percussion revolvers

[Will52100]

New here and was wondering how many other's out there shoot cap n' ball revolvers? I am considering buying a new colt dragoon, and was concidering Ubertie. I know there fit and finish are a lot better than the other guys, how about the serviceablility? How long do they last compared to the other guys?

Thanks

[Muir]

Hey! I shoot C&B revs and love them. I have several Uberti's and they are as good as they get, in my opinion. Parts will break on the Colt models but that's the nature of the design. If you keep the gun clean and in good order they will do you fine. I have a 2nd model Dragoon and while fun, it's not very practical. I like to hunt with C&Bs for small game and this thing is a cannon. A Remington 1858 (on sale at Midway, I believe, for a mere $165. Uberti made, no less) is alot more fun. You can carry and extra loaded, un capped cylinder in your pocket for speedy reloads.

My favorite Uberti is a 1861 Navy Colt in 36 caliber. It is silky smooth to handle, points like your finger, and mine will shoot under 2" at 25 yards.

What powder are you planning to use? I am a Pyrodex/Wonder Wad/ Bore Butter fanatic. I have to be. Living in the desert requires freedom from BP grit and bind on summer days. Accuracy is spectatular. I have a Ruger (uh-oh!) Old Army 45 that will shoot like a 45ACP match gun at 25 yards using a .457 RB, an Oxyoke "Wonder Wad", over 40 grains of Pyrodex "P". And, of course, the bore got a good seasoning with T/C Bore Butter. I've never had to stop and clean my revolvers in mid shooting.

Anyhow... Great guns. YOu'll have fun. ~Muir

[Will52100]

Muir I have a couple of colt models, 1860 army and navy london in 44. The london model is basicly a 44 cal. 1851 navy, don't know how historicly acurate.

Once upon a time I had a colt walker, sold it way back when and continue to kick myself for it.

I only use black powder, never did like pyrodex. I havent' had a problem with binding, except the ocasional cap that falls down the action. After cleaning with hot soapy water I dry everything and lightly wipe the bore and cylinder and everything with wonder lube 1000. I use wonder wads under the ball, and for the first few loadings use wonder lube over the ball to season the bore. For normal carry or shooting I just use the wonder wads. Clean-up is real easy in the bathroom sink with some dawn and hot water.

The only thing I don't like about the colt style is the front sight is set up for about 100 yards on most of them.

I am planning on buying the Uberti Whittnyville Dragoon as it looks closset to the Walker that I loved so much with out the agrivatingly week loading leaver desighn. I had considered getting anougther walker and modifieing the loading lever to a latch style like on the 51' navy. I do like the larg powder capacity of the walker and dragoons. :D

The reason I am asking is that my first revolver was an 1860 army that is pretty much worn out. I have had it for about 15 years and it has only seen a couple thousand rounds through it. It was a Peiti (Spelling?) The cylinder lock up is a little loose, not to bad but not that great, the headspace is way too loose and the front site blade fell out. All this could be easily fixed with a new barrel wedge and locking luge, but what caps it is the cylinder mouth no longer shaves a ring of lead off the round balls, it still seats the balls solidly, but the sharp edge of the chamber is gone. That tells me it's about time to retire it and move on. I recently handled a Uberti and the differance in fit and finish, not to mention the action was increadable. Not to mention the long gone walker was a Uberti.

[Muir]

Will,
A buddy of mine recently thinned out his C&B collection and gave me a Walker Uberti he'd gotten from Cabelas in some long ago deal where you buy the Walker and they had a matching SN 1849 to go with it. Long ago he gave me the 1849 because he already had one; he gave me the Walker to match it just recently. Ditto the loading lever problems. Ol' Pete use to wrap rubber band around the barrel, sliding it forward to load and sliding it back before firing. Silly looking but practical. Anyhow, this Walker is pristine and I look forward to actually shooting it myself.

I lived for many years in the colder climes -S. Dakota, Wyoming, Montana- and black-powder seemed to cake up and bind. I switched to Pyrodex for it's clean burning and easy clean-up. Also, you don't have to go through **** to get it shipped to you, being a "propellant" VS an "explosive". I love the Wonder Wads and borebutter. God's gift to C&B shooters.

I have a couple Pietta revolvers and have gotten good service from them. No serious complaints. I have an Uberti 36 Cal Remington with two extra cylinders and am thinking of getting a Uberti 44 caliber set-up in the same. I had to "time" the extra cylinders to my .36 gun but it was worth the effort. I think the 44 will be the same deal.

As I said, I like to hunt small game with C&Bs. I have some hopes of taking a South Dakota white tail with my Ruger "Old Army" some day and plan to use it on an Arizona javelina hunt next February, if it's allowed. ("Blackpowder or Handgun" season. I'd like combine them into one!) I love my traditional guns but the Rugers are a great hunting gun. Do you hunt with yours? or just paper? ~AMMoe

[Will52100]

Mostly just paper and the ocasional varmit, am planning to try and take a whitetail my self this time around, one reason for the large powder capacity of the Dragoons and Walkers. The range is mostly in the 30-50 yard range so it shouldnt' be a difficult shot. I have done a little rabbit hunting years ago, but the 44 did just a little to much damage for my taste, probly would have been better off with 36 cal.

One thought I've had is to grind the sight off the hammer and dovetail a small ajustible to the barrel.

One gun I've always wanted is the Remington revolving carbine, looks like it would be perfect for bush hunting.

If I had the means to bore and riffle barrels I'd take a walker and make an 18 barrel and shoulder stock for it like the Remington, now that would be a heck of a carbine.

On the binding issue, never tried black powder in cold climates so wouldn't know about that. I do know what you mean about the laws on black powder, kinda silly when so much else can be induced to explode with more force. :confused:

The weak loading lever on my walker worked fine untill the spring broke, always keep the screws fairly tight. Not long after the main spring broke and I sold it. Wish I'd just got a couple new springs.

Got a gun show local this weekend, maybe see what they got.

[Muir]

Good luck with the show...~Muir