[SurgePyrodex]

Howdy. I'm new to the forums, but I intend to stick around. I note that lately I've picked up a heavy interest in black powder weaponry, revolvers in general, and guns of the old west, but I digress.

I came across this when researching gun laws.

"Antique or curio guns manufactured before 1899 and replicas thereof which do not use rim fire or center fire ammunition are not included in the definition of "firearm" as it is used in Texas Penal Code Title 10, Chapter 46, which governs weapons."

It got me thinking. Does this mean one doesn't have to be 21 to purchase and/or own a firearm of this variety? If so, what's a good BP revolver to start with? I'm fond of the Dragoon(And the short version, the "Baby Dragoon"), but I figured I should get some experienced shooters' opinions. I'm seventeen years of age(and if it counts for anything, tall, medium build.) So, help me out? :D

[LeonCarr]

It is true. That is why you can order black powder "firearms" through the mail from places like Cabelas and Bass Pro.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

[mec]

I just read that on the pdf file of laws on the texas DPS concealed handgun site. I had been hearing it but didn't know whether to believe it or not. A few years back a firearm was any thing that would launch a projectile by action of the expanding gasses caused by combustion - distinct from air or co2

Sure enough, Black powder arms arnt considered firearms and black powder revolvers arent considered handguns. Of, course I suspect that the police would not be amused by anybody walking around with one in plain sight and the result would be almost as scary as getting caught carrying any pistol illegally. They might even manage or try to tag some sort of disorderly conduct charge to it.

[SurgePyrodex]

Well, that's true. I wouldn't be dumb enough to carry a gun around in sight unless I was begging to get arrested, shot, or made into the media's latest scapegoat.

So, back to my first question. What's a nice gun for a beginner BP Shooter? :)

[4v50 Gary]

Go for the gun that will last you a lifetime. Ruger Old Army with 5 1/2 bbl. I've had mine for over two decades and she's as good as new.

[mec]

agreed. Unless you want a fixit project, the Ruger is the one to get. The others require fairly regular repair - flat springs etc.

[Imaginos]

Welcome aboard!

Your interpretation of Texas law is essentially correct. Just remember that you don't want to become the test case by getting caught carrying it around.
Disorderly conduct is the least offense you could be charged with, and any weapon-related conviction could disqualify you for a Texas CHL. Wait until you are 21 and then get your CHL.

My first black powder revolver was a brass frame Remington clone.
I learned a lot from that gun before I passed it on to the next owner.

1) DANGER!! Black powder revolvers are addictive.
2) Remington models are much easier to learn to shoot than Colt pattern because the REmington sights allow for more adjustment than Colt.
3) Don't buy brass frame guns. Mine had several problems that had to be corrected. It was the best I could afford at the time. I should have saved up for the steel frame gun.
4) Remingtons foul faster than Colts, so they need more frequent cleaning between shots.
5) You will spend a lot of time reading and discussing your revolvers with other enthusiasts and probably make a lot of new friends.

I would suggest that you search this forum for a set of long posts by Gatofeo.
He is a wealth of information on blackpowder revolvers. You should also check out Sixgunner.com. They have a section for black powder and plenty of knowledge is free for the taking. Gatofeo's articles are a must-read. John Taffin at Sixguns.com has a few articles on black powder guns. Of course no library is complete without a copy of "Sixguns" by Elmer Keith.

You are about to enter a marvelous new world.

[SurgePyrodex]

This sounds fun already! And I can't stress enough on how I wouldn't carry a black powder weapon around for defense or whatnot, that'd just be crazy. Though when I get a CHL, I don't know. It'd show up in about three places. Home, Range, in the car going to range. Any sites you'd recommend that sell Remingtons?

[Stickjockey]

Try Dixie Gun Works or Cabela's, for starters.

[Imaginos]

You might also talk to:

Upper Mississippi Mercantile Company
http://www.umvmco.com/

BassPro
http://www.BassPro.com

Traditions
http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/
Traditions may not have the handguns online, but they are in the current catalog.

One hint, make sure you buy a PISTOL powder measure. If you just buy a "powder measure", it may not measure small enough charges well enough to allow you to get the best accuracy from your gun.

Don't kid yourself about relying on one of these old guns for protection. A lot of people scoff at the idea, but these guns are just as deadly as they were in 1865. They are nothing to be taken lightly.

My old brass framed gun was my bedside gun for a couple of years after my divorce. I was living in an armpit apartment complex where the local police cruiser was a daily fixture.

They may not be a "powerful" or as reliable as modern guns, but they shoot big soft bullets at respectable velocities. Most of the originals were sighted at 50-75 yards to increase the effective range on the battle field.

By way of comparison, the famous 45 Colt factory load was 40 grains of black powder under a 255 grain bullet. This gave about 800-900 feet per second from a 7 1/2 inch barrel. An 1858 Remington fires a .45 caliber ball* weighing about 140 grains at about the same velocity using 35-40 grains of powder.
This gives you roughly 250 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. This is hotter than a .38 Special.

Surge, with all due respect to your intelligence, ALL of the basic gun safety rules apply to your revolver. You also have to pay attention to some special black powder rules too.

*I know the guns are marked .44 calibler, but the balls you will buy are .451 - .457 depending on your specific gun. That makes them ".45s"

[Preacherman]

As for blackpowder weapons for CCW, see the opening thread for this forum here (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=47)... :D