Blackpowder revolvers for the rough road

[pico]

I have had a Walker Colt reproduction from Uberti, as well as a Remington New Army 1858, also from Uberti. Both are great handguns, and should bad times come about, both are blackpowder revolvers that would perhaps be an alternative for those either in some bullshit state not allowing cartridge handguns and/or those afraid of a possible ammo shortage. I picked up cylinder conversions for both of these, that allows me to fire centerfire .45 Colt (long) rounds out of them (same bullet dimensions). Anyway, if you want to fire these centerfire rounds, skip any of the Colt handguns like the Walker and such, as they really do suck for this setup. The Remington, on the other hand, can swap or empty cylinders very rapidly. I am faster with a modern revolver and speed loader, but not by much. These older firearms are deadly at far greater range than many modern handguns, so much so I just picked up another Remington. My older Remington 1858 was considered a Sheriff's type, as it had a barrel just under 6". The new one I picked up, which is made by Pietta, is the full sized military barrel length at over 8". I decided to simply buy a separate cap and ball cylinder that I can do a quick change out on. Anyway, while not as fast as a magazine swap, it is not too bad. I can easily keep a pouch of ball, another with caps, and a powder flask with measuring device, and this will keep me in the game.

I am all for having modern firearms on hand, as they supplanted the older guns for a clear reason. Still, having a few blackpowder firearms on hand fills a void that could be created (not likely in my case) should ammunition dry up (meaning to not be available for sale anywhere). Powder can also be made, and recipes are readily available for those interested by doing a search on your favorite search engine. My next purchase will likely be a Sharps .54 cal blackpowder rifle, as these are the older buffalo guns that could reach out with much power at distances.

[Tired Old Man]

Pull trigger....wait for it....wait for it....boom !
I'll stock up on regular ammo. I've only had a couple of black powered hand guns and was not that happy with them.
And from the reply's,I'm not the only one.

[GP100]

I don't know.

I'm in the process of stocking up on ammo lately, slowly but surely. I've got 400 rounds of .38 special, 150 rounds of .357, and about 40 high end personal defense stuff.

The reason I mention this is because I've been thinking, unless I really decide to do some target practicing after TSHTF... if I'm using this much ammo in real situations there's no way I live long enough to run out. How many gunfights do I plan on winning (without losing)?

As far as hunting goes, I guess...

Will you really ever run out of ammo (I'm sure YOU are HEAVILY stockpiled with ammo as is pico) ?

[pico]

TOM,

I shot mine with just a cap and the powder. From the cap exploding to the powder igniting was nearly instant. It was not like a flintlock firearm with the gunpowder in the flash pan sparking and a long pause.

Mine was more or a clickboom.... not click......pop.............boom

BTW, for 100 caps, 100 30grain blackpowder charges, 100 wads, and 100 round lead balls, the cost is nearly equivalent to 100 rounds of 9mm ammo. I spent roughly $45 for the hundred rounds... not much, but then I went with the pre-measured powder charges that are formed to fit the cylinder. It makes loading a snap, but also is at the higher end of the charge load capable with these revolvers.

[pico]

I should add cabelas has the smaller Remington 1858 .36 cal revolvers on sale. I am thinking about picking up one or two of these, as the price can't be beat. With the proper gear, you can keep a blackpowder gun in operation long after you run out of your original bullets. A simple bullet mold can usually make 4 or more round balls at a time, and you can simply melt your own soft metals to make them.

[Tired Old Man]

I should add cabelas has the smaller Remington 1858 .36 cal revolvers on sale. I am thinking about picking up one or two of these, as the price can't be beat. With the proper gear, you can keep a blackpowder gun in operation long after you run out of your original bullets. A simple bullet mold can usually make 4 or more round balls at a time, and you can simply melt your own soft metals to make them.

This part I like. Now how do you make your own caps....
Black powered is cool....kind of.

[pico]

You use a press and then use small amounts of powder with a paper placed on top to hold in place. The cap is basically a cup with powder and a thin covering over the powder basically on the inside of the cup.... this is for those not familiar with blackpowder guns. I would imagine this could even be done away with for rifles, and a cap gun style be used instead. This was actually done on some civil war era breechloaders. I forget the types, but those are simply paper sandwiching powder. Anyway, I'll look into it more. It can't be too awfully difficult if the confederacy made their own during the war of northern aggression:)

[pico]

Okay, here is what I have found out. You use the paper caps from toys, or make your own with powder and paper. Then, you use a stamp that punches out the caps and forms them from aluminum soda cans. You take the homemade cap and stick in the paper covered powder, and you are set.

[Tired Old Man]

Okay, here is what I have found out. You use the paper caps from toys, or make your own with powder and paper. Then, you use a stamp that punches out the caps and forms them from aluminum soda cans. You take the homemade cap and stick in the paper covered powder, and you are set.

OK........
And I thought I could make .177 pellets. Not saying it can't be done. I almost made my own.
All I need is a bunch of aluminum soda cans.
I think I like the flintlock better.

