leave it loaded?

[relicshunter]

How long do/can you leave a revolver loaded before you need to worry about rust taking hold?

 

[necchi]

"Loaded" has nothing to do with rust.

It's all about the environment the gun is kept in.

 

Indefinitely. Rust is not an issue as long as it's stored properly, as it should be anyway, loaded or not.

 

[cynthialee]

I keep my revolver loaded at all times. I tend to shoot it at least once or twice a month but have had it sit for up to 4 months loaded without any issues.

Clean it faithfuly and get down right OCD about it before you load it for an extended time and you won't have any issues.

 

[M. De Land]

As long as it has not been previously shot and left loaded your fine. It's the salt from combustion of black powder that causes the rust from the fouling because it is hygroscopic.Black powder, even 4F is not very hygroscopic ,which I found out about a year ago after running some tests of my own in my bluing cabinet.
Elmer Kieth used to say he kept some of his black powder revolvers loaded for long periods of time without any rust.
One more thing should be mentioned and that is loading a clean revolver without making sure all oil is removed from the cylinder and nipples.I've gotten away with shooting out of oiled chambers if shot right away although the fouling was worse from the burned oil but I wouldn't want to load them with oil on the steel if going to be kept that way for long periods of time before shooting.
Acetone or alcohol work good for this.MD

 

[George T.]

I have loaded and left loaded a clean revolver but not dirty. I have not had any problem when left loaded couple of months. My guess in loaded dirty there would probably be some problems. I have done this capped and un capped with no problem. Geo. T.

 

[D Sanders]

.
Acetone or alcohol work good for this.MD

I use both to clean my guns. I reload and leave them that way for months and have had no issues with rust.

HH 60

 

[relicshunter]

That's what I was thinking but figured better make sure.Better safe than sorry!
Thanks a bunch to all of you.

 

[Shoeless]

I have heard stories of civil war weapons that were found loaded. Some have been capped and fired,imagine shooting powder and ball over 150 years old.....

 

[Brady]

What about leaving it loaded with pre-lubed patches? Will the lube spoil the powder? I guess an alternative would be to load powder, ball then grease.

 

[Shoeless]

I have preloaded cylinders with lubed wads the night before a shoot but I would not go any longer especially in the heat.....

 

[bobthemotorcycle]

I was told you had to unload every night do to the fact your powder would get wet over night if you did not.

I was actually told wrong because I now know better.

Once its in there it will last a very long time.

 

What about leaving it loaded with pre-lubed patches? Will the lube spoil the powder? I guess an alternative would be to load powder, ball then grease.

I've seen Ox Wads left in an 1860 for a period of over six months and fire just fine. all five chambers.

 

[M. De Land]

I got to thinking tonight when I went out to try and make the video of the cylinder loader tool that one may not want to leave a gun loaded with filler in on top of the powder as that may cause a corrosion problem, I don't know. I do know black powder by itself in a clean gun will not.
I loaded all six in the video to show how it is done with the loader so will need to pull these balls in the spare 58 cylinder. MD

 

[swathdiver]

Folks, I make my own paper cartridges with a lubed wad inside on top of the powder and under the ball. Made them around Thanksgiving and fired some off the other day. Not a problem. Same with leaving it loaded with a lubed wad underneath.

Could it happen if your lube was too watery, salty or oily? I dunno.

 

[M. De Land]

I was speaking of filler not a lube wad (cream of wheat or corn meal etc) and against bare steel not inside a paper jacket. MD

 

[swathdiver]

Done that too MD. I use corn meal and keep it on my powder horn. If I did it like you, I'd always have a couple of cylinders with corn meal under the powder! hehehe

Anyhow, no problems with corn meal on top of the powder and under the ball without lube for me too. BTDT. I gather the ball being crunched down on top of them keeps them separated but it's not like I shook it up before shooting!