Wrapping a lever? Help my sore fingers! PICS ADDED

tnegrin83

tnegrin83

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Shooting my 1895 today, and after a good time at the range getting the new peep sighted in, the back of my fingers were quite sore. I was just wondering if anyone has wrapped their lever with leather or paracord or similar? I think I saw a pic of one with paracord but dont recall where. Ideas or should I just man up, shoot more and get used to it?
 
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I'd think that paracord would be rather abrasive and not much of an improvement.

I'd suggest a rawhide shoelace wrapped with the shiney side, if any, out so your skin can slip on it a little. If there's no shiney side wrap it and rub it down with a leather treatment and burnish the surface with something smooth and hard such as a butter knife handle. The pressure and leather goop should help the surface polish and smoothen up nicely.

EDIT- Another option that occured to me just after I hit the "send" button is 1/8 or 3/32 elastic shock cord. The polyester braid outer coating is quite smooth and slippery and the elastic should provide a nice cushion for the rather boney back side of our fingers. When wrapping stretch it a bit but don't go crazy or the cord will be so stretched out that the elastic won't have much give. The ends may need to be "served" with a twine to cleanly bind them but I think this may be a nice option. If you try this please PM me and let me know one way or the other.
 
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I hate that rectangular lever on the 1895. My buddy and I both have 444s; his has the angular lever while mine is older and has the pistol grip and curved lever. So much nicer to shoot! I could not believe how sharp the edges were on the straight lever.

As for using leather to wrap the metal, I would be concerned about moisture in the leather causing issues; you would want to take it off if you managed to get it wet. Parachute cord would be better, but still an issue I think.

The best solution would probably be to get to work with a file and increase (?) the radius on the inside of the lever and then have the piece re-blued, unless it is stainless, then you're good to go.

Not easy or cheap, but better.
 
My original 1895G was "interesting" with full house hardcast loads on both shoulder & hand. During a session of firing the moose mashers, I'd wear my Ropers (leather gloves) and it would also stop Marlin Thumb from occuring.
 
I don't have small hands and have never had problems shooting my 1895.... 350's @ 2150 arn't plinkers either.

never understood the need to wrap the lever. always figured it was for folks who wanted to look more cowboy?
 
Brownells sells 1/8" adhesive backed sorbathane sheets which would work real well. A word of advice though; If anyone asks about it, don't tell them it's to prevent bruising. That's just not manly! Instead, emphasize the positive grip characteristics. Regards, Bill.
 
Problem with wrappin' 'em is it just brings your flesh closer to the problem,(the lever), this is why some of us with Marlins that kick have gone to those large loop levers, it's not just for some John Wayne image stuff. I tried wrappin' the lever and it just made it worst, so i got a larger lever, not one of those cowboy ones, from DKT, or some such, I can't remember......Maybe it's DGR or something......
 
Well I picked up some leather boot laces and gave it a shot. I've still got to try it out live fire, but it does seem more comfortable. My fingers arent hitting the front of the lever, I've just got bony fingers with not much meat on the back:D. But I think it looks good so heres some pics.
100_1678.jpg

100_1677.jpg
 
Is moisture a problem under the leather? It looks cool, and could give me something to do over the winter on my '94, but if it'll rust it bad, then forget it. Its a hunting rifle, first and foremost, so it'll be exposed to the elements.
 
I was thinking that too after I wrapped it. I still have more leather, and was wondering if you guys think that something like Sno-seal could be applied to the leather before wrapping? Good idea or not?
 
tnegrin83 said:
Shooting my 1895 today, and after a good time at the range getting the new peep sighted in, the back of my fingers were quite sore. I was just wondering if anyone has wrapped their lever with leather or paracord or similar? I think I saw a pic of one with paracord but dont recall where. Ideas or should I just man up, shoot more and get used to it?
Click to expand...

I got an oversized lever and wrapped it in para cord wit the inside stripped out...

Works...

P8020002.JPG
 
tnegrin83 said:
I was thinking that too after I wrapped it. I still have more leather, and was wondering if you guys think that something like Sno-seal could be applied to the leather before wrapping? Good idea or not?
Click to expand...

I used to shoot a 1866 Uberti Clone in CAS loaded with BP too.
I wrapped the loop with leather....shot in rain, snow etc. never had a spot of rust on the lever ever. (that was 5 years of use too)

Mind you I took it off every year and waxed the loop before rewrapping it;)
 
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