are there da bp revolvers

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In the late 1990's, Pietta produced a line of single and double action Starr replicas for Navy Arms, Cabela's and Dixie Gun Works. They were poorly made and required frequent repairs. Cumpston and Bates devote a chapter to these guns in their second book, Percussion Revolvers, A Guide To Their History, Performance and Use, describing the problems and fixes in detail.

The Blue Book of Modern Black Powder Arms, Fifth Edition (2007) lists them as being available from Taylors and Co., Cabela's, Dixie Gun Works and Traditions. However, I believe that information to be outdated somewhat.

I own one of the Single Action Starr revolvers and find it is too large for my hands. I rarely shoot it any more. The action is problemmatic, and although I've not had to repair any parts lately I do find it to be unreliable for the most part.
 
that smoking gun picture of the Cooper is nicer than the one I took. Neat looking gun.
Somebody in Europe is or recently was making a copy of the double action Adams but it would cost you several thousand dollars.
 
Would a cooper/replica be a fun gun to shoot? I mean, it looks like it was a self defense gun at the time. If I'm not mistaken, it's a double action only right? so no switching to SA for an accurate shot, or am I wrong?

Now if we think about DA trigger pull on something with a stiff leaf spring, I'm not sure it would do well against the single actions, but that's just my guess.
 
Here is some additional information that the OP may find useful. The topic of BP revolvers for self-defense is one that pops up here-and on other websites-occasionally. The general consensus is a person should consider modern cartridge firearms for self-defense since they possess greater reliability and speed of reloading. That said, a large caliber bullet fired from a BP firearm will kill just as surely as a modern bullet. Those interested in this controversial subject can find previous discussions on it here by using the search feature. Hopefully, some of those previous discussions may prove both interesting and informative.


Timthinker
 
I've toyed with the idea of getting a cap and ball revolver. I live on a college campus, a "weapon-free zone", but the school code of conduct's definition of a weapon doesn't say anything about cap and ball guns, just firearms--the .gov says these are two different things, and it is a public university. Still, I don't want to risk it--even if, technically, I could get away with it, it could still cause me a whole mess of trouble in the mean time.

We've had two or three armed robberies just around the dorms already, and this is my first semester. But the university, in all its wisdom, has decided we are better off disarmed. And, for the sake of my education, I must obey.
 
Again, a cap and ball might not legally be considered a firearm, but once you load it and conceal it, or bring it onto a campus, everything changes. I have two kids in college, and I simply leave my guns at home when I visit. Would I like to see them armed if they wanted to be? Absolutely. But there's a compromise in this situation - if you want to attend the school, you will not be armed. Don't want to abide? Then leave the school. That is the reality of college life.
That said, there are other ways to protect yourself if a firearm is not an option. Awareness is the key actor, that and a sense of community where people watch out for each other (strength in numbers). What about a self defense course? You can kill a person with a pen, a key, etc.
 
I disagree that "everything changes". If it's legal according to the code of conduct, you can do it. There is no fundamental change in the nature of the universe that occurs when you actually take the steps, allowed in principle by the law, to defend yourself. The question is not "does everything change" but "do cap and ball guns fall under the category of 'firearms' and is it worth whatever trouble I might get into until I can prove that I am protected under the school code of conduct". I've decided it's not worth it. To rectify this situation, I don't have to leave the school, as you suggest--I can try to get the law changed. Worked in Utah.

Thanks for the advice.
 
I'd also go the Remington route eventhough it's not a DA. It does have easily replaceable cylinders that could really speed up reloading time.
It should do fine for OC in the woods but about any C&B revolver is either too big to carry easily or too underpowered to be of a whole lot of use.
I agree on the legalities -
If you can afford a C&B revolver you can probably afford to save for another month or two to get something better for CCW and if you can't carry a cartridge gun you'll probably still get in trouble for carrying a C&B gun.
But it's your money...
 
Artigas, you can play with words all you want, but, you see, I was trying to help, not confuse. It is a fact of law in many places that if you carry a loaded cap and ball handgun concealed, the protection that the weapon once had as a non-firearm changes. That's all I meant. No cosmic realities invoked. But there might be a "fundamental change in the nature of YOUR universe" when you end up in court, paying a hefty fine, or worse.
The suggestion to leave the school was only if you could not abide by their rules and regulations, and if you cannot protect yourself without a firearm. Get the law changed if you can. If not, live with it.
 
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It is a fact of law in many places that if you carry a loaded cap and ball handgun concealed, the protection that the weapon once had as a non-firearm changes. That's all I meant.
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When you originally made such a statement, I was led to believe you meant it for all locales. Hence my criticism of your statement. Thank you for clarifying.

I already said, both in my original post, and the one following it, that I have decided against the idea of packing on campus for fear of repercussions, even should the law turn out to be on my side. I have, however, made steps towards becoming active in Students for Concealed Carry on Campus. So I thank you for the advice you gave which supports me in my chosen course of action.

Artigas, you can play with words all you want, but, you see, I was trying to help, not confuse.
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I often play with words when they seem to indicate something I disagree with, as was the case with your original post. Now that you have clarified, it's settled.

Have a nice evening.
 
HI,

Most late 19th century western European handguns were DA.

Tons of stuff from Belgium (Maquaire, Drissen), and virtualy every French revolver from 1858 onwards.
They can generally be bought for cheap in the US.

Here are mine:

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Barman has a good point. You can find cartridge guns that are pre-1898 but are DA for reasonable prices if you look around. You might have to scrounge for ammo, but it would arm you legally.
 
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