1866 BP Sharps

[Stryker]

Does anyone have any experience with any of these. Several different manufacturers (IAB, Armi, etc) make them and I like the idea of using loose BP or making paper catridges for them. Everything I read to date is either very negative or very positive. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground with these guns. Any thoughts?

[R.M.]

You could take a look here. These guys are BP revolver shooters that have just learned the joys of the Sharps.

http://www.voy.com/218784/

http://www.voy.com/60048/

[Flint62Smoothie]

FWIW a friend has a Pedersoli made Sharps "paper cutter" and he loves it!  

I'd say the difference between good reviews and poor reviews is the basic inherent quality of the arm.  Personally, of those listed, I would not go less than a Perdersoli.

One really does need to know how to shoot & load lead bullets, or paper patched, for best results.

[wwpete52]

I've had a couple of them. They are fun to shoot but you need to know that the paper cartridge Sharps is really not a long range rifle like the cartridge rifle.  If you buy one to shoot 300-500-1000 yards you will be very disappointed.

[Uncle Russ]

Does anyone have any experience with any of these. Several different manufacturers (IAB, Armi, etc) make them and I like the idea of using loose BP or making paper catridges for them. Everything I read to date is either very negative or very positive. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground with these guns. Any thoughts?

Of the names you mentioned, I have hands on experience with only one and that was an IAB....if there was ever a tomato stake marketed under name of being a rifle, this is it.
I can not recommend this one to anybody....and, of all the people I've talked to the consensus was the same.

I was very disappointed in the quality of the IAB...right out of the box!
And, I think it was Pete that said don't buy one for long range shooting (Similiar to what is done with the cartridge rifles)...they just aint up to it, even with the best of sights (MVA, Soule)

Uncle Russ...

[Voyageur]

:lol:

[Pitchy]

I have a Pedersoli 1874 that is a real nice sharps, look it over real good before buying if you can.
I have the Quigley and it`s real heavy but sure is accurate and hardly no kick at all.  
I know mine isn`t BP just stating the quality of the manufacture.

[Daehenoc]

For what it's worth...
Looked into them a while back when trying to decide on whether or not to get interested. Found out that the Pedersoli had a faster twist and that others weren't stabilizing the Pedersoli bullet.

[wwpete52]

I have a Pedersoli 1874 that is a real nice sharps, look it over real good before buying if you can.
I have the Quigley and it`s real heavy but sure is accurate and hardly no kick at all.  
I know mine isn`t BP just stating the quality of the manufacture.

Technically speaking, all Sharps rifles are "BP" cartridge rifles.  That's why you should never shoot "hot" loads of smokeless powder in them.

[Firewalker]

If you are really serious the best place to get info is from the folks who shoot them all the time.
I would recommend going to the N-SSA website,
http://www.n-ssa.net/phpbb/index.php
and looking under small arms.
These guys can tell you what to get and how to make it shoot like a tack driver.
They are very serious about their firearm.

Once you find out what you need to know come back here because of course, we have a better site.