Recommend me stuff to make the Lyman Plains Pistol more fun

[TTv2]

I got the Lyman GPP (.54 cal) months ago, shot it once during winter, and the biggest thing it needs that I don't currently have is a short starter or ramrod as the stock ramrod um... isn't good. Also, are there any aftermarket nipples available for the GPP that use #10 caps instead of #11? I'd rather stuck up on 10 caps as they're what my percussion revolvers use.

Also, holsters... what's a good one as I don't want to rely solely on the belt clip for any carrying in the woods I might do.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

A short starter can be made pretty easy, I like the Delrin ram rods from track of the wolf. You can cut a length to replace your wooden rod and have plenty left over to make a short starter. I made mine with a golf ball, a short piece, 1/2 inch long and a piece about 4 inches glued into holes drilled in the golf ball.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I love the Plain's pistols!

I think these pistols work best with loose fitting ball and patch combinations. As they are quite (very) accurate you won't loose much accuracy. Struggling with short starters on a pistol really isn't worth the effort. Mine is very accurate with a moderately easy loading ball and patch. This group was around 30 yards.

The single shot pistol, especially the Great Plains, can be loaded hot if you like. I carry mine sometimes in bear country, so I load it...hot...!!! The bow wrap on the grip helps to tame the recoil.

I also make "speed loads" for mine. Tear off the end, pour in the powder, and shove the whole mess down the barrel and cap the cone. (they ram down easily shot after shot) Again, if you need a short starter, and stronger ram-rod you are loading a too tight ball and patch combo. It's not required to get good accuracy, and is probably hard on the handle/grip. Those speed loads are surprisingly accurate.

You are right, the belt-clip is not of much use. I took mine off and had a saddle maker make me a holster to my specs. If you would like I can take some pics of it, and give you/post the details. I'm afraid that finding any even half way decent holster ready made is close to impossible.

Oh yeah. Billions of after market nipples for the Lymans. Get one that's a little tight for what cap you want, chuck it in a drill press, and file it down until you get the perfect fit.

Enjoy! Throw that short starter away!

 

[brewer12345]

I love the Plain's pistols!
View attachment 1085250
I think these pistols work best with loose fitting ball and patch combinations. As they are quite (very) accurate you won't loose much accuracy. Struggling with short starters on a pistol really isn't worth the effort. Mine is very accurate with a moderately easy loading ball and patch. This group was around 30 yards.
View attachment 1085251
The single shot pistol, especially the Great Plains, can be loaded hot if you like. I carry mine sometimes in bear country, so I load it...hot...!!! The bow wrap on the grip helps to tame the recoil.
View attachment 1085255
I also make "speed loads" for mine. Tear off the end, pour in the powder, and shove the whole mess down the barrel and cap the cone. (they ram down easily shot after shot) Again, if you need a short starter, and stronger ram-rod you are loading a too tight ball and patch combo. It's not required to get good accuracy, and is probably hard on the handle/grip. Those speed loads are surprisingly accurate.

You are right, the belt-clip is not of much use. I took mine off and had a saddle maker make me a holster to my specs. If you would like I can take some pics of it, and give you/post the details. I'm afraid that finding any even half way decent holster ready made is close to impossible.

Oh yeah. Billions of after market nipples for the Lymans. Get one that's a little tight for what cap you want, chuck it in a drill press, and file it down until you get the perfect fit.

Enjoy! Throw that short starter away!

Could you show us a pic or two of the holster? I picked up a plains pistol that came with both a 50 and a 54 barrel, but only shot it once. For my ML deer hunt this fall I may pack a sidearm and that could be an 1858 or the plains, but have no holster for the plains.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I will do that a little later today. Got chores to do now! For a single shot pistol to hang on the belt comfortable there are some "requirements" that are much different from a revolver holster. I think the Saddle maker and I did a pretty good job, I've carried my Plains Pistol all day in the mountains with as much comfort as any revolver. And the Plains Pistol is not that heavy. About the same as a 1860 Colt, 1851, maybe an ounce or two more than a SAA. They aren't a bad option for a sidearm.

