Vintage Colt Navy, Safe to shoot??

[theloneranger]

I recently purchased a colt 1851 Navy (36 cal), made in 1861. I would like any thoughts on shooting it! It looks to be in failry good shape, nice and tight. If it is shootable, any thoughts on cap and type, ball weight, and power load would you recommend?

I think it would be great to shoot, just don’t want to destroy it. (or myself)

Thanks
Rich

 

[CaptainKirk]

It's always wise to have any original firearm examined by a gunsmith prior to shooting.
Having said that, I would feel quite comfortable loading 15-20gr FFFg or Pyrodex P behind .375 RBs and shooting the darn thing.

 

[hawkeye2]

I'm in agreement with Captian Kirk, shoot it. Sam intended his products to be used rather than for decorating walls. Lube the action well and go easy with it.

 

[curator]

Rich,

I have an original Colt '51 Navy that I did shoot until I got a new replica. At that point I retired it since it was getting unnecessary wear. My criteria for shooting an antique percussion revolver is the ability to remove the percussion nipples. If the gun is in good shape and the nipples can be removed for cleaning I would shoot it. If the nipples are frozen in place I would leave it alone. If you do try to shoot it be sure to use .380 round balls (which they were designed for) not the recommended .375 sold for replicas.

 

[Al Cummins]

Great find Ranger, beautiful! you lucky devil..... shoot it and enjoy aaaand take more pics!

 

[theloneranger]

 

[Al Cummins]

Thanks! I save pics as well!

 

[crockett]

Check the timing- make certain the bolt pops into position before the hammer is at full ****. If you had a range rod you could tell if the chamber is lined up correctly with the bore but it ought to be or the gun would already be damaged. If you have a local gunsmith with a range rod of proper diameter he might be able to check it out. The wedge ought to keep the barrel from moving around. Other than that I can't think of any reason the gun cannot be fired.
One drawback- the tails on the bolt and springs- I'm not sure whether time would effect them and you don't want them broken as originals make for a more valuable gun.

 

[crockett]

PS- the screws are in great shape- make sure you use a properly fitted screw driver.

 

[1911nutjob]

FWIW, I'm in the same boat as you. I have an original martially marked and matching 1860 that's been in my possession for a few years now. I still haven't shot it, even though the seller reportedly fired it weeks before I got it. I'd love to, but I can't bring myself to do it as I have a perfectly serviceable repro to shoot. I intend to fire mine with at least one cylinder before I croak, but it'll be a one time deal. I'm not worried about it safety wise, it's just that my new (to me) ROA, my pedersoli howdah, and repros keep me busy enough, let alone the cartridge stuff. I should probably be paying more attention to my warping fascia and window frames, rotted attic vent older than my dad, the overdue diff oil change on the truck, but I haven't....

 

[aeatwood]

What was said earlier looks fine. Let a BP gunsmith look it over. Now I will ruffle feathers.

If that were my gun, I would not, under any circumstances whatsoever, fire ANYTHING but real black powder in it. Pyrodex will get in any pits or rough spots, and unless it is cleaned a lot more thoroughly than is likely to happen, it will eat the gun. Bet on it. If I could not get real BP, I would not shoot the gun. Period.

Cleaning it to the point where pyrodex would not damage it will damage it, because you will need to take it down to bare metal.

This is my experience with pyro - it is much more corrosive than BP. BP requires moisture to cause rust, pyrodex does not. It is your gun.

Alan

 

[crockett]

Exactly- use black powder. Great stuff.

 

[theloneranger]

Ya, I will use only black powder, I have a few cans of GOEX 3f lying around.

 

[slumlord44]

I would shoot it. They were made to shoot and I would also use black in it but I have never had any problems with Pyrodex and Tripple Seven that others have had. My comparision is to the '57 T-Bird that I am restoring for the 3rd time since I bought it in 1965. It has been a daily driver, a show car, a drag racer and a sunny day car for the last 20 years. Will make it look nice and re work the engine and drive train to be run hard as always. Unless you do something really stupid, there is nothing on an old car or old gun that can't be fixed if it breaks.

 

[Dphar]

I recently purchased a colt 1851 Navy (36 cal), made in 1861. I would like any thoughts on shooting it! It looks to be in failry good shape, nice and tight. If it is shootable, any thoughts on cap and type, ball weight, and power load would you recommend?

I think it would be great to shoot, just don’t want to destroy it. (or myself)

Thanks
Rich

I had an original 62 police that I shot. But today I would not do it.

Dan

 

[Dphar]

If you shoot it do not use corrosive substitutes just BP.
The subs will also produce higher pressures than BP. Especially 777.

Dan