Cap and ball concealed carry?

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If you carry a loaded cap and ball gun in NY it's the same a carrying a loaded cartridge gun aa far as the law is concerned. Why would someone want to do that?

It's too risky. It would be better to get a license for a cartridge gun than to risk a slam dunk handgun charge and conviction or your life with an obsolete weapon in a gun fight.

Yes you can get really proficient with a single action with lots of practice and the same goes for just about any weapon but it's not a good choice.

If any of the old time gun slingers had a choice between a six gun and something better like a high capacity, light weight, concealable semi auto in place of a less reliable relatively heavy big single action boat anchor they would most likely be running to the store for a semi auto before they sold out.

These old guns are fascinating and beautiful, I like them a lot but these are obsolete for current day battle. They are not the right tools for modern day defense for that you may want something like an ugly but reliable glock.

That being said there may be a few states that allow unlicensed black powder guns to be carried and only muzzleloaders I don't know but I can see the logic in that case. I doubt there are many that make an exception for carrying loaded muzzleloaders on ones person and the states that do may allow the same with cartridge guns.

The point is if it's your life at stake get something modern don't fight for your life with one hand tied behind your back.
 
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Someone recently posted how he used aquarium hose to help keep his Colt revolver from getting jammed with cap fragments.
First he filed and filled his hammer notch with JB Weld, and then he said that he made up 200 caps fitted with "cap keepers' made from the plastic tubing.
And he didn't have any jams from cap fragments because the tubing kept the caps on the nipples after being fired.
While it was done for a different purpose beside sealing the nipple, the keepers helped to prevent cap jams and maybe would help seal them from moisture too.
 
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arcticap said:
Someone recently posted how he used aquarium hose to help keep his Colt revolver from getting jammed with cap fragments.
First he filed and filled his hammer notch, and then he said that he made up 200 caps fitted with "cap keepers' made from the plastic tubing.
And he didn't have any jams from cap fragments because the tubing kept the caps on the nipples after being fired.
While it was done for a different purpose beside sealing the nipple, the keepers helped to prevent cap jams and maybe would help seal them from moisture too.
Click to expand...
The caps in the old days must have been thicker, I don't see the colt gaining its popularity like it did it every shot there a jam. I've shoot mostly 58 Remington and they seem to handle the caps better.

I have to go check I got 2 old fish tanks I don't use lol.
 
Colts and Remingtons were state of the art at that time. They were not perfect but still a better alternative to loading single shot muzzleloaders after each shot. They did get the attention of hand fitting to make the best of it something that todays mass manufacturing doesn't usually include much of (maybe not needed.) Cap jams were known to happen in the 19th century. The manhattan conversion, a cap shield to prevent caps from falling into the action of Colts is an example of one 19th century equivalent of todays cap post.

Whether percussion caps were thicker or thinner in the 19th century is a mystery to me. I have read some posts where they said caps were actually thinner and some say thicker. Maybe someone that knows can chime in because I am not sure.
 
grter said:
If you carry a loaded cap and ball gun in NY it's the same a carrying a loaded cartridge gun aa far as the law is concerned. Why would someone want to do that?

It's too risky. It would be better to get a license for a cartridge gun than to risk a slam dunk handgun charge and conviction or your life with an obsolete weapon in a gun fight.

Yes you can get really proficient with a single action with lots of practice and the same goes for just about any weapon but it's not a good choice.

If any of the old time gun slingers had a choice between a six gun and something better like a high capacity, light weight, concealable semi auto in place of a less reliable relatively heavy big single action boat anchor they would most likely be running to the store for a semi auto before they sold out.

These old guns are fascinating and beautiful, I like them a lot but these are obsolete for current day battle. They are not the right tools for modern day defense for that you may want something like an ugly but reliable glock.

That being said there may be a few states that allow unlicensed black powder guns to be carried and only muzzleloaders I don't know but I can see the logic in that case. I doubt there are many that make an exception for carrying loaded muzzleloaders on ones person and the states that do may allow the same with cartridge guns.

The point is if it's your life at stake get something modern don't fight for your life with one hand tied behind your back.
Click to expand...
The goal of anyone using these pistols should be to work towards 100% reliability. Not because you’re necessarily planning to carry a cap and ball pistol for self defense but more likely that it could get pressed into such service because it’s what you have handy when a firearm is needed. Then the old adage gets another step, “Use the cap and ball pistol to fight your way to your 1911 which is then used to fight your way to your battle rifle”...









;-)
 
Never ceases to amaze me!!
The OP obviously is just too ignorant to realize how stupid it is to use what you have/want !!

OP, just bite the bullet, go get a semi-auto , get a license to carry and never entertain the idea of having to use what you have/like/enjoy/are proficient with and by all means, never ask if a cap and ball revolver is useful for self defense!!! Are you nuts? !!!!

Personally, I'd never let any of the rocket scientists here know what I use as a primary defense weapon!!

Mike
 
woodnbow said:
The goal of anyone using these pistols should be to work towards 100% reliability. Not because you’re necessarily planning to carry a cap and ball pistol for self defense but more likely that it could get pressed into such service because it’s what you have handy when a firearm is needed. Then the old adage gets another step, “Use the cap and ball pistol to fight your way to your 1911 which is then used to fight your way to your battle rifle”...









;-)
Click to expand...
Yes,
Any for many it maybe the only firearm they can have. The county im in makes it almost impossible to get your pistol permit, the judges are not signing and I'm not sure how many times you can get denied. Even so the more they deny you I'm sure does not look good towards you.
 
