H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619

Well, I got the info from the FOIA request for my M1D. (That was fast!) The "bad" news is that the information is limited. The good news is that it is somewhat interesting, and there was NO CHARGE, so it is worth doing. Here's a pic of what they sent me. There was also a generic explanation of the data samples page. The interesting thing about the sample page is that it listed info for a 1911. Take it with a grain of salt, but for the low cost of Zero, I think it's worth getting the data.

Here is another update on the FOIA request. I got an e-mail this morning from the people who actually process the FOIA requests for firearms. In the e-mail, there was this notation... Although we will research all weapons, it is unlikely we will find any records on the following weapons: Rifles Model 1903s/03-A3, 1917s, M1898, Pistol Models M9, Shotguns, and any Models in the Army inventory prior to 1975. So that tells us what's worth looking for. I have sent in a request for one of M1s that I purchased in the last few years. Once I get it back, I'll send in requests for anything else I've purchased from the CMP in the last few years, but probably won't bother with older surplus guns as they are either on the list for not having records, and/or they were clearly sold as surplus long before 1975. They also sent this form to use for future requests, which I share with you all now. Small Arms_Light Weapons FOIA Request.pdf

I've used a Spencer. Genuine GI. I like to take it out once a year or so and shoot a match with it. Most recently, I used it for one stage at the MA/CT/RI Tristate for one stage. Shot a clean match!

Oh, right! They would be in the same category. 73, 92, Marlin, 66, Henry, Lightning, even the Spencer, are all "Main Match" rifles and would be in the same category. Love to see someone try a speed match with a Spencer! That would be... Weird!

They destroyed a beautiful car and a Malibu. Shame on them. And I don't think either car had an engine in it. Very fake news. From the very clean pics, that Bel Aire was worth 2x the Malibu. At least.

I guess it all comes down to this... Is the Lightning a good speed rifle side match gun? Depends on the shooter. Is it in general, a good main match rifle? There are those who will say yes, there are those who will say no. All a matter of preference.

I would disagree, irregarless of your assertion. Why, because everyone knows exactly what I just meant. What is a "word?" (SIX SPACES shout all writers.) Ahem... A "word" is a collection of spoken sounds with an agreed upon (accents and dialects non withstanding) pronunciation and meaning. In written form, it has an agreed upon spelling. "Irregardless" meets all those criteria. Its derivation is non standard, but so are hundreds of other words in our language. English is a fluid, living, changing language. If "irreigardless" is not a word then we shouldst reeturneth to ye olde verb tenses, is it wouldst maketh more sense to thee.

Well, you hit the nail on the head earlier in your post. When I "say" what some people incorrectly hear as "should of" I am actually saying "should've." Got into an argument with my first grade teacher over this very point. She didn't like me.

Ah, that would make a modicum logical sense.

Yeah, the guy who invented them, called them silencers. The patent calls them silencers. The LAW that regulates them, calls them silencers. Suppressor is a word made up after the fact that has no "legal" meaning with regards to the devices. " 120-130dBA at 1 meter isn't quite." Isn't quite what? I assume you mean a VU meter? These are used to measure volume, as in sound, but I are confuzzled.

I have seen some Lighting shooters handle the rifle very fast. Some on video, some live standing right on the line as I watch. It's always fun to watch. I've probably seen about a dozen or so over the years. It's a good gun, but you either love it or hate it. Those who love it do well, those who hate it, use a lever gun and do well with that. I understand it's more popular in Ohio, which makes sense as that is where Lassiter is from. Around here in New England, I don't see very many of them. I am one of the few that uses one on a regular basis. I get told that I run it well, whatever that means. That's all there is to it. You can take what I say literally. At times I do admit to being "generic" in my descriptions, as I don't want to get the details wrong, but am always happy to clarify if specifically asked for specifics. That last sentence brought to you by the department of redundancy department.

Yeah, that would be a good definition of "Some." Other possible ways to put it would be "a few." Heck, when shooting at a large dump target, I can do 10 rounds in about 3.something seconds. But that's highly unusual!

Diagonal cutting pliers. Amazingly enough, I have never written the word. That said, since I think of the things that hold back the ocean as a dike, I'd call the cutters a dyke. I understand that's unPC now. Microphone is a mic. Micrometer, is also a mic. Making your engine run faster is surprisingly souped. I base this on the fact that souped comes back okay, but suped has a red wavy line under it. The diminutive of Honey is Hon. How do you spell it? I T I watched ZOOM as a kid.

I am faster with a Lighting than I am with any levergun. BUT, I am not a top tier shooter. That being said, I have seen some really great shooters who run run off 10 rounds from a Lightning in less than 3 seconds. General speaking, the speed rifle matches are done with main match rifles, and the the Lightning is legal for that. Of course, unless you've got a dump target, in the hands of an expert, I'd say the best lever shooter and the best Lightning shooters would be on par with each other.

