Authentic Colt Walker

[WestTex]

Greetings everyone!

I just purchased an Authentic Black Powder Series Colt Walker, made between 1980-1982. Some of you folks might have recently seen it via "GunAuction." I initially went to GunAuction to see if I could beat Cabela's sales price for a cheaper Uberti Walker, which was there, but. Wouldn't you know... there was also a real Colt being auctioned too. Sorry if I stepped on any toes while bidding. Uberti vs. Colt? Full blown Italian vs semi-Italian with Colt supervision and QC? "I had to move on the Colt!" Maybe I should have bought them both!
I'm not sure if I want to actually shoot the Colt. Might still buy an Uberti for shooting, however. Should I desire to fire the Colt... what would you folks suggest as a max powder load that will be safe enough to be accurate and fun while 'not' stressing the frame, nor tending to pull on the cylinder pin? I want to keep the Colt made revolver 4-0. I'll save the fun, crowd stopping 60 grain loads for the experimental Uberti...

 

[Skinny 1950]

Be sure to join the Walker club when your gun shows up, 35-40 grains would be mild enough and I really don't think you can strain the arbour...it is massive.
I have two ASM Walkers and I loaded one up to the max and the ball went supersonic (I had a Chrony set up at the time) they are a lot of fun to shoot but with that ASM's I had to take them apart while warm otherwise very difficult.

 

[WestTex]

Thanks, Skinny.
It's that 'peened' cylinder pin that worries me the most. I can machine some disposable wedges, from brass, and let the softer brass take the majority of the ass-whooping with big loads, however. I'm afraid that even with brass wedges a 60 grain load will slowly unseat the cylinder pin, just a tad, with every big load fired. Don't want to get that ol' droopy barrel look. 35-40 grains seems to be the safe standard, that I read about concerning Walkers. It's just a lot more than I feel comfy with, but then again. It's a Walker. A 'BEAST' compared to my .36 caliber 1851 Navy's... which I reluctantly max out at 20 grains.
You wouldn't happen to have a link to this 'Walker Club', would you?

 

[45 Dragoon]

Ah heck, get an Uberti and shoot um both!! Nothing wrong with two Walkers, didn't bother Josey!!!
Also, get um both fixed and you can shoot big loads as much as you want (that's what they were made for)!!!
Congrats on the Colt!

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com

 

[WestTex]

Dragoon,
An Uberti is certainly in my near future. I'll be more relaxed in fun/modifications/experimental shooting with that make. As for that duel brace Josey Wales thing... Hmm. I wont need to buy a sly old indian, an ill tempered dog... and learn how to accurately spit tobacco, for the best effect from 2 Walkers, will I?
Got your link!

 

[45 Dragoon]

Well, wouldnt hurt to have and learn those valuable assets !! Ha!!

Just so you know, brass wedges wont do, nor will steel ones untill the arbor length is fixed. I've "fixed" many 2 nd gens but understand if your not going to shoot it. Of course, if you do shoot it, it would be best to not let it destroy itself.

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com

 

[swathdiver]

We shoot ours (ASM) with 50 grain loads of 2Fg. Lots of smoke and less strain on the gun.

 

[Crawdad1]

I'm not sure if I want to actually shoot the Colt. Might still buy an Uberti for shooting,

That's the trouble with a Second or Third Generation Colt, once you get it in your hands you're always questioning yourself on whether or not you should shoot it. Their value just keeps going up and up.

But that's what I did, bought a newer Uberti with its conversion AND all the spare parts available, they might not break but those screws are small and sometimes pretty tricky and some just fall into the cracks never to be seen again. Spare parts for the Pietta and Uberti revolvers of the world are plentiful,

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/default.php?cPath=22_434_435_436&osCsid=9ogvu45mdu2l0g8r76hqrnlbe2

http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/parts/uberti/blackpowder-firearms/walker.html

 

[WestTex]

swathdiver... I think I like your 2fg recommendation! Never before thought of actually using the laws of diminishing returns to my favor! Do your ASM's also shoot an unusually large flame out of the muzzle, leading the heavy plume of smoke? Have you tried 60 grains of 2fg? Are the Walker cylinder chambers long enough for a 60 grain 2fg load?

