A new break action single

[skydiver386]

During my wanderings around the SCI Convention, I was able to chat with Steve Rabakoff of Parkwest Arms. While I love the rifles on display and have ideas of buying one soon, my real hearts desire is a single shot break action rifle similar to the Blazer K95, the Merkel K3 or the Thompson Center TCR. Of the ones I've seen and laid hands on, none feel right to me. Steve was very patient as I decribed what for me would be the perfect rifle, and I'd like some input from the members here before moving forward with such a project.

For me, the rifle should possess the following characteristics.

1. Be of first rate quality. Not the old H&R that many of us started with, but one that is a beautiful example of American gunmaking at it's finest.

2. Be available with accessory barrels that are fully interchangeable. The owner should be able to purchase barrels at any time and assemble them to his receiver without the need for gunsmithing, or a return to the factory.

3. Be available with shotgun and rifle barrels as the Thompson Center TCR-83/87 was.

4 . Have a locking system capable of handling the largest African calibers, and the highest pressure magnum chamberings. The large hood and locking system on several of the European rifles is not to my taste, and according to some can make it difficult to extract rimless cases, and rimmed cases are preferred in those rifles.

5. Be available in multi-barrel cased sets for the World Wide hunter.

6. Utilize a safety with American shooters in mind. A tang mounted sliding safety would be my pick.

7. Use a scope mounting system that doesn't look like a total afterthought, but looks at home on such a rifle.

8. Be available in various stock and forearm configurations, possibly as upgrades or custom orders, similar to the Blazer R8 line of rifles.

9. Not use an exposed hammer like the TC Encore rifles, but a somewhat elegant hammerless receiver along the size and shape of the Browning BT-99.

I know full well that such a rifle is not going to set the World on fire with millions of sales at WalMart, but then that's not the idea. I honestly believe there is a slow, but very steady market for such an American rifle, but every attempt so far seems to be low quality and half hearted.

Your thoughts?

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

A modern version of the savage 219 would be a good starting point

 

[skydiver386]

A modern version of the savage 219 would be a good starting point

I have one of these in my safe. The model 219 was in rifle calibers, and the model 220 in 12 and 20 gauge. The general layout is very close to what I have in mind, especially the sliding tang safety.

The major issue with the 219/220 is the locking system. Fine for lower pressure shotgun rounds and 30-30 rifle type cartridges, it would never stand up to most modern belted magnums.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

When you convince a manufacturer to build one see if you can talk them into a modern top break revolver too.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

Didn’t t/c make a hammerless model the aristocrat.

 

[skydiver386]

Yes, the TCR 83/87.

I had several of these at one time, but none of the barrels would fit without being sent with the receiver to the factory to be fit. Also the safety was a crossbolt that had a safety button that you had to disengage before you could disengage the crossbolt safety. Totally unworkable.

 

[LimbNoMo]

That’s all too specific for me, but how about one of these?

Single shot rifles - Johann Fanzoj

Single shot rifles - The Fanzoj Single Shot rifles combine our famed handicraft skills with state-of-the-art technology to achieve a synthesis of the traditional and the modern. - Johann Fanzoj

fanzoj.com

 

[Ryan]

Yes, if it were good quality but under $2K for a base model with possibilities for upgrades. I realize small production and under a grand is not realistic. Heck, $2K might not be either.

My first centerfire rifle was a T/C Encore, and I'm up to two of them and two Ruger #1s. So I have no problem with single shots.

 

[mdwest]

Don’t know what the budget would be for such a rifle…

And my recommendation would be a rising block single shot (not a break action)…

But Bailey Bradshaw makes absolute works of art, at prices way below what they should be.. in any caliber you like… can do multi barrels, etc etc..

He’s also a member here.. and a genuinely great guy…

Bradshaw Gun and Rifle – Finest Single Shot and Double Rifles

bradshawgunandrifle.com

 

[rookhawk]

During my wanderings around the SCI Convention, I was able to chat with Steve Rabakoff of Parkwest Arms. While I love the rifles on display and have ideas of buying one soon, my real hearts desire is a single shot break action rifle similar to the Blazer K95, the Merkel K3 or the Thompson Center TCR. Of the ones I've seen and laid hands on, none feel right to me. Steve was very patient as I decribed what for me would be the perfect rifle, and I'd like some input from the members here before moving forward with such a project.

For me, the rifle should possess the following characteristics.