Time to invest in some 10 Gauge All Brass hulls and reloading equipment form RMC. Expensive as all get out to do that, but well worth it for such a fine gun. That in fact, is my plan. If I ever get a 1901, I'll just factor in the cost of the reloading stuff.

While I can't comment specifically on their 94, I can say that I have a good feeling about the Cimarron. Basically because it's made by Chiappa, and the Chiappa 87 and 92 are excellent guns that seem to be good to go right out of the box, comparing favorably to an original Winchester. And that's just their functionality. They don't have a stupid safety, or angle eject. They are like the gun as designed by JM Browning. (If only Winchester/Browning would make 'em that way!) Now, I have a pre-64 94 in .32 Winchester Special, and a pre-83 in .30-30. Both are good guns, the pre-64 being better, but the pre-83 not as bad as some people like to make it out to be. (I wouldn't touch a post 83 with a ten foot pole) If the Chiappa/Cimarrons are at least as good as a pre-83 Winchester, you can't go wrong. I won't comment on the caliber, cuz I don't have anything in that chambering. But I will say this, that depending on how "long range" the long range side match is, .30-30 might not be enough. I've been to a couple of matches where the .30-30 just couldn't reach the targets. That's part of the reason why I switched to .45-70. That being said, people familiar with the .38-55 say it has good long range performance, so there's no reason not to give it a try. Finally, even .45-70 can be loaded with the right powder to a level where it will have very manageable recoil, and not lose it's long range performance. That's all

Common sense would dictate that if the gun is legal, the ammo it shoots is legal, and it doesn't have to be specified. And there is a precedent. Technically speaking, original ammo for the Nagant revolver would be illegal according to the rules. But the pistol is specifically specifically listed as okay. Years ago, I asked about this apparent contraction and Pale Wolf soon made a post to the effect of since the gun is legal, its ammo is legal. But to this day, no exception for the Nagant ammo is listed in the Handbook. I would argue that if the Spencer is legal, its ammo is legal. Also, the Spencer generically fits in the "lever action rifle made between 1860 and 1899" category. and there is nothing that says it is NOT a legal rifle. So again, if the gun is legal, its ammo is legal. At least, based on precedent.

Moving this to here... I have always been impressed by people who go all out in their costuming. My own tends to be more minimal, but there is one getup that I like to trot out from time to time when I am feeling particularly silly. It's a variation of my normal getup, but I think you can see the humorous touches. I call this my "Sheriff Buntline" alternate persona . Obviously named for the guns I am using. The rather dumb looking straw hat, the backwards gunbelt, and the attempt at a confused expression all add up to... Well, something... I guess. And shooting these two pistols as a pair DOES cause a lot of people to do a double take and laugh. (Real Colts, .44 Special)

I understand that a few years ago, Taylor's marketed a Spencer reproduction in .44 Russian. Supposed to be as rare as hen's teeth. Anyone know anything about them?

Is it an 1887 or a 1901? The latter is safe for smokeless. The former is black powder only

It occurs to me that a related question to this would be what is the oldest gun "design" still used in CAS? I mean I doubt if anyone is shooting a real vintage Colt Paterson, or even a Walker, but reproductions are certainly in use. For rifles, I'd guess the Henry is the oldest design. Plenty of reproductions, but I doubt anyone is shooting a real one. (Which may very well may mean that the potential oldest real gun is a centerfire Winchester 66...) Nobody makes a reproduction Volcanic rifle, or anything that may have come along before that. For a shotgun, I guess it would be a specific model hammered double, but there's more of a chance that whatever it is might actually still be in use by someone.

Oops

Mine also has the blade extractor. I use cut down .50-70 brass from Buffalo Arms that they saw is custom modified for use in original Spencers because the modern made brass is for the one that Taylor sells that uses slightly smaller rims for some reason. But, usually, the blade pulls the spent shell halfway out and then slips off the rim. I flick it out by hand and then lever in the next round. Annoying, but workable. Do .45 Scofields work in the 45 Colt ones? What is the other .44? Special or Russian? Hmmm... I'd assume it was never chambered in a reproduction, but I wonder if .45 Auto rim would be the ideal caliber... ,

Until they make of these "tacticool" lever guns with a bayonet lug, I'll continue to pass.

I take my Spencer out once, at most twice a year. It's fun to shoot, feeds properly, but doesn't seem to extract quite right. But, it's gonna be a slow as a snail anyway. I have found it's easier to load the last 3 one at time into the chamber rather than try to reload the magazine. The Spencer is fun, but I don't think I'd wanna shoot it regularly. At least not my original. If I was gonna do it regularly, I'd want to get one of the modern replica's in a more conventional (.44, .45) cartridge.