1861 Springfield repro?

[johnnyl79]

Hi Pards,
I'm not sure if I posted in the right section. Sorry if it's in the wrong place. My question is what is the most accurate looking 1861 Springfield repro?
Thanks
John Lawson

[Richard O'Flaherty]

Re: 1861 Springfield repro?

Hello,

I'll take a shot at answering that question. I have handled several different reproductions as well as several originals, and I think the best reproduction was made by Miroku. These are tough to find these days but again I feel they are the best. Armi-Sport and Euro-Arms before, and even after being de-farbed, have their problems. They are bulkier looking and heavier than an original. I think that the reproduction made by Pedersoli is a step above each of the aforementioned. Hope this helps.

Richard O'Flaherty

[Pennvolunteer]

Re: 1861 Springfield repro?

Yep, I agree with Richard. I have a Miroku and an Armi Sport. I've also carried Pedersoli/Euroarms. The problem is you have luck out like I did and find a guy selling a Miroku since they aren't made anymore, but by far and away the best repro. Second I'd say is the Armisport.

[johnnyl79]

Re: 1861 Springfield repro?

Thanks, fellas I did know about the mirokus, but not about the others. What about chiappa repros?
Are they any good?
Thanks again
John Lawson

[Pennvolunteer]

Re: 1861 Springfield repro?

Chiappa is ArmiSport

[Craig L Barry]

Re: 1861 Springfield repro?

Actually, the Armi Sport (Armi Chiappa) US 1861 and derivative CS Richmond repros are not that good. Pedersoli is essentially the same as Euroarms except for an American walnut stock. There was a product review of the Armi Sport US 1861 done by Rick Simmons for The Watchdog in Fall 1998 that used to be in the research article archive here. It has not changed appreciably or improved since that was published.

[QuitsAverage]

Re: 1861 Springfield repro?

I'm also sort of on the lookout for a 1861 Springfield. I was wondering what you guys think is better. A new Armisport 1861 fully defarbed by Lodgewood Mfg. or a new Pedersoli 1861 from Dixie gun works. Thanks

[Dbackfed]

Re: 1861 Springfield repro?

Harry,

I'll be selling an original 1861 in the next feweek days it's a Trenton make for New Jersey. In solid condition with a few Knicks in the wood from being 150+ years old.

[QuitsAverage]

Re: 1861 Springfield repro?

Thanks for the offer Jason but I'm more interested in a reproduction rifle as I'd like to do events with it and would rather not potentially ruin an original. Thank you though

[Pritchett Ball]

Re: 1861 Springfield repro?

I'll never understand why the reproducers of the 1861 cannot get the shape of the hammer correct? I have looked online at Pedersoli, and they don't have it right either.

[LeftCoastYank]

Re: 1861 Springfield repro?

I agree that, out of the box, the "Model 1861" made by Miroku is the closest of all M1861 reproductions I'm familiar with. That being said, one thing Pedersoli gets closer to - and this holds true for their entire Civil War line - is weight. When handling other Italian reproductions side-by-side with originals, the extra 1.5 to 2 lbs. they weigh is very noticeable. However. both the Pedersoli Model 1861 and P53 weigh within a few ounces their original counterparts.

[Pritchett Ball]

Re: 1861 Springfield repro?

I have an original 1861, and when I compared it to my ArmiSport 61, my Armi feels like it weighs a ton! It's not the barrel, they mic out very close to the same diameter all the way down the barrel. Heck, on my Armi, the lock-plate is thinner than the one on m,y original! It's that European Walnut they used, it's much denser/heavier that the American Walnut on my original.

[Craig L Barry]

Re: 1861 Springfield repro?

I have an original 1861, and when I compared it to my ArmiSport 61, my Armi feels like it weighs a ton! It's not the barrel, they mic out very close to the same diameter all the way down the barrel. Heck, on my Armi, the lock-plate is thinner than the one on m,y original! It's that European Walnut they used, it's much denser/heavier that the American Walnut on my original.

The European "fruitwood" used in the Armi Sport stock weighs 4.0 lbs per board ft vs 2.8 for American walnut.

[Pritchett Ball]

Re: 1861 Springfield repro?

The European "fruitwood" used in the Armi Sport stock weighs 4.0 lbs per board ft vs 2.8 for American walnut.

Whoa! That is the first time I have seen hard figures on that.

[LeftCoastYank]

Re: 1861 Springfield repro?

Whoa! That is the first time I have seen hard figures on that.

And it goes a long way in explaining why both the Armisport and Euroarms M1861 weigh 20% more than an original!