Should I shoot BP Revolvers?

[Marc Adamchek]

I never got into shooting BP revolvers, mainly because they seemed to be such a pita. I remember when Cabela's or GanderMountain were selling all their Colt BP revolers at clearance prices, I almost dove in and got a couple.

Lately, it seems I've been thinking about trying it out against my better judgement. I admit, watching movies like Josie Wales have kinda pushed me into considering it. So convince me it's not a big hassle, then tell me what revolver I should start with.

 

[bobthemotorcycle]

I hope you get into them. You will have to decide what you like.

I myself am getting into them because modern ammo is all sold out and people are going crazy. I am not going to get all upseat over the new gun bans to come up and I am just going to enjoy my simple Cap and Ball Black Powder Revolvers. I will stock up on caps, powder and lead. The rest of the world can shoot eachother over stuff that makes them feel how they feel.

 

[Many Klatch]

I have a pair of Remington New Army. They are a lot of fun to shoot. I also shoot a Pedersoli LePage and that is a lot of fun as well.

Cleaning the Remingtons takes me about 15 to 20 minutes each. If I completely disassemble them then it can take 30 minutes each. The LePage can be cleaned in about 10 to 15 minutes.

I really enjoy shooting at the range with these pistols next to people with their black plastic autos. I put big holes in my targets and they seem to hit the ground and the back stop a lot. If you learn to shoot a cap and ball revolver or a flint pistol well, you can shoot anything.

Many Klatch

 

[JLDee55]

My first one was an 1860 Army, followed by a 58 Remmy Army, then a 51 Navy. Then I picked up a Walker kit now I thinkin about a 58 Remmy Navy. It's kinda like the old Lays Potato Chip commercial, ya can't just have ONE... :thumbsup:

 

[D Sanders]

I own three of them and I love shooting them all. All black powder guns require more attention to clean than smokeless guns do but in my opinion they are more fun to shoot and that's just the nature of the beast. Your black powder collection would not be complete without at least one revolver.

HH 60

 

[flahipneck]

Fer sure!!!

 

[swathdiver]

I never got into shooting BP revolvers, mainly because they seemed to be such a pita.

So convince me it's not a big hassle, then tell me what revolver I should start with.

To enjoy them you'll have to change your thinking about them. There's more preparation, more time to load, and they take longer to clean.

One has to view the slower and more involved practices as part of the joy of owning and shooting them. If one is just looking to shoot 100 rounds and then go watch tv or hit the bar this segment of the hobby may not be for such a person.

 

[cynthialee]

I have had many BP revolvers over the years.
They are work but they are nifty.
Besides what is cooler than walking around with the same style guns that Doc Holiday used?

 

[Marc Adamchek]

OK, thanks everyone, looks like BP revolvers will have a place in this house sometime this year. FYI - I have MANY blackpowder rifles, fowlers and shotguns. This includes 5 original 19th century british percussion double shotguns as well as a double rifle (18 bore, circa 1835). Also, of course, I have a half dozen modern replicas. And I shoot them all.

I mention all this just to assure everyone that I am very well acquainted with the joys of the blackpowder experience. And I too have plenty of powder and lead and calmly sit back and watch the smokeless crowd run around like chickens with their heads cut off buying up .223 and .308 and the ugly guns that shoot them.

 

[Billnpatti]

You are right. Cap and ball revolvers are a pita.......but fun........a hell of a lot of fun. If you are willing to put up with the various pita parts such as the slooooow loading, the tendency of the caps to jam in the action and the cleaning process, you will love shooting a cap and ball revolver. I have a Colt replica but if I were to buy another, I'd go with the Remington. Avoid brass frames because they will not handle a steady diet of the heavier loads. Stick with steel frames. Brass trigger guards and back straps are okay just not the actual frame. If you can find a stainless Ruger Old Army in excellent condition for under $500, you have struck gold. Don't think about it, just buy it. If you find a blued Ruger Old Army in excellent condition, it, too, is a real find. While not a copy of any historical revolver, they are excellent guns. If you find a good ROA and don't want it, just let me know and I will buy it.

 

[dubshooter]

Had one at an auction yesterday go for $245, appeared to have never been fired, with box. I was bummed

 

Everything about black powder guns is a relative "PITA", that's why we like them. :thumbsup:

 

[bobthemotorcycle]

What is "PITA"?

 

[Robert Egler]

pain in the A**

 

[bobthemotorcycle]

10-4 thanks.

 

[Marc Adamchek]

Yeah, it's not the cleaning that has put me off, but rather the loading, and the smearing of protective grease to prevent chain reaction nasties going off and....10 seconds later it's time to do it all over again!

But we'll see. I've heard lots of good about the Ruger Old Army, but knowing me, if I do decide to jump in I'm going to want a historically correct one.

The 5 lb weight of the Colt .44 Walker just seems ridiculous, just too damn heavy to get any real enjoymednt out of it. Please tell me if I'M out of it and there's lots of good to be had with the Walker. I need recommendations on which revolver to get, or at least start with.

So please, keep offering suggestions for weapons and reasons to win me over.

 

[Many Klatch]

Mark, I enjoy my Remington New Army pistols. I had an 1860 Colt but did not like shooting a gun held together with a steel wedge where the rear sight was a notch in the hammer.

I have found that loading with a felt wad over the powder that I can dispense with the grease over the ball.

All repro pistols need to have the nipples replaced with new ones from TOW. The ones that come with them seem to be slightly too small to keep the caps on after loading.

One problem that some people have with the Remington New Army is that they start to bind up after a few cylinders have been shot. I find that an application of white lithium grease on the cylinder pin eliminates that problem for me.

Many Klatch

 

[swathdiver]

Yeah, it's not the cleaning that has put me off, but rather the loading, and the smearing of protective grease

Use wads then, no more mess.

 

[crockett]

Hey Marc- seen your posts for years so I know you are into black powder big time so let's start there. Shooting cap and ball revolvers is no more trouble than any other type of black powder firearm. If you want easy loading at the range use pre-lubed wads. Here's the drill: charge a chamber- we have all pretty much decided to use a powder measure so pour from flask to measure and then to chamber, now put in a pre-lubed wad. These are almost dry to the touch- no mess. Now ram the ball. Repeat for each additional chamber. When all the chambers are loaded put on the caps. Fingers are okay or get a capper. That's it.
On the model. Like everything in life there are trade offs. A Navy 36 uses less powder but if you ever want to use the gun for hunting a 44 is better. The loading area on the Colt Navy is small and tough to put in some conicals (hunting) whereas there is plenty of room on the Remington 44. The Remingtons have the top frame for strength but the barrel is afixed to the frame. The Colt is easy to disassemble and clean.
Personally I might think about a steel frame Colt 1851 Navy (36 caliber). If that doesn't sound good then maybe a 44 caliber Remington. The Walker is a really big gun and the loading levers drop down from recoil and they will use more powder.

 

I would suggest a Colt 1851/1860 or Remington 1858 for your first, which ever you like best. Personally, I prefer Colt designs. Get your feet wet, then decide later if you want a monster like the Walker or a Dragoon. IMHO, yes the 3rd model Dragoon is a massive pistol that weighs 66oz but you get used to it. I carried one all this season in a crossdraw Slim Jim and while I did not forget it was there, it was not unmanageable.