ERMA 'Gallagher' Carbine

S

Sharps '63

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Anyone got any first hand knowlewdge or experience with the ERMA-made repro 'Gallagher' carbine? I know of one that is available.

In Schiffers' book on ACW carbines, he rated the Gallagher dead last for accuracy and reliability out of a dozen he tested. Reason - a slow 1x72" ROT and and extraction problems with the headless brass cases.
The modern repros, while well made, have the same dismal record for accuracy. In the NSSA, it is common to reline them to .50, but rechambering to other rounds ist verboten.
I enjoy archaic rifles, (with three '63 Shilohs in the rack and three '74 cartridge Shilohs) and the Gallagher presents a unique challenge.
 
The Erma copies are well made but I believe as the story goes the manufacturer who made them used surplus machine gun barrels on them and they have a very fast rate of twist.Also a hard alloy shoots best in them.
 
Erma

That's odd .... the originals had a very slow 1x72" twist.

I'm trying to imagine what MG used a .54 calibre barrel.
 
Gallagher ROT

Got the Gallagher home and checked the ROT - an incredible 1x18"! That is fast, the ROT Shiloh puts in 45-70s for BPCR silhouette. Allowing for the chamber, that means a bullet makes one complete revolution before leaving the 20" barrel.
I've got three .54 moulds to play with, so hopefully the carbine will like at least one design.
I'm going to make up some foil/paper rds using one of the brass cases as a mandrel. That ought to alleviate the extraction problem, if there is one.

This is going to be fun .... ;>D If all is in vain, a relining to .50 will be the next step.
 
I have one I am shooting round balls in it... the manual leaves much to be desired what molds do you have? I take grandpa 1 once a week to shoot it... :)

Apparently this replica is more rare then the original because less where made...

They are hard to exact but I got a little secrete on how to re size the brass :)
 
Gallagher cases and bullet mould

msg.drew

Please - share your secret re: re-sizing!! And please - could I have a copy of the manual?
I'm really enjoying the Gallagher after my whole 8 rds through it.
Five were with 40 grs FFG/Rapine 475 gr Sharps 'ring tail' - WAY too much bullet, but it printed 5 rds in 2-3/4" at 25 yds.
Then I tried some paper rds with the same bullet and a Lee .54 REAL conical - bad idea! The gas was enough to thrust the barrel forward and start to unlatch the lever! "For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction". I proved it .... ;>)

I have some more cases coming from Lodgewood in the US and a .435 RB mould. I slugged the barrel and that is the bore size as best I could measure due to the 'micro-groove' rifling.
The brass cases from S&S are for originals only. Now I'm looking for a Rapine 454/300 conical mould or equivalent.
 
Maybe you could post some pics of the rifle and stuff you have... mine is 54 cal... seems much larger then yours ???

Also sounds like you are using way to much powder or way to heavy bullets mine kicks like a 22lr but scares everyone on the range... ps I shoot it indoors most of the time :)
 
Gallagher

My Gallagher is a .54, just like your Grand Dads.

No way could I get 60 grs into a brass Gallagher case without boring it out! Might not be a bad idea, though ....
The rounds that caused the problem were 'paper'. I thought it worth a try as one of the historic Gallagher rounds was a foil/paper wrapped cartridge like the early M-H rounds.
I emailed you a scan of some rounds I make up. I've no idea how to post it on the site.
 
scan0003.jpg
scan0002.jpg


Ill try and host them off my website so they are easier to read.
scan0002.jpg
 
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