Who makes the best 61 Springfield at this time...

[buckandball]

Yeah I know... broad question. But I also know the main repro makers have trends of good and bad quality over the years. I am actively in the market for a '61 since I sold my other one. Are the big names still Euroarms and Armisport?

Who are the big time defarbers who do a good job? James river, Lodgewood, Orchard Hill...? Who else?

Looking for an accurate shooter also.

Any info is appreciate.

Thanks

Ben

[Fenianboy]

Re: Who makes the best 61 Springfield at this time...

Get a copy of Craig Barry's book.It will answer your questions on all of these points.Then you can start your search for a used Japanese Mikuro formerly sold by Dixie Gun works.

[GBOB]

Re: Who makes the best 61 Springfield at this time...

Not sure about how accurate it shoots, but I recently got a '61 Springfield from Mr. Zimmerman and it is well done.

Glenn Bramer

[Benedict]

Re: Who makes the best 61 Springfield at this time...

Then you can start your search for a used Japanese Mikuro formerly sold by Dixie Gun works.

E.g. on the N-SSA bulletin board.

[DannyJoe]

Re: Who makes the best 61 Springfield at this time...

Ben,
I have a M1861 EA and a M1841 AS from James River. Both are nice looking weapons......outstanding workmanship.....lock,stock and barrel. I have shot the TC Maxi-Hunter bullet with 60grains of 2F. Both weapons are good shooters, especially for muzzleloader deer hunting.
I also have a M1861 AS, M1842 AS and a P1853 AS from Lodgewood. The M1861 AS is not as good as the EA in my opinion. Lodgewood did a superb job with the P1853 including the replacement of the rear sight. The M1842 is excellent, but I have not shot the weapon. I like doing business with both Lodgewood and JRA. However, in my opinion the M1861 EA from JRA is top notch. In fairness to Lodgewood, I do not think that they sell the M1861 AS anymore. As you probably know, Bill O. at Lodgewood is a former Marine.
Semper Fi,
Dan McGraw
Scarface 40 (a few years ago)

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: Who makes the best 61 Springfield at this time...

Dan,

The only problem I have with the JRA '61 (and all reproductions for that matter) is that they start with a way too heavy barrel, and build the musket from there. The end result is a heavy, clunky weapon that has none of the sleek feel of the original. With the JRA reproductions, they do what they can, contouring the stock from the lockplate back to the original configuration, but in my opinion, this gives the musket a lopsided look, with the front half still being clunky and big, and the rear being disproportionately small.

To me there is no good off the rack reproduction today. They're all to heavy, too clunky, the tolerances and too loose, and they just don't have the feel of an original musket. Perhaps I'm too much of a purest, but having owned three different reproduction '61s I can say that I've never loved any of them!


Best,

Dan

[Benedict]

Re: Who makes the best 61 Springfield at this time...

To me there is no good off the rack reproduction today. They're all to heavy, too clunky, the tolerances and too loose, and they just don't have the feel of an original musket. Perhaps I'm too much of a purest, but having owned three different reproduction '61s I can say that I've never loved any of them!

Which have you owned?

[DannyJoe]

Re: Who makes the best 61 Springfield at this time...

Dan W,
I concur with most of your comments regarding reproductions. However, I do like (not love) my JRA '61. It is a gimme that with reproductions.....you can't make a duck into an eagle.
Hope all is well with you.

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: Who makes the best 61 Springfield at this time...

Benedict,

I've owned two Armi Sports and a Euroarms. And having owned and handled several originals I can say that these reproductions bear little resemblance to the original in feel, weight, and appearance, much as a Pakistani cartridge box does not resemble an original box.


Best,

Dan

[artillerybuff]

Re: Who makes the best 61 Springfield at this time...

The 1861 Colt Special Musket is a very fine shooter and nicely made with correct proofs etc. I have won matches with it hitting targets off the shoulder at 300 yards.

Unfortunately they are out of production, however you can still find them new in the box in various places for around $900.00.


2nd Lt. Anthony A. Variz
Battery D 5th US

[Benedict]

Re: Who makes the best 61 Springfield at this time...

Thanks for the answer, I like the comparison.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to handle original 1861s. I just recently acquired, after some search and wait, a Miroku 1861. It has its flaws as well (e.g. the stock is two-piece - I guess the upper and the lower part have been glued or something like that), but it is quite light and supposedly pretty close to the original weight. It is still not 100% dead on, but "the best of the worst" (to quote Mr. Schmidt) ;)

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: Who makes the best 61 Springfield at this time...

Anthony,

I had noticed a few "Colt Contract" 1861s out there for sale but was turned off by the "Colt Signature" on the lower trigger guard and the overall highly polished chrome look. Are these the same animals to which you're referring?


Benedict,

I have not yet had a chance to examine any of the Mirokus, but am interested in doing some at some point. I agree, the two piece stock would be a big turnoff for me and need to be replaced, but it sounds as though they at least started off on the right foot.


All,

The only "success story" I have known of folks with authentic reproduction '61 Springfields (authentic up tot he same level to which we hold our garments, leather gear, drill, camp life, etc) are the individuals who have had custom guns assembled from original/hand made parts, and put into a high quality reproduction stock. I've never got a straight answer on how much these custom jobs cost, but I can assume they start around $1,500 and go up from there.

There is just a fundamental problem with the modern reproductions when they start with the over-heavy barrel and work out from there, sort of like starting your sack coat from purple blanket weight wool and working out from there, it won't matter how authentic the construction is, the thread, or the level of workmanship.


Best,

Dan

[Benedict]

Re: Who makes the best 61 Springfield at this time...

I have not yet had a chance to examine any of the Mirokus, but am interested in doing some at some point. I agree, the two piece stock would be a big turnoff for me and need to be replaced, but it sounds as though they at least started off on the right foot.

The good thing is that the barrel band "hides" the connection. I believe I have read somewhere that people successfully put original locks in their Mirokus.

[artillerybuff]

Re: Who makes the best 61 Springfield at this time...

Yes, the Colts do have a highly polished plain metal finish, which goes away after a few uses believe me. The trigger guard can be swapped out in a minute. What you are left with is a very correct production made piece that shoots with deadly accuracy. And don't forget the correct proofs on the stock & barrel, very nice and hard to duplicate...

Anthony A. Variz

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Who makes the best 61 Springfield at this time...

I agree with Dan's assessments. I was recently able to look at a JRA '61 for the first time. I think they did the best they could considering what they had to work with in the EoA repro, but the end result is not a "spot on" repro of the original.

I have yet to see a Miroku, but would love to get my hands on one for comparison's sake.

At the end of the day, if you want a really top-notch repro '61, you need to get one custom built. Custom builds are very do-able, but one needs to be prepared to spend a bit more money ...obviously! ;)

On the "Special Model" '61's: If you can get a hold of the Chattahoochie BPA version, you can avoid the annoying "Colt Signature" thing. Plus, they made locks representing the other makers, as well as Colt.