Extraction/Ejection

[Tascosa Joe]

A gentleman came to our NCOWS shoot a couple of weeks ago sporting an original Spencer converted to CF.  Every time he fired and cycled the action he had to turn the carbine over to get rid of the spent cartridge.  Is this normal for a Spencer or is he missing a spring?

[French Jack]

The Spencer has an extractor, not an ejector.  The force to expel a case from the action is dependent on the energy used to cycle the action.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Originals with the single blade extractor are not known for positive extraction!  The 1867 Lane bottom/center extractor hook worked much better.  Armisport uses the Lane on the 44-40 and 56-50 models.  Works really well.  extraction was never an issue with my 56-50.

[Tascosa Joe]

Thanks for the info.  The old guy had the single blade extractor and the old gun seemed a bit balky when he cycled it.  I have been thinking about purchasing a Spencer repro, but was not sure after watching that one run.  I found a Cimarron for 1K but have not made up my mind.  Thanks again for the help.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Good price, especially with the dollar sagging against the Euro.  What caliber?

44-40s (7+1) are the most accurate and best for making re-enacting blanks for, .44 Russians (no longer made) hold 9+1 and are good if you have 44 open tops, likewise with the 45 Schofield (8+1).  The 56-50 is KING, but that's my personal opinion.

I don't have experience with the 45 Colt one, but that would be cool.  The 44-40s feed and extract very well, as do the 56-50 if you get the OAL right.