Open top revolver durability

[Smokin_Gun]

+1 for,Not putting down archery but God I love these black powder pistols. It's almost embarrasing sitting in front of the History or Western Channel fondling these things

My secret is three Dogs, and no wife...that way the Dogs can't tell on me... :O)

 

[Ginormous]

It's almost embarrassing sitting in front of the History or Western Channel fondling these things

God, I thought I was the only one who did that.

I really wasn't sure if that was normal or not. Probably isn't normal, but if others do it, it must be OK. Right?.

 

[messerist]

I even put on my ten gallon hat. The little ones love it and squeal "COWBOY TIME!"

 

[Elbert P . Suggins]

A little bit of follow up! I sit there with this piece of history in my lap and get to an exciting part that I am watching and bring the 58 to my nose and smell it. That is what bugs the crap out out her. "Why do you do that" she asks? And for the the life of me I have no answer because all I know is it seems like the right thing to do. BUT, the smell of rancid olive oil kind of works in mysterious ways like when I was a teenager I remember an odor that was very similiar that was an aphrodisiac or something like that which kind of got you going so I have to deal with that situation on occasion and so does she. I have do idea if anyone else has run into this problem but I just thought it was important to share with others.

 

[bigbadgun]

I think I need to add my 2 cents also. I have a couple Colts a Walker and a '51 in .44 I know not authentic I dont care. My '51 has NEVER jammed thats about 500 plus rounds. My Walker has jammed one time. And I think that was my fault. I also own 3 '58 remmies 1 in .36 cal the other 2 in .44. I like both the Colt open top feels good in my hand natural pointer. I like the Remmies for the ability to swap cylinders in just a couple seconds. But the Remmies do have a tendency to bind up after 2 or 3 cylinders. But great shooters just the same. It boils down to if you take care of your Colt open tops and dont always over load them and you use the right size ball you are gonna have that revolver for years just like anything else. Ok im done.

 

[BCRider]

After looking around a bit more and seeing the pictures of the 1860 Army and 1858 Remington side by side at THIS PAGE I think there's only one sensible thing to do.... Buy one of each and enjoy them both If I find that they are different enough that it compromises my accuracy at CAS events then I'll pick up a mate to the one that I find I prefer by some small amount or the one that proves to be slightly more reliable or just plain easier to handle.

 

[sltm1]

Elbert, My wife doesn't really understand it, but she conceeds to the fact it's a necessity for a gun guy. I just don't do it during her "LifeTime" shows LOL!! I've got an antique Rogers & Spencer I'd like to have seance with to find out it's history.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

I've got an antique Rogers & Spencer I'd like to have seance with to find out it's history.

+1 on the seance with antique...

 

[Dithsoer]

Can an owner of an open top Colt percussion revolver expect a decrease in accuracy over time, such as say after 500 shots have been fired or so?

 

[Smokin_Gun]

I would have to say no to that question, it should not hinder accuracy...as long as the owner took proper care of the Colt/Replica Rev...

 

[Shultzhaus]

I own several open tops, and Rems. The problem is which one do I take to the range today. My wife says, if that is the case, you have too many guns. Never have too many, but clean up time afterwards is a consideration. Oh well, mix up a drink, and get to the work bench. All of it is fun.

 

[BCRider]

That's a good question Dithsoer and pretty much the reason I started this thread.

In the readings here and at some other spots on the 'net it seems like as long as you stick to loading them by the letter of the spec sheet it should not be a problem. But try to pack in a grain or two extra and jam the ball in enough to fit then it may be an issue over the long term.

The moral of the story is don't get greedy and all will be well.

 

[J.T. Gerrity]

as long as you stick to loading them by the letter of the spec sheet it should not be a problem. But try to pack in a grain or two extra and jam the ball in enough to fit then it may be an issue over the long term.

Let me be as clear and succinct as possible here, as there still seems to be some confusion:

Brass-framed pistols will be damaged over the long run if you over-load them or otherwise abuse them. In this case, the above quoted caveat does apply. My 20+ year-old .44 Navy still shoots strong and accurately after thousands of rounds restricted to 20 grains, with only a modicum of frame stretch.

Steel-framed revolvers can be stuffed, over-stuffed, strained, pummeled (still not advised), and otherwise made to answer every whim of the owner and will still be strong and accurate when your grandchildren use them for target practice, provided they are kept well oiled, cleaned and otherwise cared for.

Many 100+ year-old Colts are still tight today, and only consideration of the poor original metallurgy keeps them from being used.

 

[Black Toe Knives]

Open top? Where do you put the Red Dot sight? Just Kidding. Proud owner of 58 Remington, I am looking forward to my first open top. One Best guns I have ever shot and at least the most fun. Now why in heck do you want to shot 12 rounds in 4 seconds.
That why I don't shoot centerfire. I ain't in hurry anyway. 50 rounds in day is a good day.