I'm sure those saying "silly things" here would (if needed ) would throw down the C&B revolver and grab the nearest stick!!! Lol. (Sheeeesh!!!)


To go one further, a full auto would be much better than that antique semi you have!!! You know, the most modern thing is best!! Hmmm . . . a closed bolt or an open bolt . . . which one. . . . ahhhhhhhhh a new thread!!!!


Mike
 
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45 Dragoon said:
Never ceases to amaze me!!
The OP obviously is just too ignorant to realize how stupid it is to use what you have/want !!

OP, just bite the bullet, go get a semi-auto , get a license to carry and never entertain the idea of having to use what you have/like/enjoy/are proficient with and by all means, never ask if a cap and ball revolver is useful for self defense!!! Are you nuts? !!!!

Personally, I'd never let any of the rocket scientists here know what I use as a primary defense weapon!!

Mike
Click to expand...

Look to each his/her own if that is what they want fine. My point is carrying a single action muzzleloader is usually not the best option if one wants to avoid the legal problems of carrying a more easier to use, lighter, safer, reliable, fast loading, and often more powerful modern firearm.

I myself don't like the looks of most modern firearms but they are what they are and they are what I would choose if I could if things get desperate. I don't think that is bad advice.
 
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grter said:
Look to each his/her own if that is what they want fine. My point is carrying a single action muzzleloader is usually not the best option if one wants to avoid the legal problems of carrying a more easier to use, lighter, safer, reliable, fast loading, and often more powerful modern firearm.

I myself don't like the looks of most modern firearms but they are what they are and they are what I would choose if I could if things get desperate. I don't think that is bad advice.
Click to expand...

I agree but, this isn't a "what would be best" thread!! It's a freekin "cap & ball concealed carry" thread!! It can not be this hard !!!! !

Hey! What kind of car do you drive?!!! Uhhh . . . an Appaloosa and my dad drives a chestnut quarter horse!!

Mike
 
grter said:
In that case I think a good cap and ball concealed carry might ??? be the 1873 4 1/2 or 5 1/2 (preferably 5 1/2) in barrel black powder version. I think it's a good compromise.
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Hey! Not bad!!! I could do that !!!! Lol

Mike
 
Jim Watson said:
There is a series of traditional British mystery novels featuring a Scottish gunsmith. At least that is his day job, like all of these books and movies, he is really a detective. When he feels a need to go armed, he loads up a flintlock so he doesn't have to take out a modern gun listed on his firearms certificate.
Click to expand...

Jim,

What's the name of the series and who is the author? Inquiring readers of English mystery want to know! (smile)

Dave
 
grter said:
In that case I think a good cap and ball concealed carry might ??? be the 1873 4 1/2 or 5 1/2 (preferably 5 1/2) in barrel black powder version. I think it's a good compromise.
Click to expand...
That’s actually a pretty good choice if it came down to that.
 
grter said:
Colts and Remingtons were state of the art at that time. They were not perfect but still a better alternative to loading single shot muzzleloaders after each shot. They did get the attention of hand fitting to make the best of it something that todays mass manufacturing doesn't usually include much of (maybe not needed.) Cap jams were known to happen in the 19th century. The manhattan conversion, a cap shield to prevent caps from falling into the action of Colts is an example of one 19th century equivalent of todays cap post.

Whether percussion caps were thicker or thinner in the 19th century is a mystery to me. I have read some posts where they said caps were actually thinner and some say thicker. Maybe someone that knows can chime in because I am not sure.
Click to expand...
The old caps were definitely thicker, at least the musket caps I've been lucky enough to handle from Civil War battle field finds, even after many yrs in the ground, the caps were stiff and hard to bend, even after careful cleaning.
 
Malachi Leviticus Blue said:
Apparently you have to be politically correct and tow the line now even in the BP forum.
It's getting reminiscent of the stitch counters that drove me from some other forums.
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There’s a bunch of thread drift on this forum. Nobody (nobody with authority anyway) jumps on your occasional mentions of cartridges or in-line ignition systems. I like the place and an occasional gentle nudge back in the direction of the OP doesn’t seem all that harsh to me. As always, your mileage may vary.
 
The most reliable cap and ball revolver I got is my ASM Colt Walker .I use Remington #10 caps and have had great luck with very few cap jams but having to carry over 4 1/2 pounds would get old . I wouldn't carry my Colt Navy or Army , they seem to always have some issue . And my Paterson is a bit awkward to cock the hammer and better hope don't have to reload . So only one left is over all the best , my 1858 Remington . We all know it was less prone to cap jams . Better to be able to carry a cap and ball then nothing . I feel very lucky to live and CCW here in Oklahoma then some of those communist states around . Also to be clear I admit I am a black powder addict and my revolvers I love them but all are Uberti or Pietta and sadly not originals .
 
45 Dragoon said:
Nothing wrong with your decision!! They work very well with 45C conversion cyls as well (probably better!)! I would recommend a 6 shot cyl though (rather than a. 5 shot), this will allow you to keep it a "convertible" revolver. The 6 to 5 back to 6 can be a little "sketchy" . . . depending on how mechanically accurate you want the Remie to be.

Mike
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Mike, I ran into a tax situation with all the land I own in AZ, NM, and CA. I cannot afford to send you my 1858 for the upgrades we talked about a couple months ago. Maybe in the future I can send it to you, possibly later this year. Don
 
Don, I totally understand and when you get ready, just let me know! Good luck with the tax situation!!

Mike
 
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