44-40s ARE INSTOCK AND SHIPPING!

[Tuolumne Lawman]

I just talked to Tammy at Taylor's this morning.  The 44-40 SPencers are in stock and shipping.  In fact, one is on it's way to me right now! <ggggg>  They have the Lane extractor and are supposed to function flawlessly.  I guess we will find out when I get one to evaluate!

I know, I know, you want my job.  Getting all these guns to shoot and evaluate. Well it doesn't pay anything, but it sure is fun!

[Tuolumne Lawman]

PS.  They are not as cheap as the 56-50s.  They run the same as the 45 Schofields and 44 Russians.

[Old Top]

Tuolumne,

Keep us informed as to how that piece does, I may just have to get me one.

Old Top

[Tuolumne Lawman]

I know!  I am afraid I will have to keep it too!  I just bought Major's 44-40 Henry, and now I will have a second 44-40 (at least for awhile).  Also having two Spencers to choose from!  Whats a boy to do?  <g>

[alex]

I don't know, a 44/40 just does not sound Spencer like. I have a Henry and 44/40 seems to go with it, however I just can't warm up to a 44/40 Spencer, or anything but a 50 Cal. I don't have my Spencer yet, it's on order, but I'm sure I would have never ordered one if it were not available in 56/50. To each his own.

Mike

[The Yankee Bandit]

Thanks for the update! 

[Tuolumne Lawman]

MIke,

I know what you mean.  I have had two originals in 56-56 and loved them.  I had shot a .45 Schofield sample for an article, but I was not disposed to part with my $$$ for one not in an "original-ish" caliber.  When I had to replace the originals, I bought the 56-50.  It is the favorite gun that I own. 

I do love 44-40, however!  It would be nice to use it at every stage if I wanted, instead of a few that have targets big enough that my 56-50 cannon will not knock over!

[Barbarossa]

Hi
I don t know if I d call the 44/40 unspencer like as I have a pic of an original spencer sporting rifle that has a smaller than normal action and would be too small for the 56/50.Unfortunately the caliber is not listed but it is probably chambered for an early pistol round  maybe a 32 rimfire or something.It also has a ring on the lever similar to that which is on the Ballard Pacifics.I m seriously
thinking on getting one of the spencers in 44/40 having it rebarrled with a 26"
octagonal barrel and fitting it with on of the early remington rolling block rifle rough and ready rear peep sights.



                                                             

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Barbarosa,

Your really right.  I was reading Marcots book, and early Spencers were in 38 long rimfire and 44 long rimfire.  The 44 long had 28 grains of powder and a 220 grain bullet,  44 Henry cartridges would also work.  He evben list ordnance records showing that the Army in 1863 bought a couple thousanmd rounds of Spencer 44 long ammo.  Possibly some officers had thir own 44 Spencers.

The 44-40 is probably closer to an original Spencer round than 44 Russian oir 45 Schofield in that case.

[Drydock]

The .44 Long was a straight case round holding a .442" 220 grain bullet over 28 grains of powder.  The closest to that chambering in the Taylors guns is in fact the .45  S&W, which has a nominal .452" 230 grain bullet over 28 grains of powder in a straight case.  The .44-40 uses a .427" 200 grain bullet over 37 grains of powder in a shouldered case.

None of which makes a bit of difference in the fun of touching one off!

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Ah, how true!

I would be hard pressed to give up "Little Thumper" (what I named my 56-50 Carbine), however.  A .512 diameter, 350 grain bullet over 40 grains (volume) of Hodgdon's Triple Seven at about 1200-1250 FPS, or the same bullet over 42 grains of FFFG Goezx with a really heavy crimp and Winchester magnun rifle primers......It reminds me of the sound of 12 pound Napoleon's going off!

Dang, I need to get a chronograph!  I'm gonna haave to look in my Midway catalog.

P.S. If I get the Infantry rifle, it will be named "Big Thumper!"

[Barbarossa]

Hi
Was thinking of that small frame spencer I have a pic of and I believe it could of been chambered for the 44henry round.It makes sense  because of the smaller size of the action and also the 44henry was on the scene at the time of the spencer.This rifle could of been the prototype of the Spences to follow.

[Old Top]

Tuolumne,

We are all waiting on your report on this rifle, are you getting it in the carbine or rifle version?

Old Top

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Howdy,

A 44-40 carbine is on the way to me as we speak.  The next shipment of 56-50 rifles that comes in, also has my name on one.  The rifle, at least at this time, will only be offered in 56-50 

I will keep everyone posted!