are doing! I make as many left hand guns as right, and L&R offers a good variety in that configuration. I hope they turn things around. I wish Davis offered more of their locks in LH, great castings!
Robby

 

[billd]

Every one but Robby skipped over Larry Zorne who owns the Mold and Gun Shop. I would put his locks a close second to Chambers. I hear he assembles "some" of Davis's locks. RE Davis has a very nice selection, if only one could find out which ones Larry assembles.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

If we are going to do more than the big three don't forget about Mike Rowe's locks

 

[Pigslayer]

Chambers Locks #1
Davis triggers #1



L&R . . . don't even want to talk about it.

 

[54ball]

I chose a Davis lock for my rifle build over a Chambers Ketland. I already had a Ketland and wanted a different style but good quality lock.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Sure he wasn't talking about L&R Locks? I'd take an R.E.Davis lock over them anyday. My main hunting rifle has an R.E.Davis Twigg that needed some tweaking to get right but it is now a very good reliable lock.

Oh contrare........
My one and only Davis lock was returned five times for exchange before I got one that functioned anywhere near acceptably. Then it was lousy, really lousy in every respect. Spanish El Cheapos have performed better. After much fiddling, trial tuning, frizzen hardening and finally changing the cock, it works OK. Not great but OK. Never again Davis for me.
The L&R locks I have purchased are charmers. Finely finished inside and out. Spark fast and lots of sparks like monsters. If there is a next time L&R will be the first consideration.
I do miss the old (well built) Silers although the L&R Classic is as great, if not better. I miss the Haddaway's. Cannot speak from experience about the Chamber's.

 

[ebiggs1]

1. Chambers
2. Davis







3. L&R

If you give L&R a second chance, they are OK. But all the one's I have bought have needed to be sent back to L&R. When they get the second look, they seem to get it right.

1. Chambers :thumbsup:
2. Davis
3. L&R (2nd chance :grin: )

 

[rabjr]

Sure he wasn't talking about L&R Locks? I'd take an R.E.Davis lock over them anyday. My main hunting rifle has an R.E.Davis Twigg that needed some tweaking to get right but it is now a very good reliable lock.

Oh contrare........
My one and only Davis lock was returned five times for exchange before I got one that functioned anywhere near acceptably. Then it was lousy, really lousy in every respect. Spanish El Cheapos have performed better. After much fiddling, trial tuning, frizzen hardening and finally changing the cock, it works OK. Not great but OK. Never again Davis for me.
The L&R locks I have purchased are charmers. Finely finished inside and out. Spark fast and lots of sparks like monsters. If there is a next time L&R will be the first consideration.
I do miss the old (well built) Silers although the L&R Classic is as great, if not better. I miss the Haddaway's. Cannot speak from experience about the Chamber's.

Yes, I know as you've posted this every time I've said something concerning L&R locks....

I have a few Davis locks that work great on guns myself. Bought one L&R lock, Manton for a project and it had to be completely rebuilt and hardened before it was deemed a good reliable lock.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Yes, I know as you've posted this every time I've said something concerning L&R locks....

And you are not nearly as old as me. But, still, we both tend to repeat things and say them more than one after we have already said the say it again after repeating what we have said before...... Do I need to say it again for you? :wink: :v

 

[Vaino]

The reason I buy only Chambers' locks....lifetime warranty.....Fred

 

[Rifleman1776]

Yes, I know as you've posted this every time I've said something concerning L&R locks....

Swamp, seriously, my Davis experience was so dissapointing and uncalled for, I expect to repeat this story whenever the subject comes up. The disspointment of getting a new custom rifle and then it not being able to be shot for many months is not something I wish on anyone.
There was/is no excuse for the lousy lock or worse service I received from Davis. I was even more :cursing: after I learned they do not actually make their locks. It is all outsourced and they have no means of quality control over their products. The locks they shipped me were made with the wrong (meaning soft) metal casting powder. If they did their own work the contracter would not be in the picture to allow this kind of mistake. That's my tuppence.