1. Be of first rate quality. Not the old H&R that many of us started with, but one that is a beautiful example of American gunmaking at it's finest.

2. Be available with accessory barrels that are fully interchangeable. The owner should be able to purchase barrels at any time and assemble them to his receiver without the need for gunsmithing, or a return to the factory.

3. Be available with shotgun and rifle barrels as the Thompson Center TCR-83/87 was.

4 . Have a locking system capable of handling the largest African calibers, and the highest pressure magnum chamberings. The large hood and locking system on several of the European rifles is not to my taste, and according to some can make it difficult to extract rimless cases, and rimmed cases are preferred in those rifles.

5. Be available in multi-barrel cased sets for the World Wide hunter.

6. Utilize a safety with American shooters in mind. A tang mounted sliding safety would be my pick.

7. Use a scope mounting system that doesn't look like a total afterthought, but looks at home on such a rifle.

8. Be available in various stock and forearm configurations, possibly as upgrades or custom orders, similar to the Blazer R8 line of rifles.

9. Not use an exposed hammer like the TC Encore rifles, but a somewhat elegant hammerless receiver along the size and shape of the Browning BT-99.

I know full well that such a rifle is not going to set the World on fire with millions of sales at WalMart, but then that's not the idea. I honestly believe there is a slow, but very steady market for such an American rifle, but every attempt so far seems to be low quality and half hearted.

Your thoughts?

What you’re describing is what the Europeans call a Kipplauf. When made to a very high standard, they can be very attractive stalking rifles. Often they are carbines with full length “mannlicher” style stocks and are associated with Alpine hunting for things like Chamois.

Here’s where I think things will fall off the rails with your plot.

1.) The action type is not going to have the strength of a falling block, probably the ultimate single shot stalking rifle.

2.) To handle magnum sized calibers, the thing would have to be grotesque and overbuilt all the way into near the palm of the hand to then tie into a very hefty piece of wood.

3.) The recoil would be horrific. When you go to single shot rifles, you’re looking for compact length and light weight. A single shot as you’re describing would be lightweight, making recoil miserable in the really big calibers. For example, with Dakota Model 10s they top out around 9.3x62mm and 300HH for a reason. I owned one in 300HH and it was not an enjoyable rifle to shoot due to its light weight.

4.) Excluding the large bore requirement you described, the guns you’re contemplating already exist. They are called Luxus and they are basically a best grade Thompson Contender. Very nice wood, fit, finish, $4000-$6000 price point, lots of swap barrels, etc.

As a compromise for medium bore calibers, it would be nice if Parkwest would make a heavier action Model 10 that would handle the 375 Flanged, the 450-400, and perhaps a 20 gauge shotgun. Having it be a take-down with a couple of barrels like their traveller would be very intriguing from my perspective. It would be pretty cool to have a 7x57R or 303 Brit, a 375 Flanged, and a shotgun all in one package. Even better if they had a slug barrel.

Just my $0.02 on the matter. Kipplaufs are beautiful, but they wouldn’t be beautiful aesthetically if they were large-bore compatible, nor would they be at all enjoyable to shoot.

 

[rookhawk]

Luxus Model 11

 

[SaintPanzer]

I am just getting to know my K3 Kipplauf.

Larger caliber and light weight could be problematic, but I do wish I could get more barrels. I'd like a few more barrels, but not many. A .30-06 would be nice.. Yes, a .22 Hornet. Beyond that? To shoot what? It would have to be large to make the recoil of, say, a 9.3X74 worth it. At that point, go to a double.

But yes... Wonderful for stalking. Easy to carry. Easy to transport. And a Dentler scope mount.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Just buy Ruger No1's in different calibres. No strength issues, elegant, reliable.

 

[VertigoBE]

I must agree with a few other of the commentators.

You are looking for a fine, semi-bespoke single shot with interchangeable barrels. Going all the way from .22 Hornet to a .577NE? None of this makes any sense. As @rookhawk pointed out, having a .22 Hornet, but with an action that could also handle a big bore cartridge, would be truly awful. Vice versa, having a big bore, not purposefully built for the caliber, or caliber group, would mean an awfully light rifle. None of this would be appealing for the potential buyer of a bespoke or semi-bespoke single shots.

Secondly, you want it to be like a lego-set, with multiple options of barrels, wood, etc. this points to mass production and machine standardization, not to custom builds of the finest quality.

