Home
Rifles
New Rifle Series
Sights
FAQ
The Sport
Our Shop
Commentaries
Complaints
E-Mail Us
E-mail received 1/29/05
Carmen:
My new 1877 in 45 x 2.4 arrived Thursday January 20th, exactly 10 months after placing my order. This is my third Axtell 1877. It is magnificent in every detail and will certainly dominate the attention of everyone on the firing line.
The #4A hunting sight staff that you shipped extra with the rifle will be perfect for hunting. It will definitely go with me to Colorado next fall.
I'm looking forward to seeing you at the Baltimore Gun Show in March.
Sincerely,
Ralph
E-mail received 10/1/04
Dear Carmen:
I was very pleased to received your Invoice 2453 today.
My compliments to you and your staff.
Your company solved a problem for us, promptly satisfied our customer, created a custom sight base at no extra cost, and honored our dealer status. This is rare performance, and much appreciated. We contrasted your company to certain other vendors who seem to ignore customers, and make what they want.
Please note that Mr. Mark XXXX has a replica Remington Rolling Block Rifle, by Davide Pedersoli (not Aldo Uberti).
Shall we add this Remington sight base, or Remington sights with this base, as a part of our line? Do you plan to offer this base for Pedersoli rifles? May we advertise it?
Best regards,
David Ripplinger
Track of the Wolf, Inc.
Letter received on 8/16/04
Hello everyone at Axtell Rifle Company
Thank you again for the extra fine rifles you built for me. Once again you proved you put a whole heep of love into each firearm. This new Creedmoor is so beautiful I still can't put into words the smile and joy that came over me when I first set eyes on her. I find it hard to believe there are still people, sorry, craftsmen out there who won't comprimize on quality. Makes my heart glad to see that a small percent still care - alot.
If anyone is uncertain about something when ordering a rifle just ask Carmen, she will be able to offer suggestions on your order. I am glad I trusted her with the engraving, I had no idea what to do. But in the end, Victorian border scroll on a #1 Creedmoor.
Thank you Carmen - the rifle is one fine woman. Thank you Bill Gamradt for the engraving - just incredible. Thank you for this great treasure you built for me. Thank you for the joy in my heart when I go shooting and sit there with a grin from ear to ear. Thank you each and everyone!
Your friend forever
David Vido aka Lost Rabbit SASS #45780
E-mail received on 7/28/04
I just recently completed a yearlong project of building a Remington Rolling Block. This is my first single shot old time rifle so I was getting advice from as many people as I could. On the advice of my brother-in-law that shoots both Shilo Sharps and Ballard rifles and the gunsmith helping me (he has a collection of Winchester Hi-Walls), I installed one of your Custom Mid-range Vernier w/ Windage & Elevation (#5AR) and Custom Globe w/clip (#27) sight system. I couldn't be more pleased with it. I've only used the post & bead in the globe thus far and have been shooting milk jugs at 250-300 yards with no problem.Thank for not only building a wonderful product but also living up to your reputation.
Jason
Photo received on 4/5/04
This photo was received from a customer showing his Lower Sporter along with a "Best Modern Firearms" Award. We are currently building a 3rd Axtell Rifle for him.
Letter received on 12/2/03
Carmen Axtell & Axtell Rifle Company,
Thank you so very much for Rifle #350. This is one of the most "beautiful" firearms I have ever seen. The craftsmanship is second to nobody, you truly love what you do (it shows!).
My family before me built ships and fine cabinets. My grandfather showed me how to work wood, I am a perfectionist to the extreme. This is how I would build a rifle if I made it.
Keep up the great work.
From David (aka Lost Rabbit)
& #350 (aka Carmen)
P.S. Please build me a #1 Creedmoor, Barrel 34", Wood Black Walnut, Caliber 45/70, Possibly engraved - please call me at this point. Down payment enclosed.
E-mail received on 12/1/03
Carmen,
The rifles are beautiful. The Sporter arrived Wednesday and the Express on Friday. I am so anxious to try them out but have not yet found any cartridges, but I do have several leads.
The craftsmanship is beyond my highest expectations.
Thank you for a rifle that will only become more beautiful with use. I love the way you joined the butt plate to the stock on the Lower Sporter. If it shoots like it looks, it will be a real "Ticklicker". Thank you for your patience and service and monthly payment plan. I could not have purchased these rifles if I would have had to pay outright.
Basil
E-mail received on 8/6/03
Carmen:
I would like to thank you for all your help in getting my gun home to Canada. I have been shooting Black powder cartridges for over 25 years and this 45/70 is by far the most accurate gun I have ever owned. The workmanship is absolutely superb. I must say that I am not the best or most precise loader who ever loaded a Black powder case and if I can load for this gun and get good groups, anyone can. Just out of the box (so as to speak) I was shooting 3 inch groups, but no one was around to see. This last week-end (Aug. 1 & 2, 2003) we had the Alberta Provincial Black Powder Championship Shoot and off the cross sticks at 100 yards I shot a score of 50 3x. The group measured 1 inch by 1 1/4. This was done with 70 grains of 2F Goex. We in Alberta cannot use duplex loads in any matches. I have always read in hunting and shooting magazines about good groups and they always tell you how fast the bullet was going. I personally don't care, what is of interest to me is what makes them go accurately.
