Target Pistol

[Fez]

I am looking at getting a target pistol with a budget of around $1,000. I have been eyeing the Pedersoli LePage and the Cook Underhammer but I am open to advice on any other makes or models. I would also be interested in a custom built pistol and would extend my budget for that but I don't know where to look for a custom made example.

If you have any experience with these types of target pistol can you tell me your likes or dislikes...thanks.

 

[Fez]

Thanks...I will check them out.

 

[No second place]

Is this

I am looking at getting a target pistol with a budget of around $1,000. I have been eyeing the Pedersoli LePage and the Cook Underhammer but I am open to advice on any other makes or models. I would also be interested in a custom built pistol and would extend my budget for that but I don't know where to look for a custom made example.

If you have any experience with these types of target pistol can you tell me your likes or dislikes...thanks.

Serious match shooting or just plinking at the range?...c

 

[Fez]

Is this



Serious match shooting or just plinking at the range?...c

Eventually match shooting after a lot of practice.

 

[Zonie]

Several modern style pistols were mentioned in this thread. Because this is a traditional muzzleloading forum, discussions about them are not allowed.
The forum isn't alone in this thinking and some of the modern pistols are not allowed in some competitions.

The LePage and underhammer guns are traditional and can be excellent single shot pistols for target shooting and meet the requirements of all muzzleloading pistol matches.
Pedersoli makes a "Contentinal Target Pistol" and this one which is an underhammer style that looks interesting:

https://www.nmlra.org/news/exclusive-look-at-pedersolis-new-black-powder-target-pistol-muzzle-blasts

 

[sourdough]

Be prepared to pay through the nose for the Pedersoli underhammer. At least 1K or more.

 

[biliff]

LePage flintlock, .44 (.433 ball, .010" muslin patch, spit lube, 25gr FFFg Goex) 25 yards. The pistol makes me look good. If I was going custom, I'd probably look at the GunWorks pistols in Springfield, Oregon.

And yeah, I have both flint and percussion.

 

[No second place]

Eventually match shooting after a lot of practice.

Ok, guess I have to specify by location since we have euros lurking here sometimes. Are you preparing for "US" NRA/NMLRA matches or some euro place?...c

 

[Fez]

Ok, guess I have to specify by location since we have euros lurking here sometimes. Are you preparing for "US" NRA/NMLRA matches or some euro place?...c

I am in the USA

 

[Woody Morgan]

I reported in another thread on my Traditions Trapper. As a lifelong handgunner and competitor I was seriously impressed with its accuracy and fun factor. I have no idea what period it's supposed to represent but it flat shoots. Attractive, fun, accurate with double set triggers and $344 at DGW when you can catch them in stock.

wm

 

[No second place]

I am in the USA

Down load rules here... NMLRA Rules and Regulations — The NMLRA ... I own a Cook and LePage Cap&Flint models. The Cook is only legal for open Caplock rules. The LePage`s legal in both Traditional and open divisions. After extensive tuning the Cook ( end of 2019 gun) is very match worthy but have not been able compete with the Cook due to match shutdowns last year. My practice results with the Cook results will likely lead to it being my new Open Caplock primary pistol. LePages have been my primary Traditional div. guns since the late 90s. All need tuning to be match worthy. Mine needed so much work I could only recommend one to the most experience tuner or BP smith. This leads most to give up early and get a unmentionable for the Open div. If you have the patience and willingness to take you time learning new stuff a Caplock Lepage is a great starting place. Come to Friendship in June or September to the Nationals to learn the best ways from the best shooters in the US. The rules are easy to get confused about so feel free to ask about them...c

 

[Auldjin]

Just for fun an oldie showing its age. It has a set trigger.

 

[TFoley]

Old it may be, but as we say here, 'is féidir fonn breá a sheinm ar sheanfhidil' - 'many a fine tune is played on an old fiddle'.

Of course, some of the fun is taken out of it here in UK, where we have to go through the nausea of getting a Firearms Certificate in order to shoot it legally.

Apropos BP competition shooting in the USA - I know you like to think of yourselves as entirely separate from the rest of the world with regard to shooting, but the MLAIC [The Muzzle Loaders Associations International Committee] is the world governing body for competition with muzzle-loading firearms. It is truly international and even Americans have been known to participate at world-class levels of competition.

