Cap and abll revolver suggestions for a N00B

[Sniper X]

Buddy on another site wants to get into BP with a cap and ball revolver. WHat are the suggestions from the masses here who know? I am not a BP shooter but might try it soon!

thanks!

 

[Fingers McGee]

First off, read all of the Blackpowder Essentials found under the stickey at the top of the board. You might want to read the same subject items on some of the other BP Forms (CASCity, The Firing Line, Open Range). These threads will answer most of your questions - and probably generate a few more.

I am a dyed in the wool Colt repro shooter; but, a '58 Remington repro is probably the fastest and easiest way to get started with C&Bs. They don't have as many issued/nuances/quirks as the Colt style revolvers do. Whatever you buy, don't buy the starter kit. They are over priced for what you get.

Your best bet in getting started is to partner with someone that already shoots C&Bs. Contact your local SASS, NCOWS club, or muzzleloading club for help. An experienced shooter will help you learn the ropes and get past the problems that invariably come up when shooting C&Bs (cleaning, caps, powder charges, ball size, nipples, sights, etc.)

 

[arcticap]

The Pietta 1858 Remington from Cabela's is the most popular C&B revolver to start out with.
It's the least problematic and the best bang for the buck especially when they're on sale.
They also have a no questions asked return policy but the chances are that he will love it.

 

[fpgt72]

Noob here.

I have been shooting for years, but never anything black powder. This past weekend (when the temps dropped to the upper 90's) next door neighbor came over and had two black powder revolvers. We usually shoot the normal stuff...centerfire rifles, pistols, .22's that kind of thing, but for some reason he just brought these two revolvers over. The first time I shot it I was hooked...the smoke, smell, it was like a step back in time. The two guns he had he did not remember too much about them...he knew he and his dad put them together from kits in the mid 70's...who made them he did not know.

So looking at a couple different sites, the cabelas site I was trying to figure out what would be best to start out with. I did not want to get too crazy as I am not sure this will be something I will stick with or will play with once or twice and then go back to the more modern stuff.

Thanks

 

[Ultravox]

I bought the 1858 Remington from Cabela's and it's a hoot. I need to get out and shoot it more.

Be warned though, it's a slippery slope, like all shooting stuff. You will find a whole new set of accessories that you need to buy to go with your revolver.

I second the idea of reading the stickies about BP stuff both here and at other forums.

 

[Kaeto]

Well if you do get hooked on The Holy Black, Dixie Gun Works is one of the better places to get your supplies and any new guns you want. At least in my opinion anyway.

 

[fpgt72]

I have an 03FFL but don't know about black powder....is it still ok to ship them if you are over 21.....how does that work if buying from an individual?

 

[mykeal]

The powder isn't the discriminant - it's the cartridge, or lack of one, that matters:

National Firearms Act Definitions

Antique Firearm

26 U.S.C. § 5845(G)

For the purposes of the National Firearms Act, the term “Antique Firearms” means any firearm not intended or redesigned for using rim fire or conventional center fire ignition with fixed ammunition and manufactured in or before 1898 (including any matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap or similar type of ignition system or replica thereof, whether actually manufactured before or after the year 1898) and also any firearm using fixed ammunition manufactured in or before 1898, for which ammunition is no longer manufactured in the United States and is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.

The Gun Control Act of 1968

18 USC 44 § 921, Definitions

(16) The term "antique firearm" means—
(A) any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898; or
(B) any replica of any firearm described in subparagraph (A) if such replica—
(i) is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition, or
(ii) uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the United States and which is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade; or
(C) any muzzle loading rifle, muzzle loading shotgun, or muzzle loading pistol, which is designed to use black powder, or a black powder substitute, and which cannot use fixed ammunition. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "antique firearm" shall not include any weapon which incorporates a firearm frame or receiver, any firearm which is converted into a muzzle loading weapon, or any muzzle loading weapon which can be readily converted to fire fixed ammunition by replacing the barrel, bolt, breechblock, or any combination thereof.

If the gun meets the definition of an antique firearm above it is not a firearm under Federal regulations, and it does not require a license to transfer or ship it across state lines.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I have a '58 and several Colts, and the '58 is a tad easier to work with for the newbie. I like both types and they all shoot well, and all came from Cabela's.

LD

 

[treadhead1952]

Hi All,

Having shot a lot of different Black Powder Firearms over the years, mostly Colt and as many odd ball ones as I could find, I finally pulled the trigger and ordered up a Remington .44 in 5 and 1/2 inch barrel length. I have the moulds for ball and boolits both so fodder isn't a problem. With all the accessories from my Colt types around, that isn't a problem either. Until I get the actual revolver, leather for carrying it will remain in limbo as I like to make my own.

I do have to agree, the 1858 Remington design is probably a whole lot easier to learn on than the Colt designs, each has it's own proclivities, but the Remington is a lot less complicated. With caliber choices from .31 to .36 to .44, barrel choices from 3 and 1/2, to 5 and 1/2, to 6 and 1/2, to 8 and finally to even 12 inches as well as blued or stainless steel finishes to chose from, I would recommend staying away from the brass ones, it is hard to not find something to suit. To top it off, you can purchase conversion cylinders to enable you to use modern cartridges in your black powder revolver, albeit lower power loadings, but cartridges none the less.

 

[J-Bar]

Get a Ruger Old Army...the strongest most trouble free cap and ball revolver ever made. A newbie should not have to put up with cap jams, broken hand springs, etc. If he decides he likes it, then he may have the patience to tolerate the quirks of the historic reproductions, and the tweaking that is usually needed to make them reliable.

 

[Jaymo]

Ruger Old Army would have been my first, IF I could have found one for a reasonable price.
But, I couldn't, so I got a 5.5" and 8" 58 Remington New Army revolvers from Cabela's, along with a couple of spare cylinders, cylinder pouches, loading stand, and capper.
I've since bought a 51 Navy, but the 58 Remington is my current favorite.

 

[J-Bar]

Well if he buys an ROA he is is more likely to get his money back when he sells it. They will continue to increase in value. You get what you pay for.

 

[treadhead1952]

Hard to justify spending $500 to $700 for something that you may not really like after all. If you can 't find someone who will take you out to try one on for size, spending a whole lot less seems to make more sense to me. Cabela's is having a sale right now on 1858 Remingtons and along with a rebate deal and shipping mine came to right at $200. fortunately for me, I know what I want, have the experience to judge and justify the purchase. Now if some one comes up with a Ruger Old Army for a couple hundred bucks, I'll be standing at the head of the line.

All the above is my opinion, your mileage may vary.

 

[J-Bar]

Buy a used Ruger Old Army for $500. Shoot it, decide you don't like it, sell it for $500. (you can find them cheaper than that)

Buy a new Pietta 1858 Remington for $200. Shoot it, decide you don't like it. How much do you think you are gonna get when you try to sell it?

...just sayin"...