.45-55 Walker?

Saw a youtube yesterday where a guy had a Walker cartridge conversion to ".45-55 Walker".

I've not heard or that before, but what kind of puzzled me about the video was that he still had the loading lever on the pistol, which of course dropped every time he shot it. Just like every cap and ball Walker you see, Pow! Slap lever back up. Pow! Slap lever back up. Pow! Slap lever back up. That's what he was doing. I kept screaming at him: PUT A RUBBER BAND ON IT FOOL!!!! and: "TAKE THE LEVER OFF!!!!!"

Maybe it's just me, but on a cartridge conversion Walker why in the heck would you leave the lever on if it dropped with every shot? Am I crazy, or is he?? Or was he so used to Walker lever-slapping, that he didn't even know he was doing it?

 

For looks. Cap & Ball guns type look kinda stupid without a lever or ejector rod.

 

Truth. I agree. But dang it Hawg, I couldn't put up with a dropping lever. I guess the dropping lever with every shot looks stupider to me then no lever. At least he could have put a rubber band, zip-tie of super glue on it. !!!

 

Yeah I couldn't either. I had to put a leather thong on my Dragoon to keep it from dropping.

 

I struggled for years with the latch-stud for the lever coming off my 1860. Drove me nuts! Made me crazy.

 

I hear that’s not much of a drive. More like a putt.


Kevin

 

For a while, seemed like a dead-end road.

 

I should mention that I did finally get that all straight, you could fire a .44 mag in it and I don't think the lever would drop. (no, not gonna get a .44 Mag conversion cylinder for it!) Then Jack worked the pistol over, and it's just about my most/best loved revolver...even though it is naturally "antiqued", and won't win any beauty contests. And it won't win any accuracy contests, but dang I can take it into the deepest darkest far reaches of the wilderness, and have 1000% confidence in it.

 

In this age of red flag laws, I would hesitate to categorize anyone as crazy. lol

Is it a defect in the original design, or just a problem on the replicas?

 

Good question. I think the originals were problematic, but don't know for sure.

 

I think they were. For a full time cartridge conversion, just put a screw through the lever and hitch it to the barrel permanently; looks without flops.

 

Yes. But at least, if one is going to post a video on YouTube, put a black rubber band around it.

 

On the Walkers a modification can be made on the loading lever retaining spring that pretty much does away with the loading lever dropping. Did it on my two ASM Walkers, no drop.

 

Nice tease, J-rabbit.

 

I saw a period fix on an original Walker that I think employed either a retrofitted 3rd Dragoon lever, or a late-style Colt spring latch. I'm not sure I believe reports of folks using the lever as an improvised, tactical, vertical fore grip, but I can't entirely dismiss the idea because guys will try pretty much anything once.

 

If they do they probably won't do it but once.

 

I seem to recall reading that cavalry gauntlets were worn in this instance specifically to avoid charcoal pimples. How does one fire one's 4-lb revolver with two hands while keeping one's mount under control, though? Hold reins and lever in left hand, operate trigger and hammer with the right, and try not to die...? I wouldn't want to be on a horse when I touch off that fire-breathing monster.

 

Probably the 45 Black Powder Magnum? 460 S&W loaded with “up to 60 grains black powder”.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45_Black_Powder_Magnum

 

Shoot it one handed. Hitting anything from a galloping horse is nothing but luck.

 

Yep that was it.

 

I have never seen one in action. Awesome to behold I suspect.

 

Try this for fun!