Traditions pistols

[Shawnee]

Hi Y'All...

Have seen the Traditions "Kentucky" and "Pioneer" and "Trapper" single-shot BP pistols advertised and they have piqued my interest - especially the "Kentucky" version.
Don't want to start a duel over "Traditions vs Whomever" but sure would like to hear anyone's experience(s) with any of these Traditions pistols - or perhaps a comparable brand/model. Suggestions on where to buy (if that is permissable on this forum) would be interesting too.
Again, nobody needs to unsheath their BP Taser over this one - just looking for any/all "on the ground" accounts/opinions.

Many, many thanks, All

 

[arcticap]

Both of these mail order outfits list the Traditions pistols, but MidSouth appears to be less expensive.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...ADING&dept2=MUZZLELOADING PISTOL&dept3=50 CAL

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...ADING&dept2=MUZZLELOADING PISTOL&dept3=45 CAL

Or Deer Creek Products, P.O. Box 246, Waldron, Indiana, phone # 765-525-6181

I recently saw a new Traditions Kentucky in a gunshop for $109 + tax, and these outfits are selling them for $142 & $156. Maybe someone is offering a better deal somewhere else.

I've heard good reports about the Trapper, and generally Traditions guns function & shoot fairly well. Pedersoli's are probably more highly regarded for the quality of their products though.

Dixie gun works also offers a wide variety of pistols:

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/default.php?cPath=22_92_187_189&osCsid=51d3823d1ee6c9cdaad661c81bef6d94

Cherry's guns has a sale on Pedersoli Kentuckys!
$175 (.45) & $185 (.50) w/walnut stock:

http://www.cherrys.com/ped_pist.htm

 

[Starter52]

I bought a Traditions .50 "target" pistol back in 2002. $101 new. I shot it several times and have observed the following:

When new,the hammer didn't set off the cap everytime. Most times, maybe 90% of the time, but not everytime. I installed a new T/C nipple and the problem when away.

The sights are crude. Really crude. "Sears bolt-action .22" crude.

The set trigger is not exactly smooth to engage, but let-off is OK.

The stock was designed by an idiot.

BUT, the d*mn thing is ACCURATE! I couldn't believe how well it shot at 50 yards. The accuracy made up for a lot of the shortcomings.

 

[Shawnee]

Hi Arcticap...

Many thanks for the tips, AC !

When you say the Pedersoli is better thought of - is it due to "fit and finish" or "performance" or "ease of upkeep" or ?????

Any knowledge of the Taylor BP pistols?


Hi Starter52 Thanks for the comments S52 !!! Am curious about your comment re: the stock being designed by a Congessman. I happen to take note of things like small details of stock design and would like to hear any elaboration on that comment you care to offer.

Many thanks!

 

[Thefabulousfink]

I have a Traditions Trapper that I built from a kit about 6 years ago. The quality of the kit was good enough to put together a working pistol with almost no modification or wood removal. Now if You wanted a good looking pistol, the stock may need to be sanded to fit flush with the butt cap and nose cap. If you put the work into it, you can make a very handsom pistol.

The only mechanical problems I had was with the double-set triggers. They took a bit of adjusting to break properly, but now have a very nice, crisp break.
As Starter52 said, they are very accurate. Once I had a proper load worked out I had no problems hitting a 4" target at 50' one handed (which is good for me).

For what is generally considered the "Budget Models" of BP guns, the Traditions pistols are a great value.

 

[arcticap]

About the Pedersoli's, most folks would agree about the fit and finish, the walnut stock, the trigger pull and lock may be a bit smoother too. Every gun is unique so you never really know until after you receive it whether you're going to be totally happy with it. But generally the Italian Pedersoli guns do have a better fit and finish overall.
And they may shoot better too, but who can really predict?
I'd be happy with a Traditions Kentucky, especially if it only cost 50% or 60% of what a Pedersoli cost, but you can't always find one available at a discount.
I checked on the $109 one that I had seen and it was sold.

 

[Plink]

I've had good experiences with Traditions guns. Early in the summer I finished a Trapper pistol kit. It turned out quite nice. The parts fit nicely and the kit went together well. I haven't bought a factory assembled Traditions, but I've heard a lot of good comments about fit and finish from those who have.

Generally Traditions guns shoot extremely well. My Trapper pistol is easily the equal of my Thompson Center Patriot pistol for accuracy. It took a little adjusting to get the set triggers the way I like them, but now they're amazingly light and crisp. I've had zero problems of any kind. Ignition has been 100%.

Traditions seems to have good customer support also. I've ordered parts twice and received them quickly.

I can see no reason not to recomment them. I know I am buying several more of their guns shortly. They're not a Pedersoli, but they're sure a good gun for the money.

 

[Shawnee]

Hi Plink (et al)...

That's great to hear about the Traditions pistols !!

Sorta left me with a dilemma though - wanting to try both. So I ordered the Pedersoli Kentucky pistol from Cherry's today since it seemed like such a great price and now I'll have to look around to see if I can find a good deal on a Traditions "Pioneer".
Anyone have a "Pioneer" (or seen) and want to comment on it? I tried at least eight websites but many of the Traditions pistols seem to be backordered everywhere so I'll just have to keep prospecting for that one.

