Percussion pistol options?

[chickenmcnasty]

Hey all,

I just started doing some local shoots with my rifle. I understand that a lot of rendezvous have pistol competitions as well. As such, I can now justify the expense of a new pistol!
I have seen the traditions trapper and William Parker. Any experience with these models? Are these "period correct" for use in rendezvous?
I would like to get something in .50 and then I could use my same round ball.
Thank you all

 

[Treestalker]

Most of the repro pistols leave something to be desired in the authentic category, but most seem to shoot ok. I had a CVA .45 Kentucky when I was younger that would drive a tack. I later aquired a CVA .50 Mountain pistol with a belt hook that shot so-so but was a good gun for a back up when hunting. For a packing gun, I'd get a Traditions or Pedersoli, for a target gun the Parker sounds good. hope this helps! Treestalker.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Handle them before purchase. I have a many black powder pistols. The trapper is heavy and clunky compared to most repros. If you want all round shooting a kentucky style will do it. If you fancy target shooting more, a more specialized gun is required.

I just saw a picture of a Bondini target pistol that I swear is a Lyman plains pistol with a set trigger and more polished lock. I am trying to get information about it.

 

[Toomuch51]

Getting the same cal. as your rifle is a sound plan.
As far as which model? As Zimmerstuzen stated handle several different models and see which one feels best in your hand, that will be the one you want to get.

Toomuch
............
Shoot Flint

 

[wayne terry]

I shoot a couple of lyman plains pistols that are sure fire tick lickers.

 

[chickenmcnasty]

Are all of these pistols about the same in terms of target accuracy?

 

[biliff]

I've handled the W. Parker and it was a nice pistol. The owner did pretty well with it, too. The Lyman pistol seems to have a pretty good following as well.

 

[Toomuch51]

Are all of these pistols about the same in terms of target accuracy?

They can be taken the time to build up a load for whatever model you settle on.
Practice is the key, and without the proper load none of them will be a competitive shooter. (there is no one load fits all even with the same make and model)

Toomuch
............
Shoot Flint

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Pistol shooting takes a different set of muscles and ligaments and slightly different concentration than shooting a rifle. You are holding the gun on target with three fingers and the thumb of the shooting hand and at the same time trying to squeeze the trigger independently with the trigger finger of the same hand.

The weight of the rifle or shotgun is primarily supported by the off hand (non trigger hand) while the weight of the pistol is solely in the trigger hand. Trying to squeeze the trigger and hold the gun on target at the same time is difficult and requires practice as well as conditioning. Holding the gun still and on target during the hammer fall is also a difficult thing. A trigger stop can help in that situation.

For target work, it also helps to have a loading stand. A stand which holds the pistol upright and gives you two free hands for loading. A range rod, rather than using the crappy ram roads the Traditions and Pedersoli Kentucky styles come with.

Sights on most production guns stink for fine target work. The military pistols of the first half of the 1800's had the rear sight over the breech giving a longer sight radius. Look at where the rear sight is on the colts and Remington revolvers. Back as far as possible. IMHO the rear sight is too far forward on many guns. There is a CVA rifle sight that fits in most standard 3/8 inch dovetails that puts the actual sight rearward by two inches. It helps.

I have not figured an easy way to place the rear sight over the breech of the standard repros, but I am working on it. On some originals the rear sight was on top the tang as part of the breech plug. The tangs are generally too thin and too narrow to put a dovetail in the tang.

I have always liked shooting a pistol more than a rifle.

 

[mjulihn]

Hey all,

I just started doing some local shoots with my rifle. I understand that a lot of rendezvous have pistol competitions as well. As such, I can now justify the expense of a new pistol!
I have seen the traditions trapper and William Parker. Any experience with these models? Are these "period correct" for use in rendezvous?
I would like to get something in .50 and then I could use my same round ball.
Thank you all

I started with a Traditions Trapper and it was fine, but the styling is decidedly not "period correct". However, I did like the double set triggers. I decided to sell it and pick up a Traditions Kentucky pistol in .50 caliber. I like the feel of it and it does look better next to my TC Hawken rifle. The single trigger is pretty "sloppy" by comparison with the Trapper, but snugs up once you cock the hammer.

 

[chickenmcnasty]

I almost went with the lyman plains pistol but realized it was a single trigger. With that being said, I went ahead with the traditions trapper. I absolutely love double set triggers and couldn't pass that up.
Anyone have load data on this particular little beastie?

