- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Might blow myself up with an old cap and ball (Black Powder) Revolver [update]
Posted on 3/17/16 at 9:43 am
Posted on 3/17/16 at 9:43 am
Someone gave me an old Italian 36 cal 1851 Navy revolver about 14+ years ago and it's been sitting in my gun cabinet taking up space. Proof marks say it is a Pietta built in 1971. It was pretty rusted and pitted when I got it. I covered it with a little oil before I put it up which helped stem the formation of new rust but I haven't done much beyond that.
I decided to take it out and see if I can get it working. It had some timing issues as evidence of the hammer striking the cylinder instead of the percussion cap. Got some brass brushes out and scrubbed away as much rust as I could from the body, bore, and cylinders. Got it cleaned and lubed and the timing issues went away. I've pretty much cleaned everything but the nipples. I'm going to have to make a tool to remove the nipples from the cylinder.
I've read a bunch of stuff on the Internets on how to load and operate it. Got powder flask with dispenser and some Pyrodex P FFFG equivalent propellant with some no.10 Remington percussion caps. Somewhere in my house I have a small canvas bag filled with balls. If I can't find them I'll have to buy some online as no one locally has balls for .36 cal black powder revolvers. Also no felt wads locally though I could shoot without them. So my to do list before I shoot is get balls , clean nipples, and get some grease to use on my balls after I ram them home.
So does anyone shoot these things? Got any tips for not blowing myself up?
I decided to take it out and see if I can get it working. It had some timing issues as evidence of the hammer striking the cylinder instead of the percussion cap. Got some brass brushes out and scrubbed away as much rust as I could from the body, bore, and cylinders. Got it cleaned and lubed and the timing issues went away. I've pretty much cleaned everything but the nipples. I'm going to have to make a tool to remove the nipples from the cylinder.
I've read a bunch of stuff on the Internets on how to load and operate it. Got powder flask with dispenser and some Pyrodex P FFFG equivalent propellant with some no.10 Remington percussion caps. Somewhere in my house I have a small canvas bag filled with balls. If I can't find them I'll have to buy some online as no one locally has balls for .36 cal black powder revolvers. Also no felt wads locally though I could shoot without them. So my to do list before I shoot is get balls , clean nipples, and get some grease to use on my balls after I ram them home.
So does anyone shoot these things? Got any tips for not blowing myself up? This post was edited on 3/25/16 at 6:29 pm
12
Posted on 3/17/16 at 9:53 am to DeoreDX
I have one exactly like that. Every time you fire it, you have to give it a thorough cleaning. That pyrodex is super corrosive. The gun is basically useless, except as a prop or decoration.
Posted on 3/17/16 at 10:01 am to DeoreDX
My very first pistol was a cap and ball Colt.
Shoot as fast as lightnin' but it loads a mite slow
Shoot as fast as lightnin' but it loads a mite slow
Posted on 3/17/16 at 10:23 am to DeoreDX
As I understand it, you need to make sure the grease covers the cylinder pretty well to prevent igniting the other cylinders.
ETA: the other chambers, not cylinders.
ETA: the other chambers, not cylinders.
This post was edited on 3/17/16 at 10:30 am
Posted on 3/17/16 at 10:25 am to DeoreDX
I got one of those at Cabellas a couple of years ago. Fun to shoot. Wildly inaccurate. I cleaned it good but still have 2 nipples frozen so I'm not sure I'll ever fire it again. Just follow the directions, blowing yourself up is pretty difficult.
ETA - Yeah, this:
ETA - Yeah, this:
quote:
make sure the grease covers the cylinder pretty well to prevent igniting the other cylinders
This post was edited on 3/17/16 at 10:29 am
Posted on 3/17/16 at 10:54 am to DeoreDX
It's a pretty hammer 
Posted on 3/17/16 at 11:13 am to DeoreDX
try firing just the caps with no powder or ball in it first to make sure that the timing is correct. if you get strikes on cylinders, you should be good to go. black powder is very low pressure and your risk of blowing yourself up is pretty low
Posted on 3/17/16 at 11:29 am to DeoreDX
Get a buddy over and let him have first shot as the guest.
I have an old Hawken model blackpowder rifle that I used to invite people over and shoot. The first time they shot I would always go hide behind a tree. That always seemed to mess them up on their first shot.
I have an old Hawken model blackpowder rifle that I used to invite people over and shoot. The first time they shot I would always go hide behind a tree. That always seemed to mess them up on their first shot.
Posted on 3/17/16 at 11:38 am to DeoreDX
I'd be cautious...
It can get you into trouble but it can't get you out
I'd go buy yourself a colt 45.
It can get you into trouble but it can't get you out
I'd go buy yourself a colt 45.
This post was edited on 3/17/16 at 11:40 am
Posted on 3/17/16 at 12:18 pm to DeoreDX
quote:
I've pretty much cleaned everything but the nipples
My nightly strategy.
Posted on 3/17/16 at 12:28 pm to TheBoo
I have one in .44 cal.It shoots good out to about 20 yards. Never tried to hot load it to see if I could go out further. Maybe one day, I will test it out to see if I could take a deer with it.
Posted on 3/17/16 at 12:35 pm to DeoreDX
I bought one from a friend for $50 I think. I shot it on 2-3 occasions, but started to notice the same timing issues as you did. If you don't have the wads you can use crisco oil. I never had wads. It was fun, and it actually was kind of accurate, but it's highly unlikely I'll shoot it again.
Posted on 3/17/16 at 12:42 pm to Goatofgoats
My grandfather had his dad's cap and ball pistol he used in the civil war. My grandfather always said I could have it but he didn't have a will. My uncle ended up getting it and since he was in debt up to his arse, he had to sell it. Still a sore subject with me even now. It was a cool item with a lot of sentimental value !
Posted on 3/17/16 at 1:04 pm to ElderTiger
quote:
My grandfather had his dad's cap and ball pistol he used in the civil war. My grandfather always said I could have it but he didn't have a will. My uncle ended up getting it and since he was in debt up to his arse, he had to sell it. Still a sore subject with me even now. It was a cool item with a lot of sentimental value !
I'd have been absolutely livid.
Posted on 3/17/16 at 1:29 pm to DeoreDX
reminds me of the Supernatural Colt...
Posted on 3/17/16 at 1:54 pm to upgrayedd
quote:
I'd have been absolutely livid.
Unfortunately, I was a young kid so I didn't have much say so but it did bother me.
Posted on 3/25/16 at 6:19 pm to DeoreDX
Posted on 3/25/16 at 9:08 pm to DeoreDX
Little bit shaky there LOL.
But that's very cool.
But that's very cool.
Posted on 3/26/16 at 6:28 am to SportTiger1
quote:
Little bit shaky there LOL
First time I ever tried to make a video like that. It would look good through the phone screen. Then I couldn't get a sight picture. Actually got tired of living both up and just shot.
Page 1 of 1
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News