Taylor's Spencer in .44 Russian

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

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?

[Three Foot Johnson]

I've only seen a couple ever come up for sale. I don't know how they got around the problem of feeding such a short cartridge. They hold 9 instead of 7 like the rest.

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

22 minutes ago, Three Foot Johnson said:

...I don't know how they got around the problem of feeding such a short cartridge...

I think they never did, and there were reliability issues in 44 Russky and 45 Schofield, which is why they only offer it in 45 Colt, 44-40, and 56-50 for the past number of years.

[Injun Ryder, SASS #36201L]

I have one in 44 Russian. SN 50. Bought it 20 years ago. 

 

I found that if you tilt it counter clockwise about 45 degrees, it will feed / lever fine. Also, less than nine rounds tend to feed better.

 

 

[Three Foot Johnson]

I was going to use my Armi Sport .56-.50 Spencer in Wild Bunch one time, and found out, although the rifle is legal, there is apparently no exception for .56-.50 like in CAS. The rifle is legal when used with cartridges it was never originally chambered in, but not the original .56-.50 chambering... go figure. 

 

https://wildbunch.sassnet.com/topic/919-56-50-legal/#comment-6766

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

6 hours ago, Three Foot Johnson said:

I was going to use my Armi Sport .56-.50 Spencer in Wild Bunch one time, and found out, although the rifle is legal, there is apparently no exception for .56-.50 like in CAS. The rifle is legal when used with cartridges it was never originally chambered in, but not the original .56-.50 chambering... go figure. 

 

https://wildbunch.sassnet.com/topic/919-56-50-legal/#comment-6766

 

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.