Silly question...

[Little Wattsy]

When I load my rifle I rest it on my left toe and maintain its balance as I pour in the powder and seat the the ball..
Trying to picture a sidelock pistol, HOW do you "hold" the pistol to allow useing two hands to hold patch, start ball, etc....?

 

[bwhoffman]

I squeeze mine between my knees.
I am a tad leary that starting and seating a PRB with the butt on a solid bench "could" crack the grip. So I hold it 'tween my knees and that has worked well for me!


Sounds like you got a new toy? what did you finally decide on and acquire?

 

[Blizzard of '93]

I stick the grip under my belt. I think I enjoy shooting my side-capper .50 pistol more than my rifles.

 

[Le Grand]

Happy Birthday, Brett.

About loading a pistol, I hold mine near the muzzle with my left hand and my left thumb holds the short starter over the patched ball. Then with my open right hand, I hit my thumb and short starter to get the patched ball started. The butt of the pistol is not rested on anything. Following that, it's rather easy to push the patched ball down the barrel. Le Grand

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I either hold the barrel of the pistol in my support hand (left), and load it, or place the grip into my cross draw holster to support it. If I need to let go of the pistol, I can trap it to my side with my forearm while in the holster. I have never been comfortable placing the grip on a hard surface during loading.

 

[Poor Private]

I am getting lazy!! I have my son load mine . :blah: Now I am teaching the wife :rotf:

 

[Claude Mathis]

I hold the end of the barrel (pointing up) in my left hand (lower three fingers and palm). I use my right hand to pour powder into my measure (held in the left thumb an index finder). After plugging the horn (plug held in teeth), pour measured powder with right hand. I use my right hand to center the patch and ball, then push it into the coned muzzle with my left thumb. Drive the ball home with right hand.

This is much less complicated than it sounds and can be done faster than writing it.

 

[Rikeman]

That sounds almost exactly how I load my kentucky pistol with the exception that I don't use a powder horn. My brass flask has an appropriate measure charge nozzle so I can measure and load right handed while I hold my gun in my left hand. Like you said, very fast method.