BACK in 1983, ayoung commer-cial gun manu-

facturer known as Springfield Armory—aname acquired from the venerable, butdefunct U.S. government arsenal—broughtout a basic M1911-A1 .45 ACP pistol thatfeatured a forged frame and slide, tight tol-erances and a low retail price. The combi-nation proved a good value and a viablealternative to the established Colt O-frame.Since that time, Springfield Armory hasbecome Springfield, Inc., and that originalM1911-A1 model has been joined by a widevariety of other M1911 variants, includingcompact, target and high-capacity models.

In 1992, Springfield, Inc., introduced its

Trophy Match pistol, which featured anumber of custom-gun touches, including abeavertail grip safety, adjustable iron sights,a light, crisp trigger and tighter tolerancesthan the basic Springfield M1911-A1.Intended as an out-of-the-box target gun thatwas to compete directly with Colt’s GoldCup, the Trophy Match was designed to holdthe 10-ring of NRA’s 25-yd. bullseye target.

Customer feedback prompted the com-pany to upgrade the model, and the newTrophy Match pistol debuted in early 1998.Added to the attributes of the previous ver-sion were several useful ergonomic fea-tures, such as front slide serrations andmachine-cut frontstrap checkering. Alsonew was a high-capacity version of the gun.

Four Trophy Match models are current-ly offered: both blued and all-stainless-steel, single-stack models; a stainless high-capacity model; and a two-tone, single-stack model with a blued slide and stainlessframe. All Trophy Match guns are availablein 5"-barrel, .45 ACP versions only, and arefinished with polished flats and sandblast-ed curved surfaces (except the high-capac-ity model, which features a fully sandblast-ed frame). Single-stack guns are providedwith two seven-round magazines with slampads, while the high-capacity model comeswith two 10-round factory magazines withslam pads. Springfield states that 13-round

Para-Ordnance magazines will also work inthe high-capacity Trophy Match.

Forgings of 416 stainless steel are CNC-machined to produce the stainless versionsof the Trophy Match frames and slides; 4140forgings are used for their blued counter-parts. Springfield, Inc., is the only majormanufacturer offering a forged-steel, high-capacity M1911-style frame.

Unlike the two-piece barrels found onstandard Springfield guns, Trophy Match

barrels are one-piece, oversize, match-grade units made of button-rifled 416

stainless steel. The barrels are oversize in thehood, locking lugs and barrel feet, and arehand-fitted to tight tolerances to ensureconsistent barrel positioning in the slide.

Similar tightness is evidenced in theslide-to-frame fit of Trophy Match pis-tols, which are hand-assembled on a

separate production line by speciallytrained gunsmiths. For each gun, the partic-ular combination of slide and frame givingthe tightest fit is selected and undergoesadditional tightening as necessary. Alsocontributing to accuracy is a match-grade

barrel bushing fitted to a satisfying snugnesswith both slide and barrel.

In addition to tight tolerances, theTrophy Match guns offer such custom-guntouches as a Wilson high-grip beavertailwith palm pad, an extended King’s thumbsafety, a Commander-style hammer, a light-weight aluminum trigger, a full-length, two-piece guide rod, front slide serrations andcheckered Cocobolo wood stocks.

®

The American Rifleman has used the phrase “DopeBag” at least since 1921, when Col.Townsend Whelenfirst titled his column with it. Even then, it had been inuse for years, referring to a sack used by target shoot-ers to hold ammunition and accessories on the firingline.“Sight dope”also was a traditional marksman’s termfor sight adjustment information, while judging windspeed and direction was called “doping the wind.”

CAUTION: Technical data and information con-tained herein are intended to provide information basedon the limited experience of individuals under specificconditions and circumstances. They do not detail thecomprehensive training procedures, techniques andsafety precautions absolutely necessary to properlycarry on similar activity. Read the notice and disclaimeron the contents page. Always consult comprehensivereference manuals and bulletins for details of propertraining requirements, procedures, techniques andsafety precautions before attempting any similar activity.

SPRINGFIELD TROPHY MATCH

Springfield, Inc., has added frontstrapcheckering, front cocking serrations on theslide and custom exotic wood stocks to itspopular Trophy Match model. Other features of thetarget-oriented model include adjustable iron sights,a lightweight aluminum trigger, a Commander-stylehammer, a beavertail grip safety and a match barrel.

The adjustable LPA rear iron sight on theTropy Match features an .865"-wide by.435"-high blade for fast target acquisition.

