Got my new Spencer today

[Sagebrush Burns]

Finally, after a three months wait, my Spencer arrived today.  Got the carbine in 45 Colt and, with the exception of the REALLY HEAVY! trigger pull, it seems a beauty.  Course the weather here is really rotten today (40s and rainy) so I didn't get to the range.  Now a question, if I may:  The manual shows how to remove the breech block and has an exploded drawing/parts list, but no instructions regarding further disassembly.  There seem to be a lot of small parts and if I'm going to work on the trigger I want to be sure to re-assemble everything the right way.  Can anyone point me towards instructions - with pictures if possible - for this procedure.  The only resource I have is "Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West" and it does not include the Spencer.  Thanks in advance for all your help...

[Two Flints]

Hi Sagebrush,

And congratulations on your new Spencer

My first suggestion would be for you to check our SSS (ORI) Often Requested Information thread as it contains information on how to lighten the trigger pull.  When I've had to dismantle my Spencer I made a notation on what I removed and numbered each part as I removed it, so that when I had to reassemble it, I just went in the reverse order.  This thread may be of some help to you:   http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,2906.0.html

I'm sure members will respond to your question.  Just give them time to read your post.

Two Flints

[major]

Sagebrush
Don't forget to remove the plug in the magazine fowler.  Otherwise you will only be able to get 5 rounds in the magazine.  Also the lock is very similar to the Sharps lock, you can look there for help.
Terry

[Sagebrush Burns]

Major, thanks for the tip on the magazine follower.  You have saved me some head scratching and bad words.  If you're gonna be at Hell on Wheels, let me buy you a beer (or whatever)...

[Sagebrush Burns]

Two Flints - even before I posted my question, I read the thread on trigger pull work.  Lots of good information there, thanks.  I am just a bit leery about all the small internal parts getting mis-assembled.  I have not had the gun apart yet and maybe it is easier than I think.  I just don't want to *#@* up the works, if you get my drift.

[Sagebrush Burns]

Get 'er to the range today and in spite of the heavy trigger she shoots pretty good.  But now another problem:  does not feed reliably from the magazine.  Did some experimenting and I think the magazine spring is entirely too weak.  Ordered a stronger one from Brownell's - hope it does the trick.  The other possibility I see is the cartridge keeper spring may be too strong.  It's a coil spring so I can shorten it a bit if need be...

[Two Flints]

Hi Sagebrush,

What spring did you order from Brownells?  Maybe you are too quick to start making wholesale changes.  Just my opinion   Also, the springs you are referring to, what are their names according to the manual?  The cartridge keeper spring as shown in my manual (#1) is not coiled?  Mine as named has the V shape with one side longer than the other side.  Also, do the interior parts need lubing?



Two Flints

[Sagebrush Burns]

Two Flints, spring #1 in your illustration is the cartridge keeper spring I am referring to.  In my repro it is a coil spring.  I'm not going to mess with it unless the stronger magazine spring doesn't do the trick.  Likewise the main spring (your #2).  I'm getting an extra from Taylors and will not mess with anything til I have it in hand.  Fact is, that although the trigger pull is heavy, it is not the "terrible" problem I was expecting.  For hitting big targets at 15 to 25 yards (cowboy action shooting) it is OK.  Once I get the feeding working reliably I am looking forward to using it in matches...

[Two Flints]

Thanks Sagebrush,

You wrote - "Did some experimenting and I think the magazine spring is entirely too weak.  Ordered a stronger one from Brownell's - hope it does the trick." Which one did you order from Brownell's?  Just curious.  Others may also want to know.

Thanks,

Two Flints

[Sagebrush Burns]

The spring I ordered from Brownell's is listed as "lever action 44-40 magazine spring", item # 969-000-142.  When it arrives I will let the forum know how it works.

[12 th Illinois]

I think you are right about the magazine spring being too weak. Mine appears to be weak. I ordered a new spring today. If I put one blank round in at a time, it cycles just fine. However if I put more than one, the first round doesn't fully leave the magazine. It doesn't even reach the top cartridge holder so I don't think that if affecting it. Have you received your spring yet. It's coming from eastern Iowa, so I should have mine Monday. Anxious to see if this fixes everything.

[Sagebrush Burns]

The new spring arrived from Brownell's.  Got here very fast - they are really excellent folks to deal with.  The spring is (I suspect) actually for a Winchester '73, '76, or '86 rifle.  Quite a bit longer than I actually need (actually more than long enough to make two Spencer magazine springs).  That's OK, that's what side cutters are for.  I made a guess, cut it shorter, and installed it.  Guess what?!  Too strong.  Tried it shorter, still too strong.  Put the original back in and now it seems to feed OK.  (Two Flints, I think you were right about my jumping to conclusions!)  Got to the range again and it now seems to feed pretty good except for the last round.  If I work the lever really fast (only remembered to try it on the last magazine full) the last round seems OK too.  Now that I've shot it a bit I don't even notice the trigger pull any more.  Go figure...  I'll keep working with it - got about two weeks till the next match.  One way or another, I think (hope!) I'll be in good shape by then:  gun broken in a bit and familiar with how to work it smoothly and consistantly. 

[Two Flints]

Sagebrush,

Maybe  if you just stretch out the magazine spring a bit you might increase the tension allowing for that last cartridge to feed completely out.  Just a thought. Also, some members have mentioned that they angle their barrels towards the ground when working the action aand this helps in feeding their rounds.

Keep in touch and let us know how it's shooting.

Two Flints

[Bead Swinger]

Hi Sagebrush
I have a relatively weak spring for blanks; stretching it out does help, particularly if the spring is not deformed and will move up the tube smoothly. Suggestion: as you get to the end of the tube, just drop the muzzle a bit as you cycle and the last round should feed just fine;

When I shoot blanks, I have a really light spring for the tube, to the point that the last round will hardly ever feed without some gravity to help it. With the blanks, I think of it as a dance; as you start, you keep the muzzle up, and as you work through the tube you keep her more level, and when you get to the last two, it's almost pointing to the ground. 

[Sagebrush Burns]

Got out for another session at the range this morning.  Each time I go the rifle works better.  Guess it just wanted a bit of breeak-in.  I found today that if I hold the rifle level when I lever it, it works best.  Need to work the lever like I care, no dilly-dallying, and it feeds pretty good.  Don't need to work the lever real fast, just work it.  This is the really terrible part about a new gun, you gotta shoot it to get comfortable with it...  Damn, I hate it when that happens.

[Two Flints]

Sagebrush,

What happened with the magazine/tube spring   What did you finally do with it   Did you reinstall the original spring   Let us know!  Others may have the same problem withs their new Spencers...your input/results will be of help to others

Two Flints

[Sagebrush Burns]

Went back to the original magazine spring and it's been working just fine.  Seems like this rifle just needed breaking in.  It has worked better each time I've shot it.  Part of that is that I'm learning how it wants to work.  Based on my experience, the Taylor's Spencer needs to be shot and worked a few times to get the kinks out of it.  At this point I feel like I can shoot it in a match and be OK.  I'll keep practicing though and be as sure as I can...