So yeah, will post some pics and explain the reasoning behind it all. !! I would love to share that info, as I love the single shot pistols and think they are great for hunting/hiking/exploring/trekking sidearm purposes. They certainly offer more power than the revolvers if one should want that. "Thanks for asking" !!!

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Stand by. Chores got the best of me. Will post in the morning.

 

[4v50 Gary]

How about a belt holster? I like the Lyman Great Plains pistol better than the Traditions Trapper school had us build.

The purpose of building the Trapper was to teach us gonnesmithing skills (inletting, draw filing, soldering, brazing, filing, nitre bluing, color case-hardening, V-spring making (that was very fun), etc.). It was a beotch to build. I had to redrill my ramrod channel, heat and bend the hammer so it would strike the nipple, file down the drum so it wouldn't interfer with the lockplate (later classes were allowed to turn the drum down on a lathe).

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Okay, done it. Photo session was short...the explanation will be long! But I'm glad someone asked, as there are some important points to consider to carry a single shot pistol all day, comfortably, and safely capped and loaded. As mentioned, these pistols are in the same weight zone as a SAA, cap-n-ball revolver, Webley, etc. So there's no reason not to carry one, other than good holsters are not on the market. The power they are capable of gives them an advantage over the BP revolvers. Or, of course, you can load them to general purpose levels. Although you only have one shot, I can load my pistol very very fast with a paper cartridge and capper.

Note in the first pic, the leather comes up between the hammer and cone. This makes it 100% safe to carry loaded and capped.

Second pic shows the location of the belt loop, and the "cant". This is very important.

Third and fourth pic shows how the holster sits on the belt, and the relation of the pistol to the belt when in the holster. Both the cant and the "elevation". The Plains Pistol is very muzzle heavy compared to a revolver. If the holster lets the gun sit too low on the belt, or the pistol sits too low in the holster, it will be a giant plumb-bob, very awkward and uncomfortable. Without the cant, it won't pull over to your front very well when you sit down. The way this is set up, when I sit down on the ground, I can pull it around to my front where I can draw it with a minimum of movement. It's right there under my hand. Important when I'm calling in Cougar. That way if something comes in to my near right side, I can draw and fire the pistol, whereas coming around to my right with the rifle would be just too much movement. For whatever situation when you are sitting, the pistol is instantly available with little movement.

Last pic shows again where the pistol needs to be on the beltline to balance on the belt. Again, looks high, but it's very muzzle heavy. You don't want it hanging like the plumb-bob.

Hickman's Saddle Shop in Post Falls Idaho made this for me. They are good. The quality is through the roof. To have a holster made, I think a saddle shop is the best bet. Many of them make holsters on the side.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I picked up a plains pistol that came with both a 50 and a 54 barrel, but only shot it once.

If you are interested in selling either/one of those barrels PM me. I'm looking for a spare to have Hoyt smooth bore out as far as he'll take it to shoot shot loads, or throw a giant ball at close range in case of wolf, bear, cougar, or alien attack.

 

[Danaidh]

I also love the Lyman plains pistol. As @Jackrabbit1957 stated above, Track of the wolf has some delrin ramrod material that you can make a new one from. In addition, track also has premade replacement ramrods for the Lyman plains pistol with the brass ends on them. I have one of these premade replacement ramrods and it is durable and fits the pistol perfectly.

Personally, I also like a patched ball load that is not too tight as to be difficult to load with the ramrod while holding the pistol in your hand in the field. The plains pistol is very accurate and handy.

For more fun with the Lyman plains pistol, I had an old ratted out barrel bored out to .62 smoothbore (by a local machinist). I can load with shot for small game or ball for larger game. I also load it with my old brass polishing media for the sport of wing shooting carpenter bees in the spring.

I now have one each of .50 & .54, rifled barrels and a .62 Smooth barrel to swap out on the plains pistol for target and game shooting. I plan to have an old barrel relined and rifled to .45 for more options since I also have .45 muzzleloader stuff already. This allows me to have a companion pistol with any caliber rifle I choose to carry on a given excursion.

