And I have nothing against this firm but am generally sceptical of all rifle action makers because so few have ever been successful and so many have screwed clients one way of another.

Here are a few things I do know: Dave Noreen lives in Manhattan, MT about 40 miles west of here. He sold his action business to Waffen-Hein who have been slapped with a law suit (check out GS on Accurate Reloading) by numerous client for non-delivery and other perceived crimes. Noreen's M-70/Mauser action never did work very well and were problematic at best, his delivery problem was because of difficulties in manufacture, not over-popularity. Now the Hein actions are being accused of being defective. Folks were throwing money at Hein with deposits when there was only one finished rifle photo on their web site for all the different actions sizes they (?) offered.

Shilo Sharps is in Big Timber, MT about 40 miles in the other direction and I've never heard of them selling 1885 castings although C. Sharps is across the street from them and now offer machined 1885 actions (flat side, oct. top) that used to have cast frames. I recently hooked Martin Hagn up with Shilo to maybe cast his medium action frames. Martin visited Shilo and my shop last fall with molds.

There is no McGowen Co.(or any other action maker) listed as an invited guest at the Guild Show according to the Gunmaker I received earlier this week, and it is not acceptable to show products freelance at the show without display space so it might be difficult to see an action there.

Seen any Peregrine single shot actions lately? How many different sizes were they going to make? After years of promises the owner sent me a lengthy prospectus trying to sell me the business. One of my clients did manage to take delivery on a Peregrine action, the only one I know of.

Seen any British Shirley actions? (in Winfer's book?) Another client of mine purchases one and a box of parts and drawings at an auction in London, I've never seen the stuff. I think is was the receivership sale?

I built two rifle on Falling Block Works actions while in gunsmithing school, they sold flawed actions to the college bookstore, not really a great action IMO.

I just wish I had bought a couple of Ballard 1885's and a Ballard action (to give to Mike) Steve Garbe offered, but I had originals of both at the time.

I've got a two part story written on all of the available Single Shot actions circa 2005 and I can't sell the story, so many companies have changes hands or gone out of business I'd have to completely rewrite it. But no magazine wants it anyway.

So, I hope we all have quality 1885's available, I really do!