I will tell you what I loaded to shoot that group and this might help a shooter get started. I am not saying this will work for all guns but it worked in my gun. I used a 457125 bullet sized to .458, 70 grains Goex black powder in a Win. case and a Fed 215 primer with a cardboard wad and slightly compressed. It is important that you use a powder compression die. The whole thing was 2.9 inches long. I used a Lyman shot taper crimper, but I don't think this is important. I think that any of the big bullets (500+) will shoot well.
I thank you once again, and I think you will be getting a few calls from some of my friends.
Ken Steinhauer
Alberta Native Guide Services
(780) 478-1988
E-mail received on 6/12/03
Hello Carmen and Staff,
Carmen, I'm not sure how much continued input you receive from the owners of your rifles, but I am enjoying mine so much an updated report seems in order. My Lower Sporter is now 18 months old and has almost 2000 rounds of black powder through it. With every outing, be it practice or competition my appreciation for the quality, beauty and accuracy of this rifle continues to grow. The BPCRS game has become quite a passion for Lark and I. With her ability to spot and call wind changes, and knowing that the rifle and load always responds to the slightest change is a real confidence builder.
Until recently we had only competed in the Arizona matches, both here in Phoenix and Tucson. However with the Nationals quickly approaching and never having been to the Whittington Center we decided to look the range over and traveled to Raton to participate in the Albuquerque Spring Match. The wind and conditions were quite different from what we are used to here at our local range. Everyone said it was typical conditions, lots of wind changes and a spectacular storm on the second day. As I said before Lark's spotting abilities have always been impressive, and even with the unfamiliar range and tricky winds she coached me into 3rd place for AAA class. She is trying to help me hone my wind reading skills, not one of my strong points. We are both looking forward to returning in August!
Since ordering my second Axtell last winter I have often wondered how it will compare to my current rifle. With the heavy barrel and the upgraded European walnut I'm sure it will be a thing of beauty. The problem is, my current rifle is without fault, I could happily use it from now on without any changes. I am lucky that Lark understands my love of single shot rifles and enjoys our sport as much as I do. On numerous occasions she has described the rifle as being "CHARMED". Again thanks to you and your staff for creating the source of so much enjoyment. As they say "This is as good as it gets".
Best Regards
Curt
Letter received on 10/15/02:
Dear Carmen & Riflesmith Employees,
I talked to you briefly in September regarding my great luck.
With my 1877 #2 Long Range chambered in 45-90, I shot a State & National record at 900 yds. The event was the Regional Championships for Long Range Black Powder Cartridge in Grayling Mich. My score was 132 out of a possible 150 with 1X, for 15 shots. To make it even sweeter this was the very first time I've shot this rifle in competition. Even though I have yet to receive any acknowledgment from the N.R.A. it was a real highpoint to end the season.
Thanks for a beautiful and accurate rifle....
Thanks to everyone at The Riflesmith,
Sincerely,
Charles
E-mail received on 6/16/02:
Hello Carmen,
It has been a while since we last talked, and I really wanted to give some feedback on my rifle.
The purchase of my rifle has been a very pleasant experience, from the visit to your shop with the guided tour, to the opportunity to shoot my first black powder rounds at your range. What a surprise to receive the rifle several months before the quoted delivery date. I realize this doesn't happen with all orders, but it sure was nice not to be given several delayed delivery dates as has happened with orders from other companies in the past.
The dealer that received my rifle was instrumental in getting me into BPCR Silhouette shooting and has several very nice examples of currently available rifles. He had made the comment that he had all the rifles he could ever want, that nothing new really interested him. That sentiment changed when he opened the box containing my new rifle, he offered to purchase it from me on the spot.
Things only got better! The very first round with estimated sight settings toppled a pig target. This was at a practice day with at least a dozen witnesses, by the next match the majority of our club had heard about the rifle and wanted to handle it or try it out. Everyone was impressed.
I am a fairly new shooter to this game (a little over a year) and I learn something at each match. My wife shoots with me, we had been sharing a rifle until the Sharps arrived. The rifle we have been using is quite nice and has given us good results. However I had set a goal for myself to move out of the mid to upper teens and solidly into the twenties. Since starting to use the new rifle, my goal has been achieved. Last month I won the match with a twenty-eight and this month took third with a twenty-three, nothing changed except the rifle.
Carmen, I have been using single shot rifles for hunting and recreation for over thirty years, my collection contains examples from flintlocks to Ruger Number Ones. I can honestly say that the Axtell Lower Sporting is the finest rifle I have. Thank you for the excellent service and the superior quality exhibited in your products.
