question on purchase age

[spuscg]

i heard you can by a revolver like a 1851 navy that uses black powder ammo or other similar pistols as long as your at least 18, not 21 like other handguns. is this true? i always found black powder to be fun with all the smoke and a pistol would be fun to own

 

[1858rem]

yep. much cheaper than smokeless revolvers too.

 

[Voodoochile]

That depends really on where you are located.

Even though in many states the muzzleloading firearm can be purchased by a 18 year old & older person & can also be purchased on line the same way but there are some states that require either a more stringent age requirement &/or a FFL dealer to perform the sale & transferr.

You need to find out the regulations of your area before purchasing.

 

[mykeal]

1858Rem - That's very dangerous advice on a public forum. Voodoochile is absolutely correct - laws vary by state and even local municipality.

Spuscg - Check with your local authorities, and NEVER seek or take legal advice from an internet forum.

 

[scrat]

check out cabelas. www.cabelas.com. then click hunting then black powder. there you go.

 

[AntiqueCollector]

Varies by state. There's no federal law regulating them as far as age goes (not firearms under fed. law). Many states and localities treat them the same as modern handguns, and some states have a 21 minimum age (or 18, or in my state of VT, 16 without parental consent).

 

[spuscg]

what would people suggest as good deals? id want power so i could have an effective hunting sidearm and id want accuracy for working on my marksmaship........plus not overly expensive

 

[scrat]

1860 Army 1861 Navy. Something in a .44. check out cabelas they always have good deals. i even have a brass frame 1851 in a .44. its a very good shooter. accuracy is really good on them. 1851 from cabelas are around 150.00 not bad at all. make sure you look through bp essentials. you can learn a lot

 

[Tomahawk674]

Would you really recommend a brass .44 colt as a "work gun"?

All I've read about brass frames is that overtime they stretch.

But then again this info is just from reading, I don't have a brass frame myself.

 

[AntiqueCollector]

I've heard good and bad about brass frames. I have some brass framed guns. So far, no problem. Others have claimed to have stretched frames. I load brass framed guns with slightly weaker charges than steel framed guns just in case.

For power and for hunting I'd go with a Walker, Dragoon or Ruger Old Army. The 1851 Navy is my favorite since it's so well balanced in my hands but for hunting you'd probably want a .44.

 

[Tomahawk674]

Some kind of target model perhaps?

I like big sights

 

[eatont9999]

Some localities have problems with people owning a BP handgun. There are a few online retailers that will sell it to you without any worry of age. Well, I gave you the rope, now it is your decision what to do with it.

You may have trouble buying caps and powder in some states without a license, though. I recommend a 1851 steel frame in .44 cal. Read your states primitive firearms laws before taking it out of the home. It should be suitable for home defense or killing creatures on your property. Get yourself a BP starter kit with a powder dispenser and powder measure, etc.

 

[Prepster]

I bought my bp revolver from a brick and mortar gun store and they didn't even ask for ID. Perhaps they remembered me from other purchases, but it was as easy as buying a pair of socks.

 

[scrat]

i probably have around 700 rounds through one the other who knows. you just have to be smart. Some people will load them up with 25-30 grains. i only load up about 18 grains max. accuracy is very good. i check the gun all the time and its still in tolerance. So just depends on how you treat it.

 

[spuscg]

how effective is a round against an animal? could you get expanding lead or something to take down a cyote or deer?

 

[Omnivore]

The rounds for these guns are very soft, pure lead, and they deform on impact with just about anything. Coyotes certainly, if you can get close enough for a good shot. Deer? It depends. In my state they're illegal for deer. Other people have been known to take deer with them, but we're talking maybe up to .38 Special ballistics unless you go with the heavier conical bullets and a full load of powder. Some of the little does my kid has taken would have gone right down with good shot placement from one of these pistols. If it's legal in your state, a Walker, a Dragoon, or Ruger Old Army, as already stated, would be a decent choice for handgun hunting (they'll take a heavier powder charge) as would a single shot caplock pistol in 50 cal..

 

[spuscg]

i dont plan to actually hunt with the pistol, its more if im walking arond with a .22 or shotgun with just birdshot id have something effective for defense from a charging animal

 

[NavyLCDR]

Depending on what state you are located/reside in, you can buy and carry a standard handgun at 18-20 years old in a private sale. The federal 21 year old handgun limitation only applies to buying the handgun from a licensed dealer.

 

[mtngunr]

(B14) May a parent or guardian purchase firearms or ammunition as a gift for a juvenile (less than 18 years of age)? [Back]

Yes. However, possession of handguns by juveniles (less than 18 years of age) is generally unlawful. Juveniles generally may only receive and possess handguns with the written permission of a parent or guardian for limited purposes, e.g., employment, ranching, farming, target practice or hunting.

 

[spuscg]

my state allows private sale and carry but private weapons are not under warranty so id need to find a trustworthy person to buy from, and i dont know many people with surplus guns they can just sell. besides, black powder is fun in rifles i think a revolver would be just as fun

 

[Sistema1927]

i dont plan to actually hunt with the pistol, its more if im walking arond with a .22 or shotgun with just birdshot id have something effective for defense from a charging animal

Where are you located, the Serengeti?

Most "charging animals" (should that even happened, it hasn't been my experience in 40 years) can be handily dispatched with either that shotgun or .22.

If not, then you are having a very, very bad day.

 

[mykeal]

Sistema1927 - You need to spend a little time hunting feral swine. You'll quickly experience that 'charging animal' experience and that .22 will be pretty inadequate. Of course, even a .357 mag pistol seems inadequate facing one of those things. I'd want a .44 mag or greater IF I didn't have a 30.06 or .308 semi-auto with a full magazine.

Expand your horizons a little.

 

[DixieTexian]

^^^This is especially true if hunting them with dogs. Of course, most folks won't let you come along on the hog doggin hunts with a real honest to God gun unless they really trust that you won't panic and shoot one of their dogs.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

dont plan to actually hunt with the pistol, its more if im walking arond with a .22 or shotgun with just birdshot id have something effective for defense from a charging animal

but we're talking maybe up to .38 Special ballistics

That sounds inadequate to me for dangerous game such as bear or hogs.
What animals are you worried about being charged by?
Check your state and any other laws, see if you can walk around with the shotgun loaded with buckshot. If you see a bird, you can empty the shotgun and place some birdshot in.

And in some states (but not all) you can get a handgun through private sales at age 18.
I believe Michigan is one of those states, I used to live there.(But remember, research this on your own first, maybe hire a lawyer.)

 

[spuscg]

went to cabelas, there was an 1851 and 1860 both in .44 and felt real good in the hand. around the same price. any advantages in one over the other?