I also have a utility holster for the plains pistol adapted from an old 1911 holster with the lower half cut off but it is not as nice as the one @Ugly Sauce had made.

Fun, Fun, Fun

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I also love the Lyman plains pistol. As @Jackrabbit1957 stated above, Track of the wolf has some delrin ramrod material that you can make a new one from. In addition, track also has premade replacement ramrods for the Lyman plains pistol with the brass ends on them. I have one of these premade replacement ramrods and it is durable and fits the pistol perfectly.

Personally, I also like a patched ball load that is not too tight as to be difficult to load with the ramrod while holding the pistol in your hand in the field. The plains pistol is very accurate and handy.

For more fun with the Lyman plains pistol, I had an old ratted out barrel bored out to .62 smoothbore (by a local machinist). I can load with shot for small game or ball for larger game. I also load it with my old brass polishing media for the sport of wing shooting carpenter bees in the spring.

I now have one each of .50 & .54, rifled barrels and a .62 Smooth barrel to swap out on the plains pistol for target and game shooting. I plan to have an old barrel relined and rifled to .45 for more options since I also have .45 muzzleloader stuff already. This allows me to have a companion pistol with any caliber rifle I choose to carry on a given excursion.

I also have a utility holster for the plains pistol adapted from an old 1911 holster with the lower half cut off but it is not as nice as the one @Ugly Sauce had made.

Fun, Fun, Fun

Wow, you are a true follower of the Plains Pistol. They are jewels. I always wanted a .54, but came across a good deal on my .50", so I snapped it up. I have no regrets, as it's a power house with the 240 grain "PA conical", or a very stout load under a ball. Again, if I had a choice between the two I'd go with a .54", but the .50" has worked out well for me, super accurate, and lots of power when I want it. (no, I don't plink with my heavy loads!)(recoil is...wait for it..."stout".

I have not been able to find a spare barrel to bore out. I've had a running want ad on this forum for a long time. No bites. Of course, if I had a spare, I wouldn't want to sell it either. !!! But yeah, if I could get one out to .62" that would match my Jeager nicely, and make one heck of a little shotgun. But I'd be happy with .58".

Relining one to .45 sounds fun. I'd even go smaller to .380", and shoot my .36" caliber balls. Of course then the pistol would get a bit heavy with such small bores. Super accurate I'm sure.

I'll say again, a single shot pistol should not require a short starter, in fact one should not be used. When you fire the gun, even with very heavy loads, the pistol has a shock-absorber system consisting of flesh, bone, jounts, muscle and a lot of "give" in the "system". Putting the handle on a hard surface and pounding a ball down the barrel with a short-starter....CRACK! No cush. But I'm sure there's many who will sat they've used the starter for years will no ill effects. But I don't see a reason for it.

 

[woodnbow]

View attachment 1085446 View attachment 1085448 View attachment 1085449 View attachment 1085450
Okay, done it. Photo session was short...the explanation will be long! But I'm glad someone asked, as there are some important points to consider to carry a single shot pistol all day, comfortably, and safely capped and loaded. As mentioned, these pistols are in the same weight zone as a SAA, cap-n-ball revolver, Webley, etc. So there's no reason not to carry one, other than good holsters are not on the market. The power they are capable of gives them an advantage over the BP revolvers. Or, of course, you can load them to general purpose levels. Although you only have one shot, I can load my pistol very very fast with a paper cartridge and capper.

Note in the first pic, the leather comes up between the hammer and cone. This makes it 100% safe to carry loaded and capped.

Second pic shows the location of the belt loop, and the "cant". This is very important.

Third and fourth pic shows how the holster sits on the belt, and the relation of the pistol to the belt when in the holster. Both the cant and the "elevation". The Plains Pistol is very muzzle heavy compared to a revolver. If the holster lets the gun sit too low on the belt, or the pistol sits too low in the holster, it will be a giant plumb-bob, very awkward and uncomfortable. Without the cant, it won't pull over to your front very well when you sit down. The way this is set up, when I sit down on the ground, I can pull it around to my front where I can draw it with a minimum of movement. It's right there under my hand. Important when I'm calling in Cougar. That way if something comes in to my near right side, I can draw and fire the pistol, whereas coming around to my right with the rifle would be just too much movement. For whatever situation when you are sitting, the pistol is instantly available with little movement.