Serrations atop the Trophy Match’s slideform a rough sighting plane and reducereflections.There are grasping grooves onthe sides of the slide at the front and rear.

50 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • August 1998

It should be noted that theTrophy Match guns, as in allSpringfields, lack the Series 80

firing pin safety used by Colt andPara-Ordnance, and so are functionallyequivalent to Colt Series 70 O-frames.

Sighting is by way of a fully adjustableLPA rear sight unit having an .865"-wideand .435"-high finely serrated blade with a.120"-wide notch, and a staked-in .130"-wide front sight with a serrated, improvedramp. Both sights have a matte-black finish.The top of the slide is flattened and serrat-ed longitudinally to provide a rough sight-ing plane and to reduce reflection.

Single-stack Trophy Match guns feature20 LPI machine-cut frontstrap checkeringto aid gun control—a feature not offered onthe previous Trophy Match model. Thewidebody frame has no checkering; insteada series of serrated lines runs vertically onthe frontstrap.

We received three Springfield TrophyMatch pistols: both the all-stainless-steelsingle-stack and high-capacity models aswell as the single-stack, two-tone version.Our initial impression was that all threemodels were well-finished and fitted to an

impressive tightness for fac-tory-produced M1911s. Toensure maximum reliabilityon each gun, the feed rampwas polished, the barrel was

fully throated, the ejection portwas lowered to .400" and fluted,and an extended ejector and tunedextractor were fitted.

We fired the two-tone, single-stack Trophy Match in a RansomRest for accuracy, with the resultsshown in the accompanyingtable, and function-fired all threewith 3-D, Black Hills, CCI, Cor-Bon, Federal, Hornady, PMC,Remington and Winchesterammunition.

Accuracy with all loads tested was morethan sufficient for practical pistol use. Eventhe least accurate load tested would easilyhold the A-zone of an IPSC or IDPA target,or the 10-ring of an Action Pistol target, at50 yds. At 25 yds., the gun’s favorite load-ing, Federal’s 230-gr. FMJ, would hold the1.51" 10-ring of the 25-yd. NRA slow-firetarget used in bullseye competition. The per-formance of our test gun with that load, a1.56" average, is comparable to the level ofaccuracy achieved by many custom pistols.

The trigger of our test gun broke clean-ly at 4 lbs.; the triggers of the other two were

41⁄2 and 53⁄4 lbs., and crisp. Springfield, Inc.states that all Trophy Match pistols leave thefactory with a 4- to 5-lb. pull.

The Trophy Match pistols have manyfeatures preferred by M1911 fans for bothpractical competition and carry, both ofwhich require a pistol having a high degreeof dependability. Thus, special attentionwas paid to reliability testing. Out of morethan 500 total rounds fired from all three pis-tols (300 out of the bi-tone test gun and morethan 100 from each of the stainless TrophyMatch models), there were a total of fourmalfunctions, two of which wereammunition-related and the other tworesulting from the accumulation of residuein the two-tone gun’s chamber after about250 rounds had been fired without cleaning.A quick wipe of the chamber restored thetest gun’s perfect reliability.

Handling of the pistols was generally

excellent; the frontstrap checkering on thesingle-stack pistols was judged particularlybeneficial in rapid-fire exercises. The slidesof all three guns locked open after the lastshot, and each of the pistols dropped itsmagazine freely when the magazine catchwas depressed.

Disassembly of all the Trophy Matchversions follows standard GovernmentModel procedures, with the exception thatthe forward end of the two-piece guide rodmust first be unscrewed using a hex wrench.A bushing wrench is also required to removethe barrel bushing.

There are only a few things we’d like tosee changed on the Trophy Match pistols—a dovetailed front sight rather than the exist-ing staked-on front post, more completedehorning and the replacement of the cur-rent serrated plastic mainspring housingwith a checkered steel unit. Also, in addi-tion to the provided 16-lb. recoil spring, suit-able for IPSC, IDPA and self-defense loads,a 13- or 14-lb. spring for light target loadscould also be included.

The Trophy Match guns provide accu-racy and reliability that approximates thatof true custom guns at prices considerablyless than those offerred by some customshops—and without the long wait. Theywould appear to be an excellent choice forthe value-conscious shooter wanting theaccuracy and features of a custom pistol inan off-the-shelf M1911. The Trophy Matchcomes as close to true custom quality aswe’ve seen in a production M1911.

