Pawn shop has Lyman percussion Plains pistol. Questions

[Tallbald]

Was in a local pawn shop the other day with my adult son, and asked to see a very nice percussion pistol in the case. Turn out it's a newish Lyman Plains pistol. Silly me I didn't ask if it was new or not, but it looked new to me. Nice bluing. No obvious damage. Fella said "$300 out the door". I'm not familiar with the gun, its quality or value I thought I'd post here and ask for information about those very things. That's why I didn't make any counter offer at the time.
I seem to recall it is of Italian manufacture and is marked Lyman. Could some of you folks please give me an idea about quality and a good price? Thanks as always. Don

 

[Prairie Dawg]

Hi:
3 have sold on Gunbroker lately from $200 - $250.

The one that sold for $250 was a NIB 54 caliber.

With GB, you pay shipping, with your pawn shop, you pay tax.

The pawnbroker's price was a bit high. I would offer $250 & negotiate from there.

The Lyman plains pistol is a high quality item, IMHO.

They are also a good value.
--Dawg

 

[Tallbald]

Prairie Dawg I appreciate the response. It sure is a handsome gun. Traditional in looks with modern metallurgy is always nice. I'm fixing to post another question though about a completely different gun, the CVA Optima V2 inline pistol which although as said is a completely different gun, is the same price from Cabelas. I undoubtedly though will return to the pawn shop with the Lyman and feel around to see if there's any wiggle room on the Lyman. From what I hear though this shop is not inclined to bargain. Thanks again. Don

 

[OrangePwrx9]

A few years ago I bought a new .50 percussion Lyman Plains pistol for $215, if I remember right. Wolf publishing was selling them from their internet site.

If you check the Internet vendors who carry them, I believe you'll find them going for around $249 now. That pawnshop is too high.

The grip is supposedly somewhat fragile in those guns. If you buy, don't drop the gun or overload it.

 

[BowerR64]

Ide take a bore light with you and make sure its got a clean barrel.

I wouldnt want to give a premium price for a gun that has a rusted barrel and you cant get the nipple out.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

midsouthshooterssupply.com has them new for $264.37...FWIW

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

They are a well made and good shooting pistol. I own two of them one in 54cal and the other a 50cal.
That "Out the door" price is high though...

 

[CraigC]

Sounds a bit high, if it's used. I paid $250 for my .54 at Dixie Gun Works (currently $315) a few years ago. I've done quite a bit of shooting with it and it's a lot of fun.

 

[Gordon]

Now lets share loads for the Lyman Plains pistol ! My .50 likes 30 grains 3FG Goex with a wonder wad under a Lee 320 grain REAL bullet. 6" at 50 yards and seems a very stout load all though I have not chronoed it . It also like 40 grains of 3x Goex and a round .495 ball (weighs close to 180 grains) with a greased T shirt patch , about the same accuracy and I think has high velocity.
I drilled a 5/16 hole down the stock on the same angle as the pistol grip center and epoxied in a 3" piece of 1/4 steel rod. But he above loads are enough for me !

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

+1 for BoweR64's comment. Like new on the outside will not always equate to like new on the inside with a black powder weapon.

 

[PRM]

I owned a brace of them a some years back and they were high quality as others have stated. A bit on the large size if your going to be carrying them with a long rifle, powder horns, and possibles bag. At least two of them were.

Price is definitely not a bargain. More like full retail on a NIB gun.

 

[Tallbald]

Thanks everyone for the helpful information and education. It sure is a handsome pistol. Don

 

[mec]

[They are very accurate and easy to shoot. The action is a version of the lyman Great Plains Rifle (both made for lyman by Investarms). The rifle has double set triggers and the pistol does not but the actions both have the fly that is necessary for a hair trigger to work. By pointing the pistol down range for safety and manually capturing the hammer, it is possible to "set" the trigger by easing it back until you feel it ride up on the fly. after that, the thing is as accurrate as a LePage target pistol.

Some owners - particularly of 54 caliber versions, report that they have destroyed the guns stocks with heavy loads. I've shot my .50 with the maximum 40 grain charge though lighter loads are every bit as accurate. Lyman recommends against using the heavy hunting bullets because, carried muzzle down, the projectile might "walk" and constitute a barrel obstruction on firing. I've used them with great care -even with a 40 grain /volumn equivalent of the various substitute powders with no problems-but was careful to confirm the bullet was well seated before firing.