Heck, someone actually advocating bringing an edged weapon to a gunfight? ;-)
I am still amazed how many Civil War vets turned lawman or outlaw, wreaked so much continual havoc with BP firearms and cap and ball revolvers. Even the Mountain Men kept their hides from man and beast alike for years, and under the harshest conditions. These situations far exceed the general home and personal defense scenario even today. Yes the Colt Walker was considered the most powerful handgun of it's era until the arrival of the .357 mag. The .357 mag is still one of the benchmark defense cartridges for lethality on the streets. Progress was made most in reliability and firepower, not as much in pure lethality. A .50 to .58 cal percussion pistol of the type used by men on the frontier, have tremendous balistic value even today. Slow to reload, yet devastating to the recipient of the initial shot. The pure terminal effects rival our magnum center-fire cartridges. Maybe one day we will devise paint ball rounds for BP guns? Imagine a .58 cal, 500 gr paint ball traveling at high velocity, and striking you in the chest. Not many dudes would keep fighting claiming they didn't realize they were hit. Heck, they would be covered in paint as well. Maybe I'm on to something? Cap and ball, "OLD West" style quick-draw contests with .44 cal paintballs! Sign me up, sounds like a lot of fun! BP is about as romantic and nostalgic, as it is effective. Keep on shooting them! tdv