Lyman great plains rifles quality question..

[Buster95]

I'm interested in one but how are the Lyman Great Plains and Great Plains Hunter rifles presently? How do they compares to the old ones?

 

[FishDFly]

Older rifles were okay, there has been lots of complaints in the last couple of years about the newer ones.

I would not order one, if you can inspect one in a store, that is the way to get one or order from TOW so you can send it back.

 

[necchi]

Older rifles were okay, there has been lots of complaints in the last couple of years about the newer ones.

That's been true here on this forum, I'd guess that there's been 2-3 poor reviews of workmanship of the LGP in the last year.
Cracked stocks, barrels fitting poorly, hassles with returns an such.
But I'd also guess, there have been another 50 people that have come here as new members wanting to learn the BP skills that have LGP rifles without any troubles at all.
:idunno:

 

[Gene L]

A friend of mine saw one recently and said the wood appeared to be birch.

Mine is great but it's 20 years old. Wood to metal fit is fine and the dark walnut is genuine.

 

[nwtradegun]

new ones are crapola. go for a used older model. get a 54. that will killafie anything in America. espcally hogs

 

[Cowboy]

I have had my GPR for about 10 years now. I love mine and it is a nice built muzzleloader. As far as the newer ones, I do not know? Like what was mentioned before, I would try to check the rifle in person before buying it or order from TOW. They have a 10 day inspection period and if you find you have a problem with it you can ship it back to them. They are a good company and will take care of you if you have any problem with it. As far as the GPR and GPR Hunter, IF you plan on shooting PRB with it you need the GPR with the 1:60 twist barrel wich is designed for round ball shooting. If you plan on shooting conical type bullets you need the GPR Hunter. It has a fast twist barrel and is designed to shoot that type of ammo. I hope this helps you. Respectfully, cowboys1062. :thumbsup:

 

[Pratt1861]

I'm one of the new guys that bought a percussion Lyman GPR as my first traditional muzzle loading rifle. It was purchased this past summer.

I ordered mine from MidwayUSA because I could not find one local.

I've put about 100 round balls through it without a single issue, well mostly (see below). It has gone bang every time, looks good and feels solid. I'm not a crack shot but I'm happy with the accuracy I get from it.

When I received it, the barrel did have some spring to it where I had to squeeze the forend part of the stock to the barrel to get the front wedge key in. I found a video on youtube posted by Lyman that showed slightly tweaking the tang screws should fix that issue, and it did.

The finish is dark and dry. A dry paper towel showed some of the finish wiping off when I first got it. After shooting and handling it a few times, the excess is gone. I plan to wipe it down with mineral spirits and apply a few coats of tru-oil at some point.

I mentioned the two issues above to be completely honest but overall I am pleased with my purchase. I hate buying guns unseen but sometimes it's not possible or convenient.

I have never handled an older one so I have nothing to compare it to other than my expectations based on modern firearms I do own.

My stock looks like walnut to me. I have a modern rifle with a birch stock and the GPR is definitely a harder wood.

Based on my experience, I would buy with confidence from a reputable company with a good return policy. Stocks can crack from rough handling during shipping.

Oh, one last thing. I did replace the nipple before my first shot with on from Track of the Wolf. I had experience with their nipples on my 1851 navy and like the way the caps fit.

 

[toddbro]

I bought one last year from mid south, cheapest price on the net. While it's not perfect astethicaly, wood to metal fit and stock finish, it functions perfectly and is a very accurate weapon in both fast and slow twist, I have both barrels. I have no complaints for what it cost me. I stripped the stock, sanded and refinished and it looks great. There was a fairly nicely grained piece of walnut under that dark finish.

 

[Buster95]

Thanks for the replies guys :wink:

 

[sooter76]

I bought mine about 2 years ago from TOW after joining this forum and being advised to start with percussion before trying my hand at flintlocks. The GPR was heavily recommended.

I have had absolutely zero issues with it. The fit and finish is very good with the exception of one of the slots on the barrel that the key goes in to secure it to the stock is very tight. But that's my only complaint and it wasn't enough to mare me want to send it back.

