Colt Burgess Rifle

Sweetwater Jack · December 09, 2009, 11:08:48 PM

Taylors' & Co. had one at the SASS Convention in the 20" bbl length, .45Colt. It was slick looking, and smooth as greased goose crap. They said it had NO action-work done on it. According to UPS mine in .44-40 and the 25.5" barrel is going to arrive here in Grants Pass on the 15th. Unfortunately, I'll be in Hawaii until the 20th.... Tell ya how it goes as soon as I get back.... Sweetwater

Grizzly Adams · December 10, 2009, 08:56:55 AM

Looking forward to seeing pics of your new baby, and a range report when you can!

Really pleased to hear they are doing it in 44WCF. I may have to get off of my wallet now!

Sweetwater Jack · December 24, 2009, 06:51:16 PM

OK,
Mine arrived. Granted, it's not as slick as the one at the convention, but I understand that that one was the prototype, and has been "inspected" and the action worked by about three gazillion shooters, so expect the action has received a "poor man's action job" by being operated so much. Mine IS pretty slick though, right out of the box. Fed it 10 of my usual main-match rounds and it fed, fired and extracted them flawlessly. The loding port "dust cover" SLIDES forward as you press the nose of the cartridge in, instead of "bending" out of the way as the ones on the '66 and '73 do. Loading effort was about the same as the '73. Top-ejecting, the empty brass all fell in about a one-foot circle near my left foot. So far, my only complaint is that the front sight is the usual black blade and my 71-year old eyes are having a problem picking it up. It's in the standard 3/8" dovetail cut, so a Pioneer Gun Works Brass Bead sight is on the way as we speak. Accuracy is good, even with my eyesight, though. I'm writing up an article on the rifle for the Cowboy Chronicle with some history, etc., and Tex promises to publish it. No pictures yet, but I'm working on it. Oddly enough, I can't find mention of the Burgess on either the Taylors and Co. website OR Uberti's.... As for the pricing, the posts above were pretty close, but the dealer prices have gone up about 30 bucks on each. Merry Christmas to you all!! Sweetwater Jack

Arizona Trooper · December 26, 2009, 06:12:18 PM

Sweetwater Jack, if you haven't found a copy of "Lever Action Magazine Rifles", I could scan a few pages on the Colt Burgess from my copy and send them.

Grizzly Adams · December 27, 2009, 02:36:59 PM

Quote from: Sweetwater Jack on December 24, 2009, 06:51:16 PM
OK,
Mine arrived. Granted, it's not as slick as the one at the convention, but I understand that that one was the prototype, and has been "inspected" and the action worked by about three gazillion shooters, so expect the action has received a "poor man's action job" by being operated so much. Mine IS pretty slick though, right out of the box. Fed it 10 of my usual main-match rounds and it fed, fired and extracted them flawlessly. The loding port "dust cover" SLIDES forward as you press the nose of the cartridge in, instead of "bending" out of the way as the ones on the '66 and '73 do. Loading effort was about the same as the '73. Top-ejecting, the empty brass all fell in about a one-foot circle near my left foot. So far, my only complaint is that the front sight is the usual black blade and my 71-year old eyes are having a problem picking it up. It's in the standard 3/8" dovetail cut, so a Pioneer Gun Works Brass Bead sight is on the way as we speak. Accuracy is good, even with my eyesight, though. I'm writing up an article on the rifle for the Cowboy Chronicle with some history, etc., and Tex promises to publish it. No pictures yet, but I'm working on it. Oddly enough, I can't find mention of the Burgess on either the Taylors and Co. website OR Uberti's.... As for the pricing, the posts above were pretty close, but the dealer prices have gone up about 30 bucks on each. Merry Christmas to you all!! Sweetwater Jack

Thanks for the report, Sweetwater! Please keep us posted on it's performance as you get a chance to shoot it more. Really interested in how it will function during match use. Can you describe the internal mechanism and perhaps post pics? I have looked high and low, and can't find a schematic for it anywhere! $:-\$ Love to know what makes the critter run!

KWK · January 01, 2010, 06:06:50 PM

Sweetwater Jack, have you tried to disassemble the action? Many of the 1800s designs weren't too user friendly in that regard. Hopefully this one is an exception to the rule.

Abilene · January 04, 2010, 06:21:38 PM

I posted this link in the past, the website is still up. I don't recall whose site this is, he posted on the SASS Wire last year when folks were talking about the Burgess. He is rebuilding an original. Good look at the innards and good disassembly info. I would assume that the Uberti is about the same.

http://www.rieckesbaysidegallery.com/coltBurgess/innards.cfm

Grizzly Adams · January 04, 2010, 07:35:18 PM

Thanks, Abilene!

I knew I had seen that somewhere before!

I appreciate the information - very instructive. Pretty simple action, so it should be reliable.

My gun guy tells me he will have a 44-40 on hand by early Spring.

Abilene: While we have your attention, will the CB be available in a carbine configuration, or only as a short rifle?

Abilene · January 04, 2010, 07:43:46 PM

Grizzly,
I have heard nothing of a carbine model, but I've been the last to hear of things before

Was the original offered as a carbine?

Grizzly Adams · January 05, 2010, 10:13:33 AM

Quote from: Abilene on January 04, 2010, 07:43:46 PM
Grizzly,
I have heard nothing of a carbine model, but I've been the last to hear of things before

Was the original offered as a carbine?

I believe it was. Seems I have seen a pic somewhere in my flaying about in search of info!

Interesting beastie, and not well documented it seems.

Yep, found it! Cute little devil.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=147201752

KWK · January 06, 2010, 08:51:30 AM

Thanks Abilene. I have seen that page, and I thought I'd saved a copy of the image, but I couldn't find it on my PC, and so I asked--again.

rodeo kid · April 19, 2010, 10:49:27 PM

Sweetwater Jack, just checking to make sure I read right. You did get your Burgess in .44-40? The reason I'm asking is I just e-mailed Uberti 2 days ago and they replied that they did not make the Burgess in .44-40 and were not going to. Thanks.

Grizzly Adams · April 19, 2010, 11:10:58 PM

Taylors has the Burgess in 44-40.

Not always in stock, but definitely available.

rodeo kid · April 20, 2010, 12:00:47 AM

Grizzly, I just double checked the Taylor's web site and the Burgess is not even listed. I wonder what gives? A
Phillip J Rezac on GunsAmerica has one for $1139 but in .45lc. Buffalo Arms lists it also for $1322 in .45lc.

Grizzly Adams · April 20, 2010, 09:18:53 AM

Quote from: rodeo kid on April 20, 2010, 12:00:47 AM
Grizzly, I just double checked the Taylor's web site and the Burgess is not even listed. I wonder what gives? A
Phillip J Rezac on GunsAmerica has one for $1139 but in .45lc. Buffalo Arms lists it also for $1322 in .45lc.

It's not on the website. Give them call.

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,32054.0.html