Post 19th century as late as the 1930's a lady that lived not to far from me carried a 1849 pocket model colt for snakes and self defense. I worked in a gun shop in 1995 when that ladies Great Grand Son came in and asked me to unload and clean the gun so it could be put away as an heirloom. I did unload the revolver and the first 2 chambers were loaded with shot for snakes the other 3 chambers were loaded with solid ball for other kinds of varmints. It was disassembled for a deep clean and lubed for long term storage. I am unsure when the lady passed away, but it remained loaded up to 1995 all her life and more.
Wow! What a cool story! You know, if I was brought up on cap n ball…I can see staying with what I know and trust for protection even over new fangeld guns! Thanks. Oh to have that colt huh?
100% agree that the need to clean your revolver after shooting is without doubt the single issue that turns people off this fun hobby. I will spend time with anyone who wants to learn this hobby but 95% decide it’s too much work. BTW , cleaning and disassembly/reassembly is one aspect that I enjoy!! Thank you for your dedication and work on these videos!!
J , that’s my favorite thing too , the versatility and ability to change and adapt your load , plus (to me) each revolver is like a work of art and don’t look the same. I can tell the diferance between them because they don’t all look the same like most things nowadays. Great video , solid discussion 👍🏽
Well said. Every bit is true. I’ve been lucky enough to have started C/B in the early 70s. Stronger hammer springs and better than replica nipples… that built my passion and it’s still going strong.
Very true words! The problem with our modern world is that few people are willing to work for an end result, their whole lives have been instant easy results, so any hobby or interest that requires patience and dedication is not the thing for them, but as you have said, C&B shooting is a really relaxing hobby that also requires a huge amount of effort and research to get right, thinking about my C&B past I find it has given me over 60 years of enjoyment, it is also far more rewarding than shooting modern firearms, and even the loading process and after cleaning I find enjoyable as you are overcoming an obstacle at every process, nice to see you are enjoying this hobby so much. Stay safe! Chris B.
First time watcher and I’ve been shooting black powder guns for 15 years now and are learning new thing ever day I love this hobby so much I got rid of all my modern firearms and never regretted my decision I love everything about the black powder firearms from the loading right down to the cleaning I now have a pair of cap and ball uberti reproductions colt 1848 dragoons revolvers and one colt 1849 baby dragoon revolver as a back up a pedersoli 1859 sharps carbine and a pedersoli double barrel coach muzzle loading shotgun and will never part with them they are my most prized and most cherished possessions heck I with probably want to be buried with them I love the video thank you so much for creating this CZcams channel
I’m happy to meet another black powder lover! Welcome. You and I sound alike as I too got rid of most of my modern arms! Stay in touch and thanks for joining the cap and ball fanatic community.
Ive been doing this for around 40 years. Your presentation is good. You have likely a lot more experience than I. But one thing that you didn't mention, is fouling. Probably because you shoot Colt style and I tend to shoot more Remmies. Colts just don't foul as badly as Remmies do. Especially if you are relegated to Pyrodex which tends to be extra dirty. Colts come apart for cleaning and often for reloading as well. This helps to keep fouling on the pin removed. The design of the pin also aids greatly in reducing the hot gasses passage into the area between the cylinder and the pin. But Remmies plug up really bad in that area. That area has to be kept really clean inside the cylinder especially, and on the pin too. Just a wipe through with a damp pipe cleaner is adequate. But not knowing this can really mess up your day. Also a beginner would also be well advised to aquire a stainless revolver. Super easy to clean. Just remove the grips and cylinder then throw it into the dishwasher. Comes out squeaky clean. reassemble and lightly oil. Yeer done. I shoot these regularly.
Hey…thank you! I often so colt focused I don’t think of fouling much. But, a while ago I do a vid on my remmie and my remmie revolving carbine and I talk a lot about it. I found a product called gun butter from blackie Thomas really helps with that! I’ve got a new one coming out in a spiller and burr and fouling is an issue there too..but that gun butter really helps! Thanks
Thank you for this superb presentation. I'm sure you have offered a great service to those thinking of getting started in this hobby. Wish I had a mentor 40 years ago when I started shooting these things, but now things are running smoothly. When I head to the range with these percussion pistols I know I'm in for a relaxed, fun afternoon stepping back in time. I never minded the cleaning aspect. Its just a little messy but no big deal, not the horror story some make it out to be. Besides, I've also been plagiarizing Bill Hickok about keeping the guns cleaned and ready: "When I pull I must be sure!😀"
Good stuff. Wish I had watched this years ago. Lots of fun shooting these guns and I am now carrying them on the farm for predator encounters. Thank you for the effort you put into these videos!
