Hey fellas!

Cabela's is running a sale on BP pistols. I just purchased a Pietta 1858 New Army. $229 with the starter kit.

As far as advice on BP pistol, not in position to give that since I am new to pistols. I do have a couple long guns. But from what I've read and learned from reading reviews and hanging out in forum, most all are of high quality. I do believe the steel frame revolvers are more durable than the brass frame.

If you like shooting, you will love BP, is lots of fun because you can experiment with so much stuff and use your own creativity to come up with what suits you. So much more to BP than a store bought cartridge gun.

Might try looking for a decent used one to start with - often you can find them for about half of what you'll pay for a new kit gun and they usually aren't fired very much, just make sure the bore isn't rusted and the lock is okay. I found a nice Pedersoli .44 Kentucky with a 10" barrel for $120 at a local trader, I've also seen them at gunshows but you have to look. If you're new to BP, best to stick with percussion to start with for simplicity's sake. But don't be surprised if you find yourself wanting to branch out, black powder shooting is addicting!

A Remington 1858 is one of the easier BP revolvers to work with from what I read. I'd do as Randy suggested and take advantage of Cabela's sale, especially with a free starter kit. All you'll need is powder and caps.

A brass framed pistol is cheaper than a steel, but needs to have a steady diet of reduced loads as the brass cannot handle a lot of stress for long.

If you can find actual BP (3F) it'd likely be a little cheaper than most other powders. If not Pyrodex P would work fine without costing too much.

Check out Cabela's:
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/brow...03680?WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104792580;cat104701680

RandyRay41 said:

Cabela's is running a sale on BP pistols. I just purchased a Pietta 1858 New Army. $229 with the starter kit.

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That'd be my recommendation...

I watched alot of youtube videos first. Then i decided i think i could do it.

It was a little easier for me as my dad had 7 revolvers and 4 rifles. He had most of the gear i just needed to learn how to measure and what loads to use.

Its very fun, slow and takes patients but very enjoyable.

Just make sure you clean it as soon as you are done. Warm/hot water and a little liquid dish soap if you'd like.

Dry it well and oil it with non petroleum lubricant. Some use WD-40, and I have too. Though now I use Ballistol. I've also dried it in the dishwasher on the dry cycle.

You will very likely have to disassemble it to dig cap fragments out of the internals occasionally...they will pop off the nipples and fall down between the hammer and the frame when you cock the gun for another shot. There are things you can do to prevent this from happening, but expect it to happen with an out-of -the-box blackpowder revolver.

So get a good set of screwdrivers that will not bugger the screws and be bold. The internal mechanisms are simple to take apart and clean and reassemble...part of the joy of blackpowder firearms.

Cabela's has had several BP revolvers on sale deeply discounted every fall for several years. The Steel Frame 1858 Remington replicas in 5.5" or 8" were either $179, or $189 the last few years depending on the year. Keep an eye out in October or November.

The free starter kit Cabelas is offering right now is worth something if you're starting out, but the $69.99 value they are giving it is exaggerated by about 100% but at least you are getting everything you need except the powder and caps for your first range session.

A lot of people say that starter kits are not worth the money. I don't fully agree. If you are in a position where you don't have a mentor helping you shop for stuff to make the gun go bang it is reassuring to pay for the kit. If you get bitten by the muzzleloading bug it won't be the last money you spend, if you aren't cut out for it you won't have much time invested and can sell the kit with the gun.

I think the starter kits are good enough to get you going, just enough to decide if you like it or not.

Also it shows you the tools needed so you then know what everything is.

When i started my dad had everything but i never watched him shoot them so when i found everything i didnt know what anything was or what it was used for.

The kits still need powder and caps so even with the kit you still need about $30. more to actually fire one.

Not to mention the cartridge conversions for the revolvers. Makes them sooo nice to have for a quick run to the range if you get an itch!!!!



45 Dragoon

RandyRay41 said:

Cabela's is running a sale on BP pistols. I just purchased a Pietta 1858 New Army. $229 with the starter kit.

Click to expand...

The Pietta Remington .44 is a great buy for $229. It's the same price with either the 8" barrel or 5.5" barrel. It also takes the conversion cylinder (not available from Cabella) that enables it to shoot regular .45 Colt cartridges with Cowboy loads.