My first blackpowder gun

[jrfoxx]

Just got one of my christmas presents to myself today. My first bp gun.It's a Traditions "Crocket" model .32 cal percussion pistol. I used to think that bp guns looked too slow, smokey, and like a lot of work, but as my gun interest and collection grew, those became the exact reasons I decided to get one! I look forward to the noise, smoke, and slow, deliberate effrort of firng it soon. Hopefully the rain lets up sometime before April here

 

[Niner]

You meant to type .32. Neat looking pistol. Just get some patches, caps, some ball ammo, as well as some black power and you will be really hooked on black powder once you have fired it.

 

[jrfoxx]

Thanks for catching the typo, I'm having typing issues lately.Alredy have te balls, caps,patches, powder and measure, the weather just needs to cooperate better.I'm already planning on getting a rifle as mynext gun purchase, as I'm sure I'll be hooked once I fire this one. Besides, what goods a bp pistol displayed on the wall (when not being fired) without a matching rifle?

 

[Plink]

I used to think that bp guns looked too slow, smokey, and like a lot of work, but as my gun interest and collection grew, those became the exact reasons I decided to get one!

Well said! That's exactly why I like them, myself. A relaxed, slow, low pressure form of shooting that makes you want to get the best out of each shot. You picked a nice one to start with, also. Best of luck to ya!

 

[Niner]

Forgot to mention you will need a powder measure too. You could get a flask with a spout that will throw a charge that is equal to, or slightly less, than the recommended charge as well.

Think you will be happy with how well these single shot pistols shoot.

 

[AzShooter1]

Late comer to the thread but I bought a Crocket this week at the Winter Nationals here in Phoenix. What a great little gun. I'm still playing with patches to see what it likes best.

I was able to find a small funnel to pour the powder, none of my measures had a top small enough to fit the .32. I also found that a serated knife doesn't work well with this calibre. It ends up tearing instead of cutting the patches so I had to pick up a new patch knife. Darn

I almost bought a box of 100 size 0 buckshot for $9 until I found another vendor that had a 5 lb box for $13. Now that was a big savings.

Ticking at .015 works but Teflon coated patches will not go in without ripping apart at the muzzle.

Another thing, it shot 4 inches high at 25 yards. I know I should just file down the rear sight but I bought a new sight to compensate. I got the same one that's on my Trapper so that the sight pictures look the same. And it's adjustable.

 

[Niner]

I almost bought a box of 100 size 0 buckshot for $9 until I found another vendor that had a 5 lb box for $13. Now that was a big savings.

So what are you using for ammo? Lead ball pistol ammo would be best. And prelubed cloth patches work pretty good, although some are thicker than others and may require some experimentation. And.. I wouldn' t mess with the sights at 25 yards until I got a consistent load worked out at least.

 

[AzShooter1]

I went out today and played a little more. It's working real well with .310 balls, otherwise known as 0 buckshot, a .010 patch and 15 grains of 3 f Schutzen. The lube I use is a mixture of water soluable oil, water and pine sole. No troubles today and groups were under 2 inches.

I did replace the sights for the same model on my Trapper. That way things looks the same on both pistols.

 

[Milkmaster]

Back to the original posting.... Congrats on joining the ole time pistol shooters. I have a Traditions Trapper pistol I really enjoy. The pistol makes a nice companion to my T/C Hawken rifle. Both are .50 caliber, so the same accessories work for both firearms. Lots of help here on the THR when I needed it. I recommend the same books that I was advised to read. Sam Fadala's "Black Powder Handbook" is worth the price and time to bring you up to speed on the do's and not's of black powder shooting. Bought mine at Amazon for a bout 20 bucks I think.

 

[jrfoxx]

It shames me to admit it, but due to work and weather, I STILL havent tried mine out yet. hopefully in the next couple weeks though...
AzShooter1-glad you are happy with yours, and it sounds like they are capable of decent accuracy too.Makes me feel better (since the gun was pretty inexpensive).