Pietta Pepperbox a good buy?

[TTv2]

I'm bored, want something different for a black powder handgun. Originally had wanted a double barrel derringer, but no good choices for that. I have found an appreciation for the .36 caliber and unfortunately there's not much out there in that offering as I already have a Pietta '51 Navy and a Uberti '62 Police. I would be very interested in the .36 Remington, but they are so large for the caliber and it seems they shoot high to POA.

With so little left that actually interests me the Pietta Pepperbox is one that remains pretty low in price and is odd enough to catch my attention. The smoothbore means birdshot loads are an option, but also multiple balls. There was one youtube video where three .375" round balls were loaded into the bores and fired at 10y with acceptable spread. That would be about 200gr of lead with very little bearing surface fired from the same frame the larger .44 Navy's use with 220gr conicals that have a much longer surface and are fired thru a rifled bore, thus I don't think safety is a concern.

I think I found a new cap and ball to buy, what do others think of the Pietta Pepperbox?

 

[Blackpowderwarrior]

It's a interesting piece for sure
If I had one I'd load each chamber with a double ball load.

 

[Shortgrub]

If ya want it get it!!! Saves me a great deal of time auguring within myself. Works for me.

 

[1KPerDay]

I think it’s silly personally. Since you asked.

 

[.38 Special]

I think it’s silly personally. Since you asked.

Original-style pepperbox guns are at least an interesting curiosity. Pietta's version is just the back half of a revolver.

 

[hawg]

Original-style pepperbox guns are at least an interesting curiosity. Pietta's version is just the back half of a revolver.

They still have the locating pins for the barrel assembly. It's a ridiculous piece if you ask me.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

I snagged one a few years ago at a bargain price, but still have yet to ever fire it.
I decided I wanted it because I didn't have one and at least I didn't keep wringing my hands over weather I should or should have pulled the trigger on the purchase or not.
I was just a curiosity for me, and so far I've had better things to do than mess with it.

 

[woodnbow]

You do you, in the parlance of the times… personally it’s about the last thing I’d buy but it’s not my money. I admit I have looked at it and wondered if it was possible to graft an extension to the frame and mount a full length barrel so as to have a .36 Maximum revolver using 40 grains of 3f behind a 160 grain Semi wadcutter or similar.

 

[TTv2]

Original-style pepperbox guns are at least an interesting curiosity. Pietta's version is just the back half of a revolver.

Historical replica pepperboxes would have to be DAO and it's not like they'd be anything other than a backyard blaster, so there's nothing lost by making these single action. A true replica would also have to be .31 caliber and IMO .36 is a far better caliber than .31 is.

 

[.38 Special]

Historical replica pepperboxes would have to be DAO and it's not like they'd be anything other than a backyard blaster, so there's nothing lost by making these single action. A true replica would also have to be .31 caliber and IMO .36 is a far better caliber than .31 is.

Sure. I'm just goofing around on your thread, though. If you want one, it's certainly not my business - and I've spent my own money on sillier things!

 

[TTv2]

That's right, I forgot, this section is dominated by folks who only appreciate purely historical reproductions and denigrate anything that's a muzzleloader that isn't based on historical designs.

 

[Rustmangler]

I am thinking three balls per chamber AND a chain fire! Now that sounds like fun

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Didn't see or hear anyone do anything in your Cheerios -
Not sure what resonse you were hoping for

 

[woodnbow]

That's right, I forgot, this section is dominated by folks who only appreciate purely historical reproductions and denigrate anything that's a muzzleloader that isn't based on historical designs.

You asked for and received opinions. Nobody really shot you down. It’s just not their cuppa tea. If you were looking for validation you could have made that clear in your first post.

 

[woodnbow]

I am thinking three balls per chamber AND a chain fire! Now that sounds like fun

Actually, it kinda does!

 

[TTv2]

I am thinking three balls per chamber AND a chain fire! Now that sounds like fun

That's 1200gr of lead all at once.

A wristbreaker for sure.

 

[TTv2]

You asked for and received opinions. Nobody really shot you down. It’s just not their cuppa tea. If you were looking for validation you could have made that clear in your first post.

Not asking for validation, but it is tiresome that anything outside the box with black powder and most people here shoot it down, just this time instead of complaining about plastic grips it's that it's silly.

Folks, that's kind of the point. It's not the typical thing, it has features that allow it to do stuff other black powder guns can't, and that's the appeal.

Sure, I'm very likely to shoot it once and put it away for years, but I pretty much do that with all my muzzleloaders these days.

 

[Terry G]

I think if I was going to get a Pepperbox I would want a real one. The one you speak of, as someone posted, is not a real Pepperbox. The real ones had a reputation for starting the phrase "Innocent bystanders."

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

No one "Shot you down"
If that's how you feel you need to grow some skin.
All responses were civil and polite.
Most responses were undoubtedly positive, so not sure why the whining.

 

[Rustmangler]

That's 1200gr of lead all at once.

A wristbreaker for sure.

So that doesn't sound like much. I used to swing a 12# hammer ( one handed) blacksmithing.

 

[TTv2]

I think if I was going to get a Pepperbox I would want a real one. The one you speak of, as someone posted, is not a real Pepperbox. The real ones had a reputation for starting the phrase "Innocent bystanders."

I would prefer a true pepperbox, but they're very difficult to get in functioning order and even the DA repros are generally considered junk.

The Pietta, for better or worse, actually works.

 

[Captain*kirk]

JMHO...
Most BP enthusiasts want to shoot something that actually existed at some point in past history, myself included. The Pietta pepperbox never did, until a few years ago. That leaves me out of any desire to own one. However, if it piques your interest, knock yourself out. I don't think anyone here would be bothered by a range report or pictures if you bought one, in fact, most would find it very interesting.
You did ask opinions. That's what you received.
Oh, and your avatar photo is pretty sharp!

 

[film495]

no pictures? hey - are there other pepper boxes anyone would recommend? picked through the thread, if you don't like the one the OP is talking about, maybe you should recommend a different one. also, pictures are cool.

 

[.38 Special]

This is all a good example of why I try to stay relentlessly positive on THR, or at least keep my mouth shut if I don't have anything nice to say. Good grief.

 

[armoredman]

First time I saw one, I was off put. I did see a video on someone firing one, I guess with the smooth "bore" it isn't really accurate, but it certainly looks fun! I'm thinking it might make a dandy snake gun with those chambers packed with shot.