In reality, you would need to rephrase your list of characteristics to something that makes more sense, (also to actually see it produced). Only PG calibers, topping out at 9.3x74r or perhaps .375H&H/flanged. Then focusing on as few as calibers as possible, perhaps providing barrel profile drawings to individual barrel makers, so they can be the supplier of other calibers.

Doing all this, and you have just duplicated a Merkel K3 or a Blaser K95. So now you need something to set it apart from those two very fine made competitive products. I honestly do not know what that would be. The only thing I could think of, is going for another action type. Not a Kipplauf, but a falling block for instance. Going the Heym versions of the Ruger N°1 way? Or the Model 11 luxus from Dakota way.

 

[mark-hunter]

Blaser K95.
Barrels are interchangeable, but need to be fitted by factory - best is to order the rifle with set of desired barrels.
Calibers range from 222 rem, up to 9.3x74R and 375 H&H and many in between.

 

[Odinsraven]

Just buy Ruger No1's in different calibres. No strength issues, elegant, reliable.

Did not call my gunsmith (he has asked me not to until all the projects are complere )!......but a ruger no.1 could be configured to quick change barrels I would have thought......

 

[odonata]

I love hunting with & shooting my single shots. So any thread about these types of rifles will always pique my interest. I currently have eight falling blocks (four No. 1 / four 1885) so I am still missing the much-desired Kipplauf. Regulations that require an exposed hammer during primitive season (Louisiana & Mississippi) and straight-walled cartridges (Arkansas) in the alternative season probably played a small part in that.

As pointed out by several more knowledgeable owners above, the list of desired features has several competing requirements that appear to be at odds with each other. Kind of like wanting a fast & nimble sports car convertible that can tow a boat up a hill while getting good gas mileage. To my mind, a Kipplauf that does everything probably doesn't do any of them incredibly well. Swiss Army knives that have 50 options are a cute novelty that would be annoying to actually have to carry or use. Their goal of extreme versatility is actually hampered by the extremeness of their versatility.

I always viewed Kipplaufs as light, nimble & purpose-specific. Not a "one size fits all conceivable scenarios" type of rifle. I do not think I would want to shoot "the largest African calibers" out of a rifle also designed for the 22 Hornet & vice versa. The OP did not like the "large hood and locking system" but I would be more concerned about pulling the trigger on a break action with a big magnum in the chamber if it didn't have the proper strength.

One comment that the OP made that gave me pause was the fact that of the K95, K3 & TCR type rifles he had tried "none feel right to me". As popular as these models of rifles are, I wonder if what does feel right to him individually would then have a broad commercial appeal to everyone else. This isn't a criticism. It's just an observation that we all have different priorities & preferences and I know some of mine are out of sync with what currently sells.

 

[PerH]

ISCHLER STUTZEN – ONE SHOT IS ENOUGH – HUNTING-HERITAGE

www.hunting-heritage.com

An Official Journal Of The NRA | A 'Gentleman’s' Rifle In The Trenches Of WWI

A single Holland & Holland weaves together a story of the Great War’s trenches, one of the world’s best gunmakers, Britain’s greatest 20th century soldier and the author of Gunga Din.

www.americanrifleman.org

Some inspiration there

 

[BeeMaa]

@skydiver386 - As others have stated, it would be difficult to introduce this kind of product when the people likely looking for such arms already know about the Krieghoff Hubertus, Blaser K95 and Merkel K3. Plus balance and weight is so important in a single shot, much like a field shotgun. Having the range of calibers you've requested will not play well in this aspect.

Blaser K95.
Barrels are interchangeable, but need to be fitted by factory - best is to order the rifle with set of desired barrels.
Calibers range from 222 rem, up to 9.3x74R and 375 H&H and many in between.

I wasn't aware the K95 was ever available in 375H&H. Maybe special order? I've only seen up to 9.3x74R and not sure I'd want something in the higher mid-bore range in a lightweight rifle like a Kipplauf. I'd probably opt for a 30-06 for the US & Africa, but a 7x65R would be nice for hunting Europe.

 

[Red Leg]

I would agree with @rookhawk. The men who created the finest break open actions the world has ever known turned to falling blocks of one form or another for their rifles in heavier calibers. There are are a number of choices of these today from different companies and craftsmen. I would also second the recommendation of @mdwest to look at the incredible rifles being produced by @Bailey Bradshaw. Mine in 7x65R has become my favorite deer rifle - and also wins the most elegant category by a landslide.

As others have suggested, I can not imagine the design compromises necessary to create something that would handle 6.5 through .458 loadings.