Thinking about a Spencer

[Sgt. John McAfferty]

Howdy All,

Because a 90 second stage is way too fast for me, I want to slow things down a bit.  I'm also a CW buff.  I'm considering purchasing a Spencer in 44-40.  Can someone direct me to a thread here or inform me of the items I would need to buy in addition to the rifle?  I'm green here but I know they have magazine tubes for loading.  Do they come with the rifle or do I need to buy them separately?  What else will I need?

Thanks,
Shakey

[Two Flints]

Of course, any caliber of Spencer is fine with me but if you are also a Civil War buff, you just might be happier with the 56-50, the Civil War caliber.  One magazine is all you really need as it comes with the Spencer you purchase. 

I'm sure SSS members will voice their opinions on caliber. You  might want to look over the SORI Thread (Spencer Often Requested Information) for more information on what you are actually looking for in the way of additional equipment.  Do you want to load your own? or just purchase the ammo?? Two approaches to consider.

Two Flints

[Shenandoah]

Shakey:

I bought a 44 Russian several years ago. After tinkering with it for a while, it has become a good plinker.

I too am a Civil War buff. I recently purchased all the reloading gear for a 56-50 which I hope to purchase next year. If you like to plik, the 44-40 is probably cheaper to shoot. But there is much to say for an original caliber rifle.  

Edited to add: IIRC, the 56-50 caliber came out after the war had ended.

[Jbar4Ranch]

When I bought mine a few months ago, the nice folks here talked me out of my first choice and into a 56-50. I'm glad they did! If you want "the experience", it's just gotta be a 56-50. Brass is a bit more expensive, but that's the only drawback. FWIW, .44-40 would be my second choice though.

[.56/50 Iron]

You will kick yourself severely if you don't get one in caliber .56/50! RCBS dies for this run $44 a set from Buffalo Arms. Not much more than standard dies for reloading. Go the whole route: cast your own slugs also! Use the carbine for deer hunting! You will enjoy the heck out of this little 8 pound carbine!
.56/50 Iron

[major]

Shakey
I have a Spencer carbine in 44-40 for sale.  http://www.cascity.com/classifieds/showproduct.php/product/546
If you are not into loading your own and/or want to use it for reenacting then this is the gun for you.  With the 56-50 you cannot make blanks cost effective for reenacting.  You can make blanks for the 44-40 out of 410 shotgun hulls for a lot less than making blanks for the 56-50.  Here is an article I wrote about it a few years back http://www.9thnycavalry.webeditor.com/publications/spencer_article.html
If you want to shoot live than by using the 44-40 you can buy ready made cartridges off the shelf at almost any gun store.
Both are a hoot to shoot but you just have to figure out what will work best for your application.
Terry

[Patrick Henry Brown]

I have both 44-40 and 56-50. I will admit that the 56-50 is a hoot to shoot and has more appeal to me, BUT! I mainly shoot SASS and NCOWS. For that I use the 44-40 nost of the time. Reason being that inevitably in CAS you will lose some brass and at $1 a case, it gets expensive fast. At the NCOWS SW Regional week before last, I shot both carbines. I only used the 56-50 on those stages where I was not on grass. For my usage, the 44-40 is more accurate and more practical. Ammo is cheaper, more plentiful off the shelf and the twist rate on the 44-40 is more suited to long range accuracy with the load than the 56-50. I love the 56-50 and plan to keep it, but if I had to part with one or the other, I'd part with it. FWIW, if I still shot N-SSA competition, it would be the 56-50. BTW, Major has a great price on that 44-40 he told you about. If you want a brand new carbine, jump on it.

[Sgt. John McAfferty]

Thanks All,

The info was great help.  Major, I looked at your Spencer for sale and I am impressed.  Unfortunately for my wallet, I found out the day after I posted here that both my kids are coming home for Christmas.  That don't sound like much but they are both in the military and we haven't been together as a family for 5 years, so I am going to use the Spencer money for a great time.  Hopefully next year will be the year.  Again, thanks for the help.

Shakey

[Herbert]

you have my respect for what you are doing,hope you and the family have a great cistmas

[Hoot-3rd Ga]

If you are only going to have one Spencer, it should be a 56-50. The startup accessories cost a little more, but I have used my mould blocks and Starline brass for years without any noticable wear. I've lost several pcs. of brass in high grass, but only one or two to splitting.  A 50 cal black powder case is a lot easier to clean than 44-40.     Hoot