.45 ACP Vel. @15’ Smallest Largest AverageCartridge (f.p.s.) (ins.) (ins.) (ins.)

Federal 45A 744 Avg. 1.12 2.52 1.56230-gr. FMJ 11 Sd

Hornady 9111 896 Avg. 1.46 2.41 2.01200-gr. FMJ 19 Sd

Black Hills 907 Avg. 1.43 2.41 1.90185-gr. JHP 13 Sd

Average Extreme Spread 1.82

Five consecutive five-shot groups from 25 yds., firedfrom Ransom Rest. Abbreviations: JHP (jacketed hollow-point), FMJ (full-metal jacket), Sd (standard deviation).

ACCURACY RESULTS

MANUFACTURER: Springfield, Inc.(Dept. AR), 420 W. Main St., Geneseo,IL 61254

MECHANISM TYPE: short-recoiloperated, semi-automatic pistol

CALIBER: .45 ACPOVERALL LENGTH: 811⁄16"BARREL LENGTH: 5"RIFLING: six-groove, 1:16" LH twistWIDTH: 17⁄16"HEIGHT: 57⁄8", 53⁄4" (high capacity)WEIGHT: 41 ozs., 42 ozs. (high capacity)MAGAZINE CAPACITY: seven (stan-

dard-capacity, single-column maga-zine); 10 (high-capacity magazine)

TRIGGER: single-stage, 4 lbs. pull, 53⁄4lbs. pull (high capacity)

SIGHTS: LPA windage- and elevation-adjustable rear, serrated improved-ramp post front

ACCESSORIES: lockable plastic caseand cleaning brush

STOCKS: checkered Cocobolo, check-ered black plastic (high capacity)

PRICE: blued, standard-capacity,$1,115; two-tone standard-capacity(tested), $1,049; stainless standard-capacity, $1,059; stainless high-capac-ity, $1,118

TROPHY MATCH

Reliability of the Springfield, Inc., TrophyMatch pistols is enhanced by the polishedfeed ramp and generously throated barrel.

Good accuracy was made possible in theSpringfield Trophy Match by careful barrelfitting, which ensures that the barrel feetproperly contact the slide stop pin (arrow).

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • August 1998 51

A 10-round-capacity,

wide-bodyversion of the Trophy

Match is also offered inblue or stainless finishes.

SIG’S SHR970 is the first new, bolt-action, center-fire rifle designed andbuilt in Switzerland in many years.

Aimed directly at the mainstream NorthAmerican hunting market, this modern rifleincorporates many advanced features suchas take-down design, interchangeable bar-rels and a detachable, double-column mag-azine. All this is blended with traditionalSwiss quality and attention to detail at anaffordable price.

The flat-bottom steel receiver is not astressed part in that the bolt locks directlyto the barrel, which is quickly removable inthe field using the Allen wrench provided.The receiver serves only to maintain theparts in relation to one another. Unthreadedbarrels simply slide into the front of thereceiver until they butt against an inner edge.Barrels are held tightly in place by a sim-ple, two-screw clamp system under thereceiver. An index slot on the barrel preventsincorrect assembly and barrel rotation. Ascompared with the familiar Sauer barrel

mounting system, the SIG design is simplerand just as strong with no small parts thatcan be lost. There is a single rectangularrecoil lug on the lower front of the receiverjust behind the barrel clamp that mates with

a metal bedding block in the stock. Thus thebedding offers a solid and consistent metal-to-metal fit.

The bolt features three equally spacedfront locking lugs of body diameter withan internal extractor and ejector. Bolt throwis a short 65 degrees, and the action cockson opening. The result is crisp operationwith an exceptionally smooth bolt glide notnormally found on rifles in this price range.A fast lock time was incorporated into thedesign from the beginning by using a pow-erful mainspring, lightweight firing pin andminimal firing pin travel. The bolt releaseis a pivoting lever located on the rear leftside of the receiver. The SHR970 does nothave controlled feed.

Considerable attention was given tosafety by incorporating gas vent holes in theaction, bolt and magazine body in additionto using a solid tailpiece on the bolt. Thereis also a three-position safety lever on theright rear of the receiver that permits cyclingthe bolt with the safety on as well as a cock-ing indicator on the bolt tailpiece. Thedetachable, steel, double-column magazineholds four rounds and is long enough to

accommodate handloads with bullets seat-ed to longer than normal loaded lengths.

