1873 Springfield trapdoor Is my gun safe to shoot

[@357bullfrog]

You answerd alot of my questions. Thanks for showing the great old rifles. I've wanted an original Gun from that time for years. Garry

[@3ducs]

Thankyou for this, very informative. A hint: if you were at the other side of the table the lighting might be better, the camera has a hard time with the light at your back.

[@TallTav]

I know this is a from a fair while ago, i have just purchased an 1884 Model. I've been trying to figure out this question myself... So far, after a self diagnosis I've found i needed a new chamber, firing pin, the whole extractor needs put back in it, and the lock for the trapdoor has some play but the breechblock itself doesn't. I haven't had a chance to inspect the barrel yet but from just looking -at- the muzzle end and looking inside the chamber end, it looks smooth plus the rifling... Almost looks like it just needs cleaned really well. Got the new extractor parts and chamber on the way, but do you have any other tips that might help?

[@FrednDeeDee]

Hey Partner, Well I paid a small fortune for a Model 1873 Springfield Trapdoor, on Proxy bid, with an 1888 manufacture date serial number. So, I suspicion the infantry rifle might be a hodgepodge of various parts assembled to make a complete rifle. If nothing else the barrel still shines like a mirror and after $230 in original parts replacement where needed, I now have a very nice rifle. I am looking at 5 full boxes of 45/70 of which three are US 45/70-500gr black powder and two are 45/70-405gr factory loads with not enough info to determine if the two boxes are black or smokeless powder. I am going to bid $160 max because I can buy 500 rounds of new 45/70-405gr smokeless cowboy loads for $250. I would like to know your opinion on the original VS the new. I have seen the original rounds go for $21 a piece for goodness sakes. Right now, I am shooting 350gr FMJ smokeless "Trapdoor" loads at $4 a bang. Maybe I'll just buy both. I don't know. What do you think?

[@frankmcgarry3155]

You don’t want to shoot fmj in these old guns. They’re really hard on the metal.

[@357bullfrog]

Thanks The books would be a good read and just might keep me from making a costly mistake as you said. I know just enough about the Trapdoor Rifle to get skinned real good by a seller that just wants to unload one. Thanks again and keep shooting. Id like to see how far that it will shoot accurately

[@Steve-wb7hb]

Another play question. I have some side to side play on a closed empty chamber. With a round in the chamber it's rock solid. Am i ok to test fire it? Its a wall hanger that was given to me that i have repaired and restored.

[@michaeljohns1019]

well probably the best way to answer that question is put a round in the chamber and shoot it, you will have your answer then

[@Steve-wb7hb]

@@michaeljohns1019 and that's what I did today. First set it up in a gun vise and fired it via pull string. All went well so i shot 10 rounds out of it in hand. I hit steel at 100 yards using some Kentucky windage. What a fun gun. Just a blast to shoot. If you don't have one, get one. What I like about it is the fact that you slow down and take your time with this rifle .

[@MikeM10293]

@@Steve-wb7hb that’s the only way to describe a trapdoor! If you don’t have one, get one!

[@rachellynnsummers6273]

Ah. You have this gun as well. Ive watched your arisaka videos. I own 2 arisaka's both are type 99's 1 is a long rifle like a type 38. Anyway. I recently bought a Springfield trapdoor off of gunbroker for $665. I didn't think i would win, but i did. FFL was not required by the seller. When it came, i looked at it. It has US stamp above Springfield. By the trigger it says 1865. Now on top were the trapdoor is has 861. So this tells me its a Springfield musket that was converted to a trapdoor. The rifle is long. Has 3 barrel bands. So the 861 was originally 1861 but missing the 1 were they cut out to make it a trapdoor. Not sure if it's rare. I'll have to do my research lol. Overall it's in fail condition. The wood is a little dry. Not in perfect shape, but as old as it is. I would say fair. Definitely shows age. The barrel and bands also the receiver is silver color not blued like later guns. Does have some pitting. Nothing major. The seller didn't say what year. The title only said trapdoor Springfield rifle. It looks exactly like a 1861 musket except it has a trapdoor. Even has a ram rod still lol. I edit this to say that the 1865 year is by the cocking hammer. Me saying trigger might confuse ppl. I'm not an expert. Just a collector who likes history and respects those times.

[@perrysmith6872]

Rachel Lynn Summers I also have an old trapdoor, it's definitely one of my favorite firearms ... Like you I'm just a small collector, just purchased a Remington model 572 pump, a model 33 bolt action and a model 15 Stevens bolt action ... I love collecting old firearms, my Springfield trapdoor was owned by a left handed person, because when I hold it up n the firing position my middle finger on my right hand fits perfect in the indention on the for arm part of the gun ... I most likely wouldn't have noticed this if I wasn't also a left hand shooter ... Enjoy collecting !!! Patriot Perry ... M🇺🇸GA/WEG1WGA

[@237cooter]

Hi, i recently bought a model 1868 springfield trapdoor. The breechblock is dated 1869. The receiver and barrel serial numbers match and seem to be numbered correctly. I want to slug the barrel to determine the correct size bullet mold to order. I can get a pure lead .530 diameter round ball. Is that too large to drive down the barrel? Also how does one accurately measure the diameter of the slug due to the spacing of three rifling grooves? Thanks for your help.

[@TheKoba49]

as for the round ball that may be too large , try to get something closer to .500 the groove dia is usually like 458 to 460 but you can try .530 now to measure the slug you will have to try to catch the edges of the grooves on the slug with the measuring surfaces of the micrometer.

[@237cooter]

Hey, thanks for writing back. I should have mentioned it's chambered in 50 70 government.

[@davidr2975]

Do you have, or ever fire the Springfield trapdoor cavery carbine?

[@237cooter]

Thanks for a great video

[@FullSemiAuto357]

When you're talking about play in the closed breechblock being bad, are you talking forward and backward, left and right, up and down, or play in any direction being not good? My '84 has some play left and right when closed. Not a ton but it's there. Up and down and forward and back it is completely solid, no movement at all. Haven't shot it yet, just got it a week ago and I still need to slug the bore then track down some appropriate ammo. Thanks alot.

[@TheKoba49]

no to worry I had some with a lot of play what it was I had an 1869 rifle with a 1870 bolt in it, If you have a little side to side play that should be OK when you fire it for the first time just do it from the hip pointed at a hill or good back stop, so the gun is not by your face just in case

[@FullSemiAuto357]

TheKoba49 thanks for the advice, I think that's exactly what I'll do. Decided to take some measurements last night, and discovered that mine is either a Cadet rifle or a parts gun. everything looks ok and measures out where it should be, but the stock cartouche is gone so I don't know when it was made exactly. According to gundata's chart, my receiver serial dates to 1889, and it says there were no cadets made that year. Also it has sling swivels, which I know isn't good. But the barrel is right at 29 5/8" measured from the inside, and it has the thinner wristed and correct length stock. I'm just going to have to buy the ID book.

[@perrysmith6872]

I found your video to b very interesting, however I was surprised that you didn't mention shooting Cowboy loads n the older rifle .../??? I own one also ... I have the bayonet with sheath and frog ... Patriot Perry ... M🇺🇸GA/WEG1WGA

[@danm7298]

watched 5-26-22

[@markosterman419]

Yes, given the choice between Trump (rump) and Bush (shrub) … I would choose Bush. 😄