Any real evidence of catastrophic failure?

[jd945043]

Hi All,
ALL the time I hear people say that India muskets will blow up in your face. However I can't find any proof of the argument. With Pedersoli being greedy as hell for any of their guns.(I have one and it's not worth the money I paid for it). Does any proof of catastrophic failure out there or is it a snobby slu?

 

[user 34486]

Anecdotal only. Not all Indian muskets are alike though as the QC varies. The biggest complaint that's objectively true is the inaccuracies in the execution of the stock contours and lock plates. Otherwise they're much lighter, and accurately so. The India Bess' have a much more accurate barrel as it's very thin like the originals, and not thickly overbuilt like the Italian guns.

As far as internal ballistics, I can do anything I want to them that I'd do to an original and get away with it.

 

[Trot]

There were a few that failed some years ago, and most likely some of those were user error. The most famous one was examined and tested, no definitive reason was found, but had the appearance of a barrel obstruction. Metallurgy seemed fine. I haven't heard of one failing in the last 10 years or so. You may have to do some tinkering for reliability, but I wouldn't worry about barrel integrity.

 

[JamesT]

Dead men tell no tales....

I have never heard of any issues personally

 

[hanshi]

I've never seen any tales verified. All seem to be third or fourth person accounts.

 

[Trot]

There absolutely were five that I know of that were photographed and documented. At one point I was considering one so did pretty intensive research. As stated though I haven't heard of one in several years, and most may very well have been user error. There was the famous Brown Bess, a Civil War era Lorenz replica, an 1853 Enfield, a flint pistol, and I am not sure what the other was but was a Civil War replica of some sort. There was also one Armi Sport Enfield that the breech failed that I came across while researching. I think this one is now posted on Middlesex Village's website.

 

[tenngun]

Real good review of military heritage muskets. All Indian guns, all put to hard use, and he is up front about pros and cons

 

[Celt5494]

I have never personally seen any issues when I have attended any events. I have a Indian made flintlock pistol in .69 I bought maybe 15 years ago and have never had any issues with it. I've loaded it up fairly hot just to see how it performs without issue. I know some don't care for them so much due to some historical accuracy but I'm not a reenactor or compete in these events other than just shooting for fun or friendly competitions. My only complaint might be the lock springs are pretty stout so they will grind down a flint a little quicker than some of my other hand crafted guns. I feel comfortable the pistol is safe to use as much as any of my other firearms. All in all I have been happy with the pistol and in truth it's fun to fire.