This here is a handy little book by the well-known British BP pistol shooter, Derek Fuller -

ISBN 1-86126-482-8

The author is well-known in UK BP circles for his many successes in both UK and on the international scenes with a variety of BP target pistols, mostly originals, although he is very much taken with the Hege Siber pistol*. He is retired, and has a long history as President of the Cheshunt Rifle and Pistol Club - itself over 120 years old. I fully appreciate that those of you in the USA have your own experts in the field, but I have yet to see any similarly-dedicated work produced in the USA. I firmly believe that expertise in any sport is something that transcends international boundaries. Unlike many other similar publications emanating from Europe, you won't even have to translate it!

* I was similarly impressed with the example with which I shot my first [and last] 95, so much so that I was very tempted to prise it out of the owner's hands by forcing money on him. Sad to say, although I could have managed the $750, the additional '1' in front of it was an instant game-killer.

 

[Eric Bye]

The suggested retail price for a Pedersoli Cook is $975. The fit, finish, and quality are excellent. My review of this pistol appeared in the December 2020 Muzzle Blasts magazine, pp.18-20.
Also check out the target pistols by Tilo Dedinski of Kulmbach, Germany. You can easily find his home page by Googling the name.)

 

[John May]

If it's a repro you are looking for then personally I would go for the Cook Underhammer every time. I shoot Pistol Competitions here in the UK (Covid permitting) under MLAIC rules and use a similar Underhammer pistol. I am told they are in the majority at World and European Championships. I like the un-interrupted sight picture and the simplicity of design. If you find a good Feinwerkbau History No 1 in budget then this would be a good choice. I do shoot conventional percussion pistols but still prefer the Underhammers. Just my 2 cents worth!

 

[TFoley]

The suggested retail price for a Pedersoli Cook is $975. The fit, finish, and quality are excellent. My review of this pistol appeared in the December 2020 Muzzle Blasts magazine, pp.18-20.
Also check out the target pistols by Tilo Dedinski of Kulmbach, Germany. You can easily find his home page by Googling the name.)

Here in UK it is as near $1200 as makes no matter. But then, here in UK we are a lot nearer than you are to the actual makers.

 

[Fez]

Thanks for all the advice, it is appreciated.

 

[Fez]

Down load rules here... NMLRA Rules and Regulations — The NMLRA ... I own a Cook and LePage Cap&Flint models. The Cook is only legal for open Caplock rules. The LePage`s legal in both Traditional and open divisions. After extensive tuning the Cook ( end of 2019 gun) is very match worthy but have not been able compete with the Cook due to match shutdowns last year. My practice results with the Cook results will likely lead to it being my new Open Caplock primary pistol. LePages have been my primary Traditional div. guns since the late 90s. All need tuning to be match worthy. Mine needed so much work I could only recommend one to the most experience tuner or BP smith. This leads most to give up early and get a unmentionable for the Open div. If you have the patience and willingness to take you time learning new stuff a Caplock Lepage is a great starting place. Come to Friendship in June or September to the Nationals to learn the best ways from the best shooters in the US. The rules are easy to get confused about so feel free to ask about them...c

Thanks for your reply but I am a little confused. I thought the Pedersoli Cook Under hammer was allowed to shoot in the traditional replica matches like the Kuchenreuter and I was under the impression the Cook under hammer could be used in other matches except for the Kentucky pistol matches.

 

[Fez]

Here in UK it is as near $1200 as makes no matter. But then, here in UK we are a lot nearer than you are to the actual makers.

Thank you

 

[Fez]

If it's a repro you are looking for then personally I would go for the Cook Underhammer every time. I shoot Pistol Competitions here in the UK (Covid permitting) under MLAIC rules and use a similar Underhammer pistol. I am told they are in the majority at World and European Championships. I like the un-interrupted sight picture and the simplicity of design. If you find a good Feinwerkbau History No 1 in budget then this would be a good choice. I do shoot conventional percussion pistols but still prefer the Underhammers. Just my 2 cents worth!

Your 2 cents worth was well worth it...