Anyone knowledgeable about black powder pistols?

blendermassacre · #1 03-12-2010, 04:57 PM

I was just given my grandfather's gun. A reissue of the 1851 Navy .36 caliber black powder revolver. I've never messed with any black powder weapon, so any insight would be awesome.

hover · #2 03-12-2010, 05:03 PM

dude, I can almost guarantee you'll shoot ye olde eye out.

seriously tho, there have to be better forums for this. or made for this...
like... http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums...splay.php?f=28

**Pacman** · #3 03-12-2010, 05:04 PM

No, but I have an *actual* 1861 Navy Revolver....

Carried by my great-great grandfather in the Civil War

Stinsok · #4 03-12-2010, 05:16 PM

Your powder charge is volume, not weight!!! It can be fun, but you have to clean it after shooting or it will rust.

blendermassacre · #5 03-12-2010, 05:22 PM

This RI was purchased by my grandmother for my grandfather the month before he passed away. I'm pretty stoked to have it. Luckily we're in Arkansas, and my dad has a good friend who is a gunsmith who I'm going to take it to tomorrow to get a once over, and hopefully buy some ammo. My grandfather actually made a leather belt and holster for it as well a knife and a leather pouch. My grandmother is going to look for the knife and pouch etc. Overall I'm pretty excited.

warwick.hoy · #6 03-12-2010, 05:27 PM

Pacman,...that original is cool and probably worth some coin to a CW collector.

My dad had a few of those RI that he bought as a kit and put together himself. I now a navy was one of them. He had a couple smooth bore BP muskets too,...but he never shot them...at least not when I was growing up.

It's more than just Ammo BM. You'll need black powder,...balls

and flash caps.

Radio · #7 03-12-2010, 05:32 PM

It's a reissue, but I'd still have a gunsmith check it out, and let him advise you on its condition, bullet diameter, powder charge, type of powder, percussion caps.

From a safety issue, take a firearms handling course - they're pretty cheap.

AND, if you load more than one chamber at a time, make sure you use the proper lube on top of each powder charge - nothing like a spark from the chamber you're firing igniting the rest of them - good-bye picking hand (or worse)!

Remember, black powder is a Class A explosive, which smokeless powder is not, so ask the gunsmith, or someone knowledgeable about proper storage and handling.

Have fun!

Radio · #8 03-12-2010, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

No, but I have an *actual* 1861 Navy Revolver....

Carried by my great-great grandfather in the Civil War

There must be some interesting history attached to it and your g-g-grandfathers service.

**jmattbassplaya** · #9 03-12-2010, 05:43 PM

I`m normally not that big into guns, but these are just too cool!

**Pacman** · #10 03-12-2010, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

Pacman,...that original is cool and probably worth some coin to a CW collector.

The pistol is worth well north of 14K at this point, but it's priceless to me and will never be for sale....

blendermassacre · #11 03-12-2010, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio

It's a reissue, but I'd still have a gunsmith check it out, and let him advise you on its condition, bullet diameter, powder charge, type of powder, percussion caps.

From a safety issue, take a firearms handling course - they're pretty cheap.

AND, if you load more than one chamber at a time, make sure you use the proper lube on top of each powder charge - nothing like a spark from the chamber you're firing igniting the rest of them - good-bye picking hand (or worse)!

Remember, black powder is a Class A explosive, which smokeless powder is not, so ask the gunsmith, or someone knowledgeable about proper storage and handling.

Have fun!

I've handled plenty of firearms, but never black powder. My local gunsmith is a good friend of my family, and I'm going to swing by there at 2:30 ish and see what he has to say. I'm sure he can outfit me with the necessary powder, caps, etc.

My main reason for having him look at it is well A) because it's free and b) because I do like my picking hand...

blendermassacre · #12 03-13-2010, 04:36 PM

Just got her all cleaned up. Now to find an outdoor range to rock and roll the black powder pistol.

Jim Campbell · #13 03-13-2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

The pistol is worth well north of 14K at this point, but it's priceless to me and will never be for sale....

any more detailed pix?

RWP · #14 03-13-2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

No, but I have an *actual* 1861 Navy Revolver....

Carried by my great-great grandfather in the Civil War

That is a beautiful hand gun and to know it was carried by your great-great grandfather is amazing.

**Pacman** · #15 03-13-2010, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

any more detailed pix?

Not at the moment, as I'm in Japan. My guns are with a friend

Number27 · #16 03-13-2010, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

No, but I have an *actual* 1861 Navy Revolver....

Carried by my great-great grandfather in the Civil War

awwhawahaw tha is sooo cool

maestrovert · #17 03-14-2010, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blendermassacre

I was just given my grandfather's gun. A reissue of the 1851 Navy .36 caliber black powder revolver. I've never messed with any black powder weapon, so any insight would be awesome.

Ah, the .36 Navy ! it is a superior feeling and handling sidearm, well balanced and comfortable. Ol' Wild Bill Hickok preferred 'em...

there are many very well made replica/clones in circulation, unfortunately there are also many that are -shall we say- not so well made ?
if it has a brass frame, it's safety could be suspect....

make sure the main cylinder pin itself is tight to the frame, and that the barrel is held absolutely solid by the wedge.
Also, the edges of cylinder's locking notches should be sharp, with little to no scoring around the circumference.

Parts and DIY know-how are abundant fortunately....

blendermassacre · #18 03-14-2010, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maestrovert

Ah, the .36 Navy ! it is a superior feeling and handling sidearm, well balanced and comfortable. Ol' Wild Bill Hickok preferred 'em...

there are many very well made replica/clones in circulation, unfortunately there are also many that are -shall we say- not so well made ?
if it has a brass frame, it's safety could be suspect....

make sure the main cylinder pin itself is tight to the frame, and that the barrel is held absolutely solid by the wedge.
Also, the edges of cylinder's locking notches should be sharp, with little to no scoring around the circumference.

Parts and DIY know-how are abundant fortunately....

The gunsmith I took it too is notoriously anal retentive (tool of the trade, I guess). He said the tolerances looked way above par for the brand. I he also told me the recipe to load the rounds, etc. I've been looking online for decent deals on balls, a black powder measure, and wads. (I've also noticed that black powder firearms are especially phallic: ram rods, balls, wads, etc)