Shooting the Smith Carbine

[Whiteleather]

So you all know the Smith Carbine. It is so popular that the folks at Pietta have a very good replica as part of their regular lineup. As luck would have it I have an original I shoot at some of our military competitions (any firearm used in a war is allowed). Here she is:

One of the loadings I use is a 365gr soft lead bullet over 35gr of FF Pyrodex. A .45 cal lubed wad goes between the bullet and the powder. The case in the photo is a target case. Note the base is much smaller than the body. Also the case is very thick, so a little powder builds up a lot of pressure in there:

In addition to the brass cases I have soft plastic cases that are not reduced at the base. The plastic cases are easily loaded by hand with no tools needed to seat the bullet. I settled on a low load just to keep from stressing the rifle.

Here is how she shoots at 50 yards. Note that the POA is well below the POI. The minimum sight setting seems to be 100 yards. The blue circles are 2.25" in diameter, I think:

The wood is good, but the bore is pitted from use over the years. Still it holds a group well consider the trigger is nearly 20lbs or so.

When I visited Gettysburg and stood at Little Round Top I imagined being armed with this carbine or my Burnside. The audio guide told me that Sickles was assigned to set up at Little Round Top...but declined to follow the order. He must have been a nutter. From my vantage point in 2017 I could see an open field of 300 yards. Not sure how fast an enemy troop could run across that field in full battle gear...but a little Smith carbine could have dumped a LOT of lead before having to take deal with hand to hand combat. Put 10 men up there with carbines and ammo and primers....and it would have been a huge advantage.

If this Smith holds a 2" pattern at 50 yards, I figure 4" at 100, 8" at 200, and 16" at 300 yards. Your average man is over 16" wide. Just sayin': Sickles may have missed an opportunity.

Cheers!

 

[JOHN42768]

Looks like you had a fun time

 

[UCVRelics]

I have always been a relic hunter and collector, Ive never gotten into shooting any of the CW guns I have but if you keep posting these I might have to take a few out to the range.

 

[hrobalabama]

I had a Gilbert Smith carbine that was beautiful. Mint bore and shiny. Lots of CC and blue.
I thought it was one of the best carbines to have on horseback. I have shot my P-53. CS Tower
But don't think I would try to shoot the Smith. Just a collectors sense.

 

[MAPMFF]

Nice photos!

I'm currently on a Carbine kick.

Smith, Maynard and just got a Burnside.

Really loving them, fun too shoot, need to add more!

 

[Booner]

I have an original Smith, but the previous owner put a relined barrel in it, and since I can't find any inspector marks on the wood, I think he may have refinished the stock, too. But she's a shooter!
It's been 40 years since I shot her, and my eyes were much better back then, but with 30 grains of 3-f, and a store bought .50 cal. Maxi ball made for modern muzzleloaders, and using the plastic cartridge, she would print one, 5 shot hole at fifty yards.

But the main reason for my post is to comment on the use of pyrodex in guns. I never, ever, use that stuff in guns ment for black powder. The acids in pyrodex will etch metal, if not cleaned real well, and could be a real problem if the barrel was pitted to begin with. The salts in blackpowder dissolve easily and are neutralized with soapy water.

Just to be clear, Pyrodex is the spawn of the devil.

I understand that black powder can be hard to get, and pyrodex is much more available locally. If the OP, @Whiteleather, or anyone else can't get blackpowder locally, if they would attend our CWT meet and greet in Vicksburg in October, I'll bring them a couple of pounds of blackpowder.

 

[tecolote]

I also like the Smith. I like the Maynard a little better, as its simplicity really appeals to me.