Awright, howscome The Preacher can do it and I can't?

[armoredman]

I know, answer number one is - Hollywood, they can do anything. But what I am referring to is the famous cylinder swap in Pale Rider where Mr. Eastwood, (stand to attention, ya'll), swaps out the empty for a full cylinder in his 1858 Remington. I can get mine OUT fast enough...but getting a new one IN, that takes wiggling and finagling suggestions? Just out of curiosity - I might carry this one afield and a spare cylinder might be kinda nice.

Revolver in question, for perfect clarity.

 

[troy fairweather]

Have to roll the cylinder out and time the hammer right.

 

[StrawHat]

Go ahead, carry a capped cylinder! Try not to drop it. There was one incident were Texas Rangers did exchange cylinders but I believe that is the only recorded instance. With cap and ball revolvers the best reload is a second revolver. And your St Clint used one of those also.

Kevin

 

[brewer12345]

To put the cylinder back in, put it into the space for the cylinder on half cock and then rotate it clockwise (when viewed from the back of the revolver as you slid it into place. This pushes the hand out of the way, which is what otherwise causes problems in getting the cylinder back in.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Just yell: "CUT", and then when you have it in, say: "TAKE TWO". Clint's gun probably didn't have a hand in it. You'll be just as fast. I've always thought the weight of a loaded cylinder was not worth...wait for it...the weight. !!! Really, six shots in a cylinder probably weigh as much as fifty rounds of loose ammo. (wild guess, but you know what I mean) Combustible cartridges and a capper are way better. And besides, six shots out of that hand-cannon will take care of business, you'll have plenty of time to reload. Maybe cook up a cup of coffee. Eat lunch. Take a nap under a tree. Read a book. You'll have plenty of time.

 

[hawg]

You can pull the hammer back just far enough for the bolt and hand to be retracted. The cylinder will fall in or out from either side.

 

[armoredman]

Go ahead, carry a capped cylinder! Try not to drop it. The was one incident were Texas Rangers did exchange cylinders but I believe that is the only recorded instance. With cap and ball revolvers the best reload is a second revolver. And your St Clint used one of those also.

Kevin

Actually, in Outlaw Josey Wales he carried 4 revolvers. And I kid a bit here - you should have seen a buddy of mine who would stand and salute anytime anyone mentioned John Wayne...never been that wrapped up in a movie star.
@hawg, yeah, getting it out is easy - back IN seems to be the problem.
@Ugly Sauce A spare cylinder doesn't weigh THAT much, especially if carried in the handy dandy spare cylinder carrier MidwayUSA offers...of course, I'd have to BUY a spare cylinder to do that, and I haven't done that yet. If I was actually to carry the 1858 I would probably carry the Jackrabbit tuned 1860 as the "backup"... I do have a paper cartridge kit, couldn't get it to work right, just yet, only tried it on the 1860. But, experimentation continues!

 

[Mark_Mark]

I fidget with the hammer to roll
it back in! works good! I would hot swap it afeild

 

[Mark_Mark]

lets all practice be this good!!!

 

[hawg]

@hawg, yeah, getting it out is easy - back IN seems to be the problem.

That's what I'm saying. My way it will fall in from either side. No fiddling.

 

[eastbank]

i think the texas rangers carried several revolvers and used them in many running indian mounted battles, giving them a hugh advantage over the indians.

 

[hawg]

In the early days the rangers carried Paterson's. Before Colt made Patersons with loading levers they came with an extra cylinder. I recently came across one story where they were in a fight with Indians and swapped cylinders during a lull in the fighting. They were not mounted at the time. It would be extremely difficult to swap cylinders, especially on a Colt while at a gallop without dropping something.

 

[noelf2]

That's what I'm saying. My way it will fall in from either side. No fiddling.

Nope. Your way can make the bolt scratch the cylinder if not done perfectly. I'm sure yours never has done that, but mine sure did. Fast swapping that way will scratch your cylinder.

