Anyone shoot a Smith Carbine here

[Alabama]

Hi yall ,
does anyone here shoot the Smith Carbine from Pietta here ?
I am contemplating its purchase , I really love the looks and the break-open design , but would like the skinny from the horses mouth on it from you . Not hearsay but realsay is what I need .

Alabama

[Hell-Er High Water]

Alabama,

I have one and have shot it some.  It is a fun gun to shoot and seems reasonably accurate.  I have not tested it for acccuracy from a bench rest but I can keep 5 shots in a six inch bull at 50 yards offhand.

I use the black plastic/rubber cases from Dixie Gun Works (P/N KA0603, 10/$4.00) and they work just fine.  I am loading 2.2 cc of GOEX 2F, a Rapine 350 gr bullet sized 0.512" and lubed with either SPG or Dick Dasterdly's Pearl Lube formula and seal the flash hole with a small white stick-on label that I get at the stationary store.  The musket cap burns right trough the label so it is just a matter of load, cap and fire.  So far I have seen no wear and tear on the cases and I suspect that will last for many, many firings.

This round, when loaded into the chamber, is a little long so when the action is closed the BP is compressed a little as you would do in a cartridge firearm with BP.  It produces a good, clean burning load, as far as BP is concerned, and extraction of the fired case is easy, they pull right out with with your fingers.

Cleaning is easily done from the breech and the nipple bolster has a cleanout screw on the side so this area can be thoroughly cleaned also when both the nipple and the screw are removed.

If you get one I'm sure that you will have a good time with it.

Good luck.

HHW

[Alabama]

Thank you ,
that's the kind fo info I needed to know 
If you can put 5 rounds into 6" at 50 yards offhand , that is quite accurate for any gun offhand with a 350gr. Bullet with that light of a load of BP . I am assuming your a good shot , obviously you are ! 
How about overall quality for the $800 price tag ? Is it on the lines of the standard Pietta Pistols or the LeMat quality Pietta revovlers ??
Sorry to bug ya, but I sure would like to know that question too . I have not seen one up close is all , just in magazines and interent . Do "YOU" think it is worth the $800 ?
Have you tried any Nylon cases , or even brass in it ever ??

Thank you , at your leiisure if you find time get back to me on this I would appreciate it 

Alabama

[red leg]

Dear Ala-for a deep discussion on the Smith carbine repos check out the N-SSA  Web site . The Smiths  have had some problems . The N-SSA has been shooting them for many years in compition and know how to fix them. Also they list used Smith carbines forsale . Red Leg

[Hell-Er High Water]

Alabama,

Like Red Leg says, I would look for a good used one if I were you.  I don't think that I would pay $800.00 + shipping for one and then have to buy the cases on top of that.  I have no problem with the fit, finish or other quality of this gun.  I have a couple of Pietta revolvers and see no difference in the quality between the different types of firearms.

I picked up mine, in used but in "like new" condition, for $575.00.  This included shipping charges, approx 100 Dixie Gun Works cases and a repro cartridge box.

As for nylon cases, the Dixie cases may in fact be nylon.  They don't say for sure what they are made from but they could be nylon or some industrial type plastic.

I have not tried any brass cases and see no reason to do so as long as the ones that I am using continue to hold up so well.  With the brass cases you would have to clean them like cartridge cases fired with BP and the plastic/nylon ones just need a quick wipe down.

HHW

[Alabama]

Thanks yall ,
Alabama

[Frenchie]

Southern Trading has Smiths advertised for $510.00. I haven't called them yet to see if they're still available.

Southern Trading Smith Carbine

[Howdy Doody]

I have shot one. It was Papa Bears and he even has the brass shells if that is what they are called for his, versus the aluminum.
He shoots his in plainsman classes and can load and cap as fast as some folks, like me can load a handi rifle.
Shooting that 50 cal is a hoot and they are accurate at 50 yards for sure. I have had one on my wish list for a number of years.

[Alabama]

Thanks for the first hand experience Howdy Doody update on the Smith question .
It has been on my wish list a long time too , but chocking down $800 for an Italian carbine is a bit much for me , so far . It's all mental I guess , like me   
I do have an e-mail into Southern Trading about them ( thanks Frenchie ) , but there prices seam mighty low on everything , rediculously low actually , LeMats for under $600 ?? Big red flags are going off in my thinking when I cannot understand how someone can sell guns so cheap ? I don't have experience with these people so I am cautious to say the least and wonder about customer care and service after my sale if I were to have an issue with my arms . Spiller and Burrs for $150
I realize its Alabama and all where these are sold , but GAS prices are gas prices anywhere in the USA so I question these prices big time on the guns they sell . Boy am I jaded or what !!!!! Just smartly cautious I think moreso  I know with Dixie or Taylors I am going to get EXCELLENT after care and or service and they have parts most of the time and an on hand REAL gunsmith if it needs a fixin .
But, if they actually have them for $510 or whatever it is , that is a great price and in my mind all its worth to me really ? I really want one but $800 , eeeghadds !!!! Problem is at $800 then I have to "Smith" it up with stock work ( finish ) and I want to put an old Lyman globe front sight on it , aperture rear tang sight too , so theres another $200 at least just for parts . $510 would be nice that way , yes it would for me .  We'll see if they get back to me fast enough for me to deal with them or not. If someone doesn't e-mail me quick they lost the sale out of spite from me , I don't take bad service ever from anyone ! Not returning my e-mail promptly is BAD service .
But I really want one !!! 
I would like to set it up as a 50 yard tack driver and with the right sights and right load I have no doubt offhand target shooting for me with it will be quite rewarding , not too mention 50 yard hunting , yes indeed 

I will keep ya posted and thanks again Howdy Doody ,
Sincerely, Alabama

[Frenchie]

'Bama, you're right to be cautious and I should have said that. Just out of curiosity, I just now tried calling them. The first number is disconnected and the second wasn't answered. I've sent off an email too. To coin a phrase, I've got a bad feeling about this.

[Alabama]

Hey Frenchie ,

you know what your gutt tells you ? 


The truth , nearly always . 

Yeh , after work today  , no re-e-mail to me back on price with shipping to my house , big redder flags go up . Bummer because I just made the money for it too . Oh well , will wait till next week and bite the bullet probably and just buy a new one . I like new anyway, prefferably with any firearms unless they are Vintage of course . But Vintage new is very nice too , although I have none  I just need to convince myself that I really want it and its a done deal , just not there yet .

Sincerely, Alabama , and thanks for the update

[red leg]

Dear Alabama-- I bought my Smith carbine , artillery model, about 7 or 8 years ago from Navy Arms at the N-SSA  Nationals . They had them on sale for $ 450 new , and some with miinor damage fo $400.If you put an add in the N-SSA  bb or just read the BB offen you will find a good deal on a nice Smith. --- Hange in there friend--- Red Legg

[Noz]

I've never been to a dirtier web site. Every click of the mouse brings up another "pop up" ad.  Not for me.