It Exists! It's Real!

[Mossyrock]

Gents,

I actually laid eyes on a brand, spanking new Taylor Spencer in .45 Colt!  I didn't get to handle it, but it sure looked good!  In fact, the color case was nicer than my 56-50.  If I didn't already have a 56-50, I might consider one on .45 Colt.  Keep your eyes open...they are out there!

[Two Flints]

C'mon Mossyrock,

Go ahead and get it, you have my permission

Where did you see the one you lusted for?

Two Flints

[Mossyrock]

Thanks for the permission, but I am trying to pay for a Shiloh Sharps!    

The .45 Colt Spencer I looked at was at Sportsman's Warehouse in Federal Way, WA.  The price, before sales tax, was less than a grand.

[Two Flints]

Shiloh Sharps   What's a Shiloh Sharps

[Mossyrock]

Shiloh Sharps   What's a Shiloh Sharps

C'mon...you know what a Sharps is!  It's that cut-rate, single-shot, Spencer wanna-be!  It wants to be a Spencer so bad that it even shares several parts with it!

[major]

Mossyrock
Does the Arimsport in .45 colt use the Lane extractor?
Terry

[Tuolumne Lawman]

According to Tammi at Taylor's, they may start getting the .45 Colt Spencers in sometime in November...MAYBE.

I forgot to ask her about the Lane , but I am sure they are.  They would be essentially .45 Schofield models with deeper chamber and a different cartridge guide that indexes the cartridge deeper in the action to allow the block to close.  I can't evenimagine a side bade extractor with the Colt's small rim!

[Two Flints]

T.L.

Would a shooter be able to fire the .45 Schofield cartridge in the .45 Colt Spencer?  I think this is true of the Colt revolvers being able to fire either cartridge.

Two Flints

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Howdy,

I think it would if the cartridge guide was replaced.  The 45 Colt might allow the next schofield to go too far into the receiver, and the breech block would rotate up and hit the cartridge behind it.

I will ask Tammy, though.

[major]

TL
I think you are correct. The 45 Schofield is too short to cycle in a gun made for the .45 LC.
Major

[Deadeye Don]

Yawn...............   a 45 colt in a Spencer!!??  Cheaper to shoot, but no where near as much fun.  I still dont quite get it.   

[Bead Swinger]

Hmmm... AFTER the capital investment into casting and cases, I can't say that my Spencer is all that more expensive to shoot than a .45. It takes more lead and time to cast, but... The powder is almost the same, and the primers are the same, and my labor is free to me. In terms of recurring costs, 56-56 (and probably 56-50) is not significantly different in cost to shoot.  It'd be fun to see real numbers applied to this.

Now the setup costs are more than double... Molds (2-3x), Dies (2-3x), and Brass (3-6x) are a LOT more expensive. But these are essentially sunk costs, just like the rifle.

What you do gain is the convenience of availability - you don't have to get into molds for reloading .45C; bullets are quite available, even big-lube's for BP. The ability to reuse a die set for other guns is significant.  But I'll take "Big Boom" over convenience in reloading for a handgun, thank you. I can just immagine if someone (had) made a gigantic 5-shot revolver in 56-45 or 56-50 .  Now that would've stopped something! Dirty Harry meets BP !

[Cannon Fodder]

OK, I understand bigger is better(!?) and the 56/50  boys  have a  point.

However, some of us that are  presently into reenacting, the 45 lc  is our choice  because blank ammo (5 into 1 ) is a lot cheaper.

It also goes along  with some of our other weapons (forgive me- colts  and remingtons with conversion cylinders and henrys) in this caliber.

attn: TL, Major, and others. If you get your hands on a  a 45lc spencer rifle/carbine, how about a test article. Your past efforts have been greatly appreciated!

Best, CF

[French Jack]

If the main item is to use the readily available 5 in 1 blanks, why not just stick with the 44-40? Same blank ammo, and a lot better extraction than the 45 Colt.  Just curious-- I'll stick with my 56-50.  So far after a couple of years reloading, the main difference in expense I see has been the initial investment in cases.  Powder and primers are a wash, and the cost of bullet casting is not a great deal different.  The cost of bullet moulds are not a great deal different, as you can get either over the counter Lyman or Lee or RCBS,  OR  go with custom moulds from any of the makers.  This is no different from any cartridge, and the mould prices are the same either way.

However, I do agree with Deadeye, Bigger is Better.  The full bodied roar of a 56-50 is music to the ears--- not to mention the authoritative whack to the targets. 

[Tuolumne Lawman]

I confess to being partial to the 56-50 in the Armi Sport.  Selling that original (SOB )took care of my house sale shortfall, but left me enough that (when added with the sale of an unused wheel gun I had for $600) allowed me to at least have an Armi Sport!  I had a choice between 44-40 and 56-50 and a 56-50 on order for when the cash comes in.

[major]

OK, I understand bigger is better(!?) and the 56/50  boys  have a  point.
However, some of us that are  presently into reenacting, the 45 lc  is our choice  because blank ammo (5 into 1 ) is a lot cheaper.
It also goes along  with some of our other weapons (forgive me- colts  and remingtons with conversion cylinders and henrys) in this caliber.
attn: TL, Major, and others. If you get your hands on a  a 45lc spencer rifle/carbine, how about a test article. Your past efforts have been greatly appreciated!
Best, CF

Cannon Fodder
I am already working on getting blanks to work in the new .45 LC version of the Spencer.
I think the cut down 410 shotgun shells will work.
Major