New to blackpowder weapons

[doglake]

As mentioned on a previous post, "New Revolvers", I just bought two Navy Arms 1851 Navy revolvers. I was told not to put a cap on the cylinder under the hammer as this would prevent AD's. Now for my question: why not just carry at half cock since the trigger can't be pulled until the hammer is at full cock? Since BP is new to me I just wanted opinions.

A small amount of background. I have been hunting since I was about 9 yrs. old. Took NRA safe hunting class in the 4th grade. I am a Marine and have been around firearms most of my life without an AD. I just haven't been into BP until now.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Zonie]

Most folks do not trust a half cock notch to prevent an AD.

If the hammer is at half cock and the gun is accidentally dropped if it lands on the hammer that little hardened (brittle) tip on the trigger that acts as a sear can easily break allowing the hammer to fall.

Then there is also the possibility that the sear catches on the little lip that creates the half cock notch giving the false impression that the half cock notch has been engaged. In this condition, the slightest bump or jar could cause the sear to slip off and allow the hammer to fall.

During the period of the Cap & Ball pistols, many of them came with either notches cut into the rear of the cylinder for the nose of the hammer to engage thereby locking up the cylinder until the hammer was raised.
Remington's first attempt to sell their Remington Beals Army revolver to the military was rejected, in part because it didn't have a safety device other than the half cock notch. They corrected this fault by cutting the notches I just mentioned.

Colt used small "safety pins" installed on the rear of the cylinder between the chambers.
These small pins stick out about 1/16 of an inch.
There is a slit in the face of the Colt hammers that was intended to engage these "safety pins" when the gun was loaded. Not all replicas of the Colt have these safety pins but the original pistols did have them.

Some folks call folks like me "worry warts" but I and many others are also of the opinion that one should only load 5 shots in a "six shooter" or 4 shots in a gun with 5 chambers.

When loaded this way the hammer should rest on the unloaded, uncapped chamber.

This safety idea goes back to the advent of the revolver and was standard practice throughout the use of the Colt .45 Peacemaker for those folks who wanted to carry a loaded gun.

 

[David Teague]

I carry my Model "P" and my cartridge conversion 1860 5 & 1, with the hammer on the empty chamber.

I carry my 1851, 61, & 62 percussion revolvers loaded & capped with the hammer resting between the loaded chambers on the safety pin.

Been doing it since 1973 with out a AD.

I guess I could wear suspenders with a belt to keep my pants up... :wink:

The pins keep the hammer locked in place until the hammer is cocked.

DT

 

[doglake]

That was the technical info I was looking for Jim, thank you very much. I didn't know that the replicas were not built the same as the originals and just couldn't imagine that people didn't load all cylinders during the civil war and the years after during the settling of the west. This is going to be a history lesson for my grandson and myself and I want it to be accurate and safe. What I teach him is what he will pass on in the future. :thumbsup:

 

[token tory]

I think in part that the use determines whether or not to load with an empty under the hammer.
If I'm at a range, shooting from a bench then I'll load all cylinders as the barrel will never be pointed anywhere other than downrange so the possibility of an AD is very low, or an AD inflicting injury, is even lower. Now if I'm doing anything else where the loaded pistol will be carried anywhere then I'll opt for the safe option & load just 5.

It's not a bad idea to teach with extra safety, so for instructional purposes I'd think of going for 5 is the way to go when teaching.

 

[Toomuch_36]

That was the technical info I was looking for Jim, thank you very much. I didn't know that the replicas were not built the same as the originals and just couldn't imagine that people didn't load all cylinders during the civil war and the years after during the settling of the west. This is going to be a history lesson for my grandson and myself and I want it to be accurate and safe. What I teach him is what he will pass on in the future. :thumbsup:

I would agree with Colonialist and Jim on this,use dictates method.
During hostile situations (for warfare) or at the range, load all chambers.
For casual carry, leave one hole empty for safety.

Toomuch
........
Shoot Flint

 

[David Teague]

Once again... the safety pin holds the hammer in place thanks to the cutout.

It is safe to carry 6 if you have a correct copy of the Colt with the safety pins. If a cheaper copy with out the safety pins, 5 & 1 with the hammer down on the empty chamber would be wise.

If you load 5 & 1 with any style Colt, here is a safety trick: load 1 skip 1, load the rest, you'll be back to the empty chamber without having to spin the cylinder.

Cheers,

DT

 

[Chilidog]

If you load 5 & 1 with any style Colt, here is a safety trick: load 1 skip 1, load the rest, you'll be back to the empty chamber without having to spin the cylinder.

Cheers,

DT

Hmmm... Why didn't I think of that? Thanks. :haha: :hatsoff: