Handgun for self defense? (18yr old in Texas)

Since I live in PA I'm at a loss as to why you can't carry an M&P Shield in your car but not on the street. I'm guessing it's because you are 18 and not yet 21, correct?

I'm not sure carrying a cap-n-ball revolver us a good idea but if your dad is ok with it who am I to say? How about a gun that has a 3.5" barrel and us on clearance for only $188, that might work well.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...der-revolver-31-caliber-35-barrel-brass-frame

I wish I could help more but this is just out of my league. Good luck and don't rush 21, take it from this old guy you will age fast enough.

Welcome to the forum...

Have you ever shot a cap&ball?

Unless you have been into cowboy action shooting with a C&B revolver there is no way I would recommend a c&b gun for self defense, even though I have btdt and think that in a fight they are better than strong language.

That lack of recommendation is even more heartfelt when it comes to exercising what amounts to a loophole in Texas law. Ask your dad how he would respond if he stopped an 18yo and found a loaded c&b in the guy's bag.... probably not sympathetic.

I think c&b shooting is fun and rewarding. Others find it dull. If you don't find it fun, i don't see how you will practice enough to deal with the very real problems they can suffer.

Since your dad is a cop, I'd ask him very nicely to give you a Glock for your birthday, a graduation present, or similar. As a cop he gets a big discount on Glocks. Don't give him money to buy it for you, as that's illegal. If that's not possible, start looking for whatever you can find on the local f2f used markket.

Best of luck with your choice.

I open-carried a Navy .36 on hikes and camp-outs and such before I was 21. Black powder revolvers are heavy and bulky, but sure beat not having anything at all. I bought it for the same reason you're looking at 'em-- couldn't legally buy anything else. There's a black powder subforum here that you might find useful information in.

In Texas you must be at least 21 to get your LTC unless active duty military, etc. (License to carry, new version that used to be the CHL). Our motorist protection act allows carry in the car without any sort of license/permission. Being 18 he can own a handgun, so carrying it in the car is not an issue.

Now, regarding the carry in the car. Don't forget the Federal law regarding guns in school zones. That will always a problem until you get your LTC.


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Don't confuse federal firearms law with state concealed weapons laws. While a cap and ball revolver may not be a firearm as defined by the feds it is most certainly a deadly weapon and as such is quite likely prohibited by state law. Look up Texas law on conceded weapons to be sure but I doubt you can legally carry one without a CCW.

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Under TX state law Cap and Ball revolvers are not considered firearms. That doesnt mean however an Unwitting police officer wont try to hassle you , I say if you carry it carry with caution.

I'd go with either a Glock 19 or a shield. They'll be more effective, easier and faster to practice with, and you'll still be able to use it for its intended purpose in 3 years once you get your license to carry.

Id be wary about carrying a black powder pistol concealed. You'll probably find a lack of holsters for concealing those, but the biggest issue would be a cop finding it. I HIGHLY doubt a cop will say "oh, it's BP, you're free to go". More than likely you'll get arrested and then they'll figure it out at the station that it is legal. That's a lot of hassle. On the other hand, I've never been asked to show my carry permit, so it's unlikely you'll get hassled unless you have to defend yourself with it (in which case the legality of carrying a BP revolver takes a back seat to the legality of the homicide).

mdauben said:

Don't confuse federal firearms law with state concealed weapons laws. ... Look up Texas law on conceded weapons to be sure but I doubt you can legally carry one without a CCW.

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Texas is the only state I know of where the law is - seemingly intentionally - written to allow unlicenced carry of cap&ball guns.

Back before licenced open carry passed a fair number of open carry agitators were walking around with holstered C&B revolvers. It didn't stop a few of them getting arrested but as far as i know they weren't charged, or if they were it was disturbing the peace type charges.

Telekinesis said:

Id be wary about carrying a black powder pistol concealed. You'll probably find a lack of holsters for concealing those

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I found that a chopped down 1862 .38 fit perfectly in an eastern European shoulder holster that was probably intended for something like a makarov. It wouldn't be that hard to find a holster for something like this:

The shield or glock would be fine, pick what you shoot the best.

Ed Ames said:

Texas is the only state I know of where the law is - seemingly intentionally - written to allow unlicenced carry of cap&ball guns.

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I checked this copy of the relevant TX laws and was surprised to see you appear to be correct.

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.46.htm

IANAL but it would appear that it's legal to concealed carry a cap and ball revolver without licence in TX. As you say that might not totally shield you from arrest but it would probably save you from actual prosecution.

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Aside from the legal aspects -
If you get the Glock or Shield - become very familiar and comfortable with the striker fired aspect. The Shield can come with a thumb safety, the Glock not. Shooting at the range is different to carrying.
Personally, I am a fan of DA/SA pistols for carry over strikers. YMMV. Have you considered others?

I think the Glock 19 is the best multi-purpose pistol out there (carry, general use, etc.) That said, the shield is also a fine gun but IMO best suited for CCW

As a guy not much older than you in Texas I can personally vouch for the shield because it's my everyday carry. And I can't say that the cap and ball is a bad idea, because it's technically not illegal, but I can tell you from experience that not all LEO's know the law as well as they should. That being said I'd go modern and just truck carry. Even if you can't get charged with a crime for carrying a cap and ball revolver it could still turn into a headache if somebody decides to call the police and you are under 21 and carrying.

This seems like a slightly silly topic, but it is interesting because Texas has actually made it attractive.

With modern caps, modern blackpowder and the best loading practices, is a modern cap and ball revolver considered reliable and safe? In other words, will a loaded cylinder keep the balls in place under recoil, will the powder ignite with great reliability and will it stay dry?


If the powder and other components are reliable, then I don't know if carrying a cap and ball revolver is any stupider than carrying a mouse .22 or other guns that are compromises compared to a modern gun. It's a weird choice, but an understandable choice given the way the law works.

In terms of the law, if you are doing your job as a good CC person, the police will not have occasion to find out about your gun and have to make any decisions about it. That means not speeding, using your signal, not having a public fight with your GF, etc. These are all things that 18 year olds sometimes have trouble with.


As far as holsters go, get some leather, needles and thread at the leather store and construct a wet molded pancake holster for the gun. It is simple, very secure, protects the gun and requires no snaps or other steps that make it hard to build. A much better idea than repurposing the holster from another gun.

Anyone who thinks a cap and ball revolver isn't a deadly weapon is badly mistaken, however there are many options that are so much better that the cap and ball falls to nearly the bottom of the list.

Don't take my word for it, but I think it's highly doubtful that you can legally carry a cap and ball revolver if you aren't allowed to carry a centerfire. Check before you make a bad mistake.

Join the Military problem solved

Ill just leave this here.... https://youtu.be/VpIVLUQ9rk8

At 18 I may have considered it. In my early 30s I would not. Too many variables, the least of which is the effectiveness of cap and ball. I'm sure it's as good today, if not better, than it ever was.

If you do, you should probably load one skip one and carry on an empty chamber. You'll have hundreds of hours of practice to maintain reliability already. In my brief foray with an 1851 colt .44 replica it seemed pretty effective against milk jugs with a hot load.

By some of what's in the first post I think the OP might be a young lady, not a guy so...

I would carry a fixed blade knife & have your Dad get you a Glock so you can CCW at 21. Here is a deal on a Glock 22 I can't even beat with my Medic / Blue Label discount;

http://summitgunbroker.com/g22--329.html

I cannot offer a personal opinion about carrying a cap and ball revolver, but I can offer the following tidbit. I own a copy of Jeff Cooper's book called The Complete Book of Modern Handgunning. The book is copyright 1961. This book has brief section on black powder revolvers. In that section, Col. Coooper states that one of the advantages of these revolvers is that they are exempt from prohibitive legislation in some jurisdictions. He further states that they can be an effective means of self defense and their power should be respected.

Personally, I think that you might be well served by getting a modern handgun which can be carried in a few years. But I also have great respect for Col. Cooper's well considered opinions which were offered more than 50 years ago.

I would highly recommend the modern handgun. I know 3 years can feel like a long time to wait for something like that, but it goes by in a flash. I'm 22 now and it seems like 2 months ago I was 18. But for concealed carry, I would really push you to get something with a single action/double action, such as a taurus pt111 g2 or a 1911. Just my 2 cents. If you're going open carry, I would say a striker fired pistol would be fine, I just wouldn't want one inside my pants.

If you really can be responsible in EVERY aspect with the firearm, I say get the Navy. Then when you turn 21, you can sell it to help purchase a new CCW gun, or keep it forever. I have shot so many different handguns. From 22 revolvers to the 500 S&W. But I LOVE shooting black powder.

The reason the 19th Century men carried 2 or more Perc. revolvers they are not totally dependable. The famous gun hand Bat Masterson reloaded his Perc. revolvers during lunch break on his day shift as a deputy. Moisture and humidity destroys caps , powder and fouls nipples. They are no match for modern handguns.

Some here are suggesting that you won't be prosecuted, and that is probably true. You could get arrested, and, depending on what you want to do for a living, there are jobs that will ask you "have you ever been arrested before," particularly in the government and in public safety. They aren't asking about prosecution, just arrests. I'd think real hard about that as I made my decision, as your answer may make the difference between getting a job and not.

As far as BP revolvers, I am really happy with my Pietta 1858 Remington copy. If I wanted to carry it, I'd get a shorter barrel, as mine has an 8 inch barrel. I believe they make them in 5.5 inch barrels as well, but you will give up some velocity. Out of an 8 inch barrel the C&B rivals a 9mm in grain weight and penetration, even though it is different in size.

There are people who carry BP revolvers, and they have certain ways they load it for reliability, including using 10 grains of BP as a starter and loading 15-20 grains of pyrodex on top. I'd hop over to a cap n ball forum and read as much as I could before I made a decision.