Help choosing a flintlock pistoly next

[traditional91]

Hello, i'm looking to get a flintlock pistol. I don't want anything fancy and i don't wanna break the bank. I just want something to hunt deer with which brings me to my next question; is it possible to hunt deer with a pistol? Is it feasible and are they accurate enough? (talking close range)Thanks for the help!

 

[renovato]

I'd look into the Lyman Great Plains Pistol. You can get it in .54 caliber which is a big plus for hunting. It's a very well built gun with a good lock. Robust enough to handle fairly hot charges. They're pretty accurate too.

Consider that the ball from a pistol will only be going about as fast at the muzzle as the ball from a rifle would be going at 100 yards or so, if that. Shot placement is critical and shots need to be taken at close range. If you can place the shot with certainty, the pistol should be more than up to the task. You could probably use a short bullet like the Ballette to hedge your bets a little as far as penetration is concerned.

 

[traditional91]

I can't seem to find that one in a flintlock model. I did find something else interesting. Here's a link http://www.militaryheritage.com/muskets.htm
Those are replica models or rifles and pistols. I states that they are fireable if a vent hole is drilled by a gun smith. Anyone have any experience with these? Would these be as good as a Traditions pistol or something? Thanks!

 

[fujione]

I hope someone has handled one or better fired one because I want one!!!

joe

 

[jimmytheshank]

I've bought 3 pistols from oldarmy. Two were Early American flinters. One .45 cal, the other .50 cal. I gave those to my younger brother. I have another that is a late Kentucky style that is also .50. You can hunt with them allright. Give him a holler and tell him I sent you. He LOVES making pistols. :grin:

 

[PaulN/KS]

The Gunworks has a nice custom flint pistol that they sell. Bought one for the wife in .50 caliber and it is well made and shoots good. Plus they are great folks to deal with... :thumbsup:

 

[Zoar]

Carson-- I would not use the military heritage guns for anything except MAYBE reenactments. PLus, if you think you might be saving money by having a gunsmith driling out a vent hole, threading it and installing a vent, then the money you might have thought you saved you just spent (and then some).

There are plenty of real pistols and pistol kits at Track Of The Wolf, Dixie, Midsouth, etc. where no gunsmith or machine shop work is needed. I would focus on these. I would recommend a 50 or 54 caliber with rear sight and front sight. You can get a kit for uwell nder $300 bucks. The finished guns are that much more than the kist adn would be superior to a gun you need to have a gunsmith work on for you at X$ per hour.

here is a link to midsouth shooters-- http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

They have a flintlock pistol in 50 cal for like $254 BUCKS!!!! Or a PERCUSSION 50 cal fully finished and ready to shoot pistol for $173!!!! holy cow, why go through Hertiage and drilling and tapping vent holes?

 

[laufer]

i shoot kentacky .54 flint from pedersolli, two sights, 30gr of fffg, shoots where it wants past 25 yards most of the time, but feels good at the belt and if, god forbid :grin: , i have to shoot a follow up on a deer or elk. good luck!

 

[Zoar]

Also, I just checked out Heritage again and all the pistols they have are single sight (on the front) with no rear sight. This is not what you want for HUNTING deer. And, they are expensive.

The Kentucky Pistol as others have mentioned is a great choice. Two sights is best. I have a Harper's Ferry in 58 caliber that I really like to shoot for fun, but for hunting deer it's single front sight is NOT good unless the deer is very close. NOT saying impossible but hey you can get a really good Kentucky for low money and have an accurate deer slaying pistol.