Chiappa manf'd 1886? OT (kinda)

[Hoof Hearted]

Anybody else receive the flyer about the (seem to be already in the country) 1886?

Color case receivers and all!
Lets hope the QC is better than the Chaparrals

[ndnchf]

First I've heard of it.

I have to wonder "why".  The '86 was made all the way up to 1935, plus several newer renditions from both Winchester and Browning.  They made a bunch of them - over 160,000 were produced.  The only real advantage over the '76 that I can see is it handles the longer cartridges (45-70, .45-90) and it is a little lighter. 

The '86 is a fine rifle, but in todays economy, reproducing a rifle that has little demand and is already fairly plentiful seems like a bad idea. IF they can build a QUALITY rifle and still sell it a for a very competitive price, they may be successful.  But I'm not holding my breath.

[Hoof Hearted]

First I've heard of it.

I have to wonder "why".  The '86 was made all the way up to 1935, plus several newer renditions from both Winchester and Browning.  They made a bunch of them - over 160,000 were produced.  The only real advantage over the '76 that I can see is it handles the longer cartridges (45-70, .45-90) and it is a little lighter. 

The '86 is a fine rifle, but in todays economy, reproducing a rifle that has little demand and is already fairly plentiful seems like a bad idea. IF they can build a QUALITY rifle and still sell it a for a very competitive price, they may be successful.  But I'm not holding my breath.

Weellll...., to answer your question.

They are STRONGER, they handle AVAILABLE cartridges, they are no longer made, they are lighter, and the recently made examples had rebounding hammers and a tang mounted safety (which most everybody abhores). Then there is the escalating prices that the Miroku ones are now bringing (well over $1000.00 and some as high as $1300.00, used). Do a little searching on the auction sites for a decent OBFMCB Rifle in 45-70 and let me know what a fine (or better) example brings

Now, don't take this reply wrong (as I'm sure you meant no discourtesy in yours). But we all said exactly the same thing about (and more) the 1876 being reproduced

[Grogan]

I have to wonder "why".  The '86 was made all the way up to 1935

You pretty much ANSWERED the question yourself.

After the 1886 was introduced the 1876 pretty much disappeared.  (That's WHY it was Winchester's least produced lever rifle)

I mean WHO wanted a bigger, heavier, weaker strength rifle that shot less powerful cartridges than the new one?!!

It's only us historically curious shooters who really wanted  the '76 to come back.

If you were to put both of them out there today at the same price and with original quality as the ONLY available large caliber rifles available, you'd see which one would still be around 40 years later.

(Something tells me it WOULDN'T be the '76)

[ndnchf]

Good points gentleman.
I guess I'm looking at it from a different perspctive.  Here are the points I was considering:
1. Original '76s are considerably rarer than '86s. 
2. '76s are from the heart of the BPCR and cowboy era, '86s came in at the tail end. 
3. The '76 had never been reproduced before. 
4. Arguably, the .45-75 is adequate for just about any game in North America.

These 4 factors, in my mind made it at least marginally viable to reproduce.  The '86 was undoubtable a better rifle in almost every aspect.  But for todays shooters, with the economy the way it is and a decent supply of original and recent production '86s available, are they viable in todays market?  Of course nobody knows the answer.  Much depends on the selling price and the quality. 

Don't get me wrong fellas, I've owned an original '86 in .45-70 and it was a dandy rifle.  Heck, I like 'em all.  I just wonder if there really is a solid market for another '86 at this time.  I hope there is.  But for my needs, a '76 will do just as well as an '86.     

[Hoof Hearted]

Much depends on the selling price and the quality.     

This point is arguable................
Chaparral is still in business