The single-stage, adjustable trigger is awell-made Swiss unit that fits on an integraltang on the lower rear portion of the receiv-

er where it is held in placeby a socket-head screwand a hollow pin.

Although the SHR’strigger is adjustable, anychange should only bemade by a competent,factory-authorized gun-smith. To emphasize thatpoint, all trigger-adjust-ment screws are sealedwith plastic. Trigger pullwas a crisp 4 lbs. on our

sample rifle with minimal takeup and virtu-ally no slack or overtravel.

Barrels are hammer-forged by SIG fromchrome-vanadium steel in a tapered sportercontour with four lands and grooves. Thechambers are also hammer-forged, but thebolt locking recesses are machined. Thereis a deeply recessed crown on the muzzle toprevent damage. Barrels of different cal-ibers with the same cartridge head size areinterchangeable. For example, a rifle in .270Win. cal. may be converted to .30-'06 Sprg.

MANUFACTURER: SIG Swiss IndustrialCo., Neuhausen Rhine Falls, CH-8212Switzerland

IMPORTER: SIGARMS, Inc. (Dept. AR),Corporate Park, Exeter, NH 03833

MECHANISM TYPE: detachable-magazine, center-fire, bolt-action riflewith 65o bolt lift

CALIBERS: .270 Win. (tested), .30-'06 Sprg.

LENGTH: 417⁄8"WEIGHT: 7 lbs., 131⁄2 ozs.BARREL LENGTH: 22"RIFLING: four-groove, RH twistMAGAZINE CAPACITY: fourTRIGGER: single-stage, 4 lb. pullSIGHTS: none, receiver drilled and

tapped for scope mountsSTOCK: synthetic with rough, matte-

black finish: length of pull, 13"; drop atheel, 2"; drop at comb 1"

ACCESSORIES: screwdriver, Allenwrench, hard, black-plastic carry case

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $499

SIG SHR 970

SIG SHR 970 RIFLE

SIG’s new SHR 970 rifle (for Swiss Hunting Rifle) is a mod-ern, bolt-action, center-fire design that incorporates manyadvanced features.The rifle is offered at an attractive price.

The barrel is held in place by a simple two-screw clamp system under the receiver.Barrels may be changed in mere minutesin the field using a provided Allen wrench.

52 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • August 1998

The SHR 970’s single-stage, adjustable triggerunit is Swiss-made, andit is held in place by a sin-gle screw and a roll pin.

cal. simply by changing the barrel.SIGARMS will offer accessory barrels indifferent lengths (22" is standard) and cal-ibers in the future. SHR970 barrels are notdrilled or tapped for iron sights. SHR970receivers, however, are drilled and tappedwith 6x48 holes for scope mount bases (notsupplied).

SIGARMS recommends scope mountbases listed for the Browning BAR as beingsuitable for the SHR970. This proved truealthough only three of the holes in a Leupoldone-piece BAR base (two in front and onein the rear) matched those in the SHR970receiver. While this worked perfectly well,most shooters will prefer two-piece bases.Physically mounting the scope proved easybecause there is plenty of clearance over thebarrel for scopes with 50 mm objectives.

The stock is a synthetic unit from Bell& Carlson with a spackled, matte-black fin-ish, blued-steel sling swivel studs, a solid-black rubber buttpad and a pistol grip capwith logo. Positive, diamond-shaped check-ering is present on both sides of the fore-endand pistol grip. Bedding is by means of twoequal-length action bolts—one front andone rear—which also secure the triggerguard assembly, and the barrel is free-float-ed. The bedding bolts have unique heads

designed to accept an Allenwrench, Phillips screwdriv-er, straight-blade screwdriv-er or a dime. Thus, some-thing will always be close athand to tighten or loosen thebolts. However, a Phillips-head screwdriver is provid-ed with the SHR.

The receiver and barrelare finished with a medium-polish blue. The bolt is pol-ished with a natural finish.All markings are laser-engraved, which imparts amatte-silver color to suchareas. The SIG logo is mold-ed into the bolt knob, pistol grip cap andbuttpad and laser engraved in the magazinefloor plate and receiver. The SHR’s triggerguard is black, anodized aluminum.

