San Marco Walker info

[msuspartan]

I have a Walker but do not know much about shooting it. Any info is appreciated! :thumbsup:

Shooting loads?
Wads?
round ball or the cylindrical mold that came with it?
Quirks of the Walker and of San Marco.
anything else.

As to the pistol, is in great shape with crisp action.
ONLY concern is about 2" from the barrel tip is a pitted area about 1/64 around, not deep at all (maybe 1/2 to one millimeter?) but noticable when looking down the barrel. Not sure why there but is. Thoughts?
My personal thought is that the only pressure to the barrel is from the bullet passing by, and that would be minimal. Not like a single shot that would maybe make the barrel warp or bulge.

Thanks all.

Cheers, DonK

 

[mykeal]

Shooting loads?

I use 45 gr/vol fffg real black, .457 round ball, dry lubed felt overpowder wad, no grease. I have occasionally used a full chamber load, about 55 gr/vol for grins - accuracy was terrible but the boom and smoke was priceless.

Wads?

Yes, .45 cal dry lubed felt. But I use the same thing on all my revolvers, so the ASM Walker isn't unique in that respect.

round ball or the cylindrical mold that came with it?

I use .457 round balls, have never tried a minie, REAL or conical.

Quirks of the Walker and of San Marco.
anything else.

ASM's in my possession are fair quality cosmetically but good to very good functionally. The Walker's most famous 'quirk' is the loading lever dropping down when shooting medium to heavy loads. That can be fixed by filing the head of the latch flat where is connects to the lever, but don't overdo it. Also, expect it to shoot high like all Colts of that era.

2" from the barrel tip is a pitted area about 1/64 around, not deep at all (maybe 1/2 to one millimeter?) Thoughts?

Doesn't sound like a problem, just keep it clean and oiled between sessions.

 

[msuspartan]

I meant the conical bullet from the mold that came with it.
Not cylindrical........

Thank you for the info. Can hardly wait to shoot... :thumbsup:

Cheers, DonK

 

[mykeal]

Forgot to mention one other quirk: you'll need to buy about a gallon of tooth whitener, because it's impossible to resist the temptation to fill 'er all the way up at least once, and once you've touched off 6 full chamber loads you'll be grinning from ear to ear.

 

[msuspartan]

But is having small black flecks in the teeth the norm??? :grin:
Kinda like riding a Harley for the first time, the grin just proves the euphorea of the experience. :thumbsup:
I will be shooting in a week so will report back!!

(pant, pant, pant....)


Cheers, DonK

 

[TFoley]

I meant the conical bullet from the mold that came with it.
Not cylindrical........

Thank you for the info. Can hardly wait to shoot... :thumbsup:

Cheers, DonK

Uh, I am of the opinion that is there to fill a space in the fitted case. I have another such mould [my 'Colt' did not come with one] and trying to get the little b&ggers to fit in the chambers was more than my blood pressure could cope with.

Still to RB, you'll be real glad - after all, that's what Mr Colt had in mind.

My $0.02

tac
'Colt' Walker #1816

 

[user 922]

The xtra heavy loads will produce a nice bang, as stated, but will wear the wedge that holds the frame together. You'll be tapping it in further and further.

40g with a felt wad and .457 ball will produce a lot of noise, smoke and reasonable accuracy once you get the hang of shooting it (aim low).

Also, when the revolver becomes hard to cock after a few loads don't try to force it. Disassemble the frame and clean the cylinder pin.

 

[Greg Hardy]

I've used a Lee 45 minie ball in front of 45 gr fff. Recoil is a bit stiffer but it is a hoot to shoot.Used the same load in an ASM 3rd Model Dragoon, both were pretty accurate.