Swing Identification?

[TrxR]

Is there anyway to Identify a Swing model by pictures? Ive got a couple of pics of a rifle I am looking at. I was wondering what model it was. Also is the any concerns with these actions from a safety stand point? I will be shooting it as a lefty. My other option is to try and find an old musgrave or build off a Savage action.



Thanks

[dromia]

Welcome to Full-Bore UK.

Why not introduce yourself in the New Members forum?

[andrewh]

Do you have the serial number?

[TrxR]

no i wish i did:(

[StanDeasy]

Deffo a Mark 3 or earlier. The Mark 4 had a different design bolt stop.

[Hauptman]

Not necessarily, a few mk 4's had the leaf spring type bolt stop. I looked at one at the Phoenix.

Mine has M4 stamped on the action and the later bolt stop. It's the actual one shown in Wikipedia. Search "swing rifles"

I supplied the pictures...............

H/man

[GazMorris]

Is there anyway to Identify a Swing model by pictures? Ive got a couple of pics of a rifle I am looking at. I was wondering what model it was. Also is the any concerns with these actions from a safety stand point? I will be shooting it as a lefty. My other option is to try and find an old musgrave or build off a Savage action.

It looks very much like a late Mark III or maybe a very early Mark IV. My vote is late Mk. III (or maybe a Mk III which has been refurbished with parts from a Mk. IV.)

The action colouring looks more like the lost wax investment cast Mark III, as does the bolt stop; however the finishing on the bolt handle and the bolt locking knut at the back looks more like a Mk. IV. Additionally, the finish on the bolt face looks more refined (less agricultural!) than either of my Mk. IIIs. If you remove the scope rail, there should be a set of numbers above and forward of the loading port which will read something like "SIN 71 M? XYZ" where:

a) SIN71 stands for the "Sin of the 71 Imperial Meeting" for various historical reasons;
b) The question mark after the M is the model number; and
c) XYZ is the serial number

Provided the action has been maintained correctly it is as strong an action that exists anywhere for any money. They're also very safe.

Personally, I would take a Swing Action over a musgrave or Savage any day of the week and on Sundays. About 2/3rd of the rifles used by the victorious GB rifle team in the 2011 Palma Match (World Long Range TR Championship) were Swings or Swing derivatives. The only real downside is the poor of availability of spare parts; however I have to say that I wouldn't like to shoot one as a lefty. You're either going to have to load on the ground and then wave a loaded rifle around, or contort yourself significantly not to break the 50 mil rule while loading.

Best of luck,

Gaz

PS - For full disclosure I shot Mk. III Swings for about 19 years before moving to a Barnard last year.

[TrxR]

The loading part isnt going to be a problem as I will be shooting F/TR not TR which means I will be shooting from a bipod and rear bag. The rifle in the picture has a 30 inch 1in10 twist barrel and a Roberstons double adjustable stock. He is asking 1500 Canadian for it. Not totally sure whats its worth as it would be my first Centerfire target rifle. The only reason I mentioned shooting as a lefty is I want to make sure these had a good lock on the bolt as would prefer not to get one in the face.

Thanks

[GazMorris]

The loading part isnt going to be a problem as I will be shooting F/TR not TR which means I will be shooting from a bipod and rear bag. The rifle in the picture has a 30 inch 1in10 twist barrel and a Roberstons double adjustable stock. He is asking 1500 Canadian for it. Not totally sure whats its worth as it would be my first Centerfire target rifle. The only reason I mentioned shooting as a lefty is I want to make sure these had a good lock on the bolt as would prefer not to get one in the face.

OK, that solves the loading issue!

The Robertson's a good stock from what little I know about it and the action's good, but the real thing that will determine the price is the quality of the barrel and the number of rounds through it. CDN1500 works out at about GBP950, which would be a sensible price (assuming that sights are not included) provided that the barrel is new or nearly new and of good quality (e.g. Krieger, Bartlein etc...) Take off GBP100 or CDN150 for every 1000 rounds through the barrel, by my estimates.

NB - This is my opinion only and your mileage may vary! Good luck.

Gaz

[hitchphil]

Pretty certain its a Mk4 as per mine - somebody will correct me am sure but is the Mk3 extractor smaller?.

Ditto everything Gaz says, its a brilliant action - good up grades are a RPA jewel trigger & the bolt lug lock mech. See the thread about my broken firing pin & another about being hard to unload with advice on lubricating the bolt by Robert Chombert & the 'Swingers thread' on here with some Swing pictures :-)

This action will not fail in you face if looked after & you are not daft with loads, its a tough stiff design & the fact many an X class shooter still shoots with them is testament to it.

Spares can be had (Fultons make some, HPS have some & R.Nibbs will prob start making some as hes taken on some of the RPA business). £1k is a high but good price, so like Gaz I would expect a very good barrel. My Madco barrel is on ~8krnds & it shoots ~1.5 moa at 900yds with rubbish ammo (MEN/PPU etc) with good ammo (& a darned good clean) its even better. 2nd hand TR sights would only cost ~£150-£200 to fit

Now my Sons gun & suspect he will start beating me with it soon........
My daughter shot it LH but I loaded for her, then snaped up a LH barnard & now she shames me on the ranges.