I was wondering if folks started putting down general stats as to their rifles, such as 1st or 2nd Contract (or the non-contract ones in the middle) designation as to barrel receiver, bolt, and stock we might start a system for mutual benefit.
One thing I would like to find would be blanks or dummy rounds. I have fired the straight pull 1905 Ross, so actually firing live rounds in a straight pull has lost a bit of the thrill (something akin to bungee jumping-you know it is relatively safe but still there is a bit more doubt than a conventional bolt-yes I know about the fellow that blew his lee up with bad reloads), but operating the weapon is still fun.

One question I have, for those of you with 2nd contract receivers, a couple of questions. My firing pin lock is not nearly as positive as I would like it to be, far too easy to work for safety purposes, was this typical or do you think I have a spring missing or weak?

Conversely, the bolt release is a b*t*h to operate. Was this done intentionally to overcompensate for the bolt release for the 1st contract models being too easy to operate? My second contract bolt catch takes the strength of an ape with numb fingers to operate (of course, right now my bolt is falling out due to not having the extractor--I hope it is the missing extractor.

I contributed an article I found to the Spanish American War Centennial Website weapons section, where even at Guantanamo the bolts kept falling out (and losing extractors) due to inadvertant operation of the
bolt catch.

A bizarre but fun rifle. In terms of operation almost as alien as a Webley Fosbery auto-revolver.