School me on black powder revolvers!

sixtysevensg

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So, I watched The Outlaw Josey Wales the other night and it got me wanting an old school reproduction revolver. Thing is I know squat about cap and ball, percussion, balck powder, etc. So, where to start? I like the 1847 Walkers and corresponding Dragoon types, 1860 Army and such. Y'all learn me something.

Ohh, I wasn't sure whether to put this here in Wheelguns or the Black Powder section, so mods feel free to move this wherever.
 
They are cool, you need one. Cheap too! I have a Ruger Old Army and Uberti copies of the 1860 Colt and 1858 Remington. Pretty simple really. You put powder in the chamber, then a wad, then a properly sized ball, pressed in with the lever on the gun. Place a cap on the nipple, and when you pull the trigger it goes bang (koff, koff). Go on Youtube and find Hickok 45's videos on these things, they show it better than I can tell it. Dixie Gun Works is a good place to buy guns and supplies; good selection, good prices, good service. And if you just want to shoot without fooling with all that other stuff, you can get replacement cylinders that accept 45 long Colt cartridges.
 
You could get a cartidge conversion revolver. They have the Josey Wales look without the cap and ball fuss.

Black powder revolvers will rust in about ten minutes if they aren't cleaned immediately after shooting. There is a good thread on THR.org about caring for one.

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk
 
I loved my 1858 Remington. Lost it a car fire. Easy to use really needs to be cleaned well after use. I used 40grns of pyrodex in mine. The walkers can handle more. The walker was the most powerful pistol made until 357 mag came along. Walkers are swwwwweeeeeet. Thats not a professional opinion. Walker said we need a pistol powerful enough to kill a horse so him and colt came up with one.
 
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You could get a cartidge conversion revolver. They have the Josey Wales look without the cap and ball fuss.

Black powder revolvers will rust in about ten minutes if they aren't cleaned immediately after shooting. There is a good thread on THR.org about caring for one.

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk

Cap and ball fuss? Its super simple. Was up and running at 16 years old. Deer hunt with the walker if you want. The walkers can even do conical bullets.
 
If you would like to try one out before purchasing something let me know. I live in Thomasville and can help you out. Try before you buy when possible I say. I have somewhere we can shoot mine. I have 2 left. 1858 Remington .44 and 1851 Navy .36 cal. Just let me know.
 
I've owned two, 1851 Navy (med frame, 6 shot) and a 1862 Pocket Police (small frame, 5 shot, think of a Smith J frame with long barrel) both in .36 cal (.375 round ball or conical bullet). 3 main calibers, .31, .36 and .44. Small concealable guns such as the Colt 1849, bemonmoths such as the Walkers and Dragoons, to the belt guns (med frame) of the 1851 Navy and 1860 Army. If you want to shoot allot get a steel frame over brass. There were also DA besides SA guns. They look at the LeMat for a 9 shot .44 with a 20 gauge barrel in the center.

I cast my own round .375 balls for my guns. Picked up the Navy in a trade back in 91' and then drove down to Dixie Gun Works in TN (at Ft Campbell Ky at time) and got the Pocket Police. Colts black powder guns didn't have a top strap where Remington started with one with the 1858 Army. Smith and Wesson held the patent on bored thru cylinders till their patent expired in 1872 and then Colt took the grip frame of the 51' Navy, added a top strap on top of their 1872 centerfire gun to come up with the 1873 Peacemaker.

Suggest you handle a few to get a feel for the balance. Notice the frame as some are boxy and others more streamlined. Rammers became more effective as time went along too. Compare a 51' Navy to a 60' Army.


CD
 
I wanted a LeMat, until I realized it was out of my price range. Next was a Walker. Closer to my budget but still don't have one.

Those revolvers do have an elegance , maybe even romance, and an attitude modern style revolvers don't. You learn to enjoy and praise click-bang and scaring all the skeeters that a few seconds before hounded over you. There is not 1s hurried shooting on them, for there is no quick tactical operator reloading techniques. You make each round count because reloading is a multi-minute affair that is better not done in a hurry.
 
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If you would like to try one out before purchasing something let me know. I live in Thomasville and can help you out. Try before you buy when possible I say. I have somewhere we can shoot mine. I have 2 left. 1858 Remington .44 and 1851 Navy .36 cal. Just let me know.
That would not hurt my feelings one bit, sir.

