Beginner BP revolver advice

Donald1818 · Nov 19, 2020

hitwtom said:
Show up for a Hooligan shoot on a Sunday morning, lots of experience and BP firearms

Where is this location may I ask?

D

Pale Ryder · Nov 19, 2020

I like “Blackie” for things concerning BP revolvers and woodscraft.

j8064 · Nov 19, 2020

Donald1818 said:
Where is this location may I ask?

D

That would be the Savage River Range in Grantsville. You'll find some Hooligans there usually every Sunday morning around 0800.

We shoot a variety of modern guns as well as BP including muzzle loaders, cap and ball pistols and BPCR's. While I wouldn't recommend an 1847 Walker as your entry level cap and ball pistol Uberti makes a fine replica. Here's a thread from a couple of weeks ago when I had my Walker out to play:

https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?250500&p=6100545#post6100545

echo6mike · Nov 19, 2020

j8064 said:
That would be the Savage River Range in Grantsville. You'll find some Hooligans there usually every Sunday morning around 0800.

We shoot a variety of modern guns as well as BP including muzzle loaders, cap and ball pistols and BPCR's. While I wouldn't recommend an 1847 Walker as your entry level cap and ball pistol Uberti makes a fine replica. Here's a thread from a couple of weeks ago when I had my Walker out to play:

https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?250500&p=6100545#post6100545

That would be fun to get out to but it's a bit far from me (close to 3 hours each way). I'll start with my Izaak Walton chapter.

That does look like some quality Hooliganism, though!

j8064 · Nov 19, 2020

echo6mike said:
That would be fun to get out to but it's a bit far from me (close to 3 hours each way). I'll start with my Izaak Walton chapter.

That does look like some quality Hooliganism, though!

Yep a six hour round trip is long. Better to plan a weekend visit to Deep Creek and catch up with the Hooligans before heading back to the flatlands. Either way you have an open invitation to join us.

In the meantime you might check out this thread. John from MD just listed a couple of nice BP revolvers at a good price in the classifieds. If I wasn't already set to finish a deal on something else with John I'd be scheming on one of them...

https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=250915

:innocent0

echo6mike · Nov 19, 2020

j8064 said:
Yep a six hour round trip is long. Better to plan a weekend visit to Deep Creek and catch up with the Hooligans before heading back to the flatlands. Either way you have an open invitation to join us.

In the meantime you might check out this thread. John from MD just listed a couple of nice BP revolvers at a good price in the classifieds. If I wasn't already set to finish a deal on something else with John I'd be scheming on one of them...

https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=250915

Heh. Bad influence but I don’t mind!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

j8064 · Nov 19, 2020

echo6mike said:
Heh. Bad influence but I don’t mind!

Hooligans are master enablers... It’s in our nature...

One point to add is shooting BP is VERY addictive. Proceed at your own risk.

:innocent0

Johnthetoolguy · Nov 19, 2020

Dixie Gun Works is my go to place to buy BP stuff. In fact today I just got a new Uberti 2nd Dragoon.
They sell flintlock and caplock firearms and suplies. They ship UPS right to your door.

Blacksmith101 · Nov 20, 2020

No one has mentioned my favorite the Ruger Old Army. No longer manufactured but you can find lightly used ones in excellent shape although not inexpensive. Here is their story:
http://www.rugeroldarmy.com/

video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjWAoXyinAY

Biggfoot44 · Nov 20, 2020

In recent years Pietta quality has improved , and most Uberti Colt replicas have improper arbor lengths .

The Remington design is most intuitive for shooters of modern revolvers . The Colt is well , Colt . It's what most people visualize as Civil War or Old West era guns . ( The Actual CW procurement numbers were closer than most realize , and Remington really was the more advanced , cutting edge gun in the 1868-72 era . So if historical authenticity is a factor , Remington has plenty also . They just weren't in all the movies and tv shows)

dink · Nov 20, 2020

Another ROA fan here. 45 cal Hornady balls with anywhere from 20-40gr FFF. It's regulated quite well for the 20gr cowboy load, which works out to around 200 and some ft-lbs as I recall. If you want to get close to 45acp power levels, have to fill it up to 40gr. That's about the max they'll take.

Biggfoot44 · Nov 20, 2020

Indeed the Old Army was the finest mass market C&B ever made . But you're having to compete with both shooters and Ruger Collectors for them .

echo6mike · Nov 20, 2020

Biggfoot44 said:
In recent years Pietta quality has improved , and most Uberti Colt replicas have improper arbor lengths .

