Hi all,
I posted elsewhere in the forum last night about my newly acquired Springfield carbine.
I received a couple of helpful responses and was invited to come on down to the barracks for more help.
Let me reiterate and expand (based on some questions presented) on what I have and my concern.
I recently purchased a consignment piece from BuffArms where I've received excellent service in the past.
This is my first purchase of an antique firearm, not too mention over the internet so I knew I was taking a chance. However I trusted BA to sell a "safe" weapon to the best of their ability.
Particulars:
22" barrel carbine (purportedly all original)
Serial number 412XXX which I understand puts it around 1888.
Breechblock is marked U.S. Model 1873 and is the low flattened type.
Buffington rear site
No cartouche (re-stock perhaps)
V over P marking on barrel
Buttstock has cleaning rod storage (and 3 rods)
Bore was really dirty but cleaned up really well. Strong rifling. No discernible pits.
My concern:
The issue is that the trapdoor, when the hammer is cocked, has a little bit of side to side movement, maybe 1/32nd to 1/16th of an inch. Also the wiggle is a bit more when the trapdoor is fully opened. It's tight trying to push forward/backward. When the hammer is fully down the trapdoor is tight to any attempt of movement.
I want to be really sure I can safely shoot this. I took it to a gunsmith yesterday and he thought it would "probably be OK, but I'm not guaranteeing it". He admitted however he didn't have much experience with trapdoors.
So, I thought I'd come here and solicit a little wisdom/experience from you folks.
My plan all along has been to shoot only black powder carbine loads (45-55) which I'm waiting for Black Dawge to get in stock.
Any advice on safety,etc. would be greatly appreciated. I'm getting ready to retire after 35 years and the last thing I want is to have a chunk of metal blown into my face.
I've always been fascinated with the Little BigHorn ever since I visited the battlefield as a kid in 1964. Although it's not an exact copy of the Custer-era carbines it's close enough that I have a tangible piece of history.
I would really like to shoot it, but only if it's safe.
Thanks for listening.