I fully agree. That’s in one of my next vids. I’m discussing caps then. Thanks. I recorded a segment but the video would have gotten tooooo long. It’s coming soon.
@JohnTheHangmanRuthp51mustang yes! I have a cap maker from 22reloader, the #10 and they work just fine! I also tried toy caps and in a pinch they work too…caps are a huge issue and I think homemade might be the answer for lots of folks.
Slix-shot and tresco nipples help with the jams in a very significant way. They both have a narrower flash hole, but the slix also vent the cone. I personally swear by slix, blackie swears by trescos... Either way, especially lately the vent holes are oversized on modern repros. The springs are also weak... Uberti more so then Pietta. As for my cleaning, like cast iron i season mine. Makes cleaning a whole lot easier. I dont even use soap anymore, just hot water and balistol when im done. Ill usually run a patch of my bullet lube in each chamber and barrel when im gonna store them for a while too. Beeswax/olive oil 50/50 is what i use for bullet lube. Done fine for me. Your mileage may vary.
I agree on the slix shot nipples. Although I have good luck with many of my stock nipples..mainly pietta. Ubertis tend to get replaced. I have found that on the pocket sized model the slix shots work but not as well…for some reason. I use basically ballistol and water too. Sometimes a little dawn but not often.
@@CapBallFanatic-gb3jb ive bought 2 piettas last year... Hilariously they blow pressure thru the vents so bad they knock the hammer back into the half cock notch on both... $36 was well spent lol. But like ive told you before, i tend to shoot conicals mostly these days rather then round ball. The cost is more chamber pressure.
Most important the product used for cleaning must be water based. Solvents used for nitro powders will not work. All good information for beginners and old timers too. You should never stop learning or shooting.
A lot of things Jay has said are true. And yes I would have loved to have had a mentor with black powder fire arms some 36 years ago, I didn't though and had to learn it all the hard way through trial and error. So that is something I will add to what Jay said, is if you do not have a mentor do not be afraid or discouraged to learn through trial and error as you will learn what works for you. That is also how you will learn if you like rifles better then pistols or revolvers, or if you like revolvers better then again you may like flint locks better. As for the cleaning, if you prefer revolvers you may find you develop 3 different ways of cleaning your revolvers those being a quick field cleaning to get the gun back shooting, a good daily cleaning and a deep cleaning. For me a quick field clean means breaking the gun down if it is a Colt replica, and wiping the arbor down and applying lube to it to on top of swabbing the barrel out to get it back shooting. Everything else is like Jay described.
I agree with all you said! I didn’t have mentors for my revolvers either so I’m trying to encourage them. I’m lucky to have great mentors for my flintlocks and cap lock rifles at my muzzleloader club! Thanks for your comments and keep on firing!
I enjoy watching your channel. I been shooting cap and ball revolers since I was 11 yo, changing powder loads for close work or long range is dumb in my opinion, shooting same load constantly and at varying distances is always best as it is with archery. They didn't mix powder charges 160 years ago. Why do it now.
Something you missed. Clearing out rumors and innuendo well and the bold face lies, I know some folks whom whole heartedly believe in them, and those who still perpetuate them...😮
i am trying Pyrodex pellets, 40 gr with round ball filled with kiwi next range day easy and quick. I am teaching my daughter black powder. I told her that if she can shoot the 3 guns i am bringing, you can shoot anything.
Hi, I’m a new subscriber. You mentioned a spread sheet to keep track of your guns, cleaning shots fired ect. Could you post a picture of it or list what it has in it. Maybe send me a blank copy? I just moved from MI to Alabama . I have to say I’ve yet to find anyone interested in black powder, C&B or flintlock. I’m sure they are out there and will eventually meet some. Anyway, I enjoyed your video on the first three challenges.
Thanks! Yes it made one and it’s really simple in excel. Column lists each revolver on left and one column for deep cleaning date and one for #shots between cleaning. I’ll see if I can post it. There’s shooters there I bet. Thanks.
@@CapBallFanatic-gb3jb Given that high round count, do you cast some of your own balls? What are your favorite sources of lead? Sometimes when I score buckets of wheel weights I find many aren’t even lead. My plumber gave me some lead he recovered in an old bathroom renovation, that was massive amount of lead I am grateful for. It was used to line an old shower. It must weight 65 #
@ReichenbachEsq yes. I have to cast my own….i get lead from a friend who’s a plumber…he’s a shooter to so he knows what I need. I also buy some lead on Amazon if I’m desperate. Delivered to my door! Pay 2-3$ pound but it’s good and easy. Still cuts my round ball bill.
