Chiappa/Armi-Sport .44-40 Spencer update & Article (PICTURES ADDED!)

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Howdy to the camp!  I love the .44-40 Spencer.  Slick and smooth, and shot 3 shot cloverleafs at 25 yards with Smokeless loads (15 grains Alliant 2400 with a .428 Bear Creek bullet).  I am doing another article for the Cowboy Chronicle Specifically on the .44-40 Spencer for CAS, though Part one will be a recap of Spencer History, since it has been about 5 or 6 years.  I'll be using the Spencer at a match on Saturday, and will have pictures.

Since Chiappa (Armi-Sport is a division of Chiappa) opened Chiappa USA, they are marketing the Spencer more widely.  The following is an excerpt from my article about who has Spencers:

"All current production 1865 Spencers are made by the Italian manufacturing firm of Armi-Sport, part of the Chiappa Group of Brecia, Italy.  Chiappa USA catalogues a 30" barreled Infantry Rifle version in .56-50, and Cavalry Carbine models in .56-50, .45 Schofield, .45 Colt, and .44-40.  Taylor's Firearms currently carries the .56-50 Rifle and Carbine, and the .45 Colt version of the carbine, as well.  Buffalo Arms lists only .56-50 Carbines and .56-50 Infantry rifles.  Fall Creek Sutlery (the lowest list prices) offers the Carbine only, in .44-40, .45 Colt, and .56-50.  Dixie Gun Works has carbines only, in .45 Schofield. .44 Russian (out of production now) and .56-50. Dixie prices are about the same as Fall Creek's. Cimarron Firearms carries the widest selection, cataloging .56-50, .44-40, .45 Schofield, and .45 Colt carbines and the .56-50 rifle version. Cimarron, however, has the highest list prices."

I have also seen the Spencer at one or two more places, but these represent the best source.  You can contact Chiappa USA for more information.  The average was $1250 to 1450, though Dixie wants $1750 for the out of print .44 Russian one.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Here are the pictures I took for the Spencer article: