56-50 and 1865 Spencer Carbine - Help Please!

ArtyMan

ArtyMan

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Hey guys,

I've had a very nice M1865 Spencer carbine in .56-50 for almost two years now, and after a long while searching have been unable to locate a centerfire breech block in order to shoot it. I have assembled some brass, proper sized projectiles, dies, black powder etc... but am hitting brick wall after brick wall. I've looked at having a block brought in from the US, though can't find them in stock anywhere.

Its likely a long shot, but has anyone been able to find RCC brass in Canada? I understand that these brass cases can be used in conjunction with an empty 22 short casing and can be fired using the original rimfire breech block in a single shot way. Given that a centerfire breech block is seemingly impossible to find, this seems like the other other possible alternative. I understand these are expensive, but I'd be willing to fork out the money to have something usable.

https://www.rccbrass.com/product/56-50-spencer-rimfire/

Has anyone up here in Canada been able to get their antique Spencer's working again? I have no intent to make this a regular shooter, but a few rounds to shoot out of it occasionally would be something I am very interested in, even if hand fed and single shot.

Thanks
 
Do the Chiappa parts fit originals?

Is it possible to convert an original rimfire block to a center fire?

From what I can see if it is just the block body, it is not a very complicated part - someone might be able to machine one.
 
sean69 said:
Do the Chiappa parts fit originals?

Is it possible to convert an original rimfire block to a center fire?

From what I can see if it is just the block body, it is not a very complicated part - someone might be able to machine one.
Click to expand...

Dixie Gun Works Item # KA-0304
 
ArtyMan,

I have ordered RCC brass for my rimfire Ballard and it does work well. Their order is a minimum of 50 cases and they are good to deal with but they don't rush. My second order of cases has just been made and it was a good year and a bit from the time I placed the order.

With the Spencer, I think you would have to load the case from the top not from the magazine to make sure that you align the off set 22 blank so your hammer would strike the right spot so the RCC cases would not really let you use the Spencer as a repeater but you could at least fire off some rounds.
 
Thanks for the help and advice! If I do go the RCC route I'd have to hand feel single cartridges, which is quite ok given that the carbine wont get a ton of range time. I suppose theoretically one could modify the original block, but I want to avoid doing any permanent modification to this 157 year old milsurp!
 
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