Comments by "mpetersen6" (@mpetersen6) on "The First Trapdoor Springfield Carbine, Model 1870" video.

You probably would have seen a rethink about tactics. Really fast
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One wonders just how much test firing Spingfield and the army did under "combat" conditions given stories about cases failing to extract. If they didn't because of financial restraints then the death of any cavalry trooper that could be attributed to a non functional carbine* can be laid at their feet along with the US Congress. *let's not get I to the whole pronunciation thing
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@ElCrab Yes I understand the issue was mainly with the ammunition. But the rifle and ammunition were part and parcel. There certainly was no issue with the strength of the design. IMO it wasn't the best of the single shot rifles of its era. But it wasn't a complete disaster either. Th ed action was strong enough to have test rifles made up in .30 Krag.
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@ElCrab Still the reason not to test the Trapdoor under extreme stress was a fatal mistake. Doing so would have prevented its combat issues with the original ammunition. But given there was practically zero ammunition alloted for range practice.
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@ElCrab A tually since drawn brass cartridges hadn't really been worked out I wonder if a composite case similiar to a shotgun shell would have worked. The brass base would have provided the gas seal. The paper based portion could have been varnished or waxed to seal it against moisture.
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