Cap and Ball pistols

[nick112207]

Is there an age that someone has to be to buy a cap and ball pistol? does the usual 21 years old law apply? or is it like the black powder rifle and no one really cares who gets one?

[jeffsenpai]

I am pretty sure it is the latter. Make sure you buy a steel-framed model, so later on you can buy an R&D conversion cylinder and fire .45LC w/ no paperwork involved!

[rondog]

Originally Posted by jeffsenpai

I am pretty sure it is the latter. Make sure you buy a steel-framed model, so later on you can buy an R&D conversion cylinder and fire .45LC w/ no paperwork involved!

Now WTH have I never heard of THIS concept before? I certainly wouldn't have bought the p.o.s. Colt 1851 Navy knockoff that I have now. I won't even shoot the damn thing anymore, I've never been able to see where the bullets were going. No idea where it's hitting. I'd have to use a 4x8 ft. piece of paneling or something for a target board, so I could figure it out. And the danged fired caps always bind up the cylinder.....1911's are much more fun!

[billy]

beware,
those conversion cylinders cost as much or more than the pistol.

[rondog]

Well, I bought one because I always wanted one, I thought they were cool! They ain't so cool now, I doubt I'll ever shoot up the supplies I have.

Let's see, 6 shots that are a pita to load, that I may not see the hits from....or five accurate 1911's laid out with approx. 25 loaded mags and another 500 rounds in the bag. Hmmmm......

[jimkim]

rondog what brand '51 colt is that. If you dont know the manufacturer where did you get it. Im not being a smart a$s. I just dont want to buy one like yours. I have a Pietta and it shoots straight I shoot pepsi caps at 25 yards with it. Again not being smart just want to avoid wasting my money. thanks. Nick I hate to say this but I think to get correct info Id call cabelas and ask them. It may go state by state. I know thats not much help. sorry.

[rfc357]

The Feds do not consider the cap and ball pistol to be a gun. Anyone can buy one, through the mail if you want. Your local laws may alter this situation. Local laws also may prescribe age requirements.

They are a hoot, but have patience!

Remember the old cowboy movies where the gunslinger raises his revolver muzzle to the sky as he cocks it? This was a holdover from the cap and ball days. The technique allowed the cap debris to drop from the gun and not tie up the works.

[billy]

Originally Posted by rfc357

The Feds do not consider the cap and ball pistol to be a gun. Anyone can buy one, through the mail if you want. Your local laws may alter this situation. Local laws also may prescribe age requirements.

They are a hoot, but have patience!

Remember the old cowboy movies where the gunslinger raises his revolver muzzle to the sky as he cocks it? This was a holdover from the cap and ball days. The technique allowed the cap debris to drop from the gun and not tie up the works.

thats neat
i didnt know that.
thanks!

[Windwalker]

Call your County Attorneys Office and they can answer your question. Good luck.

[LEE3370]

I think they are a lot of fun to take out and shoot if you are not in a hurry. It has got to where most of my shooting is cap and ball.
My shooting is done here at home out back of the shed where I have a little range. Shooting two Taurus 92's and 22 spare magazines got to be boring. Load the mags while watching TV, take the guns out the next day and empty the mags. Pick up the brass, clean it, load it, load the mags, empty the mags, etc, etc.
Besides, when you get so old that you can't see the sights or the target, it don't matter where the ball hits. Just point and shoot, maybe the bottle will get hit.
AND!!!!!!
You really need a cap and ball revolver to play with while watching Clint Eastwood western movies. Even if you never shoot it.

[nick112207]

yeah i was wondering because i was over at my buddies house and his dad was showing us his .36 navy revolver. i thought it was pretty cool and ive always wanted to try black powder guns but i never really took the time to look into them. and no worries i know a person has to be patient, which i can be very. so what are the prices ranging for a ball and cap pistol? which is a good caliber to buy? also if you buy the gun new, do they usually come with the right tool to measure out the correct powder load for the gun?

