The Alex Henry and Clays

[cannonball1]

This last summer I was looking for a gun project thinking that maybe I would like to make a target rifle with best barrel. I called Krieger Barrel Company and found that they were a year behind. I did not want to wait and began thinking about a shotgun. I could not understand why Fleener was so high on the Alex and Rigby. I started to study up on those two English guns and started to see why his excitement. I have a regular over/under shotgun that is a dream to shoot. I took the dimensions from that gun only to find out that most Alex's have similar dimensions so I made a 12 ga. We had the whole family down for our after-Christmas Christmas Party. After the party the guys wanted to shoot clays so we headed for the hills. The only thing I did was load and load I did. They had a total blast and we shot a lot of clays thru that ML. Fleener I now know why you like the English guns. When you put it to your shoulder the sight plain is there - - - Smooth. I'm sold, my kids are sold, and my grandkids are sold. The parts should be here in a few days for a 20ga Alex Henry with a extra match breech should I decided to purchase an extra barrel of a fast-twist target rifle. It is not cheap with a grand worth of parts.

 

[fleener]

Dang You did not invite me!

I just got home from pheasant hunting with my Alex Henry 12 ga (it is not a ML). Also had a Rigby 12 ga SxS follow me home from the Tulsa gun show this fall.

I love a good English gun.

Glad you had a great time corrupting your family members.

Fleener

 

[BillinOregon]

Art, how was the pheasant hunting?

 

[fleener]

you should post a picture of your finished gun. Is that a Rod England kit?

Fleener

 

[cannonball1]

I already had a stock blank, and a Davis Lock. I purchased a Rice Barrel and the Hardware from him. Really quality stuff thanks to your suggestion. Here is a picture.

 

[fleener]

Is that walnut or maple?

Fleener

 

[cannonball1]

Here is what I started with.

 

[cannonball1]

It is maple

 

[fleener]

Just a little thing, however the key should be coming in from the left side, not the right. American guns for some reason seem to come in from the right.

Fleener

 

[cannonball1]

Interesting. I haven't a wedge stopper screw anyway and I really don't plan on putting one one. I'll change it the next time I clean it. good to know. Thanks

 

[fleener]

I am surprised that you don't capture the key. I am assuming with your talents I am most likely telling you what you already know, however, if the key is slotted, it is easy to put a pin under the escutcheon to capture it.

Fleener

 

[cannonball1]

I did know, but I think I'd find key in the way when I polish the gun after shooting or hit the open key on something and crack the stock. If I lost the key I certainly would have second thoughts though. I love accuracy in reproduction of earlier period firearms, but not enough to duplicate hidden things. One thing I did notice is there are quite a few of the 1800 English gunmakers that used the same components, but the guns were all a little different. I guess one shouldn't use "Rigby" when the gun resembles one of the other makers. Even Rigby didn't make the rifles the same. I guess it is OK. I notice some of the best professional gun makers do it. I love the input. You can learn a lot on this forum, but it is like any other internet site you have to sort the fact from fiction. Thanks for all of your information Fleener on several topics.

 

[fleener]

Never had one get caught on anything or even close to breaking anything.......Now I most likely will.....

Fleener

 

[cannonball1]

The older I get the dumber things I do. If It was pinned and open i would probably catch it on something and the stock would hit the floor. This next gun I am starting parts haven't been sent yet, so you got me thinking. I ordered a couple of extra keys.

I am starting to hate to go to the range with friends for fear that I will start visiting and loose track of my loading sequence.