 

[WestTex]

Crawdad1... Yep. This is my first experience with an authentic Colt. I'm now getting the firing line jitters and gonna buy an Uberti to play with. I'll surely fire the Colt a time or two, but. For the most part, the Colt will be treated as a collectible. The rest of my revolver arsenal is currently made up of Pietta's. That being said... Taylors' and Dixie have long had dedicated icons on my desktop, and yes. I too have plenty of spare parts and screws that I've so far not needed, but still have, just in case!

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

WestTex - The THR Walker Club:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=341028&highlight=Walker+club

There is also an THR 1851/1860 club for your Navies.

The "price" of joining is a pic of your revolver.

 

[WestTex]

Thanks Ephraim. I'll be submitting my membership applications very soon!

 

[Old Fuff]

Gentlemen….

And anyone else that might be among you.

You must stop this misuse of the word, “authentic.”

Why bother with anything less then the real thing? I mean really …

To better inform yourselves log on to the links posted below. But before doing so it might be a good idea to take a shot of strong heart medicine.

And while you are visiting this site do look around. It is filled with outstanding eye-candy, consisting of arms of every description and most eras from flintlocks to machine guns.

Oh, and don't put it off. in 2 days it will be gone. This is an opportunity you don't want to miss. Also be sure to use your mouse to expand the thumbnail illustrations.


http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/64/lid/1097

http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/64/lid/3134

http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/64/lid/1108

 

[WestTex]

Sorry Old Fuff. To 'me', authentic means it is manufactured by, and/or under the strict supervision and guidelines set forth by the manufacturer, in this case being Colt. A true Colt is just that, a true Colt, regardless of its age. Must I buy an antique model "T" in order for it to be a real Ford? I don't think so, however. I could be wrong. Please send me a free sample for evaluation. I'm anxious to see just how well your Colts perform, after 1,000 rounds, while being FIRED, continuously, along side of my modern Colts.

 

[Old Fuff]

Must I buy an antique model "T" in order for it to be a real Ford?

Well some would say so, but it misses my point.

The posted links allow one who takes the opportunity to research not 1, but 2 of the original revolvers - and a powder flask that is even more rare. These guns literally saved Colt from oblivion, because his previous operation in Paterson, NJ had gone bankrupt years before. After the Mexican War, endorsements from past and present Texas Rangers helped the new factory in Hartford, CT. get up and running.

As you can see, the estimated value of the remaining few puts them well beyond those with ordinary financial means. But for the moment anyone who is interested can make a close visual inspection - and if nothing else see how close the 2nd. issue is (or isn't) in relationship to the first.

I suppose some who own a reproduction don't give a hoot about the history behind it, but my own experience tells me they are missing out on a lot.

 

[WestTex]

...

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

swathdiver... I think I like your 2fg recommendation! Never before thought of actually using the laws of diminishing returns to my favor! Do your ASM's also shoot an unusually large flame out of the muzzle, leading the heavy plume of smoke? Have you tried 60 grains of 2fg? Are the Walker cylinder chambers long enough for a 60 grain 2fg load?

60 gr by volume(the way BP is measured) occupies the same space in a chamber whether it is 1f, 2f ,3f, 4f or xf. 4f will burn faster than 2f-3f, creating more pressure and more velocity.

I have an ASM Walker that I would like to sell, PM me if interested. It is a DART imported one(think early to mid 70's) and is in good condition except the wood wood grip is a little loose from shrinkage over the years. Easy fix and would be a very good shooter.

 

[Crawdad1]

Well, Colt even states in a letter that they are Colts using Colt serial numbers so that's good enough for a lot of people including collectors. Most first generation Colts are off limits because of price or condition or otherwise.

 

[WestTex]

Gaucho... I was hoping that nobody noticed that post until I had time to edit it. You caught me. I don't know what I was thinking, but we 'both' know where my head was! That's what I get for trying to multi-task while also drinking beer! :banghead:

 

[swathdiver]

swathdiver... I think I like your 2fg recommendation! Never before thought of actually using the laws of diminishing returns to my favor! Do your ASM's also shoot an unusually large flame out of the muzzle, leading the heavy plume of smoke? Have you tried 60 grains of 2fg? Are the Walker cylinder chambers long enough for a 60 grain 2fg load?

