Black Powder - US M1842 rifled musket - shipping delays?

[PA Rifleman]

Question for the Civil War re-enactors, skirmishers and others:

Ordered an Armisport M1842 rifled musket on Mar 2, paid for it (credit card) on the 13th. Still no rifle. Contacted the imported, they keep saying some are on the way but no dice yet. The vendor I paid on the 13th has been 100% truthful, so I'm not eager to kill the deal with them.

I have seen the same gun elsewhere, but they're usually $645+shipping, and no guarantees they're in stock.

Now I'm hearing that excessive delays are the norm with Italian gunmakers...is this correct? Or is this God's way of giving me a few more precious weeks with two good shoulders, before the recoil from a 700 grain bullet ruins one?

[TJB63]

Not sure about the M1842 -- But I have ordered quite a few BP guns from Dixie and never, ever had a shipping problem. I did have a problem with a .31 Remington they had on sale, The one they sent looked used and probably was returned, Back it went and they shipped me a brand new one with no problems & no wait.

FYI Most reputable businesses DO NOT charge your credit card until the order has shipped. No matter how up front the guy seems I would question his billing practice, of course if he is a crook he certainly isn't going to come out and tell you he is and being 'up Front' with you would be in keeping with not blowing his cover.

I believe you can contact your Credit Card company about being charged without receiving the merchandise, I'm not sure but that may even be a law about waiting till the order ships to bill. Maybe someone better in the know than me can answer that one.

Good Luck, I have an 1841 Zouave .58Cal. that is quite fun to shoot.

TJ

[PA Rifleman]

Well, it arrived and I must say it's nice. It looks like they made an effort to put the correct VP and proof marks, and even the Federal Eagle on the lockplate. It was worth the wait. There aren't a lot of pictures of these, so feast your eyes:






And for the bigger-is-better crowd, the smaller bullet is a 58 caliber Minie. This musket fires the larger one.

[crazyyankee]

You will enjoy shooting it. I like shooting my Armisport 1863 Springfield and my cap & ball revolvers.

[PA Rifleman]

Bullets weigh 700 grains a pop. I think it might have some recoil.