Henry Vs Spencer

[matt45]

Now, back to maintenance.
    The same gas sealing effect w/ the Henry Flat would work for the 56-56.  The Spencer didn't have the big gap to pick up dirt along the feed.  You can drop the guts out of a Spencer w/ a screw driver (part of the basic equipment).  From a former grunt, these things matter.  Having said that, it's awful nice not to have to cock the hammer each time, or worry about dropping the follower. 

[Will Ketchum]

Now, back to maintenance.
    The same gas sealing effect w/ the Henry Flat would work for the 56-56.  The Spencer didn't have the big gap to pick up dirt along the feed.  You can drop the guts out of a Spencer w/ a screw driver (part of the basic equipment).  From a former grunt, these things matter.  Having said that, it's awful nice not to have to cock the hammer each time, or worry about dropping the follower. 

That's true but just think of the improvement the Spencer was over the rifled musket. Having to cock the hammer isn't such a big deal then.
Will Ketchum

[matt45]

That, in my humble opinion, is the real story.  The advantage of either the Spencer or Henry over the rifled musket is the meat of the story.

[Drydock]

It must also be noted that a military round of the time, needs to be able to kill a horse, and do it fairly rapidly.  From the front.  The .44 Henry RF will not penatrate the front muscle wall of a horse, when holding center on a charging horse and man.  This was a problem with all the pistol caliber rifles/carbines of the time.

Bufords men were armed with Sharps carbines at Gettysburg, BTW.  The only ones carrying Spencers there were the Michigan brigade under Custer, which did splendid work on the 3rd day.  But the confederate advance on the first day was delayed by Sharps Carbines.

We in the GAF have also found the Winchester style repeaters to be at a disadvantage overall in skirmish work.  The slow reload really sets them back.  Often a well run single shot can outpace them in a prolonged firing sequence with mulitiple targets and movement. 

[Will Ketchum]

It must also be noted that a military round of the time, needs to be able to kill a horse, and do it fairly rapidly.  From the front.  The .44 Henry RF will not penatrate the front muscle wall of a horse, when holding center on a charging horse and man.  This was a problem with all the pistol caliber rifles/carbines of the time.

Bufords men were armed with Sharps carbines at Gettysburg, BTW.  The only ones carrying Spencers there were the Michigan brigade under Custer, which did splendid work on the 3rd day.  But the confederate advance on the first day was delayed by Sharps Carbines.

We in the GAF have also found the Winchester style repeaters to be at a disadvantage overall in skirmish work.  The slow reload really sets them back.  Often a well run single shot can outpace them in a prolonged firing sequence with mulitiple targets and movement. 

Hence my thoughts on the Henry being Superior fr cavalry and foragers who were not equipped for sustain engagements.
Will Ketchum   

[treebeard]

Question for LongWalker and any others who may have shot original rimfire Henry's is there any reason the Henry could not be shot single after the magazine was emptied?

[Drydock]

No reason at all.  But it's a slower, more finicky process than it is to thumb a cartridge into the Spencer breach.

[LongWalker]

Single-loading a Henry is a pain in the posterior.  Single-loading a Henry in a hurry is an invitation to a smashed fingertip (I still think my finger was clear!).  I can single-load a Spencer about as fast as loading a Sharp's carbine. 

I actually won a match once doing that: I shot a converted Spencer carbine borrowed from a friend in a 20 round timed match.  After shooting the magazine empty, I single-loaded the remaining shots.  I finished the day with high score and the fastest time.*  The old Spencers are the only old-school lever guns I shoot well, I wish I could afford one.   




*(There were a couple of guys I think could have beat me, but I shot in the breezy morning while they shot in the calm afternoon.  By the time their magazines were empty, I don't think they could even see the backstop!