Hey Plink ! - how do you like the T/C "Patriot" ? That always looked to me like it would be pretty good.

 

[pohill]

I just bought this Pedersoli .44 Kentucky pistol online. ($135). When I got it, I checked the date - 1969. But, it's in great shape, and it's a shooter - accurate and fun.

 

[arcticap]

Cherry's website mentions a 3 day inspection period for "firearms", I hope that applies to their percussion pistols as well so you can return it if you don't like it.
Let us know how everything works out, not all of us get to shoot Pedersoli pistols! Yours looks good Pohill!

 

[Plink]

Shawnee, I absolutely adore the Patriot. It has a great balance to it and fits the hand nicely. It's quite accurate also. Recoil is light and not distracting.

My only complaint was the non adjustable set trigger setup. It sets with the front trigger and fires with the rear. It won't fire unset. Anyway, it had a lot of gritty creep and I had to get out the stones and give it a proper trigger job before I could get it to shoot well. It's still not as sweet of a trigger as I'd like. I wish T/C had just gone ahead and used a standard set trigger setup on it. I love the T/C Seneca trigger. I wish they had used something like that on the Patriot.

Turned out to be a nice crisp trigger after stoning though, and has very little overtravel. I may get out the stones and go over the trigger parts lightly again. I tend to go conservative on things like that the first time.

The Patriot fits my hand better than the Trapper, but the Trapper has a better trigger, other than having a lot of overtravel. The sights are really good on the Patriot, and it's not as muzzle heavy as some other guns.

I found a blurry image in my photobucket of the Patriot and Trapper together, so you can get an idea of their sizes compared to each other. I've since run a little 5f compound on the Patriot to give it some sheen.



Pohill, that's a gorgeous gun. Nice wood on that one. You got a good deal on it too.

 

[Shawnee]

Pohill - Lawdy, Pohill! You DID get a fine deal, Dude !!!

Plink - Nice looking pieces fersure! How are the sights on the Trapper???

With you having mentioned it I do now recall a comment or two about the Patriot trigger usually being able to be helped a lot with some stonework.
I remember the T/C Seneca rifle from years ago. Wish I could find one in .45 today - and then I'd have to wish I could afford it. Hard to believe their regular Hawkin goes for more than $500.

 

[pohill]

Wow. Those are too purty to shoot. Great details and workmanship.
What size ball(s) do you use in them?
I brought the Kentucky to the range today, fired a few through it, then...Senior Moment. Put the patch and ball in, rammed it down, capped it, fired...nothing. DUH. No powder. Found the ball puller but left the ramrod with the proper threads at home. Good thing I brought the Walker.

 

[Plink]

Shawnee, the sights on the Trapper aren't bad at all. The rear is adjustable for elevation and drift adjustable for windage. The front is a thin brass blade. It allows for pretty good precision. I like the Patriot sights better, but the Trapper has better sights than I've seen on most front stuffer pistols.

You can sometimes find Senecas for a fair price. I paid $170 for mine. It's .45 but they also made a .36. Mine was well used but in good mechanical shape and is the most accurate muzzleloader I own so far.

If you pick up a Traditions Pioneer, let me know how you like it. I've been eyeing that one for some time and wanting to make a cased pair, sorta like "poor man's dueling pistols."

Pohill, the Trapper is .50. So far I've been using .490 balls because I had them around, but they're a bit tight on a .015 patch. I think I'm going to try .485 on .018 pillow ticking next. It shoots tight groups with 35 grains 3F but tends to blow patches unless I use an over powder wad.

The Patriot is .45 and uses a .440 ball and .015 patches. Sweet shooter at 25 grains 3F. It would probably group a little tighter than the Trapper, but the trigger causes me to toss a flyer occasionally. I'm not sure I want to stone it more, as then I won't have any excuses when I toss a flyer!

The best investment you can make is in thread adapters for your rods. I bought them to cover both sizes. I don't know how many times I've had to use them when I'm out shooting, or at home cleaning. That way you can always put whatever attachment you have on hand, on whatever rod you have on hand.

 

[Shawnee]

Hey Plink...

Where did you manage to locate your T/C Seneca???
I've done a lot of looking on the "Net" and am drawing a blank. :banghead:
I would want the .45 caliber like the one you have.

Many, many thanks!

 

[Plink]

Shawnee, I bought it at a local gunshow. Usually our gunshows are a waste of time, as there's never a good deal to be found. I just got lucky that day. It was really an afterthought, as I was only going to buy the Patriot. For the price, having a rifle in the same caliber as the Patriot was too much to resist though. I didn't care for it too much until I spent some time shooting it. It won me over quickly and I'm glad I bought it.

I see them for sale on gunbroker, auctionarms and gunsamerica regularly. I'm keeping my eye out for one in .36 actually. They don't seem to fetch too high of prices even there. Check gun shows or anywhere that muzzleloaders frequent. T/C made a lot of them, so they're still around. Keep looking and one will show up for you.