Pondering Cap & Ball revolver

3549 Views 17 Replies 9 Participants Last post by DunRanull, Jun 14, 2017

oldbrass

Discussion Starter · Aug 10, 2014

Been pondering a cap & ball 6 shooter..Anyone have one ? if so you have fun with it ? Another question -some have a strap across the top of cylinder and some don`t.Is one better than the other or easier to clean ?

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hombre243

· #2 · Aug 10, 2014

oldbrass said:
Been pondering a cap & ball 6 shooter..Anyone have one ? if so you have fun with it ? Another question -some have a strap across the top of cylinder and some don`t.Is one better than the other or easier to clean ?

The top strap strengthens the frame. A steel frame Remington is much stronger than a steel frame Dragoon type with no top strap. But the Dragoons are quick to take down and can be cleaned easier because after you remove the wood grips everything can be soaked and cleaned in hot soapy water.

I had a Walker Colt from Uberti and it was a monster. I loved it but I needed money and sold it. It was a Dragoon on steroids.

I also had a 1858 Remington New Army Target model in Stainless steel. I liked it better than the Walker. The Walker would reliably shoot 50 gr of 2f or 3 f. Max was 60 gr 2f. BIG BOOMER! The Remmy load was 30gr max.

My next one would be one of the Uberti or Pietta (Uberti preferably) 1858s. Why? A bit lighter and more accurate. The Walker has a 9" barrel. The Rem had an 8" bbl. Shorter barreled models are available for the Rem but not the Walker. Whichever type you get, if you get a long barreled gun, let me know. I can send you a shoulder holster for the price of the postage.

If you get a smaller Dragoon, or even a Remington type do not get a brass frame revolver. They do not last as long because of the brass frame.

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FordTruck

· #3 · Aug 11, 2014

I've used both Colt style and Remington style cap and ball revolvers. I BOUGHT Remington style for the top strap, better sighting, ease of disassembly/cleaning. The Colt styles I'd used tended to give me a face full of priming compound when I fired them. I've not fired a Colt style cap and ball revolver in more than 40 years. I had a lot of fun with my Remington Style revolvers and am contemplating getting another one, the .31 caliber, spur trigger.

Nogoat

· #4 · Aug 16, 2014

I used to shoot the Colt style in 36 & 44. I found black worked better than Pirodex as the the later tended to gum up the works after a couple of cylinders. Of course the through cleaning is a time killer.

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greyhawk50

· #5 · Aug 17, 2014

Never owned one but my Ex father-in-law (Bill) had both when he belonged to the NSSA. If'n it were me, I would prefer the revolver with the Top Strap. Looks to be a stronger frame. Plus the one w/o the top strap is held together with only a wedge. If the wedge gets worn, everything loosens up including the cylinder to barrel alignment. Not the case with the Top Strap Model.

Another concern, with either style, is cylinder chain fire. Bill used Crisco on top on each ball to seal the cylinder and prevent the cross ignition.
I would also buy the Stainless Steel Model for ease of cleaning and prevent rust while it is stored away.
JMHO

oldbrass

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 17, 2014

greyhawk50 said:
Never owned one but my Ex father-in-law (Bill) had both when he belonged to the NSSA. If'n it were me, I would prefer the revolver with the Top Strap. Looks to be a stronger frame. Plus the one w/o the top strap is held together with only a wedge. If the wedge gets worn, everything loosens up including the cylinder to barrel alignment. Not the case with the Top Strap Model.

Another concern, with either style, is cylinder chain fire. Bill used Crisco on top on each ball to seal the cylinder and prevent the cross ignition.
I would also buy the Stainless Steel Model for ease of cleaning and prevent rust while it is stored away.
JMHO

Thanx for the advice..I`ve researched it a bit and chain fires are bad JU-JU to say the least, be like holding a hand grenade

Nogoat

· #7 · Aug 17, 2014

That's why you grease the front of each bulletin in the cylinder, they make lube pass too, never used. Stay away from things that spark. Fun to shoot, smokey and slow

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hombre243

· #8 · Aug 17, 2014

Nogoat said:
That's why you grease the front of each bulletin in the cylinder, they make lube pass too, never used. Stay away from things that spark. Fun to shoot, smokey and slow

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I have used patch grease and axle grease with equal success. Any animal fat can melt and that is bad. If it seeps into the powder...weak or no bang bang. It also melts in the sun. Use the stuff that is made for the application, or axle grease but make sure you wipe your fingers. It is messy but cannot be helped. Of course you could buy some lubed wads to slip onto the front of the powder and set the ball on top of the wad. Wont hurt the powder and saves you the trouble of using grease.

