How much?

[Little Wattsy]

I am thinking about a pistol kit. A .50 or preferably a .54 sidelock precussion. What would be a GREAT buy on one? Any advice as to what to look for?

 

[bwhoffman]

Traditions seems to be the standard, along with the lyman.
I prefer the traditions trapper and Wm Parker as compared to the lyman, but thats just me.
If I were to get a new gun, I would more than likely go with a pedersoli of the lepage persuassion!
I think the lyman can be had in 54.
The trapper has double set triggers which makes paper punching for score a bit of an advantage over the stiffer single trigger guns. Again, thats just my take!

Heaven would be a lepage copy in .40 with a fast twist barrel.

 

[Little Wattsy]

Traditions seems to be the standard, along with the lyman.
I prefer the traditions trapper and Wm Parker as compared to the lyman, but thats just me.
If I were to get a new gun, I would more than likely go with a pedersoli of the lepage persuassion!
I think the lyman can be had in 54.
The trapper has double set triggers which makes paper punching for score a bit of an advantage over the stiffer single trigger guns. Again, thats just my take!

Heaven would be a lepage copy in .40 with a fast twist barrel.

Im just getting use to to the idea of a slow twist barrel for RB's...Why a fast twist barrel?
What would be a good price on one?

 

[bwhoffman]

Shorter barreled handguns are always faster twist.
most all the traditions guns are 1:20. I have shot a few that were 1:48 and I could not get it to group. There are a few production 1:32 out there.
Price? the trapper used to be 165, now like about 225-250. The lyman kit is somewhere around 200 +/- depending on where you order it from.
The pedersoli site has some nice stuff, finished and used to have kits, but a bit pricey. Although their pictures seem to make up for that.

I guess really, What are your intentions of use for this gun? paper punching, hunting?
The use would lead me down a couple different paths as to how I would carry, what I would carry, trigger type and sights ect.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Try to get to a shop that specializes in muzzleloaders, not a shop that carries some muzzleloaders as a side line. There are some really fantastic guns out there, that are hard to find at the shops. I hate trying to buy/order a gun by just looking at pictures and descriptions. Do you want flint or perc, or inline. Will you want to use heavy hunting charges or mostly plink and use it as a possible follow up shot with your regular muzzleloadr gun?

I am fortunate that I live about 60 miles from Dixon's Muzzleloader shop. At any one Time, he probably has 10 to 20 different model side lock pistols in stock.

Some folks rail against the Spanish made guns. However, there are some new lines of guns made in India, (as incredible as it seems) and they don't look bad and have been getting fair to good reviews.

I have a fair collection of black powder pistols. From flint to perc lock to inline and revolvers.

Over the years I have managed to pick up some odd ball production guns that I have never even seen pictured in a catalogue. How about a Italian made kentucky style percussion pistol, with a solid brass rifled barrel. Or an Italian made 36 caliber box lock perc target pistol, with Olympic international style target grips. (It was cheap too, only $65.00 brand new in the box.) There are a few pedersoli pistols in catelogues, that I understand only perhaps a dozen or so have been imported to the US.

When you get up to the fancier production pistols, sometimes it is cheaper to get a custom builder to make one for you.

 

[Little Wattsy]

Appreciate the info...For me at this time a pistol wopuld be more of a paper puncher VS a hunter.

 

[bwhoffman]

for the money....Traditions Trapper!

 

[rafterob]

A great buy on one would be $100 or less and is occasionaly found on used ones if you have patience. Otherwise expect to pay close to $200 or over for a good quality kit. Check Dixie's web sight for ideas in price.