THR Lemat club

Hatchett · February 10, 2011, 07:06 PM

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 · February 10, 2011, 08:59 PM

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

DammitBoy · February 10, 2011, 09:01 PM

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

Hatchett · February 10, 2011, 10:43 PM

Whaaat. Someone else must have one.

Shoot The Moon · February 12, 2011, 02:19 PM

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 · February 13, 2011, 03:03 AM

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 · February 13, 2011, 06:39 AM

The loading lever is far from robust! I use a loading stand most the time.

If you carefully sand the face of the caps you use on the center barrel you well have better reliability with ignition.

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.

mykeal · February 13, 2011, 07:23 AM

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

madcratebuilder · February 14, 2011, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykeal

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 · February 25, 2011, 09:11 AM

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 · February 25, 2011, 10:55 AM

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 · February 26, 2011, 07:13 PM

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 · February 27, 2011, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earlthegoat2

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...94490c7f2f55b7

Navy:

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product...94490c7f2f55b7

Cavalry:

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product...94490c7f2f55b7

madcratebuilder · February 27, 2011, 06:49 AM

Quote:

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 · February 27, 2011, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

Could you post picture of your new loading lever?
Thanks Charlie

Cap n Ball · February 27, 2011, 09:22 AM

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

snidervolley · February 28, 2011, 10:05 AM

snidervolley · February 28, 2011, 10:08 AM

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

Ole Humpback · February 28, 2011, 01:31 PM

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 · February 28, 2011, 01:47 PM

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 · March 1, 2011, 12:52 AM

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 · March 1, 2011, 01:32 AM

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 · March 1, 2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · March 1, 2011, 02:38 PM

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

arcticap · March 2, 2011, 11:04 AM

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

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...ighlight=lemat

Plus more by Rachen in post #8:

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rachen

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/showthrea...ighlight=lemat

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...ighlight=lemat

February 10, 2011, 08:59 PM	#2
BHP FAN Member Join Date: September 23, 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,405	Damn right you're exclusive...you're alone!I may haveta sell a coupla Colt clones and join you! __________________ SASS # 38375 {''Willyboy''} THR Remington Club #14 NRA Life Member ''Make yourselves sheep, and the wolves will eat you...'' - Benjamin Franklin

February 10, 2011, 09:01 PM	#3
DammitBoy Member Join Date: March 19, 2009 Location: Meridian, Mississippi Posts: 1,945	I really want one, just not right now - too much on the plate... __________________ "I shoot my gun at the moon like a primitive hick!" ~ dammitism

February 12, 2011, 02:19 PM	#5
Shoot The Moon Member Join Date: October 29, 2010 Location: England at the moment Posts: 161	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? __________________ Official THR Remington 1858 Club Member #1

February 13, 2011, 06:39 AM	#7
madcratebuilder Member Join Date: July 15, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,985	The loading lever is far from robust! I use a loading stand most the time. If you carefully sand the face of the caps you use on the center barrel you well have better reliability with ignition. 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. __________________ A Veteran, whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America” for an amount of “up to and including my life.”

February 25, 2011, 09:11 AM	#10
snidervolley Member Join Date: February 23, 2011 Posts: 27	lemat 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

February 10, 2011, 07:06 PM	#1
Hatchett Member Join Date: July 24, 2003 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 270	THR Lemat club 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.

February 10, 2011, 10:43 PM	#4
Hatchett Member Join Date: July 24, 2003 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 270	Whaaat. Someone else must have one.

February 13, 2011, 03:03 AM	#6
Hatchett Member Join Date: July 24, 2003 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 270	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.

February 13, 2011, 07:23 AM	#8
mykeal Member Join Date: September 9, 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 4,922	That's a fine looking revolver, mcb. I've not seen a LeMat that looked as well cared for before.

February 25, 2011, 10:55 AM	#11
earlthegoat2 Member Join Date: August 28, 2008 Location: Lowcountry Posts: 4,195	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? __________________ When it comes to gun knowledge, empiricism loses to conventional wisdom. Read The Snubby Revolver by Ed Lovette In a pinch (or not) FMJ will work just fine.

February 27, 2011, 09:22 AM	#16
Cap n Ball Member Join Date: May 12, 2004 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Posts: 287	Got one but I don't shoot it very often.

February 28, 2011, 10:05 AM	#17
snidervolley Member Join Date: February 23, 2011 Posts: 27

February 28, 2011, 10:08 AM	#18
snidervolley Member Join Date: February 23, 2011 Posts: 27	C:\Documents and Settings\kkw7394\Favorites\102_1582.JPG

February 28, 2011, 01:31 PM	#19
Ole Humpback Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: IN, USA Posts: 402	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.

February 28, 2011, 01:47 PM	#20
tripe1917 Member Join Date: April 25, 2009 Location: N.Texas Posts: 33	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?

March 1, 2011, 12:52 AM	#21
Engineer Bill Member Join Date: September 1, 2009 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 10	Action adjusting screw 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

March 1, 2011, 02:38 PM	#24
Vermonter Member Join Date: April 2, 2004 Posts: 412	How much powder can they hold? What's the difference between the different models?