Spencer Importer/Manufacturer Clarification

[Tuolumne Lawman]

I was asked a question on the SASS Wire, and responded.  I thought I would post it here, as many new folks on SSS  may not know this info.



QUestion: "Are there different manufacturers or just different importers? "

Answer:

"Howdy pard,

Currently just one manufacturer, Armi Sport. There are four main importers:

Taylor's (the first)

Cimarron

EMF

Dixie Gun Works

Taylor's was the first. They came up with the idea, worked with Armi Sport, did all the R&D, and worked with Kenny Howell at Ten-X to come up with a modern 56-50 in Smokeless and BP. The modern 56-50 has a .512 bullet instead of the original .520 bullet of the 56-50. This keeps them from creating excessive backpreasure if the ammo is fired in an original Spencer.

After a couple years, Armi Sport screwed Taylor's by cancelling the proprietary importation Spencers of Taylor's only, and started selling to everyone!

Cimarron handles a fair amount, Dixie some, and EMF just imports some as a customer service for their customers.

Taylor's usually has the largest inventory, and is still the only one that imports the 1865 Spencer .56-50 Infantry Rifle, with it's full stock and 30 inch, three band barrel. They also have carbines in .44-40, 45 Schofield, and .56-50.

The .44 Russian was discontinued, however, as it seemed to be the most finicky with feeding. Basically it was a small cartridge in a large receiver (just like .45 colts in the original style 1894 Winchester)

Come to the Spencer shooting society and learn more about the Spencer!

I shoot a Taylor's 56-50 Infatry Rifle as a main match CAS gun <ggggg> "