The Spencer Carbine

[I.H.1989]

I've been collecting mainly WWII-era rifles and pistols, and right now i have every major power covered except for Japan and Italy.

Lately, i've been feeling an urge to go into the Post-Civil War era and the Spencer Carbine has drawn my attention. I've never fired one and not many video reviews have been made on it, as far as i can tell. Just wondering if anyone here has ever owned/fired one and what was their impression of it.

I was thinking of going for one of the reproductions that shoots .45LC. Would this be a good rifle to own, or would it be better to go for a different rifle from the Old West period?

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[browningautorifle]

I had an original Spencer rifle some years back and had no urge at all to fire it...even though it was a rim fire and center fire breech blocks were available. If it ever broke because of metal fatigue I'd never have forgiven myself or been able to get a replacement part. Just buy a Winchester of the caliber you wish and warm it up...

[vintage hunter]

Lately, i've been feeling an urge to go into the Post-Civil War era and the Spencer Carbine has drawn my attention

I was thinking of going for one of the reproductions that shoots .45LC.

They're a bit pricey, IMO, and like you've said there isn't a lot of info available on them. Have you considered a Springfield Trapdoor? With a bit of patience you should be able to get a nice original Trapdoor rifle in 45-70 for about half of what you'd shell out for a repro Spencer, and on a good day an original TD carbine for the same or a tad more. The 45-70 Trapdoors in good condition are normally very accurate and are fairly cheap to feed, especially if you re-load.
It's also possible, for the most part, to get a Remington Rolling Block in good shootable condition for about the same or a bit less than a Trapdoor rifle, but, depending on caliber they can be expensive to shoot and/or get set up to load for and some are finicky about ammo. I've been considering an 1879 Argentine myself.

Just buy a Winchester of the caliber you wish and warm it up...

Easier said than done.

[browningautorifle]

Easier than a Spencer in 52-52 rimfire?

[vintage hunter]

Easier than a Spencer in 52-52 rimfire?

That ain't what I said exactly but since you asked 52-52 Spencers appear fairly easy to come by, theres at least 6 on gunbroker as we speak.

[jmoore]

I've got reloading dies for a Spencer, but no rifle yet!

[gsimmons]

They shoot them in N-SSA Breach loader II competition, you might try them for reloading tips, etc. If you get an original, the centrefire breach blocks are available, they use a cut down 50-70 case. Their are also bullet moulds available.

[browningautorifle]

Spencers appear fairly easy to come by

The difference in location...come up here and I'll point out the Winchesters for sale. I had one Spencer and have never seen another at the shows. I had a pair of Sharps too, and have never seen more.

[vintage hunter]

The difference in location

Agreed. Funny how that works out ain't it? Until the early 80's my area was purely shotgun country. My great uncle was one of very very few back then that collected or even owned a rifle larger than 22RF. Nothing to hunt with it so there was no need to have one. How times have changed......

[I.H.1989]

They're a bit pricey, IMO, and like you've said there isn't a lot of info available on them. Have you considered a Springfield Trapdoor? With a bit of patience you should be able to get a nice original Trapdoor rifle in 45-70 for about half of what you'd shell out for a repro Spencer, and on a good day an original TD carbine for the same or a tad more. The 45-70 Trapdoors in good condition are normally very accurate and are fairly cheap to feed, especially if you re-load.
It's also possible, for the most part, to get a Remington Rolling Block in good shootable condition for about the same or a bit less than a Trapdoor rifle, but, depending on caliber they can be expensive to shoot and/or get set up to load for and some are finicky about ammo. I've been considering an 1879 Argentine myself.

Easier said than done.

i will be honest, i haven't considered a TD Springfield, mostly because i've been considering repeating rifles. unfortunately, i don't reload that this time, but i may get into it later on down the line.

How's the ammo for it, and what about recoil? also, what is a good price for them?