Smith Carbine Repro?

[Spunk Puppy]

Hello all! I have recently become fascinated with Civil War breechloaders and I want one of my own for the range. I am interested in the Smith carbine as the cartridges seem to be relatively easy to make and the gun looks really cool.

Does anyone know how the Pietta reproduction is? I am seeing one for sale on a website for a good price. I am a bit nervous about getting an original because I do not want to damage it and it might have problems. Are the Pietta Smith carbines historically correct? Any problems I should watch out for with them, or necessary modifications? Where is a good source to buy one?

Thank you all!

 

[Jobe Holiday]

The Pietta is the only reproduction Smith Carbine made. It is very popular with the shooters in the North-south Skirmish Association (N-SSA). You would probably be quite happy with it!
J.

 

[UCVRelics]

reproductions are not really in my wheel house but I know we have several reenactment folks that can help.

 

[Spunk Puppy]

The Pietta is the only reproduction Smith Carbine made. It is very popular with the shooters in the North-south Skirmish Association (N-SSA). You would probably be quite happy with it!
J.

Thanks! From my readings it appears the repro cases do not hold as much powder as the originals, but with today's modern strong powders like Swiss I don't think there would be any major power gap.

If Pietta is the only one making them, how are they? Would I need to tune it? Any good sources for Pietta Smiths for good prices?

 

[Craig L Barry]

They aren't cheap. DGW has them for $1050 and there is one on auction on Gunbroker.com sitting at $675. Not exactly a bargain but the repro Smith carbines are well regarded by shooters.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

You will find the reproduction Smith Carbine the most "shooter friendly" of all the breech loading reproduction carbines available on the market today. The Gallagher comes with its own unique problems of ignition and expensive cartridge cases....BUT...it is long out of production and only available on the secondary market nearly always in used condition. The reproduction Merrill Carbine is cost prohibitive, and the assortment of Sharps Carbines made very widely in quality. However the Sharps is labor intensive to shoot as compared to the Smith. In using a Sharps you will nearly always be gluing cartridges together. With the Smith all you have to do is put the powder charge in the cartridge case and top it with the bullet. The Smith cases are reusable, the Sharps are self consuming. For the Smith you have the option of brass cases (expensive, but a one time purchase) or the black plastic cases which are cheap and have a fairly long life of realistically some 25-30 shots before the flash hole in the base burns out and begins to split. You mentioned the reduced capacity of the Smith cases. If you are only punching paper or shooting breakable targets you don't need service charges. And, I rather doubt you will be hunting any North American big game with it!
J.

 

[IrishReb1863]

I've fired original and reproduction Smiths. I found it to be my favorite for ease of operation, balance (felt right to me) and cartridge production. If I was going to buy a carbine that would be my choice.

 

[Spunk Puppy]

You will find the reproduction Smith Carbine the most "shooter friendly" of all the breech loading reproduction carbines available on the market today. The Gallagher comes with its own unique problems of ignition and expensive cartridge cases....BUT...it is long out of production and only available on the secondary market nearly always in used condition. The reproduction Merrill Carbine is cost prohibitive, and the assortment of Sharps Carbines made very widely in quality. However the Sharps is labor intensive to shoot as compared to the Smith. In using a Sharps you will nearly always be gluing cartridges together. With the Smith all you have to do is put the powder charge in the cartridge case and top it with the bullet. The Smith cases are reusable, the Sharps are self consuming. For the Smith you have the option of brass cases (expensive, but a one time purchase) or the black plastic cases which are cheap and have a fairly long life of realistically some 25-30 shots before the flash hole in the base burns out and begins to split. You mentioned the reduced capacity of the Smith cases. If you are only punching paper or shooting breakable targets you don't need service charges. And, I rather doubt you will be hunting any North American big game with it!
J.

Is it not powerful enough for deer? I was thinking of using it as a possible deer gun but mainly for shooting.

Regardless, like I said using today's good sporting powders it would be easy to get close or match original ballistics even though our cases hold about 20% less powder.

 

[Booner]

I have a original Smith, and used the plastic cartridges. I think the cartridges would only hold about 30 grains of 2f. Which I don't think is near enough for deer. Very accurate though.

Even if you compressed the powder I don't think you can get enough in the case to make it a deer hunting load. Never did shoot it over a cronomitor though.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

The reduced capacity black plastic tubes can be reamed out in the base to increase the capacity up to about 45 gr. of 3F. I don't know what your state hunting regulations are, but the state I live in does not allow the Smith Carbine to be used to hunt deer.
J.

 

[Spunk Puppy]

The reduced capacity black plastic tubes can be reamed out in the base to increase the capacity up to about 45 gr. of 3F. I don't know what your state hunting regulations are, but the state I live in does not allow the Smith Carbine to be used to hunt deer.
J.

That would be very close to the original powder load of 50 grains. Do you have any more information on doing this? Does it weaken the cases or is it dangerous? Thanks!