Wanting a Spencer

[Grenadier]

Finding myself wanting a replica Spencer. I've heard some horror stories with the replicas, so I am hesitant.

Any input?

[Sedalia Dave]

First welcome to the forum.

When it comes to the reproductions stick with 56-50. You'l have fewer problems.

Next start reading all the posts here. Will take a while but the knowledge base here is priceless.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Especially before you buy. Will save you a lot of money.

Lastly be patient.  There are good deals out there if you have the funds to take advantage of them.

[Two Flints]

Check out Dave's Antiques as posted just a few days ago.  He has 4-5 original Spencer Carbines and/or rifles up for his auction.

Two Flints

[Cap'n Redneck]

Cowan Auctions have a few Spencer's for sale in a couple of days, including an ArmiSport replica carbine...:

https://www.cowanauctions.com/auction/752023-arms-armor-militaria-online-ends-718-13238/lots?keyword-search=spencer

[RattlesnakeJack]

As for reproductions, although by no means an expert I would agree that you are best off sticking with .56-.50 ... less problematic than those which have been "tweaked" to use pistol-caliber cartridges ...

Admittedly, I have not subjected my reproduction .56-.50 Model 1865 Spencer full length rifle to any torture tests, but it functions very well for me as long as I keep cartridge OAL within the necessary parameters -



As a Canadian military reenactor/shooter, such a rifle was very high on my "must have" list until I finally acquired it a some years ago - of the limited quantity of only about 3,000 Model 1865 Spencer full-length rifles manufactured, fully 2,000 came to Canada for our Militia. (The chap above is a Rifleman of the Queen's Own Rifles of Toronto ... a unit I portray ...)