 

[BCRider]

Well, having just gone through my first two days of club level IPSC I'm not sure I agree with you on that one. Up this way hand guns are "restricted" firearms so we can only legally use them at club and other designated ranges. But that still leaves a lot of room for variety in the manner of shooting. I orginally decided to go for my PAL (the Canadian firearms permit) after seeing a video of an IPSC match and then finding out that it was taken here in Canada. I had no idea we were able to shoot in that manner up in this stifled regime.

But quality certainly is not always measured by the quantity, no doubt about that. I should have my own consecutive serial numbered pair of Uberti 1858's by week's end and there will be much grinning in the BCRider household, believe me. In another related deal locally I managed to buy a package of powder, balls and caps along with a powder measure and dispensing flask. I'll be posting up my own shooting vid's pretty soon I'm hoping.

And JT'. I thank you for your post on the steel framed gun's ability to basically withstand whatever amount of powder will fit in the cylinder. That's a good point to know.

... now just how to add that red dot to the 1858's.....

 

[Smokin_Gun]

Congrads on the Rems BCRider.

 

[Ratdog68]

Twins, huh?

Zestay !!!!

 

[madcratebuilder]

Open top? Where do you put the Red Dot sight? Just Kidding

Drill and tap the loading lever for a Picitinny rail and hang a lazer on it.

 

[BHP FAN]

an air gun clamp on scope rail upside down,on the loading lever should work,but would obstruct the bayonet mount,and necessitate moving the bi pod to the bottom of the grip...

 

[Black Toe Knives]

I was just teasing about the red dot. Ever know you would use a laser On Remmie.

 

[BCRider]

Twins, huh?


Zestay !!!!

PERV ! ! ! !

Remind me to not let you date my Remingtons....

Now...... just got to order the special Tacticoool Cowboy supplement from the AR'sR'Us store.

Funny thing about getting into this cowbly action shooting is I'm wrestling with what persona I want to be. Marshalls and gambling dudes are out, too many of them around the area already. I'm considering a Pancho Villa style mexican outlaw setup but it'll mean I need to glue on a handlebar mustache for that to work as well as load up a parcel blanks for the twin bandoliers. But I have to say that I didn't seen any bandeleros at the couple of events I've been to so far. Might be just the thing.

'Scooze me, I neeeeeed to go prakteese ma fony Speedy Gonzales aksent..... or considering my shooting maybe I should stick with Babalooey as my inspiration....

 

[Macgille]

Gentlemen, I have never fired a C&B revolver. I have been shooting Black powder for 50 years or so but I have always liked the pre 1800s Era better. I can't speak to the problem of reliability beyond relating the experiences of my CAS partner with his Custom made 1853s. He had a huge problem with caps falling off and jamming the works. He also had a huge problem with unburned paper left in the cylinders from his paper cartridges. He eventually learned how to nitrate the paper so that it all burned, but the guns had to be retired because the gases were cutting into the frame. I shot peacemakers with BP cartridges.

I am surprised at the sniping being done at Capt Crossman however. Personal attacks should not be leveled at anyone who posts on the forum regardless of his beliefs. I have been on this forum for a couple of years even though I don't post much. I would hope that this is an isolated incident and not the habit on this forum. I enjoy reading the blogs here and have learned a lot from you more knowledgable people. I would enjoy shooting (and yarning) with any of you.

 

[mykeal]

I am surprised at the sniping being done at Capt Crossman however. Personal attacks should not be leveled at anyone who posts on the forum regardless of his beliefs. I have been on this forum for a couple of years even though I don't post much. I would hope that this is an isolated incident and not the habit on this forum.

I think you have your forums mixed up. This forum has been much, much kinder to him than some others. Perhaps that's why he doesn't post here very much any more; the others get him more reaction.

Captain Crossman brings on the criticisms intentionally. He purposely posts misleading and inflammatory statements to get responses.

I agree that personal attacks are unwarranted and should be removed; perhaps that has been done already here because I don't find any posts in this thread that qualify.

But frankly, I have no sympathy for Captain Crossman. He knows what he's doing, he knows what kind of response he's going to get and he doesn't care; he does it anyway. I won't participate in calling him out, but I don't feel bad when someone else does.

 

[Shultzhaus]

OK guys, this is supposed to be about technolog, not personality. I know I'm well into geezerhood, but can't we keep this civil? What did Mr. Reagan say? We should be able to disagree without being disagreeable. Ain't so!

 

[Olmontanaboy]

I think you have your forums mixed up. This forum has been much, much

kinder to him than some others. Perhaps that's why he doesn't post here very much any more; the others get him more reaction.

Captain Crossman brings on the criticisms intentionally. He purposely posts misleading and inflammatory statements to get responses.

I agree that personal attacks are unwarranted and should be removed; perhaps that has been done already here because I don't find any posts in this thread that qualify.

But frankly, I have no sympathy for Captain Crossman. He knows what he's doing, he knows what kind of response he's going to get and he doesn't care; he does it anyway. I won't participate in calling him out, but I don't feel bad when someone else does.

I agree 100%