 

[wayne terry]

Maybe so mabe not mine are quite some years old and talk through the grape vine is that lymans QC aint what it used to be I cant say for sure.
Se if you can find one maybe someone you know are a friend of a friend hold it see if in time you could adjust to holding it and shoot it iff possible.
No gun or equiptment no matter how well built can take the place of practice and training.
good luck to ya.
ST

 

[chickenmcnasty]

I just received the traditions trapper today. You mentioned the Lyman QC is not as good as it used to be, but I would say the QC on this might give them a run for their money.
The hammer appears to be slightly offset. It appears it will not strike the cap squarely. It also has a completely seized up clean out screw that I now have boogered up in trying to remove it. I thought I had been sold a used gun upon first inspection as the bore had some crud in the bottom. The brass is rough in several parts and the front of the wedge pin appears to be ground down? The triggers also have some side to side play in them.
All in all I think this is terrible quality for a new gun. Maybe investarms has me spoiled, but if this is what Traditions firearms look like I will spend some extra money next time for something that has a little pride in the workmanship.

 

[wayne terry]

Sometimes it aint what she looks like its if it will shoot; run a hundred rounds through it with a few different patch and load combos if its a shooter then as far as the looks go a little spit and polish can always make em look good.
good luck to ya.


ST

 

[mjulihn]

I just received the traditions trapper today. You mentioned the Lyman QC is not as good as it used to be, but I would say the QC on this might give them a run for their money.
The hammer appears to be slightly offset. It appears it will not strike the cap squarely. It also has a completely seized up clean out screw that I now have boogered up in trying to remove it. I thought I had been sold a used gun upon first inspection as the bore had some crud in the bottom. The brass is rough in several parts and the front of the wedge pin appears to be ground down? The triggers also have some side to side play in them.
All in all I think this is terrible quality for a new gun. Maybe investarms has me spoiled, but if this is what Traditions firearms look like I will spend some extra money next time for something that has a little pride in the workmanship.

Sorry the quality is lacking on your new Trapper. Most here would advise against removing the bolster screw (what you refer to as "clean out screw") unless necessary. This pistol is made in Spain by Ardesa and may have variable quality in fit and finish. That said, if you plan to keep it you can improve several of these "defects" with patience and a little work at the bench.

 

[chickenmcnasty]

I got in touch with Traditions yesterday and went from being dissapointed to thrilled. I sent an email and had a response in 10 minutes. They offered to take the gun in for repair or send replacement parts for free.
It is by far some of the best customer service I have ever received and I'm now a believer in their company. I know there will be issues from time to time, but how you handle them is really what's important. They have went above and beyond to fix the issues and I will not hesitate to buy their products in the future.

 

[chazz1975]

I have a Pedersoli Kentucky in 45 percussion. I really enjoy shooting it. Very accurate pistol when you get the right hold and sight picture. I found mine used from a guy local to me onGGunbroker for $120 about 2 years ago. I took 3rd place with it at the first competition I shot with it. It likes 20 gr 3f goex with a .010 patch and .440 orb. Again, lots of fun and I also got it for a good price, and it is the same caliber as my pedersoli flint Pennsylvania. I wish it was flint, but for the price I wouldn't quibble, and its performance is great. I giggle like a school kid when I shoot it.

 

[bearhawk426]

I can't speak to the authenticity of the Trapper for competitions, but I love the accuracy of the gun. I bought mine in kit form. I took my time and carefully fit all of the items to the stock and then finished all of the brass parts to a nice luster. I browned the barrel and used a cherry stain on the stock. I am quite pleased with the outcome, it is my first kit. It shoots better than I ever expected. The double set trigger is awesome.

 

[D. Buck Stopshere]

Accuracy gets better as you reduce the caliber. A .45 or .44 is more accurate than .50 caliber. A .36 is more accurate that a .45 caliber. Many of the national-level competitors are shooting flint and percussion pistols in .32 caliber.

Most of your Italian & Spanish pistols are .44/.45 calibers. The best of that bunch would be the LePage pistols, though not seen at rendezvous.

I have 8 pistols, 6 in .36 caliber and 2 in .44 caliber.

Remember too, "Accuracy is 99 % Mental Concentration.
said Bill Blankenship, "Mr Pistol" Camp Perry, National Pistol Champion.

.