Questions about 1873 Cap and Ball Revolver

[Blackpowdershooter44]

Hi all,
Those of you who own a 1873 cap and ball revolver version, how do you like it? Do you get cap fragments stuck in the recoil shield? Can it be loaded with tower of power and powderinc presses? I was looking at a used pietta made version that I saw for sale, I did notice the grips had a screw through the grips rather than the typical colt grips, which for some reason bugs me.
Thanks!

 

[45 Dragoon]

I'm sure the Pietta verison is nice. I've worked on ASM and Uberti versions and the Uberti can be made to be a better El Patron than an El Patron!!! Sweet guns!!
The nipples are set up so that it would be very hard for fired caps /cap frags to interfere with the cylinder rotation.

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com
Follow me on Instagram @ goonsgunworks

 

[Blackpowdershooter44]

Thanks Mike, I was worried about it jamming up after seeing brushippies review on it. But as he said his recoil shield needed to be ground slightly

 

[Panzerschwein]

I think these are popular in countries were people can't get centerfire SAA's. They look pretty interesting!

 

[rodwha]

Got me a bit curious so I looked at Taylor's and wonder now how the loading mechanism works. I can see the typical ejector spring so I don't see that it's a typical loading lever.

The cylinder also appears to be a bit shorter than the 1860/1858 as well. Is that so? Curious what a max charge with a ball is.

How difficult is a cylinder swap? And do they even sell additional cylinders?

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

I have seen cylinders on Ebay along with other parts.

Dixie sells the Pietta percussion 1873 and has recommended loads:

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_92_187_189&products_id=879

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_92_187_189&products_id=3473

Dixie also sells extra cylinders:

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=14238

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=2382

and a loading tool:

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=11557

Midway has the Uberti (one piece grip!!!) on clearance:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/13...evolver-44-caliber-55-barrel-steel-frame-blue

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

Here are some videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GTnNLaE2kU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Qlt7DARWDo

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

and some old THR threads:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=179592

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=796841&highlight=1873+percussion+revolver

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=776822&highlight=1873+percussion+revolver

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=763469&highlight=1873+percussion+revolver

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=654307&highlight=1873+percussion+revolver

 

[Blackpowdershooter44]

Ephraim Kibbey: Thanks for taking the time for posting all that info!
Rodwa: The gun doesn't have a loading lever on it, it needs a cylinder loading press. Which I have so it won't be a problem.

 

[rodwha]

I wouldn't want to go through all of that at the range, and certainly not in the field.

 

[44 Dave]

What about a Patterson loading style tool ?

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

The Paterson tool pivots in the wedge slot of the arbor after the wedge and barrel have been removed so it will not work on these.

 

[BCRider]

What am I missing here?

I can see such a gun for the countries like Britain where cartridge handguns are all but outlawed. But over here?

If we want to shoot cap&ball or cap&bullet why not just buy a purpose built front stuffed revolver?

 

[Noz]

The 1873 percussion gun is not a legal gun for CAS shooting.

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

Some reasons that someone over here would buy this gun:


1. The 1873 has a different grip than the Colt open tops and Remingtons.

2. You love the 1873 style but store bought cowboy loads are REALLY expensive and you never got the hang of reloading.

3. The 1873 sight picture is different.

4. You already have an 1873 holster but want to shoot BP with it.

5. You HAVE to have every iteration of BP gun that exists. (My personal favorite!!!)

6. You are just curious.

7. You like to be different.

8. [INSERT YOUR REASON HERE.]


Rejoice in the plethora of options available to us!!!