LeMat

[FireMaker]

Our PD took a LeMat in as evidence last year. We are getting ready to destroy guns next week and I got permission to take it out and shoot it before it gets destroyed.

Will be having the range open Fri and will take the fixens. Looking forward to getting the chance to shoot the gun. Too bad our law requires it to be trashed.

 

[TFoley]

Don't anybody say anything about the UK and how terble they are there to have to trash guns, OK?

tac

 

[Cmabie]

Gee Whizz,

Sounds like San Francisco or Berkeley just north of where I live. Pardon the political statement, but both those cities have councils that are extremely liberal and left winged. What a shame! Maybe you can offer to buy the revolver. It is a shame to see it destroyed. A friend of mine visited England many years ago when he and I were in the army stationed in Bavari. He got lost and went into a local police station to get directions. The desk sageant was sawing a pair of Queen Ann pistols in two to make them inoperable. Most of the collected and turned in revolvers I have seen in police stations are old H. & R. and Iver Johonson revolvers Some of them were not operable.

 

[FireMaker]

At least I dont have to clean it. :blah:

 

[Cmabie]

You're right. Some of the Colt cap and ball revolvers require disassembling to properly clean them. One has to remove the one piece grip to clean the insides. I would still ask them if you could have it or if you could buy it from them. I mentioned the cheap pocket revolvers in local police stationss that were turned in. I wonder if the good ones slipped into someone's pocket and were taken home or the police deparetment sold them off. :winking:

 

[FireMaker]

If the gun is taken as evidence, state law requires that the gun be destroyed. If someone turns a gun in, an officer may purchase same from the owner. The state law requires that the officer give a "fair market value" for the piece. The officer may also donate the fair market value of the gun to a non-profit organization of their choice.

When I have done this I either donate to the nonprofit wing of the NRA or my church. Folks are typically happy. If it is something out of my league with value, I will punt them to a local dealer who will get folks a fair price. I hate to see a quality piece cut in little pieces when it is not required.

 

[Zonie]

With some fast talking, perhaps you could convince the PD that this really isn't a "gun".
It's a Antique Replica and a Curio more like a tea pot or an old clock.

Something to think about. :hmm:

 

[FireMaker]

Once the serial number is recorded, it doesnt matter. We destroy evidence all the time.

Took it out to shoot. Not impressed at all. #11 caps are too large. Fall off with the first firing. Pinch them so they stay on and the hammer will hit them at an angle smooshing (techical term for striking cap at angle and crushing metal)the cap. #10 caps are too small and I could not get them on far enough. Some would fire with first blow but if they did not they would be smooshed as well.

Never did get the shot barrel to fire. Loading was a bite and did not like the loading rod. I only had 454 balls and it calls for 451. The loading rod bent very easy with the 454 balls. Had to remove the cylinder and use my loading block I have for my 1858.

I was using 20 and 25 grains of 3f. Trigger pull was fine. Little long to get the hammer pulled back. Other period guns are easier to cock with one hand. Accuracy was acceptable. Did mostly one hand stuff as that was what I was teaching that day at the range.

Bunch of the guys had a chance to shoot the gun and had a good time.

Great oportunity to take the gun out and destroy it at the range. Gonna cut it up anyway and so I was pretty rough with it. I much prefer the colts or remingtons if I was going the 1860s route.