[wunhunglo]

Originally Posted by nick112207

yeah i was wondering because i was over at my buddies house and his dad was showing us his .36 navy revolver. i thought it was pretty cool and ive always wanted to try black powder guns but i never really took the time to look into them. and no worries i know a person has to be patient, which i can be very. so what are the prices ranging for a ball and cap pistol? which is a good caliber to buy? also if you buy the gun new, do they usually come with the right tool to measure out the correct powder load for the gun?

No idea what the prices are in the states but very cheap in Europe. I have two in .44 cal, (both Uberti's) one is fairly accurate and the other with target sights is very accurate.
They don't normally come with a powder flask/measure but the good news is you can experiment easily with the loads as you should not be able to get more powder in the cylinder than is safe to fire. If necessary you can make up your own measure from a cut down rifle case. Balls are easy to cast if you feel like making your own.

Couple of golden rules,(1) Never meter black powder through an ordinary reloading powder measure, it can go BANG! (2) Remember to grease the balls after loading, a "Chain Fire" can be a bit offputting!

Lots of folk use Pyrodex now instead of black powder as it is supposed to be cleaner but I don't think it smells as good and cleaning is half the fun! On cleaning, Hot water first, then light oiling; most folk just take the grips off & put the cylinder & frame into the dishwasher, (but not with the wifes best dishes).

[nick112207]

how hard are the balls and firing caps to come by? first starting i think id just buy the balls to use but eventually id consider casting them.

[wunhunglo]

Originally Posted by nick112207

how hard are the balls and firing caps to come by? first starting i think id just buy the balls to use but eventually id consider casting them.

I would imagine caps are easy to come by (they are in the UK), I normally use Remington and I know that Hornady make swaged balls in all the popular sizes. I'm sure that a surfing session will enable you to find all the info you require; failing that ask at your local gunshops.

[nick112207]

I looked on MidwayUSA and they have Uberti ball and cap pistols for around 300. guessing thats about the price im gonna find everywhere? is Uberti good? Also which is cheaper to shoot, the .36 or the .44? or do they cost about the same?

Ok so ive decided on one i want. well kinda. haha. its going to be the 1851 Navy steel frame. But i cant decide if i want Uberti or Pietta. also idk if i wanna be authentic and go with the .36 or go all out and get a .44 caliber. What can you guys recommend?

[Don357]

I've done some research as I'm looking to buy one(or two) myself. I plan on going with the .44 because as someone stated earlier you can get conversion cylinders for the steel frame guns. A .45LC for the .44 and a .38spl (not +P) for the .36. Here in AL, you have to have a .40 cal or larger to hunt with black powder. Pietta and Uberti are both good but I've heard that Uberti is better. It costs more anyway, not much more but more. Ruger has a BP revolver but it's not really authentic in it's styling. I prefer the 1858 Remington style because of the top strap, it just seems stronger. Another high end company is Taylor. They make high quality guns that come with a high price. Unless you intend to get into Cowboy Action Shooting seriously, it's not really worth the expense. There is also Cimmaron, another high end company. I think they just tack a high price on Uberti guns. Like somebody said earlier, a few good surfing sessions and you should be able to make an educated decision.

[nick112207]

yeah i like the 1858 models as well because of that extra metal at the top, but i really like the engraving on the navy revolvers cylinder. who knows, maybe ill buy the navy one now, shoot it for a bit, then buy the 1858 later and just retire the navy revolver as a wall ornament. and i highly doubt ill be spending the money to be able to shoot .45LC, that just seems like too much of an investment when i could buy a used ruger black hawk convertible for as much as those cylinders cost. i think ill go with the .36 try to keep it authentic. oh also, the precussion caps, what kind do they have to be? i looked and i saw musket caps and another one but i didnt find any revolver specific caps

[jashoffa]

I think that Cap and ball pistols ussually use #10 caps, maybe someone can confirm that?

[rondog]

The toad that I was talking about was a $199 cheapo kit from Bass Pro Shops, came in a blister-pak. There's no rear sight, just a notch on the hammer.

[mitch_mckee]

Originally Posted by rondog

The toad that I was talking about was a $199 cheapo kit from Bass Pro Shops, came in a blister-pak. There's no rear sight, just a notch on the hammer.

The notch IS the rear sight!

It's a repro.