[Hatchett]

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/3282/lemat.jpg

It's big and ugly. The shotgun doesn't always fire. The lever cranks the wrong way and chews at the side of the barrel. It takes a thumb as strong as most arms to cock and even the trigger tries to eat a piece of your finger if you're not careful. We love them anyway. Our membership may not be quite as numerous as most. That just means we're exclusive.

[BHP FAN]

Damn right you're exclusive...you're alone!I may haveta sell a coupla Colt clones and join you!

[DammitBoy]

I really want one, just not right now - too much on the plate...

[Hatchett]

Whaaat. Someone else must have one.

[Shoot The Moon]

Hatchett, great idea for a club - sadly I can't join - these are legal here in the UK (amazingly) but I have been put off by the many stories about their lack of reliability. I'm very interested in your practical experience of shooting the LeMat?

[Hatchett]

Well, as my first post implied, it's definitely an acquired taste or if you're lucky its at least not an acquired distaste. Nothing about it is convenient, from cocking to loading to cleaning. The nine shots do work great and shoot very straight. I've also never experienced any of the problems with the shotgun barrel yet but it's very new so we'll see once the springs start to break in if it will continue to ignite the caps with such a short throw (and it really ought to, considering how hard it is to cock -- really awkward with one hand). It really comes down to whether the novelty and the cool factor are worth the price (I got a deal on mine, so I'm not disappointed), because on almost every other level its inferior to a basic Colt or Remington pattern mechanism.

[madcratebuilder]

The loading lever is far from robust! I use a loading stand most the time.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/madcratebuilder/PICT0011Small-1.jpg

If you carefully sand the face of the caps you use on the center barrel you well have better reliability with ignition.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/madcratebuilder/lemat01.jpg

The LeMat is different to say the least, I have become very attached to mine. With nine rounds of .451 RB and a .625 RB or shot from the center barrel you well not find more firepower in a single cap and ball revolver.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/madcratebuilder/lemat01-1.jpg

[mykeal]

That's a fine looking revolver, mcb. I've not seen a LeMat that looked as well cared for before.

[madcratebuilder]

That's a fine looking revolver, mcb. I've not seen a LeMat that looked as well cared for before.
Thank you sir. It's starting to show some wear in the chambers and some blue wear on the screw slots. It has about 100 rds now.

[snidervolley]

madcratebuilder & hatchet
i to am also a lemat fan and owner .
i have two albeit both are in my work shop being converted to carbines .
i t is just the neatest piece (yes it does take tlc ) but given that holding the revolver in your hand is just plane impressive
are you a crate builder? as i would be interested in buying some for homes for the twins
kymm

[earlthegoat2]

I dont visit the BP section too often but when I see a thread with LeMat in the title I will definitely be taking a little look. These are very cool I think and humongous. Probably the only cap n' ball revolver I would ever consider but there a bunch of cartridge firearms that are behind this on the "To Buy Oneday List".

Who makes reproducitons out of curiosity?

[Engineer Bill]

Hello The LeMat Club!
Picture is my LeMat. I made a lighter hammer spring and have shot it in SASS matches, slow, but the style points were immense.
A removable loading lever was made which fits on a headless pin, which replaced the original loading lever retaining screw,visiable in picture.
Regards,
Engineer Bill

[arcticap]

Who makes reproducitons out of curiosity?

Pietta makes reproductions of the LeMat.
Dixie Gun Works sells three LeMat versions:

Army:

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_92_187_189&products_id=3496&osCsid=815ca415bef18e3b9f94490c7f2f55b7

Navy:

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_92_187_189&products_id=3498&osCsid=815ca415bef18e3b9f94490c7f2f55b7

Cavalry:

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_92_187_189&products_id=3497&osCsid=815ca415bef18e3b9f94490c7f2f55b7

[madcratebuilder]

A removable loading lever was made which fits on a headless pin, which replaced the original loading lever retaining screw,visiable in picture.

Excellent idea!

[cheatin charlie]

Hello The LeMat Club!
Picture is my LeMat. I made a lighter hammer spring and have shot it in SASS matches, slow, but the style points were immense.
A removable loading lever was made which fits on a headless pin, which replaced the original loading lever retaining screw,visiable in picture.
Regards,
Engineer Bill
Could you post picture of your new loading lever?
Thanks Charlie

[Cap n Ball]

Got one but I don't shoot it very often.

[snidervolley]

http://http://britishmilitariaforums.yuku.com/topic/8837/lemat

[snidervolley]

C:\Documents and Settings\kkw7394\Favorites\102_1582.JPGhttp://C:\Documents and Settings\kkw7394\Favorites\102_1582.JPG

[Ole Humpback]

I'm assuming that these are all Pietta reproduction LeMat. If not, Congrats to you who have original LeMats, they are near priceless. If they are reproductions, why are they so unreliable. I understand the need to keep them authentic, but sometimes a newer and better thing is warranted on a reproduction like this.

