50 cal single shot caplock?

[Frank44]

I was looking at the Lyman Great Plains pistol. Is there something that would be better for target shooting? I want to stick with 50 cal caplock.
Frank

 

[FishDFly]

I was looking at the Lyman Great Plains pistol. Is there something that would be better for target shooting? I want to stick with 50 cal caplock.
Frank

If you are committed to a 50:

Things to consider?

1. What is your budget?
2. How serious are your about target shooting?
3. Look at the Pedersoli site and see if there
is anything that interests you.
4. Check Taylors, Cherry's or Flintlock Etc.

 

[vervillev]

The Traditions Trapper has adjustable sights and set trigger.
It's a fairly well made pistol.
I have one (haven't shot it yet) but am sure that it will be fine.
It wont break the bank either as far a cost is concerned and it has a pretty nice finish as well.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

that's what started my journey into BP guns, however mine is a CVA kit I finished. forgot to clean it once and rust got the bore which I bored/reamed out to .62 (20 ga). used this as 'trekking gun' for several treks.
good luck with your pistol buy.

 

[azmntman]

I had a CVA kit I built in early 80's that was a tack driver at 25 yards and was not accurate past 30? Never figured that out. Have a new kit I "slapped together" and it is still being evaluated for accuracy but oddly enough I was shooting 3" groups last time out at 20 yds off hand and on a rest MUCH bigger groups. Like said above kinda depends on the cash available. You can do better.

 

[Patocazador]

If you can find one, try a T/C Patriot pistol. They go used for ~ $350. I have one in .45 and it shoots real good. I'm pretty sure they made them in .50 cal. too.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Patriots were 45 and 36 but not 50.
Lyman is as good as any.
The trapper is heavy and clunky but doable.
A traditions Kentucky comes in 50 so does the Pedersoli kentucky.

good balance and light crisp trigger are hard to find in the usual offerings

For

 

[CKeshen]

I have a Traditions William Parker .50 that I paid $370 for from Kittery Trading Post. It shoots just as accurately as my Pedersoli Le Page .44 that I paid more than 2x the money for. It is also, in my opinion an extremely good looking pistol. I have 7 BP pistols/revolvers, most costing more than the William Parker, but the Parker in one of my favorites to shoot. It does not have an adjustable sight, but is a perfect 6 o'clock hold on a B-8 target at 15 yards. Has a very good double set trigger too.

Love that gun, I would highly recommend it.

I would stay away from the less expensive Pedersoli's. I have never shot one, but from what I've heard the triggers leave a lot to be desired.

 

[cynthialee]

That is a decent pistol. A friend has one and let me shoot it.
Before I got to shoot one I was of the misinformed opinion that these old style single shot (Kentucky/Plains/Hawken) pistols wouldn't be comfortable shooters. Was I wrong......yeah.
Convinced me enough of the design of these old styled pistols that I did get a CVA Hawken pistol. (which I like to call my poor girls Plains Pistol)

 

[azmntman]

What kinda groups can ya get with it Cynthia?

 

[cynthialee]

I never measured them to be honest. I get all my shots close to the middle of a pie plate at 30 yards in a nice group with the occasional flyer that is still on the plate and the occasional bulls-eye that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Minute of deer works for me.
:grin:

 

[tenngun]

I have killed deer and turkey with mine,at ranges of about 15 yards on the deer and 20 on the turkey. Was fired from good resting postion and not 'off hand'It clover leafs at 15 yards from a rest. I dont do that well from off hand. But its rare for me to shoot any thing off hand if I can rest...This is the CVA .50 mountian pistol.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I have the CVA Mountain Pistol. Once I overcame the creep in the trigger and the light mainspring, I can get cloverleafs using a two handed hold at 25 yards. Now I need to lower the front sight to raise the point of impact about 6 inches.

 

[MacRob46]

If by target shooting you mean setting up a target in the woods and shooting for fun then the GP should be fine. If you want to be a competitive target shooter then you definitely need something of better quality in terms of trigger, barrel and grip configuration.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

An acquaintance got a CVA Kentucky pistol in 45, although some 50's were made. He cut the stock back some and added barrel key. Turned the forward 2/3's of the barrel round, replaced the lock with one that had a fly in the tumbler and then replaced the trigger with a single set. With the plow handle grip, I think it is still a bit front heavy, but he does real well with it. The total he has in it is probably around $200.00. I recently picked up a CVA Kentucky to do a similar modification to. I am planning to move the rear sight to the top of the tang to get a longer sight radius.

 

[Frank44]

The single shot 50 is on hold for a while. I shot my Ruger Old Army today. I forgot how much fun it was. Now I want a light 31, or 36 revolver so my wife, and Grandkids can shoot it. Thanks for all your advice. I can get the 50 cal. when I sell a few more things.
Frank

 

[cynthialee]

If'n I had a ROA I don't think I would have much need of a .50 side lock either.

 

[azmntman]

Have both, both are equally fun! :hatsoff:

For wife and g-kids I say the .31 cannot be beat!

 

[Zonie]

IMO, the Colt 1849 .31 is a pretty nice pistol but the .31 cal Remington Pocket Model leaves a lot to be desired.

The grip is VERY SMALL and the spur trigger guard isn't the safest design in the world.

If I were looking for a nice pistol that's easy for most people including kids over 9 years old to grip it would be the .36 caliber Colt 1851 Navy.

 

[Patocazador]

If'n I had a ROA I don't think I would have much need of a .50 side lock either.

I've got 2 Roas and still built (kit) and bought 2 sidelocks afterwards.
Variety is the spice of life ... so they tell me.