The Remington design is most intuitive for shooters of modern revolvers . The Colt is well , Colt . It's what most people visualize as Civil War or Old West era guns . ( The Actual CW procurement numbers were closer than most realize , and Remington really was the more advanced , cutting edge gun in the 1868-72 era . So if historical authenticity is a factor , Remington has plenty also . They just weren't in all the movies and tv shows)

And how about for loading - I know some models have a more easily removable cylinder, or is that "all 1858s but not 1860s, some 1851s" or something general like that?

Biggfoot44 · Nov 20, 2020

Ease of loading in the gun, or with removing the cylinder ?

All Remington pattern revolvers inherently have the ( relatively ) easily removed cylinder pin . All Colt pattern revolvers inherently have to drift the barrel wedge, and then remove the barrel assembly to remove the cylinder .

Shorty revolvers inherently have less leverage than full length guns .

Many current replica revolvers have smaller loading window ( the relieved/ scalloped area where in gun loading takes place around the business end of the rammer) . They will work fine with round ball , but can interfere with some or all Conicals . If you will primarily shoot RB , not a problem . It is a common modification to use dremel or files to open up the window to more or less Original size .

BigRick · Nov 20, 2020

j8064 said:
Hooligans are master enablers... It’s in our nature...

One point to add is shooting BP is VERY addictive. Proceed at your own risk.

NO you guys would never enable someone! :innocent0

echo6mike · Nov 20, 2020

Biggfoot44 said:
Ease of loading in the gun, or with removing the cylinder ?

All Remington pattern revolvers inherently have the ( relatively ) easily removed cylinder pin . All Colt pattern revolvers inherently have to drift the barrel wedge, and then remove the barrel assembly to remove the cylinder .

Shorty revolvers inherently have less leverage than full length guns .

Many current replica revolvers have smaller loading window ( the relieved/ scalloped area where in gun loading takes place around the business end of the rammer) . They will work fine with round ball , but can interfere with some or all Conicals . If you will primarily shoot RB , not a problem . It is a common modification to use dremel or files to open up the window to more or less Original size .

Really just ease of loading, I suppose. If it's an easy design to load with cylinder mounted, no need to remove it. If it's easier to load with the cylinder removed but it's hard to take apart, that's annoying.

I think I'll just be shooting ball, especially as I get started.

Archeryrob · Nov 20, 2020

1858's, New model army, Top strap revolvers, are very easy to remove the cylinder. You drop the loading lever and pull the cylinder pin and turn the cylinder and rotate it out.

1860's, 1851's, navy, or as they say "the colts's" have the "Wedge" and you hammer the wedge loose and slide the barrel off you pull the cylinder.

I remove mine and have extra cylinders and use a cylinder loader like this on the table. 21 grains in each cylinder, drive a felt wad down and then seat the ball.

winch · Nov 20, 2020

I've got $2K worth of BP revolvers (3), balls, wads, loading stand, powder, flask, caps, holsters, spare parts kits, extra cylinders, etc. etc. Everything that you need for years to come. All revolvers are Pietta.
-1858 Target, steel
-1858 Buffalo, SS, 12" barrel
-1851 steel
PM if interested. I want to sell it as a lot.

54rndball · Nov 20, 2020

I would also recommend the Uberti New Army 1858 Remington. It is easier to disassemble than the Colts and also has the sight built into the top strap, making aiming easier. The Colt design is susceptible to jams from cap debris falling down to bind up the cylinder. But this does not seem to be a problem with the New Army designs. The Colts, especially the 1851 Navy, 1860 Army and 1861 Navy are elegant, light, and just beautiful. The Dragoons and the Walker are just beasts, really heavy! I have my father's old Navy Arms 1858 and it still shoots great after all these years. And you can order online from places like Dixie Gun Works.

BeoBill · Nov 20, 2020

These days I feel like Pietta and Uberti are comparable for manufacturing and quality. Be aware that as a rule you cannot interchange parts between them.

Beginner BP revolver advice

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

Active Member

Ultimate Member

Garrett Co Hooligan #1

Ultimate Member

Garrett Co Hooligan #1

Ultimate Member

Garrett Co Hooligan #1

Ultimate Member

Grumpy Old Man

Ultimate Member

Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Hooligan #15

Ultimate Member

Undecided on a great many things

Ultimate Member

take to the hills

Crank in the Third Row

Users who are viewing this thread

Log in

Forum statistics