Rediscovered love affair with the Lyman Great Plains pistol

[4v50 Gary]

I went to the range this morning to shoot with a few other BP hobbyists. Instead of taking the Trapper that was built in the first semester that was never shot, the Lyman Great Plains pistol out.

Being a pistol, it has a short barrel. It's much quicker to load and having played so long with smoke poles, that nicety was forgotten. That wasn't the only thing. #11 caps are too tight and often it took two strikes of the hammer with the first to seat it further down the nipple and the second to ignite it. It proved that I don't flinch. (E/R home two tins of #10 caps were picked up at a local store.) Initially it was loaded with 30 grains of FF, a .010 patch and .490 ball. The charge was later reduced to 25 grains.

The wind was really blowing (over 20 mph) and it wasn't easy to stay steady. Fortunately, the targets were only about 15 yards distance and most (about 23) went into the target with two in the white.

Cleaning it has an advantage over the smokepole. Because the barrel is shorter than a rifle, it can be cleaned in the kitchen sink. Whenever I clean a smokepole, a bench has to be set up outside which is a task (it's a Workmate Bench with attached to it). Shorter barrels are faster to clean too and unlike a revolver, there's much less to clean.

Conclusion: More time shooting and less time cleaning. What a great pistol.

 

[rodwha]

I've been thinking I need one of these too! Maybe even a second barrel reamed to 28 ga as I think that would be fun to shoot!

 

[Malamute]

What sort of groups is the gun capable of under best conditions?

They look like fun. Have you loaded it up any to see what it can do with heavier loads? Theres something in the water around this area, some of us think most pistols should be shot out to several hundred yards. I havent shot my percussion guns much past 100 though, so far. Not quite sure why. The Dragoon with full loads should be 300 yard capable for keeping renegade steel plates at bay. That Great Plains pistol would likely be fun to shoot at distance also.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Malamute - dunno. I'm at the point where I need reading glasses to see my sights and I won't pay for prescription reading glasses.

 

[vagunmonkey]

Malamute - dunno. I'm at the point where I need reading glasses to see my sights and I won't pay for prescription reading glasses.

What about prescription shooting glasses ...

 

[Malamute]

Gary, have you ever tried the Merit thing that goes on your glasses? They dont seem to be well known or appreciated for what they can do for your shooting vision. My vision is so-so OK for general shooting, but when I use the Merit deal, its like being 20 again, or perhaps even better vision that that.

I wouldnt have believed what they do if I hadnt used one. What they claim in their information is not the slightest exageration in any way in my experience.

http://www.meritcorporation.com/products.html

 

[rodwha]

I bought a used 250 grn REAL mold figuring I'd have to get a .50 cal Plains Pistol to go with my Deerstalker.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

My Pedersoli .45 Kentucky pistol is very accurate and fun to shoot also. I will also second your comments about faster shooting and easier cleaning!

 

[Aragon]

I went to the range this morning to shoot with a few other BP hobbyists. Instead of taking the Trapper that was built in the first semester that was never shot, the Lyman Great Plains pistol out.

Being a pistol, it has a short barrel. It's much quicker to load and having played so long with smoke poles, that nicety was forgotten. That wasn't the only thing. #11 caps are too tight and often it took two strikes of the hammer with the first to seat it further down the nipple and the second to ignite it. It proved that I don't flinch. (E/R home two tins of #10 caps were picked up at a local store.) Initially it was loaded with 30 grains of FF, a .010 patch and .490 ball. The charge was later reduced to 25 grains.

The wind was really blowing (over 20 mph) and it wasn't easy to stay steady. Fortunately, the targets were only about 15 yards distance and most (about 23) went into the target with two in the white.

Cleaning it has an advantage over the smokepole. Because the barrel is shorter than a rifle, it can be cleaned in the kitchen sink. Whenever I clean a smokepole, a bench has to be set up outside which is a task (it's a Workmate Bench with attached to it). Shorter barrels are faster to clean too and unlike a revolver, there's much less to clean.

Conclusion: More time shooting and less time cleaning. What a great pistol.

The Lyman Plains Pistol is indeed a great firearm! I suspect it pairs well with Lyman's Great Plains Rifle (which I have yet to try.)

 

[Patocazador]

Gary, have you ever tried the Merit thing that goes on your glasses? They dont seem to be well known or appreciated for what they can do for your shooting vision. My vision is so-so OK for general shooting, but when I use the Merit deal, its like being 20 again, or perhaps even better vision that that.

I wouldnt have believed what they do if I hadnt used one. What they claim in their information is not the slightest exageration in any way in my experience.

http://www.meritcorporation.com/products.html

I have a Merit Optical Device and it works great. I use it whenever I hunt with open sights by sticking it on a pair of shooting glasses.
It's a bit expensive for what it is but works well.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Malamute - that Merit device can't possibly do anything BUT help me. Funny but I've seen their ads for years and when you're young, you think, that can't be of any use to ME. Yep. Gettin' old has its challenges.

 

[Malamute]

If you can find one to try out, I think youd be very pleasantly surprised at the result. If you just take the plunge and order one, I'm sure you'll be happy with it. Besides, they have a money back guarantee if not happy with them.

I didnt realize how long theyve been making them, but I saw them in a 1943 Shooters Bible.

To adjust it, you just stick it on and turn the adjustment until its clear for you looking through your sights. Everyone is different, but its takes care of all that.

 

[bothenook]

got to where I was keeping 10 shots inside a 4 inch circle, with most inside the 3 inch at 50 yards offhand, 25 grains of 3f, .490 ball using mattress ticking patches lubed with ballistol and water. Love that little pistol, but it got to be a real bear holding on to, because I have short stubby fingers. took a wood rasp to the handle and whittled it down until my hold was comfortable. pistol looks like hell, but man, can it shoot.