Civil War Replica Rifles

[Werewolf]

I would like to buy a working replica of a Civil War muzzle loader. Don't know what kind yet.

Where can I find a source of new replicas?

What is available?

What would you guys recommend.

I'm intersted in something in the .50 to .70 caliber range, long gun that either side or the other would have used.

Both myself and my son in law are interested in black powder shooting and I figured this would be a good way to start.

Any recommendations, suggestions, info will be greatly appreciated (not that that'll even get you a cup of coffee but you'll know that somewhere in the world there's a couple of guys having fun based on help you provided )

 

[Stickjockey]

http://www.dixiegun.com

http://www.middlesexvillagetrading.com

 

[mec]

check out dixie gunworks. Look at their 61/63 springfield rifled muskets and the 1842 in 69 caliber. The Mississippi rifle is a very nice replica from EuroArms. In fact, i somewhat favored the euroarms replicas over the armi sports mainly because of the nicely oiled finish. with the 1842, I haven't found a supplier for the 69 caliber minie bullets and was pretty well stuck with round balls but dixie has minie bullets for the springfield rifled muskets, the Enfields and the Mississippi.

the Mississippi became famous in the Mexican American War of 47 and was reissued in the civil war set up for a 54 caliber mini bullet. the example I fired shot low with the round balls but probably would have been just right with the minie bullets in the dixie catalog.

armi sport 1842 top. they were originally issued as smoothbores and some were later rifled and provided sights for the 69 caliber mini ball or patched round balls.
below: Model 1863 springfield rifled musket by euroarms. It's 58 caliber with some improvements/changes over the 61 sprinfield Both are gentle shooters with the prescribed loads but it is a real kick to send the huge projectiles through things.

Group from fifty yards. Not an indication of what the gun will do as I was sitting wobbly on the ground with my back rested and using my knees as a rest.

 

[Werewolf]

How much wood working skill is needed to properly fit the action to stock on one of the Dixie Gun Works kit guns?

 

[mec]

do not know. the ones i reviewed for a Guns Magazine series were all ready made. The kits have ranged in skill level from bolt together to very extensive wood/metal skills and a complete wood and metal shop. Dixie told bates that they could not sell the kind of kit they did years ago requiring that the buyer do most of the inletting himself. The implication is that most of the kits are ready inletted and need stock and metal sanding and finishing.

 

[arcticap]

You might check out this outfit, you have to download the part of the catalog that you're interested in:

http://www.ssfirearms.com/

 

[The Deer Hunter]

MEC, i like that lock. Where did you get it?

 

[mec]

that's the standard lock on the euroamrs 63 springfield. dixie gunworks.

 

[Werewolf]

Arcticap - ssfirearms look like it has just what I want - now if I can just figure out what that is:

 

[Vairochana]

I have shot a 3 band Enfield and that was fun, but I really love the look of the Springfield, if I ever get a caplock that will be top of the list