Forbes 24B?

[HTSmith]

What could you tell me about it? Went shopping for a light hunting rifle and the shop had one of these. The store clerk told me the company had gone out of business. It sure felt good. Thanks for any info.

 

[JoeMcNeill]

Melvin Forbes, Ultra Lite Arms, now New ULA in West Virginia. I had one in 308, very accurate, great gun.
Regards,

Joe McNeill
SW Arkansas

 

[FryeGuy]

A guy at the range had one a few weeks ago and it was the first time I had heard of them. It was nice! He had several of them he said, they all shot well. He mentioned Forbes had sold to another company that colt had purchased. It all seemed like a cluster to me how the ownership changed around for a bit. It was a bit to remember, but it was a nice set up. I think his was a 30 caliber, and it was under an inch for sure with every load he tried

 

[snert]

Melvin Forbes is one of the finest men, and best gunsmiths in America. His ULA is a masterpiece and a fine rifle. He made rifles for many years, each a piece of craftsmanship. He sold his business a few years ago and New ULA is/was the take-over.

if the rifle hasn't fallen off a cliff and been stomped by a horse, buy it.

 

[Prose]

The barrett fieldcraft is the latest iteration of the production rifle based off the ULA/NULA model 20. The early forbes rifles are good, the later ones not so much. Go to newultralightarms.com and read the story or perhaps one of the David Petzal or Richard Mann articles about the forbes rifle company.

The barrett fieldcraft is outstanding if you want a new one.

http://newultralightarms.com

https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2012/7/19/forbes-rifle/

 

[HTSmith]

Thanks to all for the feedback. I think the one I saw was one of the "factory" made rifles and not one the customs built by Mr. Forbes.

 

[oldroper]

Thanks to all for the feedback. I think the one I saw was one of the "factory" made rifles and not one the customs built by Mr. Forbes.

I have model 24 and 24B was about 1/2 cost.

Order a custom Model 24 in .30-06 from New Ultra Light Arms and it will set you back $3,600. Order a production version of the same rifle called Model 24B from Forbes Rifle LLC and the tab runs $1,399. For the price of one Model 24 you can own two Model 24Bs, with both wearing very nice scopes.

 

[HTSmith]

I have model 24 and 24B was about 1/2 cost.

Order a custom Model 24 in .30-06 from New Ultra Light Arms and it will set you back $3,600. Order a production version of the same rifle called Model 24B from Forbes Rifle LLC and the tab runs $1,399. For the price of one Model 24 you can own two Model 24Bs, with both wearing very nice scopes.

So since you have both, how would you compare the two? Same except for price? Would appreciate your thoughts.

 

[Prose]

So since you have both, how would you compare the two? Same except for price? Would appreciate your thoughts.

No, not the same. NULA bleeds quality at every level and are some of the finest rifles the world has ever seen. Some Forbes rifles are pretty rough like any factory rifle. Inspect and evaluate the one you are looking at, especially with the stock off, to see if it's a good one. And don't buy it unless it shoots.

How much is the one you're looking at?

 

[Radar]

No, not the same. NULA bleeds quality at every level and are some of the finest rifles the world has ever seen. Some Forbes rifles are pretty rough like any factory rifle. Inspect and evaluate the one you are looking at, especially with the stock off, to see if it's a good one. And don't buy it unless it shoots.

How much is the one you're looking at?

How many of these Forbes 24B rifles have you had?

 

[HTSmith]

No, not the same. NULA bleeds quality at every level and are some of the finest rifles the world has ever seen. Some Forbes rifles are pretty rough like any factory rifle. Inspect and evaluate the one you are looking at, especially with the stock off, to see if it's a good one. And don't buy it unless it shoots.

How much is the one you're looking at?

The rifle is new. Outside finish is very good. Trigger breaks very crisp at less than 3 lb. The bolt travel is very gritty however.

 

[oldroper]

No, not the same. NULA bleeds quality at every level and are some of the finest rifles the world has ever seen. Some Forbes rifles are pretty rough like any factory rifle. Inspect and evaluate the one you are looking at, especially with the stock off, to see if it's a good one. And don't buy it unless it shoots.

How much is the one you're looking at?

How true. He should of learned from when he sold ULA to Colt.

 

[Prose]

The rifle is new. Outside finish is very good. Trigger breaks very crisp at less than 3 lb. The bolt travel is very gritty however.

Grittiness is due to the coating and tight tolerances. That will smooth out after running it a few hundred times. Anything nearing 1 grand for a forbes and you are not getting a good deal.

For 1,300-1,600 you can get a brand new barrett fieldcraft (albeit a model 20 short vs 24 long). The barrett is literally built from the same tooling and is the same Melvin Forbes Designed rifle but executed finely, as intended, and has a much better coating. Additionally, barrett is still around and can fix it if need be, however unlikely. Melvin Forbes will perform work on the forbes but he won't be doing that forever.

I don't mean to imply that the Forbes rifle is no good. It is an outstanding design, however, some of them were not built very well. The one you are looking at sounds pretty good, but make sure you look at the bedding in that stock and shoot it. If it doesn't print multiple loads into just about the same spot, then it isn't working as intended which is due to the bedding.

 

[cf]

The 24b used Er.shaw barrels.look at the barret

 

[HTSmith]

I'm starting to get a little nervous. The Tikkas seem to get great reviews.

 

[slm9s]

I couldn't tell a difference between my ULA 24 7RM and my Forbes 270 and Forbes 30-06, but both Forbes are early ones. I sold the ULA, kept the 2 Forbes and had money left over.

 

[oldroper]

I'm starting to get a little nervous. The Tikkas seem to get great reviews.

When Mel sold to Colt he was suppose to work for Colt but that didn't pan out as they had recall on triggers. When he got Co back he rename it NULA as Colt owns ULA. He contacted with another Co to copy model 24 for 24B. He wanted to build 24B so average guy could buy his rifle. It sure didn't work for Colt and didn't work out for 24B. It's good copy of 24.