Old Subject Needs Repeating

[Dellbert]

I read post after post on other fourms, and this one about carrying black powder revolvers around as a carry gun for self defense. OK how do you ready these revolvers to fire, and fire the first time you pull the trigger. From the very first we are told you need to clear all the oil out of the nipples, and cylinders. Then load them up for shooting. So if this is the case do you fire six caps to clear all the oil out of the nipples, and cylinders. I'm asking cause a lot of folks read what we post, and than go out and try what they have read from our fourm, and others. So for new people, including me want to know what to do, to ready your six shooter to load it, and carry it around, and know it's going to go bang the first time you pull the trigger. This is not a trick question. If you pull that revolver you are not trying to scare anyone, you are going to put a thug down. If your not willing to shoot than you have no reason to pull the revolver in the first place. Lets get real here folks.
1- Do you fire the six caps and clean out with a dry patch, than load up for carry
2- Do you clean the nipples, and cylinders out so no oil can get into the powder charge with a degreaser, than load up. If we are going to post stuff like this, don't you think it would be wise to tell people how to get there revolver ready to be a carry gun, befour someone go's out thinking they are ready to take on some thug that's probable armed with a centerfire, or even a knife. If somebody is braking in your house, do you really think they are going to be armed with a black powder revolver. I see post, after post about using these BP firearms for self defense, and wonder how many people that read this stuff know how to ready there six shooter to keep it loaded in a manner that it is a sure thing, it's going to go off on the first shot. The folks that carred these revolvers back in the day, had thear's ready to go right out of the holster, how did they do it. If you fire six caps and don't clean off the nipples is that not going to cause the nipples to start rusting. I don't understand what the heck to do, and I know that people that are starting to read this kind of stuff on our forum will start to carry BP revolvers around that will get them self killed cause there was oil or something in the revolver that caused it to go click instead of bang. So some of you guys, and gales that's been carrying these firearms around come on in and do some teaching on the subject. If you are a joker, please just stay away form us. This subject has no room for jokers or guess work. Think you all for your input. Dell.

 

[arcticap]

Whether loading for hunting or self defense, people usually prepare their percussion guns based on their own experience with their gun.
Although some do, not everyone will snap a cap on the empty chambers to clear out oil or debris.
A nipple pick can be used to help insure that the nipple opening is clear, and there's other cleaning methods that can be used to remove any oil.
After that is the matter of sealing the components to weatherproof them which is also a matter of personal preference and experience.
Some folks think that fouling the nipples will help the caps adhere better and not slip off as easily.
Other folks think that snapping a cap on an empty chamber can potentially clog up a nipple because of the debris that can be introduced.
Either way, it's never a bad idea to use a nipple pick to clear each nipple right before loading or capping.

 

[Shultzhaus]

Yes - always carry a nipple pick. Good for revolvers, and rifles. My before range routine is - swab out the chambers on revolvers, and rifle barrels. I blow out the nipples with an air compressor at home, and I carry a can of that "dust off' canned air in my range box.

 

[MCgunner]

I just pop a cap on an empty chamber, inspect, load. Never a problem. If I carry BP, have carried my super companion on occasion, I freshen the loads after a few days. I don't trust it to go bang on old loads, not being carried down here in this heat and humidity. I kept it loaded in a closet for several months just to test and I had mostly misfires. After a few days, no problem, kept a month, nah, I ain't goin' there. But, I don't really rely on this gun for defense much since I got my .22 mag black widow for deep concealment. The thing has better sights and shoots straighter.

 

[Capt. Redbeard]

After cleaning my gun, I clear the nipple with a pick. I read on one thread that a toothpick can introduce condensation. Not sure but my nipple wrench came with a brass pick in it. Once clean I put the nipples on the cylinder, and then hold it up to a light. Looking down the front of each chamber I should be able to see light coming through the far end through the nipple. I can leave my gun loaded for a month or two, and it will fire each time. I a lot through this forum. The gentleman gathered here really know there stuff!

 

[zimmerstutzen]

While I have a permit to carry, I never have outside the boundaries of my farm. I have left my Remmie Repro cylinder loaded for a period of three or four years, ( when not in use, stored removed from the gun, but kept snug and dry in the pouch on the holster belt. It fired without problem when required to dispatch a four legged varmint.

