Armisport Infantry rifles improved any?

ndnchf · July 15, 2011, 01:36:40 PM

Its been about 25 years since I've had a Spencer. Back then it was a very nice original carbine I picked up for $400. I'm starting to get the itch again. I've been shooting Civil War muskets and other BPCRs for a lot of years, but now I'm thinking about a Spencer infantry rifle. Original are pretty pricey so I'm thinking about an Armisport. I've been reading the archives and SORI, and note quite a few teething and manufacturing problems. Most of these seem to be easy to fix (deburring, radiusing sharp edges, loctite). Since these rifles have been on the market for a while (6 years maybe?), I wonder if Armisport has made any progress in resolving these issues. I note that the .56-50 rifle twist was 1-20. Has that changed?

How do the current production infantry rifles compare to those made 4-5 years ago? If I were to buy a new one today, what would you recommend be done to it before taking it to the range for the first time in order to have a good first experience with it?

Two Flints · July 15, 2011, 02:56:20 PM

ndnchf,

As you indicated in your post, there are "teething and manufacturing problems" that most new owners have to deal with to include as you also mentioned, deburring, radiusing sharp edges, loctite, etc., but you will need to experiment and also come up with the "ideal" cartridge" for your particular Spencer. If you've read the SORI threads then you know what's in store for you.

Apparently, Armi Sports/Chiappa Arms is planning a re-tooling of the Spencer Firearm some time in September-October to correct some of the "issues" with the current Spencers being sold. To what extent the new planned re-tooling will have on eliminating some of the "out of the box" issues with Spencers remains to be seen.

The "fit and finish" of the Armi Sport Spencer has always been excellent, in my opinion. Armi Sport/Chiappa Firearms NOW has to concentrate on fixing the "innards" which they have told me they plan to do withd the new re-tooling in September-October. How long before these "new Spencers" appear on the market is also unknown at this time.

I hoping for the best.

Two Flints

ndnchf · July 16, 2011, 05:39:18 AM

Thanks Two Flints, I had not heard about the plans to re-tool. Hmmmm, so now the question is - do I look for a current production version or wait for the new and improved version (whatever that entails)

Herbert · July 16, 2011, 07:16:42 PM

I hope they sort out the problems,also a Sporting rifle would be welcomed by me

Two Flints · July 16, 2011, 07:45:37 PM

Hi Herbert,

They never mentioned any new Spencer models, just trying to fix the problems that SSS members posted for me some time ago, which I sent to Armi Sport/Chiappa Arms in Italy. I just hope they do the re-tooling and get some of the bugs fixed.

Two Flints

mtmarfield · July 16, 2011, 11:01:49 PM

Greetings!

I'm glad to see that they'll be investing in their Rifle! Frankly, I never had any issues with my Armisport Infantry Rifle, except for the cosmetic flub Saddle Ring, and the very inappropriate 1-20" twist. If they fix the twist to no faster than 1-48" so folks don't NEED to cast with costly alloys, or water quench, and remove all reference to the Saddle Ring, I feel that they would really sell! They also need to keep an eye on QC, from what some of you fellows are saying.
My Two Bits...

P.S. ~ A "Buffalo (Gemmer) Spencer" with an octagonal barrel, and a wiping rod beneath it would be a dream come true!!! I just HAD to throw that out there...

Be Well, All!

M.T.Marfield:.

Fox Creek Kid · July 20, 2011, 08:03:08 PM

They removed the saddle ring from the rifle years ago. However, THE issue has yet to be resolved: the spacing of the barrel bands at present are incorrect which is why the Armisport Spencer rifle is not NSSA approved. Armisport will not comment on this and denies any problem.

Herbert · July 20, 2011, 10:19:13 PM

If they are re-tooling the first thing they should do is get hold of a 1867 Spencer rifle and carbine (the one with the lane extractor)and hire some one that can do acurate measurments for the CNC programe,last time they changed the program they went backwards in quality(the changing of the cartridge guide spring not only made the rifle hevyer but also made it less convenet to strip down)also the magizine tube metal was made weaker and a plastic folower just does not seem right to me.With the youse of modern CNC machining it is very easy to make a very acurate copyof any thing,if this can not be done it just means that the program and set up of the machines was done by workers that do not know there job,I also can not understand why the back sight is not CNC machined

ndnchf · July 25, 2011, 06:50:52 AM

I went and did it

I was at the 150th anniversary battle of manassas the last 4 days. One hot afternoon I wandered over to the sutlers and lo and behold there was Taylors & Co. They had an infantry rifle on the display rack that I fondled considerably. I talked with Tammy and she said the new and improved version would be arriving in late August or September. She made me an unbelievably good deal on a new .56-50. I just couldn't pass it up, so I placed my order.

I asked what the "improvements" would be. She said that they were relatd to cartridge feeding and they were field testing it now. They were not addressing the barrel band spacing or other external changes

That's about all I could get out of her. I live about an hour away from Winchester, so when she calls in a month or two, I'll drive up and pick it up directly. That way I can pick one out. I did the same thing a few years ago when I bought an 1876 Uberti Winchester from them. A fun field trip.

Now to start looking for brass, dies and bullets....

Two Flints · July 25, 2011, 09:17:33 AM

Good for you ndnchf,

Keep us informed on the new model Spencer rifle and how she shoots!

Too bad about the band spacing issue not being resolved.

Two Flints

ndnchf · July 26, 2011, 01:47:57 PM

Thanks Two Flints!

I just looked at Taylors web site and they show the infantry rifle as having a 1-26 twist.

http://www.taylorsfirearmsstore.com/product434.html

From what I've been reading on SSS, the rifle has a 1-20 twist, carbines a 1-26. Do you suppose they are changing the rifles to 1-26 or is this just a typo on their web site? I'd love to have the slower twist in my rifle. Perhaps its one of the "improvements" they are working on?