Freedom Arms Mini

[Racinbob]

I'm just getting started helping a friend sort out and appraise some antique guns she aquired after a death in the family. Most are civil war era and some pretty nice pieces. I have a question on a more recent little gun. It's a Freedom Arms mini with the belt buckle and case. The cylinder looked like it was loaded but the front chambers were filled and the rear of the cartridge was definitely not a .22. I brought it home to do some research. I havn't found my answer yet so I'm looking here. Is my memory correct in thinking that Freedom made a dummy cylinder for this? I was going to try and remove the 'cartridges' but backed off when this thought form the past hit me. If I'm right I'm going to try to find a working cylinder. The gun is dirty but in very good shape. Your help is appreciated.

 

[Racinbob]

Oh oh. The internet has me thinking I need to do a LOT of research on this.

 

[Racinbob]

Geez! I feel like an idiot. It's percussion. I'm afraid the years of sitting in a box loaded may have ruined the cylinder. Can anyone tell me how to unload this....umm, without pulling the trigger 5 times?

 

[chestnut ridge]

Those were stainless steel; so I would not think any corrosion
would be an issue. Put 5 fresh percussion caps on the nipples &
try it out. The charge is similar to a 22 short.
By the way; these are highly prized. Also discontinued.

 

[SDC]

If you want to unload it without firing it, there are really only 2 ways; one, make sure there are no percussion caps on any of the nipples, and then make yourself a small "worm" out of a wood screw, so you can screw it into the ball from the front and pull it out, or two, spend twenty or so dollars to get one of those CO2-powered "unloaders" that you press over the nipple and squeeze, forcing the ball and powder out the front of the cylinder.

 

[Clermont]

I believe the nipples, which uses an allen wrench for removal/installation, are on the same axis as the chambers. Wouldn't removing the nipples and using a wooden dowel and mallet to tap out the bullets work? It sounds like the easiest thing to do.

 

[Racinbob]

I can't see the nipples. It has live caps in it. I'm tinkering very carefully since I'm in unknown territory here. I see some percussion decappers online. Once I get the caps out I'm sure I can get the bullets out and clean it up. It's really in great shape and should be a beauty once I can make it safe and work on it.