Shot my 3 5/8" 1858

[freekforge]

I made the long hard cold and wet journey to the range today to shoot my 3 5/8" 1858 after i filed the front sight down. I think with just a little more adjustment i can get it dialed in pretty good. This group was 2 five shot cylinders at 25yds thumbing the hammer as fast as i could.

[/URL][/img]that is a standard size police silhouette. I also did a 3 shot group taking my time to aim and control breathing which measured about 1.375 at 25yds. Oh and not that it really matters but 5 shots took just under 3 seconds on the group shown

 

[rodwha]

Nice job! What was your load?

Got a pic of the pistol?

Of course I'm curious about it's powder efficiency...Notice any unburned powder?

 

[Wes/Tex]

Good job for 10/rapid! Since all the percussion revolvers that originated as government contracts will have sights regulated to 75 yards, they need either to have the front sight filed down or replaced. It's also possible to file a bit down on the rear sight groove, combined with a bit less off the front sight...especially on the Colt style gun.

 

[jaxenro]

Mine always shot high wouldn't you want to raise the front site to lower the point of aim not file it down?

 

[Wes/Tex]

You're right, I was thinking of simply lowering the rear sight of a Colt style and babbled on about something totally different..."Make sure brain is engaged before running your mouth"! Also gong to blame my faux pas on having Ghost Hunters on in the background!! :wink:

 

[freekforge]

I was using 30 grains of poopodex RS because it was all i had, a cast round ball with a huge sprue (bought them at friendship) and CCI caps. I watched a video of me shooting the same load and there wasnt much of a flash and i have yet to notice any unburnt powder so i think i am getting a pretty efficient burn. I think the top two shots were the first shots of the 2 groups since i tend to shoot high the first shot from the draw (need to work on that). Heres the gun still need to clean it

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[Dave Rosenthal]

I think you done real good! And I'm excited to be corresponding with someone younger than my 24 year old son too! Please keep me "in the loop" and if you ever need any advice on revolvers, please give me a shout-out or a PM!

Dave
Competition BP revolver Shooter

 

[freekforge]

I just got done stoning the trigger with my coarsest stone and it has made a huge difference in trigger pull tomorrow i am going to find a finer stone and clean it up some more I think this will help with the accuracy shots and hopefully shrink the group a bit. Obviously a trigger job wont help with thumbing since the trigger is just held back only practice will help with that . I also took a few swipes with a file on the front sight to bring the groups up a bit. Whenever i get some money (I am a po boy) i am going to get some powder and caps and shoot some more groups

 

[rodwha]

I really like the grip profile and have considered that myself.

I'd probably prefer a ~4" barrel, but I also want the loading lever setup, even if it means using a cheater bar to operate it. But I suppose 5.5" may be good enough. I have a Pietta on my Christmas list. We'll see...

 

[hanshi]

Very good shooting. That revolver is, may I say it, cute? :thumbsup:

 

[freekforge]

Rodwha the grip shape is fantastic before i did it i wasn't sure if i would like it but the rounded off butt is so much more comfortable. I considered 4" but decided to go shorter to make it easier to conceal.

hanshi its funny you should say that because i showed this to a friend and the first thing she said is "that is too cute"

 

[rodwha]

I wish I had the tools and know-how as I'd want to do something very similar.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Your revolver reminds me of one I had some years ago that I shortened. Got it at a real bargain price cause it'd been in a flood in Austin and had the front half of the barrel severely rusted and corroded. I whacked it off at about 1&1/2 inches and soldered a half-moon key on the barrel as a front sight. Just luck but the size was just right for center hold at 25-30 feet. Never changed grip shape though and would still have it but pal just had to have it an kept after me till I did something daft! :thumbsup:

 

[freekforge]

Everything i did could be done with a hacksaw and a few files. I chose to use a mill just because i needed some practice on the mill. I have a couple friends that plan on doing one for themselves with hand tools(these can be carried in indiana without a carry license so they are getting some attention)I am going to be working on one for my cousin and plan on using only hand tools just for fun.

 

[Alden]

Hi Freek;
I was gonna ask -- nice you modified that gun and it IS cute.

Be careful of understanding the law perfectly -- a LOADED blackpowder firearm is probably governed AS a firearm, not as a blackpowder replica which is probably not. Meaning...

...you can go to an arts and crafts store and buy a Remington New Model Army pistol kit but when you load it and carry it it is a concealed handgun. Probably.

 

[BillinOregon]

That's a mighty handsome belly gun, and with the way it is grouping at 25 yards, you are very, very well protected with it.

 

[MosinRob]

Good shootin. Did you use a wad or anything? Did you lube the ball or cylinder?

 

[freekforge]

Alden i thought the same at first but when i was in criminal justice class i found an exemption in Indiana code ,IC35-47-2-19, I then contacted ISP, the sheriff, the prosecutor, and the chief of my state county and city and discussed the matter with them. The sheriff and chief were both kind enough to inform their deputies and officer that it is legal and that if they run into me i am probably carrying.

bill I think the accuracy it has at 25yds is a bit overkill since it will most likely to be used on dogs chewing on my legs :shocked2: so far even when having the occasional run in with gang members who have threatened to kill me i have not felt under gunned (the gun was not drawn for those concerned)

Rob i did not use any wad or lube on these shots since i wanted to see how well it shoots in the condition that i carry it in, i don't use lube or wads when i carry it to prevent powder contamination so i didn't yesterday

 

[cynthialee]

I have a revolver loaded in the safe that has a lubed wad and over chamber grease that has been that way for about 4 months now.
I tell you what, if every chamber doesn't go off on the first slam of the hammer when I call on it.... I'll eat cabbage for a week. BTW, I hate cabbage.

 

[freekforge]

For carrying just 5 or 6 shots i think it is kind of pointless to lube them the way i see it the risk far out weighs any benefit. if i carried a way to reload and expected to get in a giant gun fight then i might lube the chambers but if i am expecting a gunfight i will bring more than a C&B