Zonie,
Thanks for the reply. You may be right. Also, I just like to say this is a very good site so glade I found it. I guess I should add to this over all string off posts. What got me started was some one going as mhb that bought a 1860 and seemed like he does not really want it. wants to know what it is worth, how it shoots, etc. from that they also refer to another site which I signed up on hoping to find one (colt). You and flintstriker have my thanks for your help. Ever need some thing just let me know. I really mean that not just talking foolishly.
Now about the 1860 bought mine new 18 Dec. 1983. The stainless steel is easier to keep clean than blued steel. I have put thousands of rounds thru the one I had. I have a lot of dirt and carry/carried it almost daily. I'm not a measurer of every thing kind of guy ..... bore dims., parts tolerances etc. I just shoot a lot. Almost every gun I ever owned or presently own is black powder. 1st gun I ever had was an english fowler flint lock from my dad at age 8 that was 50+/- years ago. Shot a lot of stuff with it, and still have it. The colt shoots great in my book. This is only my experience and not gospel by any sense of the word but, in my experience people want to make black powder work like the other kind. Big no no. Velocities are less and if you push them to high things go wild from the barrel and very inconsistent. The twist rate is slower (less turns ) shoot to fast things do not work. If you use moderate charges by volume, real lead, round not deformed the pistol will hit any thing you want it to hit and where you want. Oh and use "real" black powder not knock off stuff. Also, grease the chambers shut big mistake not to do this, you want to shoot not put on a fireworks display. The 1860 for me is very well balanced and for me seems very natural to use. All guns have some flaws right out of the box (most "production" guns). If you take the colt apart and hand hone all the trigger parts very, very, carefully things work amazingly well. Oh you need to mess with the spring also. Like all things after you become one with it it will never ever let you down.
I've shot the "knockoffs" and even have a few, they are just not the same. You can tell in the dark, again my opinion may not be true for every one. I shoot down at my barn every sunday after noon rain or shine cold or hot for about 3 or 4 hours. That makes things go very well in the big picture and teaches you a lot about your firearm and how it works. you find what is the correct load for what your shooting, which cylinder is out of whack, etc. Oh that also, for some reason one chamber in the cylinder is usually off for some reason. You need to mess with it awhile to figure it out. Once you do just keep it empty. I tease my wife and tell her it is my/her bury money like the old guys use to do. Just roll up a $20 and stick it in the bad chamber. Guess today she needs a few $100's.
If mhb or any one needs firing info just ask. I'll tell you what ever I can from what I know and remember I sure do not know every thing there is to know, not even close.
Last thing as for price or worth of the 1860 I've seen sold adds from $700/$800 to $2,000.00 or so. I'm finding the price is not the issue, it's finding a willing seller.
Hope I have not bored every one to death,
Thanks to all,
J. A. LeFevre
I can hardly wait for that Pocket Navy to get here.
