I fired my newly acquired Colt 1851 .36 (original) last week. A few things I noticed that are different from the Italian and 3rd Generation guns...
I used .380 roundballs, and they did not shave a ring at all. I don't think the chamber mouths are chamfered (bevelled) - I think it just needs larger balls.
I used #11 caps and they were too small. I pushed them on with a dowel and they split.
I used about 15 grs of Goex black powder.
At 50 yds, the gun fired high. It performed perfectly, though, as far as functioning.
One big difference in this gun is the wedge screw - it has a large, oversized head and it actually contacts the wedge and acts as a depth set. The barrel/frame connection of this gun is tight.
I shot it, now I'll just admire it for now. Replicas are made to shoot.
I also brought my Pietta 1860 .44 Army, one of the smoothest guns I own.
I used .380 roundballs, and they did not shave a ring at all. I don't think the chamber mouths are chamfered (bevelled) - I think it just needs larger balls.
I used #11 caps and they were too small. I pushed them on with a dowel and they split.
I used about 15 grs of Goex black powder.
At 50 yds, the gun fired high. It performed perfectly, though, as far as functioning.
One big difference in this gun is the wedge screw - it has a large, oversized head and it actually contacts the wedge and acts as a depth set. The barrel/frame connection of this gun is tight.
I shot it, now I'll just admire it for now. Replicas are made to shoot.
I also brought my Pietta 1860 .44 Army, one of the smoothest guns I own.