1851 Navy Richards Masons Revolver

[Smokepole14]

I was considering getting one of these from taylors firearms chambered in 38 special with the 7 1/2 barrel, but i have a few questions. 1.) I know cap and ball revolvers have a .375 barrel and a 38 special bullet is .357. does the 1851 richards masons revolver already have a barrel chambered for 38 special (.357) or does it require hbwc bullets? 2.) What kind of ammo could i shoot out of it, say like regular standard 38 special loads or would i have to get the cowboy lower pressure loads. I figured the standard 38 special load would be okay since there one of the lowest pressue rounds there is. 3.) Could you shoot 38 Long Colt out of the 1851 richards masons revolver too since it's practically the same round?

 

[Jim K]

It would be safe to assume that a moden gun, no matter that it looks like an old gun, would be dimensioned for the modern cartridge it is chambered for, not for the round ball loads the original was made for.

Standard .38 Special should be OK, but avoid hot +P ad +P+ loads. That gun has no top strap and is not as strong as a modern medium frame .38 Special revolver.

Sure you could shoot .38 Long Colt out of it (and out of any .38 Special, .357 Magnum or .357 Maximum revolver), but why? I am not sure if it is now being loaded (as a "cowboy" load?) but for many years it was almost unobtainable. .38 Special is available all over, in loadings ranging from powderpuff target wadcutters to near .357.

Jim

 

[CraigC]

The bore is properly sized for the .38Spl so no worries there. It is safe for any standard pressure .38Spl ammunition, no +P. You could shoot modern .38Colt in it lickety splickety. It is no more than a shorter version of the .38Spl and uses inside lubed .358" cast bullets. Originally it used a heeled bullet.