Euroarms Of America .44 cal black powder.

[mykeal]

Mine, and yours, are replicas.

An original will not have the Italian proof house marks.

 

[Larry Isreal]

Mykeal,
Thank you for your prompt reply. I am a complete novice to all this, but if I decide to cultivate an interest in Black powder revolvers, where should I start? I thought about getting a " Starter Package " that has everything I will need except BP and lead balls. Is this the way to go?I have been exploring a site called " Cabela's" and they seem to have everything I believe I need. What about "Pyrodex" smokeless powder? and something called "Sabot's" I sincerely hope that my ignorance on this subject is not boring you as that is not my intent. It's just that a part of me really wants to learn and another part is saying it's too much to learn and just see what I could salvage by trying to sell or trade my BP revolver.

 

[mykeal]

The best place to start is the 'sticky' thread at the top of this forum. It contains several very useful articles for the beginning bp shooter. Of particular interest to you will be Gatofeo's posts, but you'll want to read others as well.

The starter kits are fine; you can probably save a couple bucks by shopping around and buying things separately, and there may be some things you don't really need, but it's only worth your time if you have little else to do. Cabela's is a well regarded source and they do indeed have all you will need; others are Track of the Wolf, Jedediah Starr, Cain's Outdoors, Log Cabin Shop, The Possibles Shop, October Country, Dixie Gun Works and many others.

Pyrodex is not smokeless powder, it's what's called a substitute black powder. There are other brands of bp substitutes, such as Triple 7, Jim Shockey's, American Pioneer. I personally much prefer to use real black powder, but I have no problem with anyone starting with one of the substitute bp's. Incidentally, smokeless powder must never, ever be used in a gun designed to use black powder. Serious injury or death can and will likely occur. If your powder doesn't say 'black powder' or 'substitute black powder', or if you don't know what it is, do not use it in a black powder gun.

Sabots are small containers that carry bullets that are themselves smaller than the gun's bore. You can shoot .45 cal bullets in a .50 cal gun using sabots. Black powder revolvers do not use sabots, so if you are just interested in bp revolvers you needn't be concerned about sabots.

Finally, I very highly recommend two books: Percussion Pistols and Revolvers, History, Performance and Practical Use by Cumpston and Bates, and the Lyman Black Powder Handbook. Both are available from amazon.com.

 

[Larry Isreal]

Mykeal,
Thank You very much, especially the never use smokeless powder in a gun designed to black powder. Mine clearly states " black powder only " on the side of the barrel.Thanks much

 

[Meridianite]

Please pardon my ignorance. What is a Rev?

 

[mykeal]

A Rev is a revolver.

 

[Meridianite]

Thanks.