Pico I'm not saying a black powered weapon sucks. Any weapon is good. Even if you can make your own load.

[pico]

Flintlocks are good, but typically single shots and smoothbore. Not all that practical unless things really tank. I person armed with a blackpowder revolver is about on equal footing with most others armed with modern handguns, and it really only becomes an issue if reloading needs to happen. With a 6 shot revolver with an extra cylinder, reloading can be a bit dangerous but at the same time fairly fast. I would simply leave the spare sylinder uncapped and then cap the 6 shots... stil fairly fast. Anyway, I plan on not having to use blackpowder firearms for survival, as I have enough other weapons and ammo to likely last a damn long time. That said, having options is critical, and I can't argue with flintlock and percussion caps being a possible option for some.

I am actually trading a guy tomorrow for a Hawkins flintlock rifle, so I will have about all of my bases covered soon. I just need a suit of chainmail and perhaps a longsword to get all my bases covered;)

[Tired Old Man]

I am actually trading a guy tomorrow for a Hawkins flintlock rifle, so I will have about all of my bases covered soon. I just need a suit of chainmail and perhaps a longsword to get all my bases covered;)

You forgot the smiley face.

May you never walk a road that is too long.
A hill that is to high.
Or meet a woman that is equal to you.
For on that day, a warrior will be lost.
But a man will be born.

[pico]

Okay, I found out that the do it yourself percussion cap die kit was discontinued by dixie gunworks. I have seen pictures of it, and it looks like a simple hole punch and then a forming die. I need to look into perhaps making my own die, and perhaps using a somewhat larger hole cutter or punch to make the initial round shape. Anyway, I'll fart around with this at a future time, likely this winter, as I can simply buy the hell out of the caps at the present time and get 100 for $5.

[Kiehlroy]

They work. The .44 caliber Remington and Colt replicas exceed the stopping power of a .45acp round if I recall. Often exceeding 1000fps out the muzzle.

I've shot em back in Arkansas. All Pietta's. All went boom just like a modern gun just with more smoke. So long as you know what you are doing you will have no problems regarding reliability.

Simple to work on and easy to maintain. They are no AK-47 but they can get you one:;):

So long as every gun control retard and their brothers and sisters don't hear about it:;): they should be available for awhile longer.

[pico]

I just picked up some more percussion caps and also the bullets. I ordered a cast mold for .454" round balls, so that will keep me supplied once I get around to finding a local lead supplier. Also, blackpowder is a dirty pain in the ass... but considering it can perhaps be made by some when TSHTF, it should warrant consideration by some... especially those living in occupied States like New Jersey and NYC. Lastly, blackpowder cahrges are available in cleaner options like pyrodex. I picked up 100 30 grain .50 cal loads. 2 or 3, depending on what you are looking to do, would produce significant power for rifles. My hawkens rifle will handle 60 grains easily, so 2 will do the trick. The 30 grain load is what I use on my newest Pietta 1858 revolver, and it goes pop. I need to go with a buddy who has the right equipment to measure the velocity. I would imagine that it is around 900 FPS minimum, and with heavy lead bullets, it would really mess up your day.

[Tired Old Man]

The only black powder gun I ever had was a two shot derringer. It sucked. And you did have a split second wait from the cap to the powder going boom. It could have been the powder I was using. What a pain to clean...
To be fair I did some looking on youtube. Not bad. If I didn't already have enough hand guns I would order one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_BYjI4kNRI&feature=related

I looked at Cabela's and the price for the gun is low, $219.99. Nice part is they can shipped it to my / yours ( ? ) house. Like you said Kiehlroy lets hope the gun control freaks don't hear about this. Being able to shoot 100 rounds should cost about $60 depending on what you buy. Not bad.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Black-Powder/Revolvers|/pc/104792580/c/104701680/sc/104503680/Pietta-Model-1860-Army-44-Caliber-Revolver/705022.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fshoot ing-black-powder-revolvers%2F_%2FN-1100201%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104503680%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMM%253Bca t104701680&WTz_l=SBC%3BMM%3Bcat104701680%3Bcat104503680

For The Rough Road Ahead ? I would give it a YES.
For Pico and lead. Dead car battery.

[pico]

Those are nice handguns, but the remington 1858 clones are a bit stronger and reloading is a joke. It could have been your nipples were dirty or defective on that derringer. It is not common, but sometimes putting on another set solves problems.

You can buy brass framed blackpowder handguns for even less at Cabelas, but for $219 I would go with steel. An extra cylinder will be another $55, but then you will have 12 shots at the ready.

[Amaris]

I'm planning to buy a black powder weapon soon, but I have question you fellows can maybe answer. You are surely more experienced than I am:
I want a .44 caliber revolver and there are rounds with different diameters available (.451, .454, .457).
What's the best to buy?
I hope somebody can answer my (stupid) question.

Amaris