Enjoying Black Powder Episode 1: The Trapdoor Springfield (Ad-free)
Added 2024-05-18 12:00:08 +0000 UTCFor the full episode with the hand loading instructional section, click here:
https://forgottenweapons.vhx.tv/videos/trapdoor-app-cut
Black powder military rifles of the 1860s-1880s are a really enjoyable group of guns. A lot of them are relatively reasonably priced, and they are actually pretty easy to reload for. The unavailability of factory ammunition (for most, although not so much for the Trapdoor) makes them seem like a daunting prospect, but for a pretty simple investment in tools and time one can make up ammunition and have a lot of fun with rifles like this.
That's the idea behind a new series here on black powder military rifles. Each moth, my friend - and handloader - Tom and I will take out a different model to have some fun at the range and compare how they handle. And then we will show you how to make the ammunition for them. So grab your pith helmet, pause "Zulu" and join us! Today is Episode One: Trapdoor Springfield!
Comments
This is a great idea for a new mini series! Kudos for the campaign hat but you really need a Mills cartridge belt to go with.
Thomas Batha
2024-05-20 19:43:11 +0000 UTCIt would be interesting to compare the Allin conversion Trap Door with other trap door rifles such as the Wanzel conversion of the Lorenz rifle, the Infanteriegewehr 1859 Milbank-Amsler conversion of the Swiss 1842 or even the M1867 Russian Krnka.
Charlie
2024-05-19 22:10:31 +0000 UTCUberti makes some too.
Chairman
2024-05-18 23:41:33 +0000 UTCIn voice of drill instructor: "BOOT.....GET THAT PIECE ON YOUR RIGHT SHOULDER!" ... and I REALLY enjoyed this first in the series!
Donald Davis
2024-05-18 20:52:53 +0000 UTCTo dry out the gas tank, do the whole rinse routine and then go to the $1 store and buy a bunch of alcohol. Rinse it out w/ the alky: it will drag the water with it, and then quickly evaporate and you'll have your bone dry tank despite the rain. DAMHIK.
Bruce Brodnax
2024-05-18 19:58:36 +0000 UTCGreat video! I believe you did a video once showing how a single-shot breech-loader could sustain fire better than period repeaters? I have an 1866 2nd Allikn Conversion in .50/70 and an 1873 Infantry and enjoy the fun of shooting them. It also costs less in ammo because you can't fire as many rounds over time as modern rifles. I look forward to videos of Sharps, Rolling Blocks, Martini Henry and any other odd ones you can find. Snyders? Mauser 1871?
Dana Arbeit
2024-05-18 19:25:16 +0000 UTCSince there's no way for the hammer to activate the two-piece firing pin until the action is completely (safely) closed, I'm willing to wager that in actual battle or full-on rapid fire, nobody really bothered w/ the half-cock, load, full-cock sequence and instead just did full-cock, load, fire...
Bruce Brodnax
2024-05-18 18:40:30 +0000 UTCWas just about to post your #1 observation myself; the carbine load [derived from the cadet load used at West Point] was the .45-405-55 [note the similarity to Karl's suggestion over on IRtv for a .45-60 as a lever-action "steampunk assault rifle" alternate timeline option.] Anyway, thank you Mr. Spangler for your timely and accurate response. Not familiar enough w/ the Trapdoor to have noticed your 2nd observation; thanks for that, too! Will have to pay closer attention to the rest of the video now to see if I can spot it... 😄
Bruce Brodnax
2024-05-18 18:32:16 +0000 UTCFor much more info on all the trapdoor Springfields you are invited to visit: https://www.armscollectors.com/trapdoor/
John Spangler
2024-05-18 18:06:54 +0000 UTCTwo minor corrections: 1- Early rifle load was .45 with 70grains powder and 405 grain bullet (.45-70-405), and carbine was 55 grains powder (.45-55-405.) Later rifle loads used 500 grain bullets (.450-70-500) but carbine remained .45-55-405 for entire period of service. 2- Rifle being used has the trigger guard bow installed backwards putting the sling in the way. Remove trigger guard assembly from stock, remove two spanner nuts holding guard bow, turn it so swivel is toward the muzzle and reassemble.
John Spangler
2024-05-18 18:03:11 +0000 UTCAnother great resource for feeding these old warriors a diet they like is J.S. and Pat Wolf's "Loading Cartridges for the Original .45-70 Springfield Rifle and Carbine." It's all in there.
Muse Davis
2024-05-18 15:01:18 +0000 UTCI misread the title to be about black powder trap shooting at first. Now I want to see a flintlock versus clays. See if lock time is that big of an issue.
firetower
2024-05-18 14:51:25 +0000 UTCLooking forward to more videos in this series!
Richard Joy
2024-05-18 13:52:28 +0000 UTCnice outfits. holy SMOKE. literally. would love a trapdoor. mostly a forager or a carbine. abroad. pedersoli is pretty much the only option. for me maybe trapdoor (cause history), sharps, rolling block, high wall in that order.
Guido Schriewer
2024-05-18 12:28:11 +0000 UTCI would think that in a fighting situation, you would not use the half-cock, reload, then full cock safe sequence. You'd just full cock right off and reload then shoot. EDIT: watched the rest of the video and this is mentioned.
David Teach
2024-05-18 12:28:00 +0000 UTC
