My new 3" Earl convertible

Xmedic24 · October-23-22 10:10

I bought this new 3" Earl 22LR/22WMR on GB and just took delivery from my FFL dealer yesterday.

I really like it. NAA outdid themselves with the Earl series.

I think the faux loading lever, in addition to just being way cool, is a more secure way to hold in the cylinder pin, although naturally it does require an extra step. Of course, I haven't (yet?) tried the Sheriff's cylinder pin.

I'm doomed, I tell ya. It's a good thing for my wallet that none of my LGS's have Minis in stock.

The cylinder pin itself is a lot stiffer to remove and reinsert than my 1 5/8" Mini Mag, although that's probably just because the pistol is new (I got the Mini Mag used). I'm sure it will loosen up with use.

Now a trip to the range is in order.

Uncle_Lee · October-24-22 05:10

The Earl got me started on the Minis.
I was into black powder shooting and I saw a mini Remington and totally lost it.
Good luck medic welcome to the NAA minded group.

tinhorn · October-24-22 10:10

I've polished the cylinder pin on a couple of mine. They move much easier, and I intend to polish the rest someday. I also polished up the loading lever latch so I can just close it up without fussing with the little squarish button. Would be nice to just slide the pin forward (without removing it entirely) like the original 1858s.

Like Uncle Lee, I fell for the mini-Remington look. Found out they're a blast to shoot.

Xmedic24 · October-24-22 21:10

Thanks, Uncle Lee & Tinhorn!

Like you, I must confess that I love the old Remington design. Here's a couple of pictures of my new Earl with her big brother, a Cimarron 1875 Outlaw in .357 (another recent acquisition). Unfortunately, my cellphone camera doesn't do the Cimarron justice - it has a gorgeous color case-hardened finish.

Tinhorn, what did you use to polish the latch and cylinder pins? That sounds like something I'd like to try.

(Grrr. &%^$*#%^! verification letters...)

tinhorn · November-01-22 09:11

I've used either some old automotive polishing compound or a newfangled polishing wheel that looks like a mutant starfish stuck in a Dremel tool. Flitz might work, too, if you have some on hand. I've used Flitz on a mop, chucked in a cordless drill, to polish difficult cylinder chambers. Ya just gotta make it smooth and shiny.

Don't tell anyone, but I also smooth the end of the hole where the cylinder pin goes into the cylinder. Just enough to remove the sharp edge and make it a friendly edge--there's not a lot of metal there.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07LD9LJ2C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Rick_Jorgenson · November-02-22 06:11

Quote from: tinhorn on November-01-22 09:11
I've used either some old automotive polishing compound or a newfangled polishing wheel that looks like a mutant starfish stuck in a Dremel tool. Flitz might work, too, if you have some on hand. I've used Flitz on a mop, chucked in a cordless drill, to polish difficult cylinder chambers. Ya just gotta make it smooth and shiny.

Don't tell anyone, but I also smooth the end of the hole where the cylinder pin goes into the cylinder. Just enough to remove the sharp edge and make it a friendly edge--there's not a lot of metal there.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07LD9LJ2C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for posting the link. I have not seen those before

Xmedic24 · November-02-22 07:11

Thanks, Tinhorn! I'm pretty sure I have some polishing compound...somewhere...

Hey, no verification letters! Whoohoo! Now you guys don't need to endure my whiny rants!

bearcatter · November-02-22 07:11

Not whiny, just anxious!

Getting through probation is like waiting for a UPS delivery...seems to take forever..

grayelky · November-10-22 22:11

Xmedic24-
My favorite plinker is my 3? Earl. For some reason, it is almost difficult to miss with it. Almost.

Xmedic24 · November-11-22 20:11

Thanks for the kind words, Bearcatter. I can see why some people get too frustrated to continue, unfortunately.

Grayelky, I definitely like the sights and the boot grips on the Earl. Not sure if I can see it replacing my H&R Sportsman; then again, I haven't been able to get to the range yet.

As nice as the Earl looks, I can't help thinking it would look even better with a fluted cylinder. Just for fun I swapped cylinders with my Mini-Mag to find out (NO, I didn't shoot it that way!) and I think I'm right. Darn it. Now I have to get a fluted cylinder from NAA for it.