Best Regards,
Curt
The following article was written in Single Shot Rifle Journal,
Author John Campbell, Mar/Apr 2002 Issue
Riflesmith's New "Custom Express" Sharps.
In truth, this is the Sharps that never was...but ought to have been. Especially since The Riflesmith has taken all of the very best Sharps features and options and combined them into one spectacular version of their Model 77.
"This is not a rifle that Sharps ever made," said Riflesmith's Carmen Axtell. "But so many of our customers wanted so many of these features and options that we decided to put them all into one super-fancy rifle."
Specifically, the Custom Express has double-set triggers, high-grade walnut checkered stock, an in-stock recoil reducer, a half-octagon barrel in 32 or 34-inch length, a schnable forend tip with ebony inlay, a pistol grip with ebony inlay, Sharps monogrammed hard rubber buttplate, a long range express sight with windage and elevation, and a windgauge front sight with spirit level.
Standard calibers available are .45-70, .45-90 and .45-100. The rifle's weight with a 34-inch barrel is approximately 13 lbs. The price for such a rifle with these high-lux features? A cool $5,200 plus shipping and federal excise tax. Actually, that's not bad considering all the extras you get with a Custom Express and the level of craftsmanship that has always been the hallmark of Axtell Sharps rifles. All it takes to get one in the works for you is a 30% deposit. Delivery time varies so it's best to contact Axtell directly on that issue.
For more information on the Custom Express and all Axtell rifles and sights, phone (406) 842-5814. Like the man said, "It don't get any better than this."
(back to rifles)
E-mail received on 2/25/02:
Carmen -
I shot my 77 for the first time today with some Black Hills ammo, even though I'm supposed to be using black powder. All I can say about the performance of this ammo in that gun is wow!
What a fantastic rifle! I had a friend visiting from Norway this week and took him to my gun club to shoot the 77, since he'd never seen a gun like it. We both alternated firing the rifle, and the 77 always shot to the same point. When I really hunkered down, at 50 yds I easily kept all the bullet holes touching one another. My Norwegian friend had no problem shooting excellent groups either. He remarked that the 77 would be a superb rifle for moose in his country, and perhaps one day I'll give that a try. Until then, hunting paper is where I'll be.
As an interesting aside, I found the set trigger to be extremely keen. I had not expected such a light touch, and when I first fired the set trigger, I had just placed the rifle on target and, without really thinking, touched the trigger and the gun fired. Although I wasn't truly ready to shoot, the gun was right on target. My Norwegian pal experienced the exact same phenomenon. We were both amazed at the steadiness of the rifle and the absolutely superb performance.
You should be really proud to sell such a fine gun. I can't wait to order my next one.
Keith
The following article was written in Single Shot Rifle Journal,
Author John Campbell, Nov/Dec 2001 Issue
Axtell Sights: Better Than The Originals?
Sometimes we lose track of time. Today, there is a wide range of classic iron sight makers and our choices are manifold. But back in the 1970s, you didn't have many places to turn for a set of target sights that were made like the Old Timers.
Fortunately, one of those sources was Tom Axtell. He may not have initiated the reproduction of classic American target sights, but he did it better than anyone I can think of. And I must have purchased at least a half-dozen sets from "The Riflesmith" over the years. Today, the Axtell Rifle Company/The Riflesmith is still producing these great sights and, at the suggestion of my Remington collector friend, John Lee, I recently bought another sight from this fine company. This one was for a Remington rolling block.
"The only difference between Axtell sights and the original Remington tang sight is that the Axtell sight is more precisely made," said John Lee.
I already knew how well Axtell sights were finished, but John Lee's acceptance of their Remington sight as true to the original was the most important endorsement here. John collects rolling block and Hepburn target rifles, and his assessment made the difference for me. I called Carmen Axtell and ordered a No. 5 AR midrange vernier for the reproduction rolling block Long Range rifle that I was in the final stages of completing.
When the sight arrived, I'm proud to say that I was pleasantly unsurprised. Nothing at The Riflesmith had changed. This sight was beautiful. Workmanship is top rate. Finish correct. And it even came with 10-28 screws, just like the original Remingtons were mounted with. The unique part of this Axtell sight is that it has Sharps-type screw-adjustable windage in the staff's eyecup mounting plate. That eliminates the need for a Soule-type arrangement in the base that may crowd a cleaning rod.
After John Lee helped me drill and tap this old Remington's frame for the Axtell No. 5, I assembled the rifle. Again I was unsurprised. The Axtell sight zeroed perfectly and after a few load development sessions with this original Remington barrel in .44 Remington Special, my "new" Long Range was punching 1.5-inch groups at 100 yards. I'm glad some things never seem to change. Especially Axtell rifle sights. Phone (406) 842-5814 for instrument quality Axtell products.