 

[hawg]

Nope. Your way can make the bolt scratch the cylinder if not done perfectly. I'm sure yours never has done that, but mine sure did. Fast swapping that way will scratch your cylinder.

You're right, it can. I always lined mine up but I only remove the cylinder for cleaning.

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

They were not mounted at the time. It would be extremely difficult to swap cylinders, especially on a Colt while at a gallop without dropping something.

You just hold the reins in your teeth!!! Lots of mouths back then with missing teeth!
Aw for the combined tastes of saddle soap, neatsfoot oil and horse sweat again!

 

[hawg]

You just hold the reins in your teeth!!! Lots of mouths back then with missing teeth!
Aw for the combined tastes of saddle soap, neatsfoot oil and horse sweat again!

Have you ever rode a horse? A galloping horse is anything but a smooth ride.

 

[noelf2]

So I just made a video of how I do it. I've had several NMAs and this worked the same on all of them.

**Don't dry fire a Howell's type cylinder. I'm using snap caps in this video.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

A spare cylinder doesn't weigh THAT much,

Truth. But, I'm kind of a "weight fanatic", hold-over from my back-packing days, so I try to minimize weight where I can, in order to maximize other gear, food and water. But, when I get around to it (or hopefully someone beats me to it) I'm going to weigh a loaded cylinder, and then see how much powder and ball it takes to equal that weight. I kind of suspect that a loaded cylinder does weigh THAT much, compared to powder and ball, or paper/combustible cartridges. But...as always...I could be wrong!

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I would probably carry the Jackrabbit tuned 1860 as the "backup"..

Now you are talking weight-crazy!!! But dang, you got a Jack-Rabbited 1860??? (or would that be a "Jacked-Up" 1860? So do I. Mine don't look so pretty, but she sure can cook. !!!! Best money I ever spent. My .36" on the 1863 Remington New Model Army frame is getting left home more often.

 

[Bibbyman]

Cowboy Action Shooters have often fixed themselves up with 12 cylinders (two guns, 6 stages) so they don't have to load at a match. But still cap at loading tables. Them is the rules.

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

Have you ever rode a horse? A galloping horse is anything but a smooth ride.

Owned and rode and mucked out stalls from 16 yrs of age.
Roan Tennessee Walker mongrel named McDuff long gone now!
I'm too old and substantial now unless my mount was a Clydesdale!?!
Still Love 'em though and OH YES, I HAVE GALLOPED!!!
So much better than a trot.

 

[Mark_Mark]

So I just made a video of how I do it. I've had several NMAs and this worked the same on all of them.

**Don't dry fire a Howell's type cylinder. I'm using snap caps in this video.

Nice Video!!!

 

[armoredman]

Now you are talking weight-crazy!!! But dang, you got a Jack-Rabbited 1860??? (or would that be a "Jacked-Up" 1860? So do I. Mine don't look so pretty, but she sure can cook. !!!! Best money I ever spent. My .36" on the 1863 Remington New Model Army frame is getting left home more often.
View attachment 1109245

No, an Uberti 1860 turned up by JackRabbit1957 over at Cast Boolits...since Outlaw Kid vanished WAY up north.

 

[armoredman]

So I just made a video of how I do it. I've had several NMAs and this worked the same on all of them.

**Don't dry fire a Howell's type cylinder. I'm using snap caps in this video.

When I get back to the home computer I will have to watch that one - I can't watch YT here...and thank you for posting that!

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

Owned and rode and mucked out stalls from 16 yrs of age.
Roan Tennessee Walker mongrel named McDuff long gone now!
I'm too old and substantial now unless my mount was a Clydesdale!?!
Still Love 'em though and OH YES, I HAVE GALLOPED!!!
So much better than a trot.

I don't mess with hayburners anymore myself, been bit, kicked, stomped, run through cactus and thrown more times than I care to admit. I have shot from horseback a few time with mixed results.