The NRA Technical Staff received anSHR970 rifle in caliber .270 Win. for testand evaluation. Initial inspection left afavorable impression of general fit and fin-ish, although the spackled finish on the stockdrew a few negative comments as did the“tubular” styling of the receiver. It was feltthat a smooth, matte-blackfinish on the stock or a wal-nut stock option wouldlook better and that thereceiver styling wouldbenefit greatly fromincreasing the bevel on theedges and sloping the tail-piece on the bolt to matchthe angle on the rear of thereceiver. Another area ofminor criticism was thepositive checkering,which was sharp to the point of abrading theshooter’s hand when the rifle was fired. Thecheckering could stand to be flatter.

One positive point was the magazine,which proved very easy to insert or removefrom the rifle. When the magazine release

catch is pressed, two springs pushthe magazine down approximate-ly 3/8" where it can be easilygrasped by the user. The detach-able magazine should prove con-venient for hunting situationswhere the rifle must be loadedand unloaded repeatedly. Bolt

operation was notably smooth as advertised.The barrel can be dismounted and changedin minutes using the Allen wrench provid-ed. Point of impact changed only slightlyafter the barrel was dismounted and thenreinstalled. Feeding, extraction and ejectionwere flawless.

Balance, handling and ergonomics werejudged good. Balance point of an unloaded,unscoped SHR970 rifle is at the front bed-ding bolt, which is exactly where most users

will effect a one-hand carry. Perceivedrecoil was modest although muzzle blastwith the 22" barrel was heavy. Accuracy wasvery good for a hunting rifle (see table).

The SHR970 offers two intriguing pos-sibilities. First is a rifle with two or morebarrels in compatible calibers chosen by theshooter at time of purchase or added later.This would significantly increase the use-fulness of the SHR970 rifle to many poten-tial buyers. The second is a varmint/targetrifle with barrels of different calibers,weights and lengths that could be quicklychanged. Should the barrel of such a rifleever become worn-out or shooting condi-tions change, installing a new barrel wouldonly take minutes.

The SHR970 is a modern hunting rifleincorporating many advanced features at avery attractive price. These features and theprice combined with traditional Swiss qual-ity and attention to detail result in an espe-cially good value for potential buyers.

.270 Win. Vel.@ 15’ Smallest Largest AverageCartridge (f.p.s.) (ins.) (ins.) (ins.)

Win. No. X2703 2835 Avg. 1.21 1.99 1.54130-gr. ST 20 Sd

Fed. No. P270T1 2725 Avg. 1.21 1.83 1.58140-gr. TBBC 19 Sd

Rem. No. R270W4 2700 Avg. 0.93 1.97 1.55150-gr. CL 42 Sd

Average Extreme Spread 1.55

Four consecutive five-shot groups at 100 yds. fired from asandbag rest. Abbreviations: Sd (standard deviation), CL(CoreLokt), Fed. (Federal), Rem. (Remington), ST (Silvertip),TBBC (Trophy Bonded Bear Claw), Win. (Winchester).

ACCURACY RESULTS

The action is designed for.30-’06-length cartridges.The magazine has enoughlength to accommodatehandloads with longerthan normal overall lengths.

The SIG SHR 970 rifle’s barrel has a deeply-recessed, target-style crown to protect themuzzle from accidental damage that couldspoil the SHR rifle’s accuracy potential.

The SHR’s synthetic stock is made for SIGby Bell & Carlson and is pillar-bedded.Twobedding bolts secure the action to the stock.

The bolt has three equidistantlocking lugs and an internalextractor and ejector. Fast locktime is accomplished by usinga lightweight firing pin, heavyspring and short firing pin travel.

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • August 1998 53

REMINGTON’S Model 870 pump-action shotgun has been a top sell-er for nearly 50 years. The latest

versions of this tried-and-true model, theSuper Magnums, are part of Remington’sExpress line of moderately priced, “no-frills” shotguns and fire 23⁄4", 3" or 31⁄2" 12-ga. shotshells. Four styles are offered: theSuper Magnum Turkey Camo with a 23"vent-rib barrel, Turkey Extra Full RemChoke and synthetic stock camouflagedwith RealTree Advantage; the SuperMagnum Combo with a hardwood stock,26" vent-rib barrel with modified RemChoke, and a 20" fully rifled slug barrelwith 3" chamber and rifle sights; the SuperMagnum Synthetic with a black syntheticstock and 26" vent-rib barrel with modi-fied Rem Choke; and the Super Magnumwith hardwood stock and 28" vent-rib bar-rel with modified Rem Choke. Wereceived the latter for testing.

The requirement for a 31⁄2" 12-ga. shot-

gun comes primarilyfrom waterfowl hunters.After federal law man-dated the use of non-toxic shot for this sport,hunters began trying tomake steel shot moreeffective. Shootinglarger pellet sizes ofsteel shot was the firstmove in this directionand was followed byheavier payloads athigher velocity. It wasnecessary to lengthenthe 12-ga. shell to 31⁄2" toachieve these goals.

Turkey hunters canstill use lead shot, for themost part, and it wasonly natural for 31⁄2" leadshot shells to appear forthis market.

Design and func-tioning of the 31⁄2" 12-ga. Model 870 ExpressSuper Magnum is iden-tical to the 23⁄4" and 3" Model 870s. In fact,the inherent strength of the design allowedRemington to re-engineer the existingbreech bolt and receiver to accommodatethe longer shell. That said, parts fromModel 870 Express Super Magnums andall other Model 870 shotguns are not inter-changeable. This re-design utilizes anequal 41⁄4" operational stroke for allthree lengths of 12-ga. shotshells.

The 31⁄2" version of the 870 car-ries the Express line’s matte finishon all exterior metal parts and on thestained American hardwood stock.The fore-end and grip are press-checkered in a borderless pattern of20 lines per inch. A 1"-thick, venti-lated, black rubber recoil pad isincluded.

The crossbolt safety is the sameas on other Model 870s. It is mounted in therearward portion of the trigger guard and ispushed from right to left, exposing a redannular ring upon disengagement.

The 870’s 28" barrel istopped with a .290"-wide,untapered, vented rib. Thesurface of the rib is smoothand has the same non-reflec-tive finish as the rest of theexterior metal parts. Thewhite-metal, .143" roundfront bead is also matte-fin-ished and contrasts with theblack barrel rib.

The interchangeable,screw-in Rem Choke sys-tem is used, but only a mod-ified choke tube comes withthe Express Super Mag-num. Other Rem Choketubes with different chokeconstrictions can be pur-chased separately.

The magazine lengthremains unchanged fromother Model 870s, so thebalance will be familiar toModel 870 shooters. Themagazine holds three 31⁄2",or four 23⁄4" or 3" shells.

We fired the Remington Model 870Express Super Magnum at 40 yds. with theresults shown in the accompanying table.Function firing was with a mixed bag of for-eign and domestic 12-ga. shells of all threelengths. There were no malfunctions of anykind even when different-length shells weremixed in the magazine.

REMINGTON 870 SUPER MAGNUM

AVERAGE OF 10 PATTERNS AT 40 YDS.

14 11

18 14

14 16

10 9

Modified Barrel

= Point of HoldFederal Premium Steel

31⁄2"-Mag-13⁄8-2Pellet count—163

Total Hits 106 (65%)21.2" Inner Circle 62 (38%)30" Outer Ring 44 (27%)

REMINGTON870 MAGNUM

Remington’s newest 12-ga., 31⁄2"-chambered shotguns are part ofthe Model 870 Express line of moderately priced, “no-frills” shot-guns.The sample we received was the Express Super Magnum.

Remington’s re-design keeps the 41⁄2"cycling stroke equal for all three sizes of 12-ga.shotshells.The magazine length remainsunchanged from other 870s, so the bal-ance will be familiar to Model 870 shooters.

The requirement for a 31⁄2", 12-ga. shotguncomes primarily from the mandated use ofnon-toxic shot for waterfowling. Turkeyhunters can still use lead shot, and so itwas only natural that 31⁄2" 12-ga. lead shotshotshells would be developed for them.

54 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • August 1998

Perceived recoil from 31⁄2" shot-shells, although heavy, seemed nogreater than that from 3" magnumshells. Even so, beginners and recoil-sensitive shooters would be best-served by working up from 23⁄4" tar-get loads to the full-power 31⁄2" loadswhen using this gun.

Though the Remington 870Express Super Magnum has thesame exterior dimensions as 23⁄4" and 3"870s, the perception is that the gun is larg-er. It is not, though, and it handles well.The Express Super Magnum balances likeany Model 870 and is not burdensomeafield. For a utilitarian gun, fit and finishare good. As a hunting gun, the 870

Express Super Magnum offers versatilityusually requiring more than one gun, andat an attractive price.

FOR the re-enactor, Civil War buff orfirearms history enthusiast, the L.Romano Rifle Co. of Pennellville,

New York, offers a working copy of the 1860Spencer Repeating Carbine. The new-pro-duction gun is reverse-engineered from anoriginal, and remains true to the design. Thesalient difference is that the Romano gun isadapted to fire a center-fire version of the.56-50 Spencer rimfire cartridge.

The sample we received for testing is arugged-looking work of art. Fit and finishare excellent and case-hardened parts aremade of 8620 steel alloy that readily acceptsthe traditional bone/charcoal case-

hardening process. The action, bolt, allaction parts, lock plates and sling swivel aremachined from solid blocks of steel alloy.The hammer, barrel band, buttplate and trig-ger are investment-cast from steel alloy andcase-hardened.

The 22", eight-groove, rifled Douglasbarrel is blued and made from 4140 chromemoly steel. A German silver front sightblade in a steel block is soldered to the frontof the barrel while a V-notch, ladder-type,adjustable rear sight is dovetailed into the

barrel toward the rear. Elevation adjust-ments are possible to 800 yds. in 100-yd.increments. In the folded position, the rearsight is set for 100 yds. Windage is drift-adjustable.

Hand-rubbed, oil-finished walnut isused for the buttstock and fore-end. Like theoriginal, there is neither checkering nor apistol grip. Because the original was intend-ed for cavalry use, there is one sling swivelon the toe of the stock and a saddle ring onthe left side of the wrist. A large, single-loop

MANUFACTURER: Remington ArmsCo., Inc. (Dept. AR), 870 RemingtonDrive, P.O. Box 700, Madison, NC27025

MECHANISM TYPE: pump-actionshotgun

GAUGE: 12, 23⁄4", 3", 31⁄2"OVERALL LENGTH: 48"BARREL LENGTH: 28"WEIGHT: 7 lbs., 12 ozs.MAGAZINE CAPACITY: four 23⁄4" or 3",

three 31⁄2"TRIGGER: single-stage, 5 lbs. pullSTOCK: Hardwood: length of pull, 141⁄8";

drop at heel, 21⁄2"; drop at comb, 11⁄2"SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $332

REMINGTON 870

L. ROMANO 1860 SPENCER

L. Romano Rifle Co. has a working, center-fire reproduction of the Civil War-era1860 Spencer carbine.The gun is reverse-engineered from an original and remainstrue to the design.The sample rifle we received is a rugged-looking work of art.

The crossbolt safety is the same as onother Model 870s and is mounted behindthe gun’s trigger in the trigger guard.It mustbe pushed from right to left to disengage.

Action, bolt, all action parts and lock platesare machined from solid blocks of 8620steel alloy. The alloy lends itself readily toaccepting traditional bone/charcoal case-hardening used by the rifle’s manufacturer.

MANUFACTURER: L. Romano Rifle Co.(Dept. AR), 551 Stewarts CornersRoad, Pennellville, NY 13132

MECHANISM TYPE: lever-actionrepeater

CALIBER: .56-50 Spencer center-fireOVERALL LENGTH: 391⁄4"BARREL LENGTH: 22"WEIGHT: 9 lbs., 6 ozs.MAGAZINE CAPACITY: sevenRIFLING: eight-groove, 1:36" RH twistTRIGGER: single-stage, 5 lbs. pullSIGHTS: adjustable ladder-type rear,

German silver blade frontSTOCK: oil-rubbed walnut: length of pull,

13"; drop at heel, 3"; drop at comb, 11⁄2" SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $2700

L. ROMANO 1860

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • August 1998 55

The 1860’s rear sight is an adjustable V-notch, ladder-type dovetailed into the bar-rel. Elevation adjustments are possible to800 yds. in 100 yd. increments. In the fold-ed position,the rear sight is set for 100 yds.The unit is drift-adjustable for windage.

sling, not included with our test gun, per-mits the Spencer Carbine to be carried hang-ing under the strong-side arm for fast, one-hand, cavalry use.

Loading is through a buttstock magazinetube with a capacity of seven rounds. Forloading convenience, we also received areproduction Blakeslee cartridge box con-taining 10 cartridge tubes each holdingseven cartridges.

In use, the hammer is put on the half-cock “safety” notch, the action is closed andthe magazine tube retainer rotated clock-wise one-quarter turn. Next, the magazinetube assembly is withdrawn from the butt-stock. The stopper is removed from a car-tridge tube, and the cartridges poured bul-let end first into the buttstock magazine ofthe rifle. The magazine tube assembly isreturned to the buttstock, the lever workedto load a round into the chamber and thehammer cocked to fire.

