Black Powder or Smokeless Gun ?

[Gun Master]

I have a Hopkins & Allen .22 Double Action XL, 6" bl., 7 shot revolver with no visible serial #. According to an old Blue Book, these were manufactured 1902-1914. Is this BP or Smokeless ? It has been suggested that I might be able to shoot .22 Short RF Subsonic, perhaps tied to a tree, using a looooong string. Any comments appreciated. Thanks

 

[chitoryu12]

I believe they'd switched to smokeless powder by then (and .22 Short isn't exactly a gun destroyer), but if you do plan on shooting it I would still do it remotely unless you can verify that it's in fireable condition.

Edit: I did some more searching. Apparently someone blew an older side-hammer revolver to pieces and bulged the cylinder when he loaded a smokeless .22 Short round into it. This problem seems to mainly be the very old (as in several decades before the turn of the century) single action revolvers. Most recommend using CB or BB Caps.

 

[BCRider]

What does it say that it's chambered for? As in short, long or long rifle?

It's not a revolver but I've got a Remington pump action .22LR that was born in 1912. The pundits that are supposed to know about such things say to stick with using subsonic or other lower recoil ammo with it and it'll be fine.

 

[chitoryu12]

If you're unsure in the first place, it's best to start with the lowest power rounds and work your way up. Examine the gun after each firing to make sure that there's no undue stress on the parts.

 

[Gun Master]

What does it say that it's chambered for? As in short, long or long rifle?

It's not a revolver but I've got a Remington pump action .22LR that was born in 1912. The pundits that are supposed to know about such things say to stick with using subsonic or other lower recoil ammo with it and it'll be fine.

It doesn't show caliber at all (not even .22). Only markings are " XL Double Action ", and the company name and address. It has a very small frame, large wooden handle (not grips), 6" bbl. , 7 rd. cyl., and well worn nickel finish. I tried .22 LR in the cyl., and they fit.

 

[Gun Master]

If you're unsure in the first place, it's best to start with the lowest power rounds and work your way up. Examine the gun after each firing to make sure that there's no undue stress on the parts.

Ditto to that. Thanks

 

[briansmithwins]

I'd probably get a different revolver for actually shooting a lot.

But I'd run CB caps if I had to use a old timer like that.

BSW

 

[chitoryu12]

Likewise, I did some Googling on the gun and I can't find any specifics on caliber except for ".22 rimfire." I'm guessing either nobody knows enough about the guns to say for sure or they were intentionally able to use multiple .22 rimfire rounds up through .22LR.

I doubt it would safely load .22LR nowadays, though.

 

[303tom]

They have had smokeless powder sense the early 1890`s................

 

[bhk]

The transition to smokeless powder occurred latter for rimfires than other cartridges, because rimfire velocities suffered with the then-new smokeless powders of the day. Much of the ammo (especially the target stuff) was still loaded with black powder mixes (called lesmoke back then) well into the 1920's. Smokeless was being loaded by most manufactures in some rimfire ammo lines during the 20s, but was considered highly suspect by many shooters.

As others have said, I would shoot CBs in that gun.