Black Powder Revolver - Resolved. Thank you all.

[Man of the Demoneye]

Temptation strikes again! In pursuit of the cheap and good 1911, an adversary appears. This time, it is something I never even considered; a black powder revolver in .44. What's worse, the damn thing is on sale and now most definately in my price range. A really big bonus is that the thing is black powder so I don't have to worry about a pistol permit (I think...) and costs as much as the pistol permit itself would if I were to stay the original course. It also takes insanely less paperwork and time to obtain. I have no illusions of using obtaining a carry permit where I live (damn near impossibe), and I would use a shotgun for home defense should the need arise anyways. Even if I were pressed to use it for HD, 6 shots with a spare cylinder would be adequate. It is aslo a BIG FREAKING GUN, so that could be a plus for that as well. Of course I have the list of questions ready.

Has anyone ever shot this or any BP revolver?
Can I use .44 bullets meant for reloading on .44 magnum? (I am capable of pouring lead just fine though)
anything else at all you think could be helpful

I'm sure I will think of more at a later time.


Edit: I think I would get the starter kit with it as well. That would change the price a bit, but not a lot.  

[Fresnel]

1: Colt sold fairly exclusively to the Union.
2: That's an ARMY gun, not NAVY. Navy = .36 caliber, Army = .44
3: That's half the price I've seen anywhere else.

I've always wanted an 1860 myself, but given the minute differences between the 1860 and 1851 designs, I'd buy this. I wouldn't risk using .44 Magnum bullets though. The .303 British is actually .311", because black powder and smokeless powder caliber conventions are different.  

[Ubasti]

Colt 1873 Army. That be the Peacemaker. There just ain't no comparison.  

[uryu ishida]

Shot one.

Enjoyable.

Smoky.

I like BP revolvers. Shooting them, anyway. Not loading them. Or cleaning them. They shoot pretty soft, though you need to be careful about the "primers", sometimes they can lock up the cylinder after firing. There's a little trick about turning it clockwise slightly when you c**k the hammer that is supposed to help.  

[Fresnel]

Ubasti

Colt 1873 Army. That be the Peacemaker. There just ain't no comparison.

Boo, cartridge revolvers.

HOORAY, BEER BLACK POWDER!  

[ArmasTermin]

I've never fired a black powder gun, but it seems enjoyable.

Also found a want from your link:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?type=product&cmCat=Related_IPL_210086&id=0058399216598a

mrgreen  

[Requiem ex Inferni]

I'd buy it. I'd never FIRE it, but I'd buy it just for the sake of owning one.  

[Fresnel]

ArmasTermin

I've never fired a black powder gun, but it seems enjoyable.

Also found a want from your link:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?type=product&cmCat=Related_IPL_210086&id=0058399216598a

mrgreen

There's a few things I always take away from black powder:

They smoke like a ********. I like that.
They smell WONDERFUL.
They kick surprisingly little for a weapon of such high caliber.
They're arguably more fun to fire than smokeless powder. FAR less fun to reload, though.

@Requiem: Boo, safe queen.  

[Stoic Socialist]

Man of the Demoneye

Can I use .44 bullets meant for reloading on .44 magnum? (I am capable of pouring lead just fine though)

Edit: I think I would get the starter kit with it as well. That would change the price a bit, but not a lot.

Don't do it. The pistol is made for round balls. Also: a .44 mag is really .429, and it's A LOT heavier than the round balls that'll go in that revolver.

Good call  

[Man of the Demoneye]

Thanks for the input. Still unsure what I want to do, but I am favoring the revolver after watching some of the videos on them. Also, most every review I have read on the gun is favorable. As for .44 balls, I would likely get a mold and pour my own, depending on the cost. It seems that they can, in fact be very accurate with some claiming 5" groups at 50 yards. Also, the expansion of the ball is really impressive since it apparantly expands immediately on impact. The cylinder change looked like it was simple and fast, but that video was of a different gun than what I was looking at.  

[Man of the Demoneye]

New update: I think I will stay the course and continue towards the 1911 I am saving up for. On a brighter note, after doing some research I found that I may not need a permit to purchase a handgun after all. It looks like I just have to pass the background check and register at the time of purchase. Basically, the guy at the gun shop will be able to tell me what I need to do anyways. Thank you all for your help, and I may use it in the future, but for now, I have an empty holster to fill.  

[Man of the Demoneye]

New New update:: I walked in the suplus shop today and lo and behold they had a pair of black powder revolvers hanging on the wall. Of course, I must hold it. The biggest suprise was the price on it. Used, $90 for an 1858 Buffalo .44 revolver.. The one damn BP gun I really wanted with the super long barrel and big caliber. I looked it over and it was in damn near new condition, sans one of the little wood screws holding the grip on was missing and a small rust spot on the side of the cylinder about 1/2 the size of my fingernail. Overall, the gun appeared to be taken care of very well with the amount of oil on it and the complete absense of spent powder around the cylinder. The action was extremely smooth and everything worked and lined up exactly as it should have on every chamber. I don't really handle pistols much, but it felt really muzzle heavy compared to the standard model from the long barrel, but I guess this is a good thing for controlling recoil? The guy said he'll hold it for me for a week, until I make up my mind. I want a 1911 bad, but I think I might just go for it.


Final Edit: I went with it.  

[ArmasTermin]

Bringing this back, because on a whim a few nights ago I was struck with, "Boy, I'd love a cap-and-ball revolver. I remember what's-his-name making a topic about those on the Guild and Cabelas was mentioned..."

Now this is next on The List.  

[Fresnel]

ArmasTermin

Bringing this back, because on a whim a few nights ago I was struck with, "Boy, I'd love a cap-and-ball revolver. I remember what's-his-name making a topic about those on the Guild and Cabelas was mentioned..."

Now this is next on The List.

Personally, I want an 1860 Army, but that's pretty close. I hear Remington made better-quality guns than Colt at a fraction of the price, back in the day, so a Remington gun isn't a bad choice. I've seen the "starter kits" on store shelves though. Literally, on the shelf, in a clamshell package. It's hilarious. xd  

[Man of the Demoneye]

ArmasTermin

Bringing this back, because on a whim a few nights ago I was struck with, "Boy, I'd love a cap-and-ball revolver. I remember what's-his-name making a topic about those on the Guild and Cabelas was mentioned..."

Now this is next on The List.

Do it. So far, it's been a lot of fun. The brass isn't as shiny as when I picked it up. Put about 275 rounds through it with no problem except the little barrel catch thingy that hold the loading lever up broke off due to my own stupidity. By the way, don't use 30gr. pellets even if it does say "for cap & ball guns. I'm not sure if I will fix it since it doesn't seem to make a whole lot of difference strength-wise and since I tightened up on one screw, it stays up on it's own. Who know, maybe I accidentally free floated it and made it more accurate? Personally I still prefer the Rem. design over the Colt just because it is easier to take apart and you can swap cylinders (see: Pale Rider).