Maybe theres a market for modern level of reliability LeMats.

[tripe1917]

I haven't shot mine yet because of my lack of knowledge on loading the shotgun tube. Any pointers? Also, I understand the shotgun barrel should be capable of being removed for cleaning, but mine doesn't want to budge. If I am looking down the barrel, which way should the shotgun barrel be twisted to unscrew?

[Engineer Bill]

LeMat Club,
A number of folks have questioned the reliability of lock up of the LeMat action, I'm wondering how many are aware of the action adjusting screw. It is located on the right side of the pistol, just behind the hammer screw, and controls the timing of the drop of the cylinder lock up pin as the hammer is cocked. The is a factory adjustment, not to be adjusted lightly, to be considered maybe after cleaning, deburring & oiling.
Regards,
Engineer Bill

[Engineer Bill]

The LeMat Club
Photos show new loading lever in place, and removed.
I took just the original loading lever bolt to the Industrial supply store and they were able to match the thread. I hacksawed off some of the threaded end so that no threads showed when screwed in, cut the rest to length, put a screwdriver slot in the top, and fire blued it with a propane tourch. I made a model out of wood to arrive at a simple shape that would work for the lever. A pice was cut from 1/2" aluninum plate and worked with drills & files. The aluminum can be blackened with a permenant black felt tip pen ( leave it shinney, easier to find when dropped ).
My second favorite mod is to replace that ineffective loading lever catch. The one in the photo is made from 3/4" bandsaw blade that was anealed, shaped, retempered, and fire blued. It's in photo.

Regards,
Engineer Bill

PS How about a postal shoot? Entrants share load & data for sake of the Club?

[madcratebuilder]

I'm assuming that these are all Pietta reproduction LeMat. If not, Congrats to you who have original LeMats, they are near priceless. If they are reproductions, why are they so unreliable. I understand the need to keep them authentic, but sometimes a newer and better thing is warranted on a reproduction like this.

Maybe theres a market for modern level of reliability LeMats.
I wouldn't say the Pietta LeMat is unreliable, it suffers some of the same issues of the original. The loading lever can become unlatched and jam the cylinder, just like the old ones. The ram rod for loading the center barrel comes out on recoil and is lost. Very few originals have the ram rod.

Getting the center barrel cap to ignite can be challenging with modern caps.


Engineer Bill, that lever is very nice, great mechanical advantage. I may infringe your copy right.

[Vermonter]

How much powder can they hold? What's the difference between the different models?

[arcticap]

The differences between models are mentioned beginning in post #17:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=461019&highlight=lemat

Plus more by Rachen in post #8:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=272012


Here's a little guide:
Spur trigger guard, spur hammer switch, lever barrel release: CAVALRY
Round trigger guard, lever hammer switch, knob barrel release: NAVY
Round trigger guard, spur hammer switch, knob barrel release: ARMY

I load the grapeshot barrel of my Navy model with 55-60 grains of Pyrodex RS or Goex 2F and a charge of about 1-1.5 ounces of OO Buckshot.

More detailed loading info. including velocity figures:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=465836&highlight=lemat

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=506259&highlight=lemat

[DammitBoy]

Spur trigger guard, spur hammer switch, lever barrel release: CAVALRY
Round trigger guard, lever hammer switch, knob barrel release: NAVY
Round trigger guard, spur hammer switch, knob barrel release: ARMY

Is there any advantage to any one of those combinations over the others?

[arcticap]

At least 2 posters recommended the Navy Model, IIRC it was the latest model.
From Rachen's post #8:

PS, FLORIDABOY, if you are thinking of getting a LeMat, get the Navy model. It is more rugged due to the knob barrel release, different from the lever that would not flip down when the weapon fires. Go to the Dixie Gun Works website, find the LeMat Navy, and read the comments about it. My comments (name: Raymond Chen), Mec's and others are all on it. Just be sure though, nobody gave the weapon a rating lower than a 4-star. Many people are impressed.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=272012

From Das Jaeger's Post #17:

Jaeger Post #17 Das Jaeger , and don't get me wrong I would buy the Cavalry model in one second too , just prefer the Navy is all .

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=461019&highlight=lemat

[Hatchett]

Anyone thinking of buying the Cavalry version should keep an eye on the one you can buy from the Cabelas site. Its price fluctuates quite a lot, almost monthly. Sometimes it's 900, right now its 800. When I got mine it was on sale for 700 and a rebate I had brought it down considerably more and with free shipping. It may go even cheaper -- so just make sure to watch and wait a while if you get the bug to join the club.

