Berthier vs M1917!

[Drydock]

https://www.full30.com/video/f7d58d55b4e5b97c2b02d380bd2a01b2


Ian and Karl are at it again!  I really like the Tight Space Stage using barrels, we might want to try that sometime.

[pony express]

I'll comment first before watching it-I think I'm probably faster shooting with my 1917-but reloading with the en-block clips is much faster(for me) than stripper clips. Also, depending on who shoots what-Ian being a lefty, the straight bolt of a Berthier rifle would be faster for him. If it's a carbine-maybe not so much.

[pony express]

Ok, after I watched it....I have to say, the bent bolt carbine is just not very lefty friendly, and Ian would have done better if he had some proper ammo pouches, I don't think cloth bandoleers in the heat of battle work very well. And, for pistol stages, running a Ruby against a 1911....what can you say, the winner would be obvious.

And also, for ranges where a skirmish match won't work-stealing some of their stage ideas would be interesting!

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[Drydock]

I also suspect he has an N chambered Berthier with that gawd awful mainspring.  A Remington 700 Short action spring cut in half does wonders for cycling a Berthier!

[pony express]

I got a couple of those springs, but haven't tried to install one yet. What did you use to hold the cocking piece? ( I've never taken one of these bolts apart, I assume you unscrew the cocking piece from the striker.)

[Charles Isaac]

 Also, depending on who shoots what-Ian being a lefty, the straight bolt of a Berthier rifle would be faster for him. If it's a carbine-maybe not so much.

I was thinking the same thing. Straight bolt is faster when manipulating the bolt by reaching over the top of the receiver with the left hand-right?

[pony express]

For reaching over, it is. But he's pretty slick with a Lee Enfield, supporting the rifle with his left on the wrist of the stock and working the bolt with his left. Never saw anyone do that before, I'd probably drop the thing trying to hold it up that way.

[Drydock]

These are the directions I used:

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?103089-*-Berthier-Bolt-Disassembly-*

[Charles Isaac]

  But he's pretty slick with a Lee Enfield, supporting the rifle with his left on the wrist of the stock and working the bolt with his left.

 He has much skill with a bolt action. A friend of mine is a very fast lefty with a bolt gun, but I can't say he's faster than Ian though. It would be close.



 I will say he's at a disadvantage against a right handed shooter. Just because he's very fast left handed doesn't make it fair for a right hander to "win" in a bolt gun race. But those are my values and I won't put them on someone else, It's just what I believe to be true.

[Drydock]

But . . . he has 'elan!



 

[Charles Isaac]

Yes, he does, so he shoulda' used one of these! 

[pony express]

Well he was at least attempting to show 'elan, by shooting with his bayonet attached, even though it kept falling off. Lucky he didn't shoot the muzzle ring, like we have seen with Krag bayonets a time or two.

True Elan would have had him dispense with all that shooting, and just do bayonet charges.....