Pedersoli Queen Anne?

[Ray-Vigo]

The better half has a birthday coming up in a few weeks and is considering the Pedersoli Queen Anne pistol among her options. Anyone have one and care to comment on the quality vs some of the other, similar alternatives (Middlesex, Pedersoli Kentucky etc)? The Queen Anne's price is the range we're considering-- this will be mainly for target shooting a couple times per month.

 

[Zonie]

The Queen Anne is a pretty pistol but it has a few shortfalls.
First off, there are no sights so getting a good group on target is a challenge.

As the gun comes, the vent hole leaves a lot to be desired if you don't like hang or mis fires.

Follow this link. for an easy fix to the vent problem. If your handy with some basic tools it isn't hard to do. http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/193295/post/263703/fromsearch/1/

For a follow up after modifying the vent I posted this. http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/193300/post/263751/fromsearch/1/

 

[Jean-Luc]

The Queen Ann is one of the worst productions of Pedersoli.
The only good thing in that pistol is the lock but one of the two lock screws is a wood screw. It will not survive many takedowns.
The barrel is only fastened by the tang screw and will not stand heavy loads. I have seen such a Queen Ann braking in two in the hands of a friend.
Aiming is quite difficult since the gun has no sights but this was the rule for original Queen Ann pistols since the barrel had to be unscrewed for loading.

The replica is also totally historically inaccurate.

 

[Ray-Vigo]

Would you guys find the Pedersoli Kentucky the better pick? I've heard bad things about a weak nose cap joint on those.

I realize Pedesoli and Middlesex Trading aren't near the quality custom offerings, but this is mainly for someone who shoots paper once or twice a month and is happy just getting on the paper at, say, 25 yards-- plinking really.

 

[Zonie]

The nosecap/wood barrel retention of the Pedersoli Kentucky leaves a bit to be desired but with light and medium powder loads it's workable.

Unless your stuck on getting a flintlock I would suggest the Lyman Plains pistol in .50 caliber.
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000156010608

 

[F.G. Ford]

I have had two Pedersoli Queen Anne pistols, bad & worse.
What more can I say!
Trigger pull on both was about 30 lbs., ignition was bad to non existant to say the best.
If you want a good target & shooter, a Moore, or Lyman plains pistol work well.
Old Ford

 

[Ray-Vigo]

Thanks to everyone for their advice-- this actually led us away from the Queen Anne, it sounds like it may not be very robust.

She actually ordered a Lyman Plains Pistol from Midsouth Shooter in .50 cal this weekend-- I'm assuming we can use many of the same supplies I use for my .50 cal rifle in that Plains Pistol (.490 ball, .010 patch, rods/cleaning, #11 caps, etc). Does anyone here have a Plains Pistol they're using for 25 yard targets?

 

[Zonie]

As a matter of fact, your ball/patch/caps are exactly what I would suggest for your wife's new pistol.

I am rather surprised you are using a .010 thick patch for your rifle but if it works well who am I to argue?

Most .50 cal rifle shooters use a thicker patch with their .490 diameter ball and that's OK with a rifle where starting the patched ball with a short starter can be easily done but those thicker patches in a pistol can make loading difficult.

Have fun, both of you!

 

[Ray-Vigo]

I've actually never tried a heavier patch-- I just went with Track's suggestion in its "for .50 rifle" section. But your post has me thinking I might want to try an .015 and an .018 as well. I ended up ordering some of those last night. If they work better, great, and the better half's pistol will get the .010 patches in the end.