Early 81 32 rem

Posts about the Model 81~Woodsmaster~
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Hibby83
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Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2019 7:35 am

Early 81 32 rem

Post by Hibby83 »

Good evening.

A new one made it’s way home to me this month. I coined a nickname for this one, I proclaim it my dark horse. I feel finding any 81 chambered in 32 is a pretty rare occurrence. A thread for a different day concerning how rare or not rare some collectors think that chambering is for the 81’s. There was 3 that passed through my fingers on auction sites prior to this one, they all exceeded what I was willing to pay. One was a very clean example that went around 2k. The fourth “this one” was fair priced i.m.o, and I was able to make it mine.

Back on track. This one surpassed the condition I expected from photos, it’s a very clean early example. I tore into the barreled assembly and saw that like another clean example I had, the maintenance on the inners hasn’t happened for who knows how long/if ever. There was superficial rust up to minor pitting, nothing some 180-400 grit couldn’t smooth out. I made some reloads up this week and decided to bench cycle them. The side springs needed minor adjustment. When there was more than 3 in the magazine I would get rounds popping up while cycling. I did check the magazine spring as a precautionary, it was correct. All the while it was nice getting into the rifle more for some spot cleaning/removing varnished oil. The side springs sure do trap some buildup ehhh? :D

Today I took the rifle outside and went to my handgun/short test fire range. The rifle fires, ejects, cycles and has a pretty good zero! I didn’t have to chase brass far. Fortunate for me the snow is hard packed, so it stayed on the surface. It got a wipe down shortly after getting back inside.

Anyways, as most say “where’s the photos”...

P.S - the antler is from a close encounter this past rifle season in the PA WILDS. The deer ran off through a thick area and when I went searching I found that he dropped the left side. Our whitetails will drop antlers anywhere from late November into March “typically mid Jan to Feb”.
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Hardrada55
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Location: Southwest Oklahoma
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Re: Early 81 32 rem

Post by Hardrada55 »

That's a pretty one. A .32 is the one I don't have...yet.
...the right of citizens to bear arms is just one more guarantee against arbitrary government, one more safeguard against the tyranny which now appears remote in America..."
- Hubert H. Humphrey, "Gun" magazine, Feb. '60
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Hibby83
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Re: Early 81 32 rem

Post by Hibby83 »

Hardrada55 wrote: Thu Feb 17, 2022 10:59 am That's a pretty one. A .32 is the one I don't have...yet.
Thank you! I imagine it’s not due to the obsolete ammo. I assume you’re a reloader?
canuck
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Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: Early 81 32 rem

Post by canuck »

I've not yet encountered, here in Kanada, an 81 in anything but 300 S or 35 R - I'd grab any in 32!
I have run across a couple of "EEK" examples when opening up the barrel jacket, all turned out OK so far.
Nice catch Hibby
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Hardrada55
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Re: Early 81 32 rem

Post by Hardrada55 »

Hibby83 wrote: Thu Feb 17, 2022 9:17 pm
Hardrada55 wrote: Thu Feb 17, 2022 10:59 am That's a pretty one. A .32 is the one I don't have...yet.
Thank you! I imagine it’s not due to the obsolete ammo. I assume you’re a reloader?
Yes, I reload, but in this case.... I happen to have several boxes of ammo ready for when I do acquire a nice one.
...the right of citizens to bear arms is just one more guarantee against arbitrary government, one more safeguard against the tyranny which now appears remote in America..."
- Hubert H. Humphrey, "Gun" magazine, Feb. '60
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Hibby83
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Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2019 7:35 am

Re: Early 81 32 rem

Post by Hibby83 »

canuck wrote: Thu Feb 17, 2022 11:40 pm I've not yet encountered, here in Kanada, an 81 in anything but 300 S or 35 R - I'd grab any in 32!
I have run across a couple of "EEK" examples when opening up the barrel jacket, all turned out OK so far.
Nice catch Hibby
Thanks.

Apparently the caliber choices are limited there. Perhaps they’re smarter up there :D ! Not having to deal with hard to find components and dies...

I feel the worst I’ve ran across was the washer being corroded, to the point where the keyed portion didn’t engage on the barrel. I was able to bring it back into service with a punch, hammer and file. The first time seeing rusty inners was unsettling. I now know the first look can be intimidating but not be bad!

Good luck in your search.
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Hibby83
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Re: Early 81 32 rem

Post by Hibby83 »

Heres a photo of the new one on the left next to another 81.

I was pleased to see that it was factory wood by having the stamps in the correct locations.
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kenhwind
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Re: Early 81 32 rem

Post by kenhwind »

I had a .32 barrel assembly that I bought on eBay, to use with my .25 but while trying to sell some other stuff an eBay member was looking for a .30 barrel so I sold him the .32 assembly.
I now wish I had kept it as I ended up buying a Model 8 in .30 Rem and then my brother bought another 8 in 30.
Then we ended up with a Model 14 in .32 Rem, so now where in the market for an 8 or 81 in .32.
KEN
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Phyrbird
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Re: Early 81 32 rem

Post by Phyrbird »

Gents
Luckily I have 2 32s, one is a "not" Kreiger, one is a GrD. One Might be able to pry them from my fingers with the right incentive. Kinda doubt it though. Specially if I can get the 25 Rem bbl assy fitted on the not Kreiger.
I find they shoot reasonably accurate with factory or cast loads, about minute of deer at 100. With my eyes that is good. Wish one had a scope, but I'm not gonna make more holes in originals. Already got a couple that solves that problem, ie the 35Rem gong ringer at 185yds.
The 32 is a lost art nowadays, a good option for the 35Rem & the 30 Rem, but no contest for a 300 Sav. With the advent of midsize rounds like the 308 or 8mm they are outclassed. That's not to say we can't keep them alive for the future.
Phyrbird
SOKY
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