The actions of guns were at one time so important that gun-makers were
selected by reason of the merit of their patents. The tendency of the
early actions to part from the barrels at the false breech was so great,
that actions became of the first importance. Patents are now run out,
and consequently every gun-maker can select the best and make it, and
may be trusted to do so provided the weapon is to be paid for at a
figure that pays for best work and best material. If this is not the
case, still the gun-maker will put in the best action that can be made
for the money to be charged; in other words, he will put in the cheapest
good design of action, but not necessarily good workmanship. When
dovetails are used to join up the barrels and the false breech, it is
not because the design of action is not good enough to do without them,
but simply that the workmanship or fitting is not good enough. Often the
third grip does not fit, and is only for show.