Questions about black powder revolvers.

[itsturtle]

So my father was a Marine back around Vietnam era. He missed the war by a couple year or so. I've been trying to convince him to go shooting my DD with me, but he has never been interested in guns. I honestly don't know if he has shot one since his service. He does however, make comments about how cool it would be to have an old black powder rifle (or replica) and do the civil war reenactment things. I personally have always wanted an old black powder revolver. Just to mess around with and for that awesome fact of owning a piece of history, even if it is a modern remake.

So my question is, does anyone have any experience with weapons from the civil war era? I can pretty much rule out buying an authentic gun, so more likely I would get a replica. I don't have a clue what to look for other than I know Bass Pro carries some Colt Navy/Army replicas and what looks like a build your own Kentucky long rifle for what seems like decent prices. Obviously this isn't a defense weapon so my primary concern is safety followed by a decent quality to price ratio.

I posted in the handgun section because I would prefer to buy a revolver first and didn't know where else this belongs.

[MountainRaven]

I would look at the Stoeger-imported Ubertis. Link.

Most of the imported cap-and-ball revolvers have a reputation for suffering from having lock work that is not properly hardened, which essentially self-destructs over time. I've seen this happen with a Cimarron-imported Uberti 1860 Army reproduction (and I've only been around four cap-and-ball revolvers). (And Cimarron's warranty is/was 90 days from date of manufacture.) Since the Stoeger imports have gone to a five year warranty, all of their guns have had a marked up-tic in quality, from what I can tell. (For instance, the Schofield reproductions are actually quite consistent in behavior, now. Even Navy Arms couldn't get two of their Val Forgett commemorative Schofields to behave alike.)

In any case, what you most definitely want to avoid are the brass-framed revolvers. They don't last very long when actually being shot. If you can find it locally, I would recommend using real black powder, too. The substitutes are no substitute... and they're almost always more corrosive.

Just my two Yen!

[itsturtle]

Thanks, I will have to check that link out. I have heard of that brand before and it had mixed reviews but was considered a pretty decent quality. Than again not too sure how reputable the people doing reviews are.

I was looking at the Bass Pro site and found these:
Traditions 1851 Colt Navy .44 for about $280

Traditions 1858 Colt Army .44 for about $280

Traditions 1860 Colt Army .44 for about $300

And

Traditions Kentucky rifle. 50 for about $270 but I see this one isn't very high quality and some report parts fitting issues.

With a name like "Traditions" I can't really imagine how much quality you are getting. I am completely new to this though. I also recall someone talking about a brand starting with an R that was pretty decent, just can't remember it right now.

EDIT: Now I know the revolvers are a bit newer than Civil War era, but still something I'm interested in. The rifle seems close to accurate time frame. I would be fine finding a single shot musket as well, just prefer the idea of a six shooter. Keep in mind, these may see 50 shots a year at most. I doubt they will be used often just looking to get dad involved so maybe he can stop yelling at me for buying guns.

[tuck]

A few years ago I bought this for my self as a Christmas present:



The fit and finish is actually pretty good for being under $200. The action and trigger is pretty decent too...

I picked it up from Cabelas for a decent price. I still haven't shot it yet, but at least it looks cool.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Piett...h-All+Products

[itsturtle]

Pietta... That is the brand I was thinking of. I was searching around earlier and was a bit tired. Glad to know Cabelas prices are pretty decent. Will have to keep them in mind as well.

[Dienekes]

I got my first BP revolver in 1963--a battered original Colt Navy in a gunshop just off campus. Paid $35 for it and kept it in the dorm...

The imports are better than they used to be, but none of them are the same quality as the originals which were very well made. However I do have a Uberti Colt Navy which is pretty good. The best of the bunch is the Ruger Old Army, by far. They are discontinued, but findable. I like BP revolvers, BUT they are a chore to clean!

I have had the following, so I've learned something in all that time:

Above original '51 Navy .36;
2nd gen. Colt 51 Navy .36;
Original Colt 1860 Army .44;
Two Centennial replica 1860 Army .44s;
7 1/2" Ruger Old Army .44;
Uberti 1861 Navy .36;
Uberti Walker .44;
Uberti Dragoon .44;
Ruger Old Army 5 1/2" adjustable sights .44;
Ruger Old Army 5 1/2" fixed sight .44.

[Wildcat]

If you intend to buy it in person, inspect the fit of parts carefully. Sometimes the pieces don't match up quite right and you get exposed, sharp edges.

I recommend -not- dry firing the percussion revolvers, it peens the nipples and they won't work as well when they're mushed. Note the damage does not occur during live fire because the escaping gas from the chamber cushions the blow of the hammer.

Clean-up is slightly more involved than smokeless guns. Just remove the cylinder (and barrel if its a Colt repro). Remove the nipples from the cylinder and wipe as much residue off everything as you can. Then put the pieces in a small parts basket (strainer) and carefully pour almost boiling water liberally over the pieces, as well as through the lockwork, down the bore and over the ram linkage. You use hot! water because it will more easily dissolve the fouling and because it will evaporate quickly.
Once the water coming off the parts is clear, dry them off (they should be warm). Spritz the parts with oil, wipe down and reassemble.

One thing that these guns will do is shoot convincing blanks.
Trickle a healthy charge into each chamber and seat a marble size wad of newspaper on top of the powder with the ram. Cap each nipple and its ready to go. Your targets are simple party balloons which it will break out to about 12ft away.
Don't fire these at people. The burning powder (which is what 'kills' the balloon) is an eye hazard.

[itsturtle]

I am prepared for the detailed cleaning required, but considering I won't be shooting these as much as my other modern guns, I'm not too worried. I was just hoping for opinions on brands and what to look for and stuff. So far, Bass pro is the only place nearby that I know sells them, so I need to look for other shops I can go handle one before I decide.

[Combat_Diver]

I was looking at the Bass Pro site and found these:
Traditions 1851 Colt Navy .44 for about $280

Traditions 1858 Colt Army .44 for about $280

Traditions 1860 Colt Army .44 for about $300


EDIT: Now I know the revolvers are a bit newer than Civil War era, but still something I'm interested in. The rifle seems close to accurate time frame. I would be fine finding a single shot musket as well, just prefer the idea of a six shooter. Keep in mind, these may see 50 shots a year at most. I doubt they will be used often just looking to get dad involved so maybe he can stop yelling at me for buying guns.

Those three revolvers saw heavy usage during the Civil War. I've got two cap and ball pistols, both .36 cal. First a 1851 Navy and second a 1862 Pocket Police. Both Italian copies of Colt designs. The Navy frame was copied over unto the Colt 1873 Single Action Army.



CD

[5pins]

I am prepared for the detailed cleaning required, but considering I won't be shooting these as much as my other modern guns, I'm not too worried. I was just hoping for opinions on brands and what to look for and stuff. So far, Bass pro is the only place nearby that I know sells them, so I need to look for other shops I can go handle one before I decide.

You can also mail order black powder guns no FFL needed.