 

[Lonegun1894]

My 4 month old one is just as good as my 15yr old one, but maybe I just got lucky with all 4 of the ones I have. 3 are 10-15yrs old flinters , and then theres the new one cause I just wanted a caplock too.

 

[BrownBear]

That's been true here on this forum, I'd guess that there's been 2-3 poor reviews of workmanship of the LGP in the last year.
Cracked stocks, barrels fitting poorly, hassles with returns an such.
But I'd also guess, there have been another 50 people that have come here as new members wanting to learn the BP skills that have LGP rifles without any troubles at all.
:idunno:

I'm starting to think there's something in what you're saying. I've spent the last couple of months driving across the country and I'm halfway back now. I've sure looked at a lot of GPRs on store shelves, and haven't seen a one I wouldn't buy if I needed one. Not a single issue in about 40 guns. Zip. Zero. Nada.

Not saying there aren't some bad ones slipping through, but to call them all bad is pure skunk rot, someone with a bone to polish.

 

[Billnpatti]

Older rifles were okay, there has been lots of complaints in the last couple of years about the newer ones.

I would not order one, if you can inspect one in a store, that is the way to get one or order from TOW so you can send it back.

I agree with Richard. I had a Lyman Great Plains rifle with a low serial number and it was a great gun. It was well made and a good shooter. I have not owned, inspected nor shot a Lyman GPR that was of recent construction but I have read some of the same comments about the lesser quality of the more recent GPRs. Like Richard said, don't buy without a good "hands on" inspection. While it's true that TOW will take back any gun that they sell, who wants to pay the shipping charges (approx. $50 to $75 total) both ways?

 

[lone hunter]

P1861, did you loosen the tang screws slightly? I received my GPH in 54cal for Xmas and have the same problem. When I received it from Mid-South, the top screw was badly burred and there was a mark on the stock where the screw driver slipped. Love the balance of the rifle.

 

[Enfield1]

I have had my Lyman GPR percussion .50 for around ten years, now. I remember when I received it, the wood was very dry, in my opinion and the barrel retaining slugs needed a little polishing before I could get them to fit well. I replaced that "springy" buckhorn style sight with the more primitive sight that also came with the rifle. I rubbed the wood with some linseed oil. It was a labor of love, actually. My rifle is an absolute tack driver out to 100 yards and I love it. :grin:

 

[Pratt1861]

P1861, did you loosen the tang screws slightly? I received my GPH in 54cal for Xmas and have the same problem. When I received it from Mid-South, the top screw was badly burred and there was a mark on the stock where the screw driver slipped. Love the balance of the rifle.

Yes, checkout this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi5KueBrG88

I'm sorry about the marred screw and stock. Getting a replacement screw shouldn't be too much trouble. I hope your stock wasn't messed up too bad.

 

[lone hunter]

Thanks for the video link, think that will solve my problem. Will try it tomorrow. :hatsoff:

 

[airborne1]

I got my gpr, .54 cal percussion, 1 in 60 twist, about 4 weeks ago. The stock is very dark, but, it is definately walnut, not birch or any other hardwood. The finish was quite dull and wiping with a soft cloth left a residue on the rag. I put several coats of waterlox on it and rubbed it down to lessen the gloss. I can see a complete refinish in the future. Wood to metal fit is quite good and the metal is nicely blued and well finished. The rear, adjustable sight seems quite springy and I don't know how repeatable it will be as I haven't fired it yet due to the stock havving finishing coats of waterlox applied. I will be reassembling the rifle in the next 2 days and hope to fire it this weekend if the weather permits. Thanks for the video explaining the adjusting of the tang screws as I have the same situation with my rifle. Other than the spartan finish on the stock, if the rifle goes bang and is accurate after finding the proper load, I will be very happy with this rifle. This is my first sidelock muzzleloader so I can't compare it to an older one.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I'm having a hell of a time picking between a Lyman GPR and a Pedersoli P53 Enfield 3 band.

The GPR would be more practical and less expensive, but God do I love the P53 Pedersoli has out now...

 

[Brian Heap]

I have one, and I bought it about three years ago, and I love mine, accurate, looks great shoots great.I wouldn't trade it for anything, you can have my wife, but not my dog or gun. :grin: