Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Specialty Guns
    • Custom Guns
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
    • Rifle Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
      • Night Vision
      • Thermal Vision
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Slings
    • Shooting Rests
  • Gear
    • Ears & Eyes
    • Knives
    • Apparel
    • Tactical-Gear
    • Storage
    • Flashlights
    • Electronics
    • Less Lethal
  • Lifestyle
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
    • Competition Shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range
    • Training
    • First Aid
    • Pop Culture
    • History
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Specialty Guns
    • Custom Guns
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
    • Rifle Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
      • Night Vision
      • Thermal Vision
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Slings
    • Shooting Rests
  • Gear
    • Ears & Eyes
    • Knives
    • Apparel
    • Tactical-Gear
    • Storage
    • Flashlights
    • Electronics
    • Less Lethal
  • Lifestyle
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
    • Competition Shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range
    • Training
    • First Aid
    • Pop Culture
    • History
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
No Result
View All Result
 
ENTER TO WIN > Free Gun Friday for your chance to WIN the SIG Sauer P320 AXG Legion and Black Hills HoneyBadger Ammo

Trapdoor Springfield

William Bell by William Bell
October 11, 2013
in Guns, Rifles
0
Trapdoor Springfield

Just after the Civil War’s end, the Trapdoor Springfield was adopted so that percussion rifle muskets could be economically converted to the new self-contained metallic cartridge. Improved versions of the rifle served the U.S. military until the end of the 19th century.

0
SHARES
73
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Just after the Civil War’s end, the Trapdoor Springfield was adopted so that percussion rifle muskets could be economically converted to the new self-contained metallic cartridge. Improved versions of the rifle served the U.S. military until the end of the 19th century.
The author test-fired a Model 1884 Trapdoor Springfield at distances of 25, 50 and 100 yards using three brands of .45-70 Cowboy Action Shooting loads. The best five-shot group at 50 yards was 2.38 inches with the Ultramax ammo.
With the hammer retracted, the rear of the firing pin assembly is visible in the breechblock housing.

This version of the Trapdoor Springfield, the Model 1884, has a front sight with a removable cover. Note the cleaning rod, where a ramrod once rode, and the steel cap on the forend.

A steel buttplate is attached to the buttstock. After firing several rounds of the .45-70, 405-grain ammunition, recoil became a bit hard on the shoulder.

The Model 1884 Trapdoor Springfield has a long-range, adjustable Buffington rear sight. When folded down, a battle sight is exposed for closer-range engagements.

The release latch is located where the percussion cap nipple was once situated.

By the end of the War Between the States, the writing was on the wall for the U.S. military: The era of the muzzleloading, percussion-cap rifled musket was over. The Civil War would be the last major war in which this type of long arm predominated, as the Western world’s great armies began to adopt breechloading weapons firing the new self-contained metallic cartridges. Looking to save money, the British military looked first at converting thousands of cap-and-ball rifled muskets to accept cartridges. A side-hinged breechblock invented by American Jacob Snider was fitted to the .577 caliber Enfield Pattern 1853 rifled muskets, and their original barrels and locks were retained. A Boxer cartridge in .577 was used, and the rifle proved even more accurate than the muzzleloader. The U.S. military, with thousands of 1861 and 1863 rifled muskets on hand, decided that this might be the way to proceed.

Leaving The Muzzleloader
American inventor and Springfield Armory master armorer Erskine S. Allin patented a design for a breechblock that hinged at the top of the barrel. A thumb-operated cam latch locked it in place and also released it to swing upward for loading. This looked a lot like a trapdoor, hence the rifle’s nickname. A rack-type extractor pulled the cartridge case from the breech as the block was lifted, and the cartridge was subsequently ejected. A long firing pin in the block (which led to the moniker “needle gun”) was stuck by the hammer that now had a flattened nose. In imitation of the British muskets, this American gun used the original barrel and lock and chambered a .58-60-500 rimfire cartridge (.58 caliber, 60 grains of black powder, 500-grain bullet). This, the 1865 Trapdoor Springfield rifle, quickly developed problems, and an improved version called the 1866 Springfield took its place. It had a more robust breechblock and a simplified extraction system and fired a ballistically superior .50-70 centerfire cartridge that launched a 450-grain lead bullet backed with 70 grains of black powder. However, the Ordnance officers were still unhappy with the extractor and the fact that the .58 caliber barrels on the muskets had to be relined to .50 caliber. The 1866 Trapdoor was issued to troops in 1867 and had a significant role in several battles with the Native Americans…

GET THIS ISSUE NOW! at www.tactical-life.com/subscribe/military-surplus/.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

RELATED POSTS

The new Extar EP45 AR-style pistol comes chambered in .45 ACP.

