Modern revolvers (A newbies take)

[ZVP]

Being just at this hobby for about 2 years now, I have read all posts with great intrest about the "Origonals" and though shooting a piece of history may be exciting, I think I'd rather save the "Origonal" and shoot a modern steel revolver!
The current steel (and even Brass) is much better than the old steel's formulas, and thus stronger. I would be afraid to shoot some full house loads that I do in an "Origonal".
The relativelly low cost of a new Italian import makes this idea more pallatable when you compare the worth of a real old revolver. Cabelas and Dixie both offer reasonablly priced revolvers.
My '58 Piettias handle 35-38 gr loads of powder and heavy cast bullets with aplomb! Thosr 250 gr Cast Bullets really make for some recoil! I'd hate to depend on a hardened old cylinder to contain the pressures.
Maybe I am being to cautious but even "Low Pressure" Black Powder is safer than High "Pressure Smokless", I just feel safer with new steels.
Please comment and help me better understand my hobby!
Thanks,
ZVP

 

[junkman_01]

I guess since you do admit to being new at this that your thinking is an 'epiphany' to you, but something that is well known for a long time. Of course you are absolutely correct in your analysis.

 

[towboat_er]

I agree with ya.

 

[StrawHat]

When I started shooting cap and ball revolvers, originals were commonly available and most often used on the line. Mostly for target work but not infrequently in the field also. We loaded them as we do now but all we had available was black powder. When the replicas became more common, many switched but not because of strength. We switched because collectors were willing to pay more for originals and drove the price beyond the reach of most competitiors. With black powder, the origianls were plenty strong.

 

[Ryden]

Over here, handguns are very restricted. Antique muzzleloaders on the other hand have no permit requirement at all.

If I wanted to own a nice shiny Remington brass frame replica, as we all do , I'd have to join a club and start shooting .22 pistols, after 6 months I could get a permit for a .22 if I qualify (3 series of at least 46/50 in a row) and the club approves (if you don't work your butt off unpaid at the club, you're not considered an "active member" and hence not approved). Then I'd have to find a club that shot BP and have another 6 months of target practice, a new round of qualification, ask for the clubs approval and finally get a permit for a BP revolver which, if I'm lucky, there are all of one place that sell.
This process usually takes much longer than a year.

Those permits are good for 5 years and qualification is needed for renewal.
And if I wanted one of those .44 brass framed Colt 1861s, the answer would be "You already have a gun for the Mariette class"

Hunting guns are much easier to get permits for, but BP isn't allowed for hunting.

So the youngest BP gun I have was made in 1863, a Remington NMA, and the oldest is from the late 1700's.

I would love to switch to replicas and hang the old guns on the wall, but that's just not worth the hassle to be able to make smoke once in a while.
But I do try to keep the loads mild and clean carefully so they'll last another generation.

You lucky ba*ds!
[/rant]