North Country Gal wrote:I remember how the demand and interest in the Sharps spiked, big time, after the Quigley movie. In fact, some of us used to joke "another one going Quigley on us" when a fellow shooter would spend the big bucks for a domestic, custom made Sharps. The U.S. made Sharps rifles are, of course, more than just rifles, they're works of art and the prices are what you should expect to pay for a domestic, small shop made gun. As mentioned, I've always admired those Sharps, but I physically just can't handle one, unless I try for one of the baby Sharps versions.
If it's a matter of performance with the 45-70, though, or any cartridge, for that matter, we need to be honest with ourselves and admit that spending the money for a custom Sharps or even a reproduction or a modern falling block like a Ruger No. 1, won't necessarily get us a better shooter than a break open like a Henry or one of my TCs. I have a couple 45-70 barrels, right now, one for the Contender and one for the Encore. Didn't pay more than $200 for each and I promise you, they will shoot the 45-70 as well or better than one of those classic Sharps costing thousands. I may even grab a Henry single shot when I can find one for the same reason. Has to be one of the great values in a single shot. Very pleased to see Henry getting in this market.
Perfect, really puts things into perspective. Your absolutely right on target when it comes to a big part of the draw being that it's more a work of art. I do like the history aspect of it as well. I really haven't looked at it close enough but the Shilo version probably is the most expensive work of art availible but that kind of money is a lot more than I am willing to spend. I think I saw one north of $7,000. Fabulous looking rifle and I am sure every little detail is simply amazing but unfortunately much more than I am willing to pay.
Oh, and I am coming across the whole Tom Selleck thing as well. At the time I wasn't buying guns but I do remember thinking how cool that rifle looked. But to be honest it wasn't the Quigley thing that drew me in this time. But I did see Hickock45 shooting it on YouTube. Had I watched Quigley again that may have done it as well. It's just a real cool looking gun.
But then again this won't be the first rifle I purchased for more aesthetic reasons than just function. Both of my Winchester Shot Show versions and the Original Henry I purchased were not just for function and historical draw, but were for aesthetic reasons as well. I most certainly could have purchased the base model but it wouldn't have looked quite as nice. The Henry Repeating Arms was also supposed to have a much nicer looking stock than the Uberti. The enjoyment I will get whether I am on the range by myself or not will be from the smile it puts on my face when I am able to not only fire the gun but enjoy how good it looks. Heck from time to time when I take it out just to look at them they put a smile on my face. The story I share with others as to how I found them and why I selected them and the history that goes behind them puts a smile on my face. I think if I were extremely rich I could get into collecting originals but because I am not and I do want to fire them I will just have to be content (not settle) but be content with what I am able to do.
Function although extremely important it is but only one factor of how I go about choosing anything. In this case I am but an amateur at best when it comes to shooting and I have no dreams or need to be the very best. I do however get great joy out of using some very nice crafted as well as functioning guns. If I were to have the money I think I might own a Rolls Royce. Yes it might be nice to get Oohs and Ahs but frankly I find enjoyment out of using things that are very well crafted pieces of art. Just do.