Trapdoors in general

[LonesomePigeon]

 What do you think of Trapdoor rifles? Is it a good design? Are they prone to fouling issues such as jamming or losing accuracy after just a short number of rounds? How accurate are they? I don't know much about them and I was just wondering how they compare to other single shot rifles like Sharps and Hi-Walls.

[Captainkirk]

It was the military standard for quite some time. Not as strong, nor as accurate as a falling or rolling block design, but perfectly adequate and reasonably priced as well.

[Hawg]

I had an 1884 carbine. It grouped very well with a full case of bp and a lead bullet. Not so much with smokeless and jacketed. It did shoot high at 100 yards. Fouling with a full case of bp was minimal, no stuck cases or bore fouling.

[mazo kid]

I have some and they are a good shootin' rifle. Heavy though. I don't think the action is as weak as some make them out to be, but I won't load any up over standard "Trapdoor loads". If you have a chance to get one, I would suggest you jump on it. Parts are plentiful too.

[AntiqueSledMan]

Hello Pigeon,

Listen to Mazo, do not hot rod.
Week action, but I believe they were accurate.
Harrington & Richardson made some in the 70's, still see some for sale.

AntiqueSledMan.

[LonesomePigeon]

I have seen originals in very nice condition selling for less than what some of the repro single shots cost. It sounds like a neat rifle to own and shoot.

[AntiqueSledMan]

Hello Pigeon,

I had an old shooting partner who loved the Trap Door's.
He had his Son-In-Law gunsmith restock one with a
Springfield Muzzleloader stock from Dixie once, looked sweet.
I remember his Son-In-Law cussing that project, but it was nice when finished.

AntiqueSledMan.

[Captainkirk]

A trapdoor would be my #3 choice behind a falling block and a rolling block. If you find one reasonable, jump on it.

[mazo kid]

I DO love my Falling Blocks (Winchester and Sharps) with the Rolling Blocks and Trapdoors vying for 2nd place. I also restocked a Trapdoor a couple of years ago; see "A different Trapdoor" just below this topic.

[Hawg]

I always wanted a Gemmer trapdoor.

[mazo kid]

Me too! And I have been working on one for some time now. The stock is a walnut plank that was harvested in our yard, because that is what I wanted. In retrospect, I should have sent it off, (or purchased) the blank to be pre-carved. And it is left-handed to boot. I had a Shiloh barrel in 40-50 SBN that I had fitted to the receiver; it is octagonal which is not usual for a traditional Gemmer. But, again, it is what I wanted. Hopefully when I am able to get around better, I will be able to finish it up, mostly minor shaping and then finishing.

[Hawg]

I had a Shiloh barrel in 40-50 SBN that I had fitted to the receiver; it is octagonal which is not usual for a traditional Gemmer.

I would think a round barrel on a Gemmer style rifle would be very unusual. All the pics I've seen of original Gemmers were octagonal. They are after all supposed to have the look of a Hawken.

[mazo kid]

Yes, but a lot of the original Trapdoor Gemmers did use the barreled action IIRC. I like the idea of an octagonal barrel.