Enfield or Springfield?

[Manassas 1861]

Which weapon do you reenactors prefer to use? 1853 Enfield, or 1861/63 Springfield. Personally, I enjoy the 1853 British Enfield. Springfields have the shoulder curve in the butt of the stock, which, being a 15 year old twig dosent make firing a comfortable experience. Just curious which one you guys like better.

 

[captaindrew]

The Enfield is more user friendly. The blued finish is a lot easier to keep clean and the Springfield bolster with the clean out screw can be a pain. If you don't keep that super clean the Springfield will give you fits with misfires. As far as shooting there's not much difference really. Given a choice would lean to the Enfield unless you're joining a Federal unit that prefers you use a Springfield. I have both and enjoy using both. I generally use the Enfield for CS impressions and the Springfield for Federal but again given the choice I'd lean Enfield.

 

[johan_steele]

As someone who only live fires and have fired both in such manner I prefer the M1861. I prefer the drop in the stock and the curve in the buttplate. The simpler sights are quicker for snap shooting and both are about equal in accuracy out to 250-300 yards IMO. I can clean a M1861 faster than a P53 as I don't need a turn screw for anything except lock & tang screws.

The P53 rear sight was soldered on instead of screwed on as on the M1861 and I've know of several knocked off in matches.

Another thing to understand is the M1861 wasn't intended for blanks. I hear a lot of blanks misfiring on M1861 vs P53.

The sling setup on the M1861 is superior to the P53.

The P53 has a better ramrod for cleaning and a superb musket tool (all versions) but the cost of an M1861 was less with better quality control overall.

If I had to take one into combat I'd take the M1861, if I was target shooting an interchangeable LACo or Windsor P53.

That said my competition rifle for years was an M1841 with an M1855 as my backup.

 

[7thWisconsin]

I prefer the rifle stock of the Springfield to the musket stock of the Enfield - just the reverse of the OP´s preference. My favorite of the 3 is the 1863. I think they corrected some of the 61´s deficiencies with it and produced a fine military muzzle-loader.

 

[frontrank2]

I have a three band Enfield and a 61 Springfield, both repros. I use both depending on my impression. But I prefer the Enfield. I find it more comfortable to carry and march with, and it's easier to keep clean and rust free because of it's blued barrel.

 

[bayonet]

I prefer the made in America Springfield just like my made in America beer Yuengling (Black & Tan)

 

[Tinkers Dam]

Having shot both competitively , I definitely prefer the Springfield simply because the stock fits better for me for off hand shooting and so I prefer it .The same stock dimensions are on the 1861 Colt Special model as the Springfield . The Enfield was an English made Parker Hale 3 band . The Springfields were parts guns made up of original parts , new Whitacre barrels and pre-carved stocks from Dunlap. While not originals, all are quite representative dimensionally and as a bonus shot minies very very well .
The sight on the Enfield is better from a shooters point of view .Enfields are actually shot with the shooter more squared to the target as English period photos have shown (sorry I can't recall which book I saw the photos in ).Does this matter to reenactors ? No idea . Most seem to be aiming their volleys high in live demos I've watched ,for safety reasons and not so worried about style points .
Cleaning was never an issue for me for either but I can see why a reenactor would prefer a more rust resistant blued barrel in the field . If you end up with a '61 Springfield grease the clean out screw on the bolster occasionally otherwise they are the devil to get out . If you're buying a used one make sure it can be unscrewed. Use it during a major cleaning and it will help prevent misfires. I never had an issue with the turn screws on the barrel bands on either the Enfield or the '63 springfield .Yeah it's a little slower to take down then a '61 but it depends if your just field cleaning or taking it apart for a serious bench cleaning after weekend of shooting .
Since you're not actively shooting it with live rounds ,I guess I'd be open to either depending on what kind of deal I could get on a used- but- not- abused repro rifle musket and what is recommended by the group you're working with.

 

[JOHN42768]

Having shot both competitively , I definitely prefer the Springfield simply because the stock fits better for me for off hand shooting and so I prefer it .The same stock dimensions are on the 1861 Colt Special model as the Springfield . The Enfield was an English made Parker Hale 3 band . The Springfields were parts guns made up of original parts , new Whitacre barrels and pre-carved stocks from Dunlap. While not originals, all are quite representative dimensionally and as a bonus shot minies very very well .
The sight on the Enfield is better from a shooters point of view .Enfields are actually shot with the shooter more squared to the target as English period photos have shown (sorry I can't recall which book I saw the photos in ).Does this matter to reenactors ? No idea . Most seem to be aiming their volleys high in live demos I've watched ,for safety reasons and not so worried about style points .
Cleaning was never an issue for me for either but I can see why a reenactor would prefer a more rust resistant blued barrel in the field . If you end up with a '61 Springfield grease the clean out screw on the bolster occasionally otherwise they are the devil to get out . If you're buying a used one make sure it can be unscrewed. Use it during a major cleaning and it will help prevent misfires. I never had an issue with the turn screws on the barrel bands on either the Enfield or the '63 springfield .Yeah it's a little slower to take down then a '61 but it depends if your just field cleaning or taking it apart for a serious bench cleaning after weekend of shooting .
Since you're not actively shooting it with live rounds ,I guess I'd be open to either depending on what kind of deal I could get on a used- but- not- abused repro rifle musket and what is recommended by the group you're working with.

Welcome, enjoy

 

[PrivateBrooke]

I only own a 61 repro, but I have reenacted with both. I didn't really notice much difference, you're firing so fast and concentrating on what you're doing. I did find the Enfield a bit nicer to carry though due to weight.

 

[Trooper "D"]

Which weapon do you reenactors prefer to use? 1853 Enfield, or 1861/63 Springfield. Personally, I enjoy the 1853 British Enfield. Springfields have the shoulder curve in the butt of the stock, which, being a 15 year old twig dosent make firing a comfortable experience. Just curious which one you guys like better.

Which ever one is least expensive. I have 2 '63 Springfields and a '53 Enfield and a Whitworth. I think the Springfield's are easier to handle in the field but I prefer the Enfield just because I always wanted one and now having it I used it must. I am a Confederate which fits easier with my portrayal. Some Yankees units want everyone to have the same issue weapons. '61 and the '53 were used throughout the war. Can't go wrong with either.