Some Spencer questions

Jbar4Ranch · August 18, 2009, 11:04:18 AM

Do some calibers feed better than others? For instance, would the longer .44-40 feed better than the stubby .44 Russian? Is the .44 Russian version also compatible with .44 specials? I've seen at least ONE SITE advertise the .44 Russian chambering as: | .44 Russian (.44 Special) |, which is why I ask. Does the .44 Russian version hold more than seven? Having a stubby case length of only .970" vs 1.31" for the .44-40, it would seem it should hold nine instead of seven. Can the remaining round(s) be loaded singly into the chamber, or do they have to be loaded through the magazine? I understand the .44 Russian chambering has been discontinued - is there an inherent problem, or just lack of sales?

And lastly, how do you like YOUR Spencer? Reliable? Finicky? Glitches?

Tuolumne Lawman · August 18, 2009, 11:25:31 AM

44.-40s will NOT fit in the 44 Russian, nor will 44 Special. WHile 45 Schofields will fit in a 45 Colt Spencer, they will not feed. Spencers are picky about the the length from the base to where the cartridge guide engages the ogive of the bullet. That is why bullets of the same length, but different design may not both work in the same Spencer.

In my experience 44 Russian are the most temprimental, followed by 45 Schofield. 44-40s work well, but the best is the 56-50, since that is what the frame size was designed for.

44 Russian hold 8 to 9 generally Depending on bullet design) and 45 Schofield hold eight. 45 Colt, 44-40, and 56-50 hold seven. Then you can add one in the chamber.

The only one I do not personally have experience with is the 45 Colt. All of the others work great once you find the right diet to feed it.

major · August 18, 2009, 11:59:15 AM

Jbar
The caliber you want depends a lot on what you plan to do with the gun. If you tell us what use you are planning to do with it we can help you better in deciding which caliber to go for.
Terry

Jbar4Ranch · August 18, 2009, 10:21:47 PM

I'm well aware that a .44-40 won't fit a .44 Russian or .44 Special chamber, the question was about a .44 Special in the .44 Russian chamber, as intimated in the site in my first post.

The rifle would be a main match gun... a S - L - O - W main match gun, I know, but it's the experience I'm after. I've got fifteen or so '66's, 73's, 92's, and 94's, and I'm just looking for *something different*. If it takes a bit of finesse to load through the action, I assume it would be quicker to load through the magazine then?

Dusty Tagalon · August 18, 2009, 11:51:30 PM

Initially my 44 Russian would load & shoot 8. I took 1 1/2" off the magazine spring, now I can load & shoot 9.

Dusty

Shenandoah · August 19, 2009, 07:31:34 AM

I guess another question would be:

Could the chamber be lengthened to accept the .44 Spl? And if so, would it feed?

Drydock · August 19, 2009, 10:05:43 AM

No. The Spencer action is built for a specific cartridge length. To illustrate, to change from a Russian to Special, not only would you have to lengthen the chamber, but you would also have to have the carrier (Large rotating piece that carries the block), cartridge stop and a few other parts modified as well. And frankly, if you want a Spencer for the Experience of shooting a Spencer, then you want the 56/50. You really do.

In addition, while the .44 Russian and .45 S&W calibers do take some "Finesse" to single load, the longer calibers (.44-40, .45 Colt and 56/50) equipped with the Lane extractor, take none at all. Jack it open, stick it in, slam it shut.

Tuolumne Lawman · August 19, 2009, 10:32:14 AM

Quote from: Drydock on August 19, 2009, 10:05:43 AM
No. The Spencer action is built for a specific cartridge length. To illustrate, to change from a Russian to Special, not only would you have to lengthen the chamber, but you would also have to have the carrier (Large rotating piece that carries the block), cartridge stop and a few other parts modified as well. And frankly, if you want a Spencer for the Experience of shooting a Spencer, then you want the 56/50. You really do.