Extar EP45: AR-Style, Large-Format Pistol Chambered in 45 ACP!

The Colt Frontier Scout single action revolver.

Budget Plinking: The Colt Frontier Scout Single Action Revolver

The Taylor's & Company 1875 Outlaw now comes in 9mm.

New for 2023: Taylor’s & Co. 1875 Outlaw Single-Action in 9mm

The FN EMGS arms the next generation of Air Force rescue helicopters.

FN External Mount Gun System Arms Air Force HH-60W Next Gen Rescue Helo

Load More

WATCH NOW: TACTICAL-LIFE’s RELOADING ZONE

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

The new Extar EP45 AR-style pistol comes chambered in .45 ACP.

Extar EP45: AR-Style, Large-Format Pistol Chambered in 45 ACP!

You would think, with all the targeting of large-format, AR-style pistols by the Biden-Harris administration via the ATF, that companies...

Read more

TRENDING

New Jersey LEOSA, federal law

Big Court Win for New Jersey LEOSA Permits

...

The Dicken Drill is named for Eli Dicken who saved many lives in the Greenwood Mall

The Elisjsha Dicken Drill

...

U.S. Secret Service adopts Glock G47

FIRST LOOK: Glock Just Very Quietly Unveiled the New Glock 47 Pistol

...

Police Sidearms, police duty pistols, Handguns, America's Largest Police Departments 2018

Police Sidearms: The Handguns of America’s 10 Largest Departments

...

PICK A CATEGORY

TACTICS & TRAINING SPOTLIGHT

CMP surplus ammunition.

CMP Surplus Ammo Coming Soon in M2 Ball, .30 Carbine & More

Some big news for trigger pullers recently from the Civilian Marksmanship Program. A wide selection of CMP surplus ammo will...

TACTICS & TRAINING SHOWCASE

Active School Shooter Training: 14 Key Points to Consider

Active School Shooter Training: 14 Key Points to Consider

Tactical Reload Semi-Auto Pistol Step 8

5 Strategies For Effectively Completing a Tactical Reload

The Colt CBX Precision Rifle ushers in a new era in colt bolt-gun offerings.

FIRST LOOK: Colt CBX Precision Chassis Rifle Ready to Compete & Win

Fact vs. Fiction 5 Myths Gunfight Survival lead

5 Common Myths on How to Survive a Gunfight

Standing Your Ground Castle Doctrine lead

Understanding Stand Your Ground Laws and Castle Doctrine

long distance shooting tips

Long-Distance Shooting: 5 Must-Know Tips For Spotters & Shooters

IMPACT Experience Events.

IMPACT Experience Events Redefine Your Long-Range Shooting Limits

Enhance your shooting precision skills in a course with Modern Day Sniper.

Sniper Skills: Taking Your Shooting Precision to the Next Level

Once you find a carry gun that works for you, get another for a spare. These “hammerless” S&W J-frame lightweights are M340 M&P with Hogue Bantam grips, top, and a M442 Airweight with Crimson Trace Lasergrips, below.

10 Commandments of Concealed Carry

AMMO SPOTLIGHT

The Rock River Arms RBG-1S.

Rocking Out: Going Long Range with the Rock River Arms RBG-1S

Spotter up. Steel silhouette at 1,075 yards. Half-value wind, hold right edge. Send it. The shooter presses the trigger, and...

site logo
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun news, gun reviews and gun magazines for gun enthusiasts, military and law enforcement

Tactical

  • tactical-life.com

Magazines

  • Tactical Life
  • The Complete Book of Reloading
  • Guns of the Old West

Facebook

  • Tactical-Life Facebook
  • Guns of the Old West Facebook

Twitter

  • Tactical-Life Twitter

Self Defense

  • PersonalDefenseWorld.com

Magazines

  • Personal Defense World
  • Combat Handguns

Facebook

  • Personal Defense World Facebook
  • Combat Handguns

Twitter

  • Personal Defense World Twitter

Shooting Lifestyle

  • BallisticMag.com

Magazines

  • BallisticMag.com

Facebook

  • Ballistic Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Ballistic Magazine Twitter

Alpha Lifestyle

  • SkillsetMag.com

Magazines

  • Skillset

Facebook

  • Skillset Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Skillset Magazine Twitter

Instagram

  • Skillset Magazine Instagram
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Specialty Guns
    • Custom Guns
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
    • Rifle Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
      • Night Vision
      • Thermal Vision
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Maintenance & Tools
  • Gear
    • Ears & Eyes
    • Knives
    • Apparel
    • Tactical-Gear
    • Knives
    • Storage
    • Flashlights
    • Electronics
    • Less Lethal
  • Lifestyle
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
    • competition-shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range
    • Training
    • First Aid
    • Survival
    • Pop Culture
    • History
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Contact Us

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.