Last pic shows again where the pistol needs to be on the beltline to balance on the belt. Again, looks high, but it's very muzzle heavy. You don't want it hanging like the plumb-bob.

Hickman's Saddle Shop in Post Falls Idaho made this for me. They are good. The quality is through the roof. To have a holster made, I think a saddle shop is the best bet. Many of them make holsters on the side.

My word that’s nice work! I’ve never seen a holster for the GPP that I liked til now.

 

[woodnbow]

Wow, you are a true follower of the Plains Pistol. They are jewels. I always wanted a .54, but came across a good deal on my .50", so I snapped it up. I have no regrets, as it's a power house with the 240 grain "PA conical", or a very stout load under a ball. Again, if I had a choice between the two I'd go with a .54", but the .50" has worked out well for me, super accurate, and lots of power when I want it. (no, I don't plink with my heavy loads!)(recoil is...wait for it..."stout".

I have not been able to find a spare barrel to bore out. I've had a running want ad on this forum for a long time. No bites. Of course, if I had a spare, I wouldn't want to sell it either. !!! But yeah, if I could get one out to .62" that would match my Jeager nicely, and make one heck of a little shotgun. But I'd be happy with .58".

Relining one to .45 sounds fun. I'd even go smaller to .380", and shoot my .36" caliber balls. Of course then the pistol would get a bit heavy with such small bores. Super accurate I'm sure.

I'll say again, a single shot pistol should not require a short starter, in fact one should not be used. When you fire the gun, even with very heavy loads, the pistol has a shock-absorber system consisting of flesh, bone, jounts, muscle and a lot of "give" in the "system". Putting the handle on a hard surface and pounding a ball down the barrel with a short-starter....CRACK! No cush. But I'm sure there's many who will sat they've used the starter for years will no ill effects. But I don't see a reason for it.

Is there a breech plug available to be made to fit? Everything else they’ve made seemed to copy Thompson Center. Just spitballing…

 

[Danaidh]

If one is good with a file or other machining tools, I expect one could adapt something to fit. Probably best to find an old Lyman breech plug/barrel.

 

[Danaidh]

If one has one Lyman plains pistol, one can buy a new Lyman plains pistol kit, finish it and have 2 Lyman plains pistols each of a different caliber. Enabler here for more pistols.

 

[brewer12345]

The holster is beautifully made. Sorry, second barrel not for sale.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Yes, they did a super job on the holster. It's even lined with a softer leather inside. And it's tough, I'm sure it would take much punishment.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

The holster is beautifully made. Sorry, second barrel not for sale.

That's okay. I wouldn't sell it either. At one time, those were offered for sale somewhere, I of course said: "oh, I'll get one later". !!

 

[Ugly Sauce]

If one has one Lyman plains pistol, one can buy a new Lyman plains pistol kit, finish it and have 2 Lyman plains pistols each of a different caliber. Enabler here for more pistols.

That does keep crossing my mind. For a while I offered my 1862 as a trade for a kit, but no takers. Which is good, as after that Jack fixed that little Brat of a pistol, and now it's a keeper for sure.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Is there a breech plug available to be made to fit? Everything else they’ve made seemed to copy Thompson Center. Just spitballing…

That I don't know. But if there are Lyman 15/16" breech plugs available, and I'm pretty sure the pistol and rifle use the same, then it would be a simple matter to have any old hunk of barrel threaded for it. The TC breechplug has a very different flash channel, and given the choice between the TC and Lyman I'd pick the Lyman.

 

[woodnbow]

That I don't know. But if there are Lyman 15/16" breech plugs available, and I'm pretty sure the pistol and rifle use the same, then it would be a simple matter to have any old hunk of barrel threaded for it. The TC breechplug has a very different flash channel, and given the choice between the TC and Lyman I'd pick the Lyman.

You might need to give Bob Hoyt a call. Maybe Jason @ rice barrel co.