Shooting Original BP pistol

[Deacon4]

Hey folks,
I have an original 54 cal. Johnson 1836 U.S. flintlock pistol in nice condition with the swivel metal ramrod. I picked up many. many years ago. Barrel has some pitting. Had a gunsmith check it out and he stated it was ok to fire light loads. I proofed it with 50 grains/lead ball, fastened in a car tire years ago. I still like to fire it, without a lead ball, just 25 or so grains of BP and paper wads on the 4th of July for my grandkids and BP shooting neighbors. I know I'm somewhat stupid, but the old men I started shooting BP with shot orginal Revolutionary and Civil War weapons with nary a mishap. Handling and shooting a piece dating to the Alamo is a special joy. If only the gun could talk, what stories it might tell.
Deacon

 

[xxgrampa]

hiddy-ho deacon,

shoot that rascal. got a bunch of originals and shoot them all.

got no use for a gun that can't be shot.

the term, 'shooter collecter' makes sense to me, picked it up from the green frog on the 'assra schuetzen board'

always remember, 'you are this generations caretaker of that gun'. it had many before you.... so enjoy it before it goes to it's next caretaker..

ttfn..grampa..

 

[Deacon4]

Thanks for the input Gramps,
All the old timers I started with are now gone to the happy hunting ground, due to natural causes. They use to have a bi-monthly shoot that I attended, as the young kid. They took me under their wing and let me shoot many of their originals. Some of their Civil War rifles had written histories and all of the attachments. Shooting those weapons, knowing what man carried and use it in the war was humbling.
One of these gentlemen built me my first BP, a 40 cal. percussion Kentucky rifle using only hand tools. I bought the barrel, Russ Hamm lock, curly maple plank, and other furniture. He supplied an original rear sight off of his grandfather's rifle and all the hard work. The rifle still shoots and hits anything within 75yds I aim at, especially squirrels. I still treasure it and let my grandkids shoot and hunt with it. Now I'm the oldtimer.
Deacon

 

[JV Puleo]

The guys I started shooting with only owned originals guns...and shot them if they shot anything. I'm the same way myself...I don't own a reproduction, though I confess I am not as avid a shooter as many who participate in this forum. If I had one, I'd be firing it too.
By the way, they were well made, strong pistols that saw little service use. If one is sound it would probably be darn near impossible to damage it with black powder.

 

[mec]

We picked up an Aston Johnson just to explore the shooting characteristics. It was in good shape. the stock had no cracks inside or out and the lock parts looked about one day old. Used 30 grains of FFg and a patched ball that clocked 534 fps and fired a few buck and ball combinations.

Pretty easy to hit center at 50 feet even though the trigger pull was extremely heavy.

 

[StanDahl]

If you shoot it and it breaks, can it be repaired? I got a nice original 1858 Remington New Army a few years ago. I took it out (with xxgrampa :bow: ) and after shooting only one cylinder full, the hand & spring separated. I got a replacement from Dixie, but it didn't fit, even with lots of work, although I haven't given up yet. It isn't nearly as satisfying handling a "piece of history" with the hammer and cylinder making no connection . Stan