In addition, while the .44 Russian and .45 S&W calibers do take some "Finesse" to single load, the longer calibers (.44-40, .45 Colt and 56/50) equipped with the Lane extractor, take none at all. Jack it open, stick it in, slam it shut.

+1 I found the 56-50 the easiest to load single rounds, though I would run dry after 7, the take the tube out and reload three I had in my vest pocket. Oh my, how gamer can you get!

Jbar4Ranch · August 19, 2009, 10:45:30 AM

Who makes the repros? I see several importers carry them; Taylors, Cimarron, etc., but is Armi Sport the only manufacturer?

Two Flints · August 19, 2009, 11:14:59 AM

Armi Sport is the only European company producing Spencers. Then there is the Romano Rifle Comapny at this link:

http://www.romanorifle.com/html/spencer.html

Two Flints

Jbar4Ranch · August 19, 2009, 11:18:51 AM

There's a Cimarron on one of the auction sites in 56-60 caliber... typo, or is there such a thing?

Two Flints · August 19, 2009, 11:21:49 AM

That is a typo! Should be 56-50.

Bead Swinger · August 19, 2009, 06:16:37 PM

I used to keep seven in a Blakeslee tube, and load three in the tube;

It was pretty stylish.
I had an 1860, so single shooting was a pain.

If you really want to have fun with a Spencer, go for the 56-50. Then you never have to worry about knock-downs, and in BP, they spew smoke and keep on churning. They're great. Not as slow as you'd think if you can learn to keep the target in sight while cycling. Definitely VERY fun, and almost as much fun as an Evans

Jbar4Ranch · August 20, 2009, 07:34:24 AM

Ya'll have convinced me to go with the .56-50.

There appears to be only one model carbine being reproduced, but prices are all over the place; anywhere from $975 to $1500.

Two Flints · August 20, 2009, 08:41:34 AM

Great choice.

Next thing you need to do is join SSS, just by registering at the first thread.

Good shooting after your purchase.

Two Flints

Jbar4Ranch · August 24, 2009, 10:53:49 PM

THIS ONE looked like a pretty good deal @ $700, so I just hit the "Buy It Now" button.

Now... brass, dies, bullets/mould...

Tuolumne Lawman · August 25, 2009, 05:23:13 AM

You did very well!

Congrats.

Patrick Henry Brown · August 25, 2009, 06:04:13 AM

Looks to me like you made out like the proverbial bandit. Great Price! Midway has the brass or did a week ago. Buffalo Arms was out of stock. Hoot recommended the Lyman 515141 mold, though others here like the Rapine or Jim's. I've loaded up 100 rnds with 515139 to try on Wednesday when I get to the range. Figure I'll fire-form the cases if nothing else. Good luck and enjoy!

Jbar4Ranch · August 25, 2009, 08:11:39 AM

Midway has a .512" lubrisizer die, what is the proper size? I can crank up the ol' JET lathe and turn out my own, but buying one is so much easier.

Maybe I'll wait and slug the bore before ordering a sizer die.

Patrick Henry Brown · August 25, 2009, 09:50:31 AM

Quote from: Jbar4Ranch on August 25, 2009, 08:11:39 AM
Midway has a .512" lubrisizer die, what is the proper size? I can crank up the ol' JET lathe and turn out my own, but buying one is so much easier. Maybe I'll wait and slug the bore before ordering a sizer die.

I bought the .512 and then discovered that I had a .513 in the back drawer, left over from my Smith Carbine of long ago. I'm using the .513, but can't say how it will work until I get to the range. I have done extensive reading here on SSS, and it seems most folks are doing fine with the .512. Hoot says in one post that he is sizing to .516. I suppose the best way is as you say, slug the bore. By the same token, I also know that with softer slugs like we normally shoot in CAS, there will be a degree of bump-up when the bullet is fired. I guess someone could develop a 515 dia. hollow base bullet that would take care of all eventualities. $:-\$