[Engineer Bill]

Was out shooting with some six shooter friends, and took some time showin them the loading of all 9 shots. My turn to shoot, and they all started counting out loud after the 6th shot. They said they was impressed. I said "Check this out", and fired the shotgun barrel, which took out the center of the targe entire. (I had loaded it with shot before they came along). I have trouble getting the shotgun to fire, also. I gently place the hammer on the cap and then thump the hammer with a bit of broom handle when I want it to go off.

Engineer Bill

[madcratebuilder]

I have trouble getting the shotgun to fire, also. I gently place the hammer on the cap and then thump the hammer with a bit of broom handle when I want it to go off.


If you carefully sand the face of some caps to thin the material they well ignite easier on the center barrel. I use a small dowel and a belt sander. Go slow so you don't build up heat.

[snidervolley]

i was thinking that you could make more of point to the shot gun flip hammer by dremeling of a bit ??

[elnielsen]

:what::evil::eek:

[Engineer Bill]

I was at a match where I saw a Le Mat converted to fire .38 special cartdriges. Wondering who did the work and if the shotgun was converted also?

Engineer Bill

[col.lemat]

any lemat owners in so.cal? I have alot of knowledge on these pistols and how to make the reproductions function reliably.

[Fingers McGee]

Here's a model to own.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c86/fingersmcgee/lematrifleright17.jpg

Wish I did.

Used to have a Cavalry model; but, someone wanted it more than I did & made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Used the proceeds to buy a couple 2nd Gens.

[DammitBoy]

Is that revolving carbine lemat a replica available for sale?

[Fingers McGee]

Is that revolving carbine lemat a replica available for sale?


I wish. But; sadly it's a picture of an original. No one makes repros of them

[col.lemat]

I have put nearly 1,000 rounds down range with mine. Blueing looks like crapp but still no broken parts, and I load the shotgun real heavy!

[snidervolley]

i am building two replicas and alas they will be the only ones on the planet under fifty thousand dollars and shootable

[snidervolley]

thats awesome ! not as fragile as everyone would have you believe aye

[col.lemat]

40 gr. 2fg +18 .27 cal. buck shot or a buck & ball load @.58 round ball + 9 of the buck. Pushing 1.5 oz. of lead. Have gone higher than 60 gr. with bb shot. Using dixie mold to get conicials over 20gr. powder. tried 25gr. but very little room to seat the bullet. Would have the room with R.B. #11 Remington caps no misfires. Tried CCI and had misfires. Also tried bogus powders (pyrodex) don't care for it. I'll stick to the real stuff.

[mholstein13]

any way to get the takedown lever on the cavalry model to stop flipping open? kinda new at this

[Red October]

Count me in!
Big, heavy, takes two hands to operate, and I love it.
DGW repro. Haven't had any issues so far with ramrod movement during firing.

[col.lemat]

I would like to welcome the new members. I hope to post some photos of my LeMats when the wife gets back mid Augest.

[Dnaltrop]

From what I understand, the Shotgun reliability problem used to be overcome by hitting the cap with a hammer-strike before the final loading of the shot barrel. It's been a "feature" of this weapon since day one.

Don't have a BP gun yet, but that LeMat has had my attention since my days shopping for my first Cowboy action revolver purchase (the Schofield) I've been told that the Colt Walker is a better beginners BP gun, but there's just SOMETHING about this awkward, finicky tank of a gun that gives me that itch.

[col.lemat]

Not true. A simple fix. Do it right first time and be done with it. Most of the pistols leaveing the factory now days have it that I have seen, But if you remove the nipples and do not pay attention to details in reassembling it will result in miss fires. It's in the nipples & brand of caps

[snidervolley]

my lemat carbine project in the early days with prototype modeling stock rough fitted and prior to that my daughter holding roughed in barreled conversions

[DammitBoy]

That is completely awesome snider!

[snidervolley]

thanks it been a long road with a lot of work but well worth it

[Tattooed Bard]

I owned an original in the late 80s. bought it at a yard sale in west va for 50 bucks. Unfortunately, it and alot of others I wished I still had got caught in a very ugly divorce in 95. Seeing these and having recently got into blackpowder shooting with my 10 year old makes me still want to cry. Yeah, I made out when I sold it but damn I miss the old girl.

Good to know there are more repros out there besides the Navy Arms

[bprevolver]

Did you know that Pietta made the LeMat with with both a plain cylinder (early models) and an engraved cylinder? Did you also know that they were available with case hardened frames? There were also some fully engraved models and models in the white engraved but not readily available in the U.S. Little tid bits for the collector.

[col.lemat]

147025

Some of my confederate pistols.

[snidervolley]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=248762696

[snidervolley]

heres a shot

[snidervolley]

other side of first carbine made to match patent dwg from 1861

[jolasa]

Purchased Pietta LeMat from Cabelas. I was aware of the shotgun cap misfire situation, but I see another problem.

