Why get two 1851s?

When i first dug out my dads gun collection and started shooting them (last november) i never really shot any of his guns. I was concerned about black powder. I heard from a few people at the range i go to that talked about chain fires and he mentioned one guy blew a few fingers off because of an ember that blew back into an empty chamber already fired. He reloaded that chamber with the ember still burning in it and the flask blew up in his hand.

That was enough that i sold a few of them (the best 2 actually) after about 6-7 months i watched a guy at the range and decided to give it a try.

The thing i like to do is take atleast 2 pistols. Ill shoot one and put it up to cool while i load and shoot the second. Before i load the first one again i drop the cylinder out and blow in it before i dump the next load of powder into any of the cylinders.

This was one of the reasons i shoot the quick charge tubes. Incase something happens i would rather one 20 grain load fire insted of a whole flask.

So this could be one reason to get 2

I have multiple pairs..both matching consecutive numbered sets, and non-matching. I like to have one for each hip!

BowerR64

It's too bad you listened to those uninformed yahoos about chain fires and someone blowing his fingers off. Yes chain fires are possible; but they are not as dangerous as claimed, and blown up flasks from charging the chambers on a revolver is an old wives tale. It is possible using a single shot rifle or pistol; but not a revolver.

My choice would be to buy the other Hickok & save for the Remmie. If you keep going to the range & shooting them, you'll want more than those eventually.

There are very few things in life as satisfying as a cap and ball revolver in each hand, and ringing steel with every shot.

Everyone needs a pair of Navy sixes!

Remember... in the gun world, two is one and one is none. It's a law. You have no choice in the matter.

I like pairs, and sets, of everything. too many westerns as a kid.

If you're not made of money and you don't shoot in any events such as Cowboy Action where you NEED a pair I'd say spend your money on something else.... like an 1860 Colt or 1858 Remington instead of a second 1851. Get a little variety in your BP shooting that way.

Besides even in cowboy action it's entirely permissible and fun to use combinations of guns as long as they are of the same type. IE; your Colt 1851 and an 1858 Remington.

Well if you only have 1, you will be unbalanced. Or is it imbalanced?

You get two when there isn't money in the budget for three.

I'm poor as churchmice, but have a decent collection. all it takes is fifty years, LOL!

Fingers McGee said:

BowerR64

It's too bad you listened to those uninformed yahoos about chain fires and someone blowing his fingers off. Yes chain fires are possible; but they are not as dangerous as claimed, and blown up flasks from charging the chambers on a revolver is an old wives tale. It is possible using a single shot rifle or pistol; but not a revolver.

My choice would be to buy the other Hickok & save for the Remmie. If you keep going to the range & shooting them, you'll want more than those eventually.

Click to expand...

A revolver is what he used. He said it was windy and an ember or something blew back into one of the open chambers already shot on the revolver.

With my luck what can happen will.

IMO its better to be safe the sorry.

I bought a plastic flask with a pre measured spout and right on the package, and on powder i think it says never pour direclty into the chamber from the spout.

I will say ive done it a few times but i wasnt comfortable doing it.

None the less its my reason for 2 guns. you can never have to many right?

Bower, for that to happen to the guy he must have grabbed the flask almost the moment he finished shooting and started reloading. Otherwise the short open end of the cylinder would allow enough air to reach that ember that it would burn out darn quickly.

But hey, it only takes a moment to blow in the chamber throats to supply enough oxygen that you ensure it burns out any remaining embers. So what the heck, do it.

Hell, I was somewhat worried about chain fires myself so the first three times out with my first BP revolvers I wore a thin but sturdy deerskin glove to give me SOME protection just in case.

Could of been a home made wad? paper cartridges? i dont know all the details but its one of those storys in the back of my mind when im shooting them.

I have another good reason to get more then 1

Set one up for 15 yards and set one up for 50

Use one for shooting at further distances and one for close range.

Ive never shot 2 at the same time but it sure looks fun.

I like to load up 2 or 3 at home - the percussion caps. Then when i get to the range i can shoot alot quicker the first few minutes im there.

I'm a big Remington fan myself, but my very first handgun when I was a youngster [fourteen years old] was a '51 Navy kit my dad helped build, from Navy Arms.

"A revolver is what he used. He said it was windy and an ember or something blew back into one of the open chambers already shot on the revolver."??

You'd have to be real fast to get the powder to the chamber before the "ember" went out.