If any chamber is fired, they all get fired, then or soon thereafter and then the gun is cleaned thoroughly.

My purpose in carrying on the farm, has more to do with such varmints than thugs. Rarely does a season go by with out the need to address varmints. There are also the infrequent times that it is kinder to end an animal's sufferring than to wait 5 hours for a vet. Last year a drunk ran through a fence and hit two of my sheep. One had two broken legs another had it's entrails hanging out. It was far kinder to end things ASAP.

 

[col.lemat]

Pretty much the same as above. Also have left loaded for several years with no misfires

 

[makos_goods]

... Last year a drunk ran through a fence and hit two of my sheep. One had two broken legs another had it's entrails hanging out. It was far kinder to end things ASAP.

Zimmertutzen,
You did the right thing, if a drunk destroyed my fence and hit two of my sheep, I would have shot him too.

~Mako

 

[SwampMouse]

Zimmertutzen,
You did the right thing, if drunk destroyed my fence and hit two of my sheep I would have shot him too.

~Mako

Now that is funny

 

[Benmathes]

Bp carry weapons

Loaded my original Rogers and Spencer, real bp, and or pyrodex pistol pellets. No over wad.
Caps on 5 cylinders
Holstered in tuffy box of the rubicon, or the 79 fj-40
After 6 months-with pyrodex or real bp
Fired all 5 just fine
Gives me a lot of confidence
(but still have an H&K or Sig near at hand!)
I just have this dream, bad guy in front of the Lord, "I don't know- went to rob, carjack, burglar,steal,assault the wife of... (fill in the blank) this dude-
Saw a big old cloud of stinky smoke... And here I be!"
A perfectly sensible way to protect your world in these awful times.

 

[MCgunner]

Dang, glad I don't drink much anymore, hangin' out here with you guys.

 

[andrewstorm]

dont know who your lord is ? Ben.....

But my lord makes a way between the waves,and most people who commit crimes are on the way to hell,so make sure your a guy with a white hat,give everyone the benefit of doubt,but not the drop,remember the word says...The horse is readied for battle but safety is in the lord....

 

[PRM]

Been doing this for over 30 years with no problem. I don't like firing caps and then leaving the gun loaded. I make sure the oil is out of the chambers and around the nipple threads with a clean patch. With the nipple itself, I use absorbent pipe cleaners to get and trace lubricant out of the nipple channel. You can hold the nipple up to a light and make sure its clean.

I've done it long enough with reliable results, that its the only way I will load and leave one.

 

[J-Bar]

Sorry, I don't buy into your premise. I feel absolutely no responsibility for providing information to those who want to defend themselves with a percussion revolver. I also feel no responsibility for informing anyone who wants to defend themselves with a semi-auto pistol, or a modern single-action or double action revolver. Or a shotgun. Or rifle.

Telling someone else what weapon to use is like telling someone else who they should marry. It is presumptuous, and really quite rude.

Natural selection will take care of those who choose to use a percussion gun for self-defense if they have not already figured out how to make it operate reliably.

Give me a break...

 

[Macgille]

Wild Bill Hickock used to fire all chambers of his Navy Colt every morning and reload before going out for the day. Or so its reported. I personally would never think of carrying a BP pistol for self defense. It's just not smart. I use a 12 ga. at home and a Walther ppks for carrying. Simple, reliable and deadly enough without having to worry about pass through and collateral damage.

 

[Capt. Redbeard]

I guess I'll take a stab at this, I think it comes down to being comfortable with your weapon. If you shoot a gun enough, you learn it and know it's evey quirk. I'm a mix of modern and old. I trust my Remington 870, and my Remington 1858 the most for home defense. (Wow, I just realized they're both remmies. Ironic...)

 

[sltm1]

You know, there's an old saying, "It takes a lot of sweaty blankets to make a good horse and twice as many to make a good rider". I figure firearms to be the same way, I have done a lot of shooting with both my Euroarms Rogers & Spencer and my S&W Model 19 .357 and would feel equally comfortable with either of them in a shootout. The practice and understanding the quirk's of your weapon is what makes it effective as a protection implement. Any weapon can misfire, but if you've learned your weapon and can shoot under stress than I don't see the difference between bp and smokeless cartridges. In bp, if you know your stuff, then a misfire comes under the heading of an act of God, same as with a cartridge.