Filter
Top Products
11
the vent in the front of the block. If it only drips, or fails to flow at all, remove the cone
and cleanout screw. Thoroughly clean the vent channel with a pipe cleaner or small
drill. Some guns have been found with undersize vents. If excessive fouling of the
vent is a problem, it may be necessary to enlarge the passage. Once all the parts
are cleaned and oiled, the weapon can be reassembled. Be careful not to strike the
gas plate with anything but wood when seating it in the breech block, and then only
gently. When reinstalling the lever in the frame, it will be necessary to push it firmly
into place in order to drive the pivot pin home. The federally made carbines have an
automatic priming device incorporated into the lock. This will allow fouling to enter
the mechanism. This area should be kept well oiled and the lock should be removed
and cleaned occasionally. When properly cleaned, the Sharps carbine will render
reliable service in the coming campaigns. By using these simple procedures, the
new breechloaders will greatly increase our effectiveness in the field.
© 1998 by A. M. Beck
Section II: Model 1874 Cartridge Rifle and Carbine
CARTRIDGES
The 1874 Sharps rifle or carbine is available in several calibers. You will find the caliber for which
your rifle is chamber stamped on the barrel near the rear sight. YOU SHOULD NEVER ATTEMPT
TO FIRE A CARTRIDGE IN YOUR RIFLE THAT IS NOT THE SAME CALIBER AS STAMPED ON
THE BARREL...
Your 1874 Sharps rifle or carbine is a modern copy of a black powder firearm and is intended to use
cartridges loaded with black powder, Pyrodex, or an approved black powder substitute. Factory
loaded cartridges can be used provided they are loaded to approximate black powder pressures.
You should verify with the cartridge manufacturer that his cartridges do not exceed black powder
pressures.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD SMOKELESS POWDER LOADS BE USED THAT
EXCEED FACTORY LOAD SPECIFICATIONS OF BLACK POWDER PRESSURES AND
VELICITIES.
THE GUN OWNER ASSUMES ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FIRING RELOADS.
If you are using cartridges loaded with black powder or Pyrodex, it may be necessary to swab the
bore after every few shots to insure good accuracy and easy loading. This is necessary because
fouling builds up in the front of the chamber, interfering with proper cartridge seating. Such fouling
can be removed with a properly sized bore brush dipped in water and used to scrub the front of the
chamber clean
Step 1 - Initial Cleaning
Before firing your 1874 Sharps for the first time, you should remove any excess factory lubricants
applied to protect the gun during shipping. This process will be greatly simplified by field stripping the
gun. (Please refer to the “Disassembly and Cleaning” section for field stripping instructions). Once
this initial cleaning is completed, the gun should be re-lubricated with quality gun oil. The initial