OT - Smith Cavalry Carbine? Sort of a lever

[awp101]

Well, sort of.

Anyone have any experience with the replicas?

For those wondering what it is: http://www.angelfire.com/vt/milsurp/smithc.html

[gamekeeper]

I have never seen a replica but they were for sale over here in the UK rifled or in 20ga shotgun.

[Pete44ru]

Yeah - back in the -70's. They're pretty nice handling, little carbines, and I liked the way they broke wide open for loading - even wider than a break-open shotgun.

The one I had was finished a lot like some of today's less expensive Italian levergun replicas - a reddish, glossy stock with a highly polished blue/black metal finish.

They're very weak guns, by our standards, though. At the time, I had probs obtaining the rubber (?) cartridges to load with BP.

[awp101]

They're very weak guns, by our standards, though. At the time, I had probs obtaining the rubber (?) cartridges to load with BP.

I see them offered with or without brass or machined aluminum "cartridges" (loading tubes?) for easier loading if that makes a difference.

[junkbug]

I see them regularly at the range I go to. They are popular with skirmishers. I also like the break open feture, and considered buyin one as a "folding camp carbine" However, to use it hunting, it would only be legal during modern cartridge season, in my state.

It is somewhat underpowered. It is not as powerful as a Sharps percussion carbine.

Still, I find myself mildy wanting one every time I see one at the range. But I have not ponied up the money for one (yet).

Rubber and brass cartridge tubes are easily available today.


Sean

[Ysabel Kid]

Very cool!

[hfcable]

Well, sort of.

Anyone have any experience with the replicas?

For those wondering what it is: http://www.angelfire.com/vt/milsurp/smithc.html

yes, i have one [replica] and it is fun and pretty accurate too.

[awp101]

Cool! What kind of loads do you use?

I know they aren't as strong as a Sharps but these have really sparked my interest...

[hfcable]

i just use ffg powder or 777 and the little brass cartridge inserts [ used more for target shooting] i beleive hold about 20-25 gr? and the rubber gasket like cartridges maybe 40-50 gr.
i think it would be possible to lengthen the chamber area and use more powder but i dont know if this would be advisable!

[budliteguy]

I had one, another I wished I never sold it guns, Fun to shoot and if you work the right load up it was accurate. I never tried the brass cases always used the Plastic ones with 45 grains of 2f. Hollow base .515 minnie
cast from soft lead. If you run across one and you like messing with black powder I would recommend picking it up. I think a new one runs about 750.00 to 800.00, I have never seen a used shooter below 400 in a repo. Original 1000.00 up.
The only down side is you cannot load loose powder and ball like a sharps rifle. The brass or plastic cartridge seals the chamber with out it you will get alot of Flame out of the top of the gun.

[awp101]

Hmmm, this is sounding more and more fun...

I've seen them in the same price range, some say it comes with 4 brass inserts and some don't but I found a place that sells machined aluminum inserts for around $5 ea.

Any sources for the rubber versions? Can they be made?

[awp101]

Found this:
Caliber is .50. Barrel is rifled with 3 lands and grooves with a twist rate of 1 turn in 60 inches and a rifling depth of .007".

So would I use a .51 or .52 ball or minie?

Also, since the paper cartridge Spencers were brought up...they can be loaded with loose pawder and ball?

[junkbug]

Weren't all Spencer rifle and carbines rimfire cartridge firearms?

The Sharps could be loaded with loose powder, but it has a gas seal in the breech. And the breech opening on a Sharps is at the very back of the chamber.

On a Smith, the breech opens in the middle of the chamber. There is no seal, other than the hard rubber (original), brass, or plastic cartridge case. Smiths close tightly, but not for long if you try to shoot one without the hard cartridge.

Sean

P.S. I have seen them fired with flat base bullets, .515", 300 to 350 grains. I guess a hollow base bullet would work, if you can find one.

[preventec47]

CAn someone explain what that extra device is inside of the
trigger guard other than the trigger?
It has to be either a safety or the hinge release.
If it were a safety that would be a really novel idea.

If it were the hinge release, I guess they decided it needed
to be inside the trigger guard for protection.

[hfcable]

Weren't all Spencer rifle and carbines rimfire cartridge firearms?

The Sharps could be loaded with loose powder, but it has a gas seal in the breech. And the breech opening on a Sharps is at the very back of the chamber.

On a Smith, the breech opens in the middle of the chamber. There is no seal, other than the hard rubber (original), brass, or plastic cartridge case. Smiths close tightly, but not for long if you try to shoot one without the hard cartridge.

Sean

P.S. I have seen them fired with flat base bullets, .515", 300 to 350 grains. I guess a hollow base bullet would work, if you can find one.

dixie gun works did sell the rubber and the brass cartridges as well as bullets and moulds for the smith;
some of the last original spencers were centerfire [ i have one] but all the others were rimfire as far as i know.

[junkbug]

It is a hinge release. If you ever get the chance to handle one you will understand the positioning. It literally presses up on the latch which is made of thick spring steel. This lifts it off the locking boss, allowing the rifle to open.

When you see it work, it looks cleverly simple.

Sean

P.S.
On the anglefire sight, look at the third picture. There is a brass rod that comes up through the frame, lifting the spring up. COOL.

[awp101]

Weren't all Spencer rifle and carbines rimfire cartridge firearms?

Sorry, I meant Sharps.

See what happens when I post after my bedtime?:lol:

[awp101]

Also, the only difference between the '59 and '63 Sharps carbines was the patchbox and serialization. Is that correct?