I've owned two, 1851 Navy (med frame, 6 shot) and a 1862 Pocket Police (small frame, 5 shot, think of a Smith J frame with long barrel) both in .36 cal (.375 round ball or conical bullet). 3 main calibers, .31, .36 and .44. Small concealable guns such as the Colt 1849, bemonmoths such as the Walkers and Dragoons, to the belt guns (med frame) of the 1851 Navy and 1860 Army. If you want to shoot allot get a steel frame over brass. There were also DA besides SA guns. They look at the LeMat for a 9 shot .44 with a 20 gauge barrel in the center.

I cast my own round .375 balls for my guns. Picked up the Navy in a trade back in 91' and then drove down to Dixie Gun Works in TN (at Ft Campbell Ky at time) and got the Pocket Police. Colts black powder guns didn't have a top strap where Remington started with one with the 1858 Army. Smith and Wesson held the patent on bored thru cylinders till their patent expired in 1872 and then Colt took the grip frame of the 51' Navy, added a top strap on top of their 1872 centerfire gun to come up with the 1873 Peacemaker.

Suggest you handle a few to get a feel for the balance. Notice the frame as some are boxy and others more streamlined. Rammers became more effective as time went along too. Compare a 51' Navy to a 60' Army.


CD
I do have a 1973 Colt Peacemaker that my pops gave me ( who just so happens to live in Supply ) and I love shooting it. I figure it's similar in feel, but then again they're all different too.
 
I wanted a LeMat, until I realized it was out of my price range. Next was a Walker. Closer to my budget but still don't have one.

Those revolvers do have an elegance , maybe even romance, and an attitude modern style revolvers don't. You learn to enjoy and praise click-bang and scaring all the skeeters that a few seconds before hounded over you. There is not 1s hurried shooting on them, for there is no quick tactical operator reloading techniques. You make each round count because reloading is a multi-minute affair that is better not done in a hurry.
There is just something about them! I need one like a hole in the head, but I've always been intrigued by them. I really don't think slowing down would be a bad thing at all. I've got my "plastic fantastics" for when I need to just blast away, but theres something about a big ol' shootin' iron.
 
Good thread. I just bought a replica Siller and Burr from Dixie the other day. Can not wait to shoot it. Been shooting Muskets for a while now and just enjoy black powder.

rev.JPG
 
Forgot my manners to post pictures of my Navy and Pocket Police.

P1280006.JPG



CD
 
Wow! I like that pocket revolver
 
I have used Pyrodex P in the past. It's a black powder substitute. However, I came across a decent amount of Goex 3F black powder a few years ago and have been using it exclusively now. I use Goex 2F for my blackpowder shotgun loads. I use paper hulls, cut them to 2.5inches for the older shotguns. Load them using circle fly supplies. I then roll crimp the ends over onto the overshot card. My dippers and roll crimpers are circa 1890. I just sold my Remington model 1900 side by side shotgun. It had Damascus steel barrels. It was in great shape with mint bores. I miss it already. It's what I was shooting those loads through. I hear Swiss black powder is good stuff but it's more expensive than Goex and harder to come by. I need to find some more Goex 3F very soon. If anyone knows where I can get some let me know. Local shop I used to get it from doesn't stock it anymore due to high shipping costs with the Hazmat fees.
 
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I use Goex 3f and Pyrodex. I will be using Goex exclusively once the Pyrodex is used up. Goex just works better in my opinion.
 
I bought one for gigles and shits but I took so long to reload it that I quickly tired of it and gave it away.

yea, but you don't have to worry about reloading anything before a range trip! the old "I don't have any 9mm loaded" excuse doesn't cut it with these.
 
Chain fires believe it or not are usually the result of loose fitting percussion caps. With tight fitting percussion caps and a tight fitting ball the chamber is sealed. If you also grease the ends of your chambers over the ball that adds an extra layer of protection and helps to keep the fouling soft. Your lead ball should shave a thin ring of lead when seating to provide a proper seal. I've fired probably about 400-500 loads through mine and never once had a chain fire. I don't expect to ever experience that myself. On a side note, cleaning is easier than most would say. I have several different methods that work great. Depends on my mood which I choose. I have not a single hint of rust in or on my BP revolvers. I take them down to every piece about once a year to detail clean although I cant tell then that I needed too. that proves my methods of cleaning are sound. I recently detail stripped my SAA that I've only ever shot smokeless loads through and it was filthier than any of my BP revolvers have ever been.
 
