1862 Police as a Kit Gun

[vonfilm]

I had just about decided that a 1860 Army should be my first cap and ball revolver when I started looking at the 1862 Police Pocket Model with a 4 1/2" barrel from Cimarron. I thought this might be the best black powder revolver to use a "kit gun" .

When hunting,fishing,hiking, or general woods loafing it is my habit to carry a concealed RF kit gun with a 4" barrel to plink with or pot the occasional squirrel or rabbit. Because it is so easy to carry I find that I use it much more than my other revolvers. This is why I think that I might get more use out of a 1862 Police than a full size revolver. I can usually adapt to any grip size even though I have medium large hands.

Who else uses their 1862 Police or 1849 Baby Dragoon as a "kit gun" ? Does it have safety pins to hold the hammer for safely carrying fully loaded? Where could I find a shoulder holster or other concealment rig that would fit this little revolver?

 

[CoyoteJoe]

The 1862 makes a great kit gun but I wouldn't trust the pins as a safe way to carry, better keep an empty chamber under the hammer and make it a four-shooter. As to holsters, I always make my own but I'm sure Cimarron has a variety, not cheap but available.

Well I should have checked before shooting off my mouth (or fingers) I just checked Cimarron's website and no, they don't list anything for the 1862.

 

[Greenmtnboy]

I carry one for sm game and my trap line.
I had to have Joe time it for me and he doved tailed a front site on it so I could tap an file.
I had issues with the orginal nipples(lots of misfires) but one I got #11 ampco nipples from Track of the wolf and use only #11 mag caps I got good 25 yrd bunny killing groups.

I also got a 31 pocket that actually shoots better than the police

and like Joe I make all my holsters, usally shoulder style.

And like Joe said I pull a nipple and rest my hammer on an empty chamber,pins hardly ever hold you hammer in place.

 

[jaxenro]

the two thirds scale one here fits the police
http://www.dellsleatherworks.com/shoulderholsters.htm

 

[SAJones]

I have an Uberti 1962 that is about the most accurate C&B revolver I have. I did have to replace the front sight bead with a blade to get it on target at 25 yards. Made "slim jim" type holster for it, & it works well. Only carried it hunting a couple times, but since I'm in the boonies anyway, I usually carry a .22 or .38 'cause I don't want to leave my BP guns loaded too long. Yeah, I know, probably wouldn't hurt, but personal preferance.

 

[torn moc]

The 62 is a great pistol. I have two.
Dan Brooks can make you any type of holster you need. He sells on gunbroker

 

[vonfilm]

I ordered the Cimarron 1862 4 1/2" in standard finish from my local gun shop yesterday. They gave me a good price and I like being able to return it to them if I find an initial problem.

Now I need to start gathering all the accessories needed to make it work and keep it clean.I guess I will need .375 round balls, overpowder wads, cleaning jags, lubricant, powder measure, nipple wrench and pick, cleaner. What else? FFFg black powder of course!

 

[torn moc]

Sounds like ya got a great one comming! you listed all ya need cept the percussion caps! The reesses for the nipples are sometimes really tight so you may need to grind down the nipple wrench a bit.
Let us know how it shoots !

 

[CoyoteJoe]

Yes, they do require a tiny little nipple wrench, try this one. http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/partDetail.aspx?catId=1&subId=9&styleId=30&partNum=NW-130

 

[vonfilm]

Should I just go ahead and get that special nipple wrench and 5 Treso Ampco nipples to start with?

Does anyone know of a powder measure adjustable in 1 grain increments so I could throw something like 17 or 18 grain charge.

What would be the range of FFFg charges that I should use with the 1862?

 

[mykeal]

That's a good wrench and you will need one for that revolver. Another good choice is the double ended, hardened one by RMC-Ox Yoke, #ML063:
Nipple wrench ML063

I know of no powder measures with one grain graduations. Nor do I know any reason for using one - a single grain difference in loads of black powder has little effect.

15 to 25 gr by volume of fffg real black is a good range for the pocket revolvers in general.

 

[vonfilm]

There has been a change in plans.

My local gun shop called me this morning and said that Cimarron did not actually have a 4 1/2" barrel 1862 in stock as they had told me Monday morning. I did not want an original finish version and the only standard finish version they had was a 6 1/2" barrel. To me that is a pocket revolver for someone with pretty deep pockets.

So... I decided to have them order me a 1860 Army Military version. Its the 1862's big brother. That was on the short list anyway and actually cost a little less. Maybe I will find another 1862 in the future with the shorter barrel.

 

[ohiosam]

I have a second generation 1862 pocket navy. They are fine pistols, really point nice.