I put a cap on the shotgun nipple, lower the swivelling hammer down, cock the hammer, pull the trigger. The hammer hits the shotgun cap, the cap does not fire, but then the hammer swivels up and returns to the "up" and then continues on to hit a nipple on the cylinder. So I sent this back to Cabelas and ordered a replacement.

The replacement does the SAME thing, shotgun cap misfires, hammer rotates up and hits the cylinder nipples.

Can I fix this? Or do I need to go to a gunsmith? Or should I just send it back again and give up on LeMats?

Any gunsmiths reading this?

Jon

[col.lemat]

The Cavalry model is the most accerate of the reproductions as far as following the original design. The barrel locking lever is the biggest complaint. It was not made correctly and springs open when it should spring closed. The shotgun barrel nipple usually needs a slight modification for reliable ignition + I only use Remmington caps as I had misfires with CCI brand of caps. As far as cap size, I have found differnt sized nipples on the differnt model guns. Some are 11's while other are 10's = Use what fits the best

[jolasa]

Finally got to the range after Col LeMat made some excellent repairs so that the shotgun caps would fire, barrel could be removed easily, machined the barrel securing latch to work better, etc. (contact Col LeMat via this Forum - click on col. lemat in message above and send him an email or private message).

Firing cylinder rounds, no problems also. Used 20 grains of Swiss FFFg (with 25 grains, I could not get enough leverage on the loading handle to push the ball below the level of the top of the cylinder, so guess I will just use 20 grains under the 0.451” balls). I am using a lubricated wad about 1/8” thick which may be the problem with 25 grains in the cylinders to raise the ball too high (not deep enough in the cylinder holes).

And I got some ¼” cork, and cut some wads with a 5/8” cutter for the shotgun. Shotgun, as recommended by Col LeMat, 40 grains FFFg, then add a 1/4" cork wad, then add 1.5 oz. # 4 buckshot (about 33 of the 0.24" balls), then add a final 1/4" cork wad. Used remington # 11 blackpowder caps.

The pistol now works fine overall: fired shotgun 5 times, fired the first time every time; fired 4 full cylinders of 0.451" balls.

One minor problem, the loading handle still pops up when firing the shotgun with 40 grains of Swiss FFFg and 1.5 oz of # 4 buckshot, so guess I will use a loop of rawhide to tie it down each time like they used to do.

FUN STUFF!

[Indy4570]

I wish I could afford to join this club! been a fan of the Le Mat for many years.

[col.lemat]

Cabelas raised their prices some months ago to about $850 on sale?
Dixie Gunworks is now the cheepest priced at $825.
I noticed Dixie lowered their prices some more last week for their Christmas sale.
Also I think there is one on Gunbroker with no reserve at $600

[Indy4570]

I just dropped about $550 for A NIB Uberti Walker with a spare cylinder and a shorty 1858 remmy from Cabelas. I buy anything else right now and I will be sleepin outside with the horse and the mule!

[JDBoardman]

Count me in as a new member. I just acquired a "Navy" LeMat. In my case, the purchase of this fine revolver was not only inevitable, but virtually required. I am a direct lineal descendant of Gen'l P.G.T. Beauregard, inherited the sword he was given at Graduation from West Point in 1838, which I carried as a Company Grade officer in the 1960's, so it became essential that I complement my cutlery with this firearm which he did much to promote.

[col.lemat]

I still have a few spare cylinders left if any one is interested. 2 used in the blue engraved, 1 in the white no engraving that can be blued. $150. ea + postage.
Have several spare rammers complete, Pietta manufractured, plus some other small parts.
Should have heavy duty rammers by months end, manufractured to Lemat's origional specs for those of you who have bent their Pietta ones like i did.

[runs.for.beer]

I was lucky enough to pick up one of the Col. Cylinder's and I am quite glad I did. It is quite nice to load two at a time on a loading stand.

I am looking forward to getting one o the heavy duty loading levers when they become available.

[JDBoardman]

Went to the range for the first time yesterday after work - what a hoot. Recoil with the revolver cylinders was no big deal (25 gr. fffg, .454 ball) but the shotgun barrel - well that's another kettle of fish (45 gr fffg, 9 .32 balls). My question now is how do I get the shotty barrel loose for cleaning. I know it is threaded but mine won't come loose. All 10 nipples came out with no problem, but that dang big tube just won't come loose. Should I use a strap wrench maybe, or just leave well enough alone.

This sucker is surprisingly accurate as a revolver - easy 4" groups "duelist style" at 17 yards, and the shotgun is certainly intimidating, if not very long range. Besides, you can always run away ('strategically advance in a retrograde direction') behind the smokescreen.