Wowser….

[ETipp]

A few days ago I purchased a .54 Lyman Great Plains rifle off of a member on here. There was a little ambiguity about the history of it but it was listed as in like new condition and it had only been fired two shots. Tracking information stated it was scheduled for delivery on Tuesday. Well, I was away from home today and when I pulled up to my house there was the box leaning next to my door. To my surprise It had arrived 3 days early. Still being a little unsure about the rifle I hurried and unboxed it. It was in the original box. Took it out, assembled it and cleaned her up a bit. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the seller was correct on his listing. It took me a while before I could find any imperfections on it. Swabbed the barrel out and looked down it the best I could with a LED light. It looks new. Not a mark or scratch on the stock anywhere. With only a couple of very minor imperfections, this ML does, in fact, look like new.

Now with that said, I don’t want to get the wagon ahead of the mules. Still need to load her and see how she shoots. But as of now, I feel very blessed to obtain this rifle.

Only a couple of pics for now. I want to take more outside tomorrow.

 

[ORBushman]

Man that shore is a beaut! Congrats and I'm sure it's going to shoot better than you think. I miss mine from many years ago but, probably would have some issues holding it steady now.

 

[Heat]

Congrats, very nice!

 

[deermanok]

Sweet.

 

[Louisk]

Nice! I sure like mine. I'm sure it's been discussed here at length here before but the Great Planes Rifle tends to need a hundred shots or so put through it for break in to get it's best accuracy potential. I found that to be the case with mine

 

[ETipp]

Nice! I sure like mine. I'm sure it's been discussed here at length here before but the Great Planes Rifle tends to need a hundred shots or so put through it for break in to get it's best accuracy potential. I found that to be the case with mine

Woser (again). No more than this old boy shoots, its going to take me a long while to get this one broken in, if ever.

I plan on dissembling it today, pulling the lock and trigger mechanisms, and giving them a little TLC. The seller stated that he believes this is an earlier GPR. So no telling how long it has been since that last oiling, if ever.

The wood appears to be made of higher quality walnut with shallower or little grain indentions. I use to refinish stocks for people, as well as my own, so I am very tempted to go to work on this one. However, from the time I first wanted one of these ML, one thing I like the most about them is the older rustic look. So I'm trying to fight off the urge of spiffing this one up. One thing is for certain, however. There isn't a scratch or dent in the wood anywhere.

With that said, this will be a working, hunting ML. I do not abuse my big tools, but it will get some wear and tear on it in time.

Another thing that surprises me is the barrel has been blued. I had thought they were browned and I was actually looking forward to it being so.

 

[ETipp]

A few more pics

 

[ETipp]

 

[64Springer]

"Not a mark or a scratch on the stock anywhere".

Now the stock needs refinishing?

Let the old girl be.

.02

 

[ETipp]

 

[ETipp]

 

[ETipp]

"Not a mark or a scratch on the stock anywhere".

Now the stock needs refinishing?

Let the old girl be.

.02

Never said it “needed” to be refinished. And as I have said, one reason why I’ve always liked the GPR was because of their rustic looks. It will remain as is. Just stating that the wood is so nice that it would look good refinished. I fought off the urge.

 

[chorizo]

Very, very nice. I concur. Let her show her age and natural beauty. If you want to speed up the break-in process (which is nothing more than wearing your rifling down and smoothing it out) get some non-embedding bore cleaning compound, put it on a tight patch with some cutting oil and start running it in and out of the bore, refreshing your patch with compound and oil for a 100 or so strokes. It should get you there right off the bat.

https://smile.amazon.com/J-B-Non-Em...73808385&sprefix=non+embedding,aps,156&sr=8-1

 

[ETipp]

Very, very nice. I concur. Let her show her age and natural beauty. If you want to speed up the break-in process (which is nothing more than wearing your rifling down and smoothing it out) get some non-embedding bore cleaning compound, put it on a tight patch with some cutting oil and start running it in and out of the bore, refreshing your patch with compound and oil for a 100 or so strokes. It should get you there right off the bat.

https://smile.amazon.com/J-B-Non-Em...73808385&sprefix=non+embedding,aps,156&sr=8-1

I’ll keep that in mind. I have no plans to fire this ML very much. Just enough to see what she likes the best for hunting loads. If accurate enough for my liking then so be it. If not I might do a little bore rubbing.

 

[chorizo]

Yep, good idea. I firmly believe in not fixing things that aren't broke!

 

[ETipp]

Yep, good idea. I firmly believe in not fixing things that aren't broke!

Something to be said about that for sure. However, if you ever got into gun stock refinishing like I have, its difficult to fight the urge. Fortunately, for this one I beat the urge. I like this one just like she is.

Here’s one of my ML I refinished.

 

[ord sgt]

I agree. Let the new rifle earn an honest patina through handling and shooting. Honest wear looks good on these firearms.

 

[ETipp]

I agree. Let the new rifle earn an honest patina through handling and shooting. Honest wear looks good on these firearms.

I always say a little wear gives them personality. If its like all my other big game tools, it will get some wear on it.

 

[ETipp]

Nothing special, just something I like to do.

 

[springfield art]

A few days ago I purchased a .54 Lyman Great Plains rifle off of a member on here. There was a little ambiguity about the history of it but it was listed as in like new condition and it had only been fired two shots. Tracking information stated it was scheduled for delivery on Tuesday. Well, I was away from home today and when I pulled up to my house there was the box leaning next to my door. To my surprise It had arrived 3 days early. Still being a little unsure about the rifle I hurried and unboxed it. It was in the original box. Took it out, assembled it and cleaned her up a bit. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the seller was correct on his listing. It took me a while before I could find any imperfections on it. Swabbed the barrel out and looked down it the best I could with a LED light. It looks new. Not a mark or scratch on the stock anywhere. With only a couple of very minor imperfections, this ML does, in fact, look like new.

Now with that said, I don’t want to get the wagon ahead of the mules. Still need to load her and see how she shoots. But as of now, I feel very blessed to obtain this rifle.

Only a couple of pics for now. I want to take more outside tomorrow.View attachment 190167View attachment 190169

Great that you had good experience! I have the same in LH, shortened the bbl. and re-finished all the metal and wood, removed the 'crescent', etc., but haven't shot that much. Good luck, they're apparently a desirable rifle on this site, as much content has been posted about them. Thanks.