Well, it shoots out more fire and brimstone than our Remingtons but I think its relative. No, just 50 grains. We bought a 50 grain spout to go on top of a Pedersoli French flask and purposely use the 2Fg to tame the recoil so even small statured persons and children can shoot it more than once.

After about a 100 rounds, all the screws have come loose, even the one that secures the arbor! But then again, so are the fillings in my teeth and the rafters in the shooting house are now dust free. It's quite literally a blast and we're very fortunate in that this one can use .451 balls, it's chambers are over groove diameter and it shoots 1 ragged hole groups at 50 feet; by those with good eyes!

First timers are amazed that they pick up our cap and ball sixguns and shoot bullseyes with their first shot (better than me!) while all the while they've been blasting away with their pop guns and never get two rounds within an inch of each other.

 

[WestTex]

Well, it shoots out more fire and brimstone than our Remingtons but I think its relative. No, just 50 grains. We bought a 50 grain spout to go on top of a Pedersoli French flask and purposely use the 2Fg to tame the recoil so even small statured persons and children can shoot it more than once.

After about a 100 rounds, all the screws have come loose, even the one that secures the arbor! But then again, so are the fillings in my teeth and the rafters in the shooting house are now dust free. It's quite literally a blast and we're very fortunate in that this one can use .451 balls, it's chambers are over groove diameter and it shoots 1 ragged hole groups at 50 feet; by those with good eyes!

First timers are amazed that they pick up our cap and ball sixguns and shoot bullseyes with their first shot (better than me!) while all the while they've been blasting away with their pop guns and never get two rounds within an inch of each other.

Thanks for the descriptive response. "Sounds like great fun!" Can't wait to give your 2fg method a go. I'll make sure to clinch my dentures tightly together and also close my lips, just in case (wouldn't want anything to accidentally fall out during a "WOW" moment)... and I'd probably do well to wear my large brimmed brush hat, with a chin strap, to keep the dust from the rafters out of my eyes! Hmm... Guess I also need to go buy some Loctite, for the screws, while I'm thinking about it!

 

[madcratebuilder]

Sorry Old Fuff. To 'me', authentic means it is manufactured by, and/or under the strict supervision and guidelines set forth by the manufacturer, in this case being Colt. A true Colt is just that, a true Colt, regardless of its age. Must I buy an antique model "T" in order for it to be a real Ford? I don't think so, however. I could be wrong. Please send me a free sample for evaluation. I'm anxious to see just how well your Colts perform, after 1,000 rounds, while being FIRED, continuously, along side of my modern Colts.

I got to agree with OF on the term “authentic", that's reserved for the real deal. Nothing wrong with a 2nd Gen Colt Walker or a 3rd Gen Colt Walker.

My F1600 is about as authentic looking as I can make it but it's still a 2nd Gen Colt.


This is AUTHENTIC

 

[WestTex]

Original vs. Authentic... you guys win. "I give up!"

 

[Skinny 1950]

I don't have a second generation Walker but I do have two second generation 3'rd model Dragoons, one had been fired the other not. I shoot the fired one and the other collects dust. When I shoot the Dragoon I load it up as it was made to do and it is great fun.

 

[45 Dragoon]

I've never seen folks split hairs so much!!!

Chevrolet stopped producing the Camaro for a number of years. They reintroduced it years ago and the "reintroduced " Camaros" are in fact Chevrolets! Not only that, some Chevrolets are produced overseas and are in fact Chevrolet's (and Fords (made by Ford overseas. I know Chevrolet doesn't produce Ford !! Just want to fend off any hair splitting here!)!

If Colt outsourced parts (as they have pretty much always done) and produced a Colt with them, it is as authentic as any they've ever produced. It may be dimensionally different in some places, but so are the 1st 2nd and 3rd Gen Camaros!!! From what I understand, Colt will in fact letter the second generation guns. So, they may be "different" in some ways, but they are authentic Colts.

The latest gen. "Colts" were "Colts" because of name licensing and I don't think Colt letters these.

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com