Suggestions for a good 1st pistol
- Thread starter cotcrab
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Can't have much more fun than one of these.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqGW09Ohd3Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqGW09Ohd3Y
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zimmerstutzen
70 Cal.
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Lyman pistol (sadly not available in flint)
I don't know how HC it is but I love my Lyman Plains Pistol. With the hooked breech the barrel pops right out making it easy to clean. Took third place in my last pistol match with it!
Phil Coffins
69 Cal.
The Lyman is easy to clean and a fine shooter. Pietta 1860 Colt is what I prefer in a revolver and aren't that much trouble to clean. Take down is easy then a bore brush with water followed by WD40 and a rag. You rarely need to use a screw driver.
You didn't say what calibers the rifles you have are but, if you want to get a pistol that shoots the same ball size, get a single shot pistol in the same caliber if they make one.
These use a patched ball although most people use a thinner patch with the pistols.
The thinner patch works because the powder charges are a lot less and they make loading the pistol a lot easier than a thick patch like a rifle uses.
If you don't mind buying some different sized balls for your pistol any of the cap & ball revolvers will do. Try to get a steel framed revolver rather than a brass framed gun.
The steel frame can take a lot heavier powder loads without damaging the gun.
The difference in the ball size with the revolvers is because the ball must be larger than the bore size and is rammed bare into the chambers in the cylinder.
Where a .45 caliber rifle might use a .440 diameter ball with a patch, the .44 caliber cap & ball pistol will use a .451 to .457 diameter ball.
Likewise, a .36 caliber rifle might use a .350 diameter patched roundball but a .36 caliber revolver would use a .375 diameter ball.
These use a patched ball although most people use a thinner patch with the pistols.
The thinner patch works because the powder charges are a lot less and they make loading the pistol a lot easier than a thick patch like a rifle uses.
If you don't mind buying some different sized balls for your pistol any of the cap & ball revolvers will do. Try to get a steel framed revolver rather than a brass framed gun.
The steel frame can take a lot heavier powder loads without damaging the gun.
The difference in the ball size with the revolvers is because the ball must be larger than the bore size and is rammed bare into the chambers in the cylinder.
Where a .45 caliber rifle might use a .440 diameter ball with a patch, the .44 caliber cap & ball pistol will use a .451 to .457 diameter ball.
Likewise, a .36 caliber rifle might use a .350 diameter patched roundball but a .36 caliber revolver would use a .375 diameter ball.
Don't overlook the single shots.
Fun and easy to clean!
Fun and easy to clean!
I’m so disappointed that Lyman won’t make that pistol in flint.
zimmerstutzen
70 Cal.
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TX, I have written letters and emails to Lyman requesting a flint model. Never got even got the courtesy of a reply. PA has a flint only season and many guys would rather carry a pistol for a coup de gras shot than have to reload their rifle. Lyman is missing the boat here. I thought about contacting Investarms directly, but I know the second I order a small production run, Lyman would buy even more and start a price war with me losing my shirt. I even thought about getting a replacement lock from a place like L&R and drop in barrel and make a conversion kit. Perhaps even a smooth bore barrel for the percussion models too.