Been shootin blackpowder since the late 60s and have had NO accidents.

SHOOTER13

· #9 · Aug 18, 2014 (Edited)

Always wanted a blackpowder 1858 Remington in .44...just haven't gotten 'round to it yet !!

Features

Tapered octagonal barrel
Major Civil War side arm

The 1858 Remington was one of the major side arms of the Civil War and was the last of the Remington percussion revolvers to be manufactured. This gun features a tapered octagon barrel, steel frame, brass trigger guard, 6-shot cylinder, fixed sights and two-piece walnut grips.

Technical Information

Caliber: 44
Barrel Length: 5-1/2" or 8"
Twist Rate: Not listed by manufacturer
Overall Length: 8" Model: 13.6"
Weight: 8" Model: 2.7 lb
Stock Material: 2-piece Walnut
Sights: Dovetail Blade front

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hombre243

· #10 · Aug 18, 2014

SHOOTER13 said:
Always wanted a blackpowder 1858 Remington in .44...just haven't gotten 'round to it yet !!

Just like mine only different. Mine was SS and had Target sights. BUT, working from a bench with a gorilla rest, and the rear sights set at their lowest it shot to POA at 70 yards. I had to hold under for anything inside 65 yards.

Pietta sent me new sights and they were the same. It was fn to shoot but I got it for a deer gun and got rid of it because of the poor sights. It was a Traditions made by Pietta.

oldbrass

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 19, 2014

The 1858 is what I was lookin at over at Cabelas, the fella said wait about a month and they`ll be on sale

hombre243

· #12 · Aug 19, 2014

I got my 1858 at Gander and regretted it. Go with Cabelas.

Donn

· #13 · Aug 20, 2014

Many years ago witnessed a chain fire. After seeing the shooter's hand, decided smokeless powder and metallic cartridges were the only way to go.

oldbrass

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 20, 2014

Donn said:
Many years ago witnessed a chain fire. After seeing the shooter's hand, decided smokeless powder and metallic cartridges were the only way to go.

I saw a video of a fella that put smokeless powder in a BP cap&ball...didn`t end well

SHOOTER13

· #15 · Aug 21, 2014

My wait is over...MIDWAY USA has a Black Powder Sale on RIGHT NOW ( till 8/27/2014 )

Features

Tapered octagonal barrel
Major Civil War side arm

The 1858 Remington was one of the major side arms of the Civil War and was the last of the Remington percussion revolvers to be manufactured. This gun features a tapered octagon barrel, steel frame, brass trigger guard, 6-shot cylinder, fixed sights and two-piece walnut grips.

Technical Information

Caliber: 44
Barrel Length: 5-1/2" or 8"
Twist Rate: Not listed by manufacturer
Overall Length: 8" Model: 13.6"
Weight: 8" Model: 2.7 lb
Stock Material: 2-piece Walnut
Sights: Dovetail Blade front

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/19...wder-revolver-44-caliber?cm_vc=ProductFinding

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greyhawk50

· #16 · Aug 21, 2014

Nice revolver. Congratulations. Have fun, be safe & enjoy.
Waiting for the range report.

Gumpy

· #17 · Aug 21, 2014

Uberti makes a solid gun. That's a nice one! Have you decided on finish and barrel length and finish yet?

DunRanull

· #18 · Jun 14, 2017 (Edited)

Over the years I have owned/used a few BP revolvers. While not "traditional" my favorite is the sadly discontinued Ruger Old Army. Would have liked to get one in stainless with 5 1/2 inch barrel. With ivories

Mine was blued with the 7 1/2 inch barrel and a portable man-served land-cannon it was. Traded it for a .38spl Smith I needed for a job after college....

Ditto on the Ubertis.. they make a good solid pistol, Ive got a couple Uberti Remmies in a twin holster rig. Quick handling and look nice too.

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