Got my 44-40 Armi Spencer....Couple issues

[rbertalotto]

I finally got my brand new Armi Spencer in 44-40. Beautiful rifle!

But a few issues..........

#1 It simply will not feed two cartridges in a row. I've tried various OAL of the cartridges and three different bullets. They simply jam up on the first third and 5th cartridge. Strange....

#2 Where can I get dissassembly instructions to take it completely apart so I can "smooth" it out with a couple India stones?

#3 any hints from folks that have 44-40 Spencers?

Thanks!

[Herbert]

As it feeds the fist cartridge OK it may be the cartridge guide spring is not strong enough or the cartridge guide is binding on the screw or the frame

[Sgt. John McAfferty]

When I got mine a couple years ago,  I had the exact same problem.  I disassembled it per the instruction manual that came with it and found literally Every screw loose.  I tightened everything, lubed it with Ballistol and haven't had a problem since.
I don't know whether it was all the tightening or if I did something else I'm not aware of, but mine worrks fine as long as I remember to be forceful when operating the lever.

Sgt. John

PS - There is a pdf copy of the instruction manual online at Chiappa or ArmiSport.  Don't remember which.

[rbertalotto]

Thanks Sarge,

I pulled all apart today....Easiest gun to take apart I ever did see! What a simple firearm. No wonder no-one has written a disassemble manual. Not needed!

The magazine tube was not going all the way forward and left a gap between the action and the rim of the magazine tube. I put the tube in my lathe and turned off about a 1/16" of threads. Now the face of the tube butts up against the receiver nicely. Put it all back together and it functioned three rounds beautifully. I thought I had won...........but on the forth and subsequent rounds it jammed on all of them.

I did find just about every screw loose. Tightened them all up. Gonna need to spend more quality time with it until I figure it out.

Sarge, is your Spencer a 44-40?

[Sgt. John McAfferty]

Yep,

Mine is in 44-40, too.  It's a hoot to shoot and accurate as the day is long.  I haven't ever chronographed my loads but I shhot real blackpowder.  The report and the sound of the bullet hitting the metal targets is much louder than when I shoot the same loads through my 1866.  Someday I'll have to see if there is a difference in velocity.

I shoot mine 5 or 6 matches a year in SASS.  It is slow, but I'm the most stylish shooter there when I'm using it.  I pair it with a Dragoon conversion and an 1872 Open Top, so I look really good.  Don't win many matches though.

Sgt. John