I fear I'm done for this time...

[ewb45acp]

I've owned an 1860 Army repro for many years. It was a gift from my father one Christmas. He gave me the pistol and a starter kit consisting of balls, felt wads, caps, powder flask, nipple wrench, etc... "All you need is a can of powder and you're good to go, son".

Fast forward nearly 20 years and I still never got around to buying that can of powder. I take the pistol out of the safe once in a while just to play a bit. Wipe off the finger prints and back in the safe. "I really should go get a can of powder and shoot this thing".

Last week I finally got the powder and found myself standing in my backyard in a haze of smoke. The smell of sulfer in the air, and I can't stop grinnin. So now i've got another pound of powder, more balls and caps, a loading stand (that'll make things easier next time) I'm waiting for my Dixie Gun Works catalog, and thinking I need to add a musket and have a set. My wife's been rollin her eyes at me for days, and my Dad is probably lookin down at me and laughing. Thanks Dad.

 

[MCgunner]

I've owned an 1860 Army repro for many years. It was a gift from my father one Christmas. He gave me the pistol and a starter kit consisting of balls, felt wads, caps, powder flask, nipple wrench, etc... "All you need is a can of powder and you're good to go, son".

Fast forward nearly 20 years and I still never got around to buying that can of powder. I take the pistol out of the safe once in a while just to play a bit. Wipe off the finger prints and back in the safe. "I really should go get a can of powder and shoot this thing".

Last week I finally got the powder and found myself standing in my backyard in a haze of smoke. The smell of sulfer in the air, and I can't stop grinnin. So now i've got another pound of powder, more balls and caps, a loading stand (that'll make things easier next time) I'm waiting for my Dixie Gun Works catalog, and thinking I need to add a musket and have a set. My wife's been rollin her eyes at me for days, and my Dad is probably lookin down at me and laughing. Thanks Dad.

Cool story. The worst part is cleaning up the blasted thing.

My first cap and ball was a .44 cal version of the '51 Navy. It had a brass frame and I shot that thing so much the frame eventually stretched and it got so loose it wouldn't fire anymore. Then, I said "fudge it" and got an Old Army. Now, I want a LeMat, but ain't got the cash. That's got to be one fun cannon, though.

 

[Iggy]

Yup!

In most cases, one whiff of black powder and that cloud of smoke and you're a gone beaver!!!

The big grin is the most fatal symptom...

My sympathies to your wife!!

 

[Father Knows Best]

Last week I finally got the powder and found myself standing in my backyard in a haze of smoke. The smell of sulfer in the air, and I can't stop grinnin. So now i've got another pound of powder, more balls and caps, a loading stand (that'll make things easier next time) I'm waiting for my Dixie Gun Works catalog, and thinking I need to add a musket and have a set. My wife's been rollin her eyes at me for days, and my Dad is probably lookin down at me and laughing. Thanks Dad.

Welcome to the Dark Side, laddy. You've discovered the joys of the One True Powder -- the Holy Black. Whereas those newfangled smokeyless propellants go "bang!", a cartridge or chamber full of the Holy Black goes BOOOOOOOM! And those beautiful, aromatic clouds .... Heaven!

There's a reason that my cowboy action shooting alias is "Mo Smoke."

 

[belton-deer-hunter]

yall need to stop pposting it makes me want to take out mine and lay with it i have my new hawkins i havent even loaded yet but this makes me want to go blow up something with it (like milk jug not buildings)

 

[MCgunner]

yall need to stop pposting it makes me want to take out mine and lay with it i have my new hawkins i havent even loaded yet but this makes me want to go blow up something with it (like milk jug not buildings)

And, that's a bad thing?

 

[Kramer Krazy]

I can relate. I received my uncle's Euroarms "Sheriff" model .44 after he passed away nearly 20 years ago, but didn't shoot it for the first time until a year ago.....with help from this forum. Since then, I've added a CVA Plainsman and Kentucky rifles. I'm still wanting a newer pistol and a Hawkin model rifle to round out the collection. Welcome aboard!

 

[Cap n Ball]

"Welcome to the Dark Side"

Indeed, God help you if you ever get a chance to fire a six-pounder.

 

[Iggy]

"Welcome to the Dark Side"

Indeed, God help you if you ever get a chance to fire a six-pounder.

You got that right!!

A 12 pound mountain gun don't help either..

I have a scale model sea service gun that fires 35 mm film cans of cement or 1/2 pound lead wad cutters.. Then there is the cohorn that fires V-8 juice cans..

To think it all started with a brass framed 36 cal revolver NIB for $29.95

 

[robert garner]

Indeed, God help you if you ever get a chance to fire a six-pounder.

Indeed, God help you if you ever get a chance to fire a six-pounder.

(drool!)

 

[belton-deer-hunter]

the only problem is not having a place to shoot i dnt have any land and the range that is closet you hav to have a member ship to use rifle and pistol ranges but you can shoot skeet only 6.75 a round
lol
any one live in central texas that has a place to shoot? if so pm me

 

[Dr.Doug]

Next thing you know you'll be ordering powder by the 25 lb. case "just to get a better price, honey!" (BTW, cartons of 1000 percussion caps are usually a better deal, too. They only seem to last about a year at my house, though...I have 5 hungry mouths to feed!)

Round balls are easy to cast, too.

Lucky for you, Christmas is just around the corner!

Have fun!

Doug

 

[AK-NOW]

ewb45acp,

Good story. Thanks, for sharing it. Hope you have many years of smiles with the 1860 Army repro from your Dad.

 

[AirForceShooter]

it's a horrible affliction.
By the way there's no cure.
But it's not terminal. At least I don't think so.

AFS

 

[SASS#23149]

did somebody say milk jugs??

It's pretty terminal for the milk jugs!

 

[Edgeofthewoods]

Last week I finally got the powder and found myself standing in my backyard in a haze of smoke. The smell of sulfer in the air, and I can't stop grinnin. So now i've got another pound of powder, more balls and caps, a loading stand (that'll make things easier next time) I'm waiting for my Dixie Gun Works catalog, and thinking I need to add a musket and have a set. My wife's been rollin her eyes at me for days, and my Dad is probably lookin down at me and laughing. Thanks Dad.

Bwaaa haaa haaa. Another to the darkside. Resistance is futile.
Just wait until those New Model Army Remingtons start calling to ya.
Welcome and sit a spell. Your among home folks now!!


Chuck

AkA Edgewood Kid on CAS City

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

We went to Cabela's in KCK this weekend and I picked up a Navy Colt in .36 to add to my "collection".I haven't bought a cartridge gun in over 6 years....but I have bought at least 7 blackpowder guns.

Welcome to the party pal...