Half-Cocked, I apologize for misrepresenting Michigan gun laws. I repeated what I had heard, and that is not a good idea before first verifying the information.
The brass framed revolvers lifespan and help me decide on a new purchase.
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Half-Cocked
40 Cal
No worries I am not clear on the laws myself. I am only going off the information on the web which is questionable at best.
If I can find a FFL dealer that doesn't charge much it would be worth knowing him. Ironically I still don't know if that would worked either with some of the vendors not willing to ship to Michigan.
But yeah to recap I'm not aware of any law saying that we can't have black powder pistols shipped to us like almost everyone else in the United States. Come to think of in New Jersey is the only one that I know of that needs an FFL transfer for black powder.
I’m not sure of the laws there, but just be thankful you’re not in Jersey...waiting on a handgun permit is my holdup
Well, I went to Cabel;as web site and then remembered. you can no longer have black powder pistols and maybe rifles shipped to your door. It is in store pickup only.
Bob McBride
54 Cal.
I’ve handled hundreds of old used up 1860’s and 1858’s that were made in the last 60 years and my experience has been that the old steel frames that have had the rifling shot out have mostly been solid otherwise. Ive rarely seen a brass frame whose rifling was half gone that i would consider still shootable in any sense of the word. Im sure they last plenty long for the average guy but nothing like a steel frame. A brass frame on a gun is like a pine handle on a shovel. For light work they work just fine but they were considered cut rate and sketchy, even back in the day.
(My old Pop has one he bought 20 years ago and he takes it out once every other year or so and shoots a dozen rounds out of it and its still fairly solid so I can testify they'll stand up to 120 rounds or so.)
(My old Pop has one he bought 20 years ago and he takes it out once every other year or so and shoots a dozen rounds out of it and its still fairly solid so I can testify they'll stand up to 120 rounds or so.)
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I look at it from a reliability standpoint, I don’t shoot proof loads either and I expect my handguns to hold up a long while, regardless of frame material, but open top usually means more frequent cap jams. I can’t remember when I had one w/ New Model Army. I do understand that sometimes our gender simply goes for the good looking one, with the attractive frame.......
Though I am very late to the party, let me throw in my 2 cents. Although I really like the “hang” of an 1851 Colt, and I am always awed by the grace of a 1860, after many years and many revolvers, I ultimately end up with a 1858 Remington. Lord only knows it is exponentially easier to clean. It’s even easier to cap too. In the end, I have found that it is even slightly more accurate. Though the decision to get a ‘58 wasn’t wholly yours, you will in the end, be pleased. Good luck !
I just finished a Dixie kit of the steel framed 51 Navy, came out pretty good and the grip wood was beautiful walnut. Maybe you can get pass your lib laws that way, buy a kit!
Half-Cocked
40 Cal
I wasn't aware that they made an 1851 Colt kit. That sounds fun and easy to assemble.
I have yet to see a handgun, muzzle loader or modern, with a worn out barrel. Damaged from neglect or abuse, yes, but never worn out.
Half-Cocked
40 Cal
I am almost certain I will eventually buy both. I can eventually get the steel 1851 for now I suppose I will shoot the brass one I own and see what's available for purchase.
Bob McBride
54 Cal.
Obviously I can’t speak to what you’ve seen but call Bobby Hoyt and ask him how many BP competition/Really active regular shooter’s barrels he refreshes or bores out per year just from wear to the rifling. Not neglected ones, which he does see too, but ones only 10-20 years old with many thousands of rounds down range. When I shot 3gun I went through many modern rifle and pistol barrels but that is at something like 40k rounds per year and it's toast in a few years. I often replaced barrels after a single year, or about half life as they were already starting to get loose. Modern barrels do last admirably but they all wear out. But, getting back on point, a brass frame won’t make it nearly that long.
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