.36 cal recoil???

[Guvnor]

I have carpal tunnel in both wrists which limits how much recoil I can handle using handguns. I am getting into black powder shooting and considering a .36 cap and ball revolver to complement my hawken.

Looking at the either the 1851 navy or 1858 new army police from cabelas.

How much recoil can I expect from the .36 with a mild load? What modern cartridge would it compare to, in terms of felt recoil?

Thanks!

 

[Smokin_Gun]

If you like both I'd point you to the 1858 Remington .36 Police rugged and for ease of disassembly. It's a 6 1/2" bbl. load it with 15gr of Black Powder should be the recoil of a lite 9mm Para or an 9mm kurtz. I suggest a wonder wad or lube pill on top on the powder charge. Will keep the Rev cleaner and also help in bottoming the ball down compressing the powder with the wad and ball.

SG

 

[Old Fuff]

Black powder is slow burning, so the recoil is more like a push then a jolt. Then it is reduced even further if you are shooting round balls that are in relative terms lighter then a similar bullet. You can of course reduce your loads by putting wads between the powder and ball.

While this is all to the good, the revolvers are made out of brass and steel. There is no lightweight Polymer plastics here. Therefore also take into consideration the weight of the gun. You might want to consider one of the models made on Colt's lighter/smaller Pocket Model frame, such as an 1849 Pocket Model, 1862 Police or 1862 Pocket Model of Navy Caliber.

To check these and others out, go to: wwwdixiegunworks.com

Also order a copy of their print catalog. It's about 700 pages thick, filled with good information, and only costs $5.00!

 

[Smokin_Gun]

Here a Pic of the 1862 Pocket Police in .36 cal. I just bought a NIB 2nd Generation Colt just like it.


SG

 

[Hellgate]

I do not have carpal tunnel but I wonder if the act of puling the hammer back would have more of an aggravation than any recoil. The C&Bs shove you rather than slap you. Unless you are shooting a 200 gr conical with 30 grs powder there isn't much felt recoil. If the heaviness of the gun aggravates carpal tunnel then the remington is a heavier gun. The currently made 36 cal remingtons are merely the 44s bored down to the 36 cal with a shorter barrel with the weight being about the same as a 44. I would opt for the 44s but the 36s have virtually no recoil with the 81gr pills and only slightly more with the 130gr conicals.

 

[BHP FAN]

The .36 is all but recoiless.

 

[Guvnor]

Thanks for all the info.

I think a heavier gun would actually be better as it would soak up more of the recoil. I dont have any issue with supporting the weight of the gun or pulling back a hammer, just have to avoid sharp recoil to the hands.

Sounds like a round ball with a mild load should be manageable.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

Ithink you are wise with your convictions.
The two handed cocking method would also help you. This method is used by fastdraw artists...this is also why the spur hammer points upward and is a bit uncomfortable to cock with the thumb, but not hard to do.
Good choice Guvnor...stop by our forum some time.
http://www.voy.com/60048/

SG

 

[Guvnor]

Anyone have any experience with .31 caliber? I assume very light recoil? Just noticed the remington new model pocket .31

 

[Sagetown]

I like the 31's. Pietta makes the Remington New Model Pocket and Uberti makes the Colt .31 1848 Wells Fargo Baby Dragoon w/square trigger guard w/o the ram-rod, the 1849 Wells Fargo w/round trigger guard, and the 1849 Colt Pocket Revolver w/ram-rod. They are both fine pieces of history.

 

[Snaggletooth]

Im having my hands operated on. First op. in April. I shoot them all now, Walkers down to 31S. It never has aggrivated my hands but thats me, Your situation may be different. I like the .36 pocket police with 15 grains. I only shoot 7 grains in the 31.s

 

[ohioarmedneutrality]

My .36 Colts have very little recoil. I use about 25 grains max.

Loading it might be a problem with carpal tunnel.

 

[scrat]

i have a Ruger 22 Mark II target pistol. Seems as though it puts out more recoil than a .36 cap and ball. i was shooting one with 15 grains and it is so sooo easy. My 9 year old loves to shoot it. At 9 years old he has no problem pulling back the hammer. recoil is so light it hardly moves him.