As the lever is lowered after firing a car-tridge, a blade extractor in the left side ofthe receiver extracts the fired case, which isthen ejected out the top of the receiver.Simultaneously, the coil-spring-loadedmagazine follower pushes a cartridge for-

ward into the breech. Returning the lever toits closed position chambers the cartridgeand locks the breech. The hammer must becocked manually for each shot. The manu-facturer advises that the action lever shouldbe worked swiftly in one fluid motion.Hesitation or slow working of the lever maycause a jam.

Cartridges for this rifle are normallyloaded with blackpowder or a suitable sub-

stitute, so the gun requiresattention to detail whencleaning. To disassemble forcleaning, it is only necessaryto remove the lever screw,after which the entire breechblock assembly (with lever)comes free from the bottomof the receiver. Clean thisassembly, the receiver(inside and out) and the borethoroughly with a good

commercial blackpowder solvent or hot,soapy water. Cartridge brass saved forreloading should be cleaned the same way.Once clean, thoroughly coat all metal gunparts with a rust preventative and reassem-ble in reverse order.

The Romano 1860 Spencer Carbine wasfired for accuracy at 50 yds. with the resultsshown in the accompanying table. Giventhe tiny V-notch rear sight and thin, silverfront sight blade,accuracy was good.Recoil was virtuallynon-existent. Notethat the low velocityand energy of this car-tridge put it in the .45ACP power range.

The cartridge casesare made from cut-down .50-70 Gov’tbrass. The inside of the

neck is reamed, which produces a slightshoulder inside the case on which theRomano-designed, 300-gr. cast, lead, flat-nose bullet rests. This slight shoulder helpsprevent the bullet from being pushed intothe case under the pressure of the followerspring. Propellant is a lightly compressedcharge of 35.0 grs. of Fg blackpowder.Bullets are lubed with SPG lube.

We experienced some difficulty withcycling cartridges through the action ini-tially. Cartridges emerged from the maga-zine noticeably canted to the right and con-siderable force had to be exerted on theaction lever to chamber a round. With prac-tice, however, shooters found a lever oper-ating tempo and force the gun favored, andthe difficult chambering was resolved. Asthe manufacturer stated, the lever must beworked with authority.

Romano’s 1860 Spencer Carbine isapproved for competition by the North-South Skirmish Ass’n, but Cowboy Actionshooting limits its use to long-range riflematches because the .56-50 Spencer is nota “pistol” caliber cartridge. Romano cur-rently offers other Civil War-period riflesand carbines. All are detailed in the compa-ny’s $3 catalog.

Whether for re-enacting a great cavalrybattle or just hanging the likeness of a pieceof firearms history over the mantle,Romano’s 1860 Spencer carbine is a well-made and attractive arm.

.56-50 Spencer Center-fire Vel. @15’ Smallest Largest AverageCartridge (f.p.s.) (ins.) (ins.) (ins.)

300-gr. FPL 847 Avg. 1.84 2.75 2.1835.0-grs. Fg 28 SdSPG lube

Five consecutive five-shot groups from 50 yds., fired from sandbagsAbbreviations: FPL (flat-point lead), Sd (standard deviation)

ACCURACY RESULTS

Loading the Spencer reproduction isthrough a buttstock magazine tube with acapacity of seven rounds. For loading con-venience,we also received a well-executedreproduction Blakeslee cartridge box con-taining 10 cartridge tubes each holdingseven cartridges for a 70 round box total.

To load from a Blakeslee cartridge tube,remove the stopper from the tube and pourthe cartridges,bullet end first, into the butt-stock of the Spencer rifle. Return the mag-azine tube to the buttstock, work the leverto chamber a round and then manually cockthe hammer in order to fire a shot.

The .56-50 Spencer center-fire cases aremade from cut-down .50-70 Gov’t brass.Reaming the inside of the neck leaves aslight shoulder inside the case on whichthe 300-gr. cast bullet rests. The shoulderhelps prevent the bullet from being pushedback into the cartridge case under thepressure of the magazine follower spring.

Cartridges are normally loaded with black-powder, so the gun requires a thoroughcleaning after use. Removing the leverscrew causes the entire breech blockassembly to pop free from the bottom ofthe receiver. Clean with a commercialblackpowder solvent or hot, soapy water.

56 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • August 1998