You could get a cartidge conversion revolver. They have the Josey Wales look without the cap and ball fuss.

Black powder revolvers will rust in about ten minutes if they aren't cleaned immediately after shooting. There is a good thread on THR.org about caring for one.

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk
They may begin to develop surface rust but pitting won't occur for awhile. You have a lot longer than 10 minutes to deal with the rust. Just wanting to clarify for those who may freak out after reading and not get into shooting them. Back in the 1800s and long before that also one didn't necessarily have the time needed right away to begin cleaning after firing if you know what I mean. Also, humidity levels have a lot to do with the amount of time you have before cleaning is absolutely necessary.
 
Chain fires believe it or not are usually the result of loose fitting percussion caps.

To avoid that, I use silicon rings on the caps. They are simpily silicon tubing, cut in little pieces that you slide over the cap. They seal 'em, an' prevent 'em from gettin' wedged in the action.

Also, if you use percussion caps, you should use a percussion cap loader, or"snail capper". The SASS folks found out the hard way why these are necessary. If that cap goes off while your thumb is pushing on it, you'll feel it! Oh, and the gun will fire.
 
To avoid that, I use silicon rings on the caps. They are simpily silicon tubing, cut in little pieces that you slide over the cap. They seal 'em, an' prevent 'em from gettin' wedged in the action.

Also, if you use percussion caps, you should use a percussion cap loader, or"snail capper". The SASS folks found out the hard way why these are necessary. If that cap goes off while your thumb is pushing on it, you'll feel it! Oh, and the gun will fire.
That's some good info right there.
 
Ive never used anything over the ball to prevent chain fires. Never had a chain fire. When the ball is pressed into the cylinder it should leave a lead ring behind sealing it off from sparks.
 
Ive never used anything over the ball to prevent chain fires. Never had a chain fire. When the ball is pressed into the cylinder it should leave a lead ring behind sealing it off from sparks.
That will work... but each time you load a cylinder, you have a chance of gettin' a grain or two onto a cylinder already loaded. This is a situation where belt and suspenders is a good policy.
 
That will work... but each time you load a cylinder, you have a chance of gettin' a grain or two onto a cylinder already loaded. This is a situation where belt and suspenders is a good policy.
Load powder first on all cylinders. Then balls to prevent spilling powder on top of balls. I don't want to discourage anyone from making it safer. That said if you want to load and put tallow over the load thats fine. It makes clean up easier.
 
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I witnessed a chain fire in a colt revolving carbine at a CW reenactment when I was young.

Fortunately it was just powder. But the dude got a horrific burn on his left forearm. Don't know why it happened. I think it was powder with a wad, but don't remember.
It scared me off of ever shooting a revolving rifle like that! I always wonder what would have happened to the guy if it had balls in it.

1129.jpg
 
I witnessed a chain fire in a colt revolving carbine at a CW reenactment when I was young.

Fortunately it was just powder. But the dude got a horrific burn on his left forearm. Don't know why it happened. I think it was powder with a wad, but don't remember.
It scared me off of ever shooting a revolving rifle like that! I always wonder what would have happened to the guy if it had balls in it.

View attachment 16674
No balls equal chain fire. A rose colt carbine gives me boners. Thank you for posting. The colt carbine is one of the greatest inventions ever. The south should have continued use in the war of northern aggression. Id love a rose pistol or carbine.
 
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I witnessed a chain fire in a colt revolving carbine at a CW reenactment when I was young.

Fortunately it was just powder. But the dude got a horrific burn on his left forearm. Don't know why it happened. I think it was powder with a wad, but don't remember.
It scared me off of ever shooting a revolving rifle like that! I always wonder what would have happened to the guy if it had balls in it.

View attachment 16674
The reason he would have burned his left arm is he was holding the revolving carbine like a regular rifle. With a revolver hot gases escape from between the front of the cylinder and barrel/forcing cone area. So many people handle these wrong and end up hurting themselves and never understand why.
 
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