Post 19th century as late as the 1930's a lady that lived not to far from me carried a 1849 pocket model colt for snakes and self defense. I worked in a gun shop in 1995 when that ladies Great Grand Son came in and asked me to unload and clean the gun so it could be put away as an heirloom. I did unload the revolver and the first 2 chambers were loaded with shot for snakes the other 3 chambers were loaded with solid ball for other kinds of varmints. It was disassembled for a deep clean and lubed for long term storage. I am unsure when the lady passed away, but it remained loaded up to 1995 all her life and more.
Wow! What a cool story! You know, if I was brought up on cap n ball…I can see staying with what I know and trust for protection even over new fangeld guns! Thanks. Oh to have that colt huh?
100% agree that the need to clean your revolver after shooting is without doubt the single issue that turns people off this fun hobby. I will spend time with anyone who wants to learn this hobby but 95% decide it’s too much work. BTW , cleaning and disassembly/reassembly is one aspect that I enjoy!! Thank you for your dedication and work on these videos!!
You’re welcome. I agree with you fully. I did the tear down clean on my afternoon revolver today. I like it
I've shot C&B a bunch. Three times SASS national champion in the Frontiersman Category and I think your channel is great.
Keep the good stuff coming.
Congrats! That’s really great! Your kind words means a lot! I appreciate it
I always get a Buzz watching the .44 fly out of the muzzle and down the range.
Mesmerizing!
Like a choice cigar just a good shmoke. :-)
J , that’s my favorite thing too , the versatility and ability to change and adapt your load , plus (to me) each revolver is like a work of art and don’t look the same. I can tell the diferance between them because they don’t all look the same like most things nowadays. Great video , solid discussion 👍🏽
I agree. I love that we have so many options and challenges…it makes every revolver and every shooting session interesting! Thanks man!
@@CapBallFanatic-gb3jb Indeed it does!!
I really like the rack for your pistols behind you 👍🏽
Well said. Every bit is true. I’ve been lucky enough to have started C/B in the early 70s. Stronger hammer springs and better than replica nipples… that built my passion and it’s still going strong.
I’m glad to hear it my friend! Thank you
Very true words! The problem with our modern world is that few people are willing to work for an end result, their whole lives have been instant easy results, so any hobby or interest that requires patience and dedication is not the thing for them, but as you have said, C&B shooting is a really relaxing hobby that also requires a huge amount of effort and research to get right, thinking about my C&B past I find it has given me over 60 years of enjoyment, it is also far more rewarding than shooting modern firearms, and even the loading process and after cleaning I find enjoyable as you are overcoming an obstacle at every process, nice to see you are enjoying this hobby so much. Stay safe! Chris B.
60 years….terrific! I agree with you obviously. Thanks for watching and taking the time to write!
Very good video & advice! Keep 'em coming J.
Thank you!
First time watcher and I’ve been shooting black powder guns for 15 years now and are learning new thing ever day I love this hobby so much I got rid of all my modern firearms and never regretted my decision I love everything about the black powder firearms from the loading right down to the cleaning I now have a pair of cap and ball uberti reproductions colt 1848 dragoons revolvers and one colt 1849 baby dragoon revolver as a back up a pedersoli 1859 sharps carbine and a pedersoli double barrel coach muzzle loading shotgun and will never part with them they are my most prized and most cherished possessions heck I with probably want to be buried with them I love the video thank you so much for creating this CZcams channel
I’m happy to meet another black powder lover! Welcome. You and I sound alike as I too got rid of most of my modern arms! Stay in touch and thanks for joining the cap and ball fanatic community.
Good advice sir! Thank you.
Thank you
Great explanation thank you for all the wonderful videos!!!
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching.
Thank you for your time.
You’re welcome! But I thank you for your time spent watching! It’s humbling to me.
Ive been doing this for around 40 years. Your presentation is good. You have likely a lot more experience than I. But one thing that you didn't mention, is fouling. Probably because you shoot Colt style and I tend to shoot more Remmies. Colts just don't foul as badly as Remmies do. Especially if you are relegated to Pyrodex which tends to be extra dirty.
Colts come apart for cleaning and often for reloading as well. This helps to keep fouling on the pin removed. The design of the pin also aids greatly in reducing the hot gasses passage into the area between the cylinder and the pin.
But Remmies plug up really bad in that area. That area has to be kept really clean inside the cylinder especially, and on the pin too.
Just a wipe through with a damp pipe cleaner is adequate. But not knowing this can really mess up your day.
Also a beginner would also be well advised to aquire a stainless revolver. Super easy to clean. Just remove the grips and cylinder then throw it into the dishwasher. Comes out squeaky clean. reassemble and lightly oil. Yeer done.
I shoot these regularly.
Hey…thank you! I often so colt focused I don’t think of fouling much. But, a while ago I do a vid on my remmie and my remmie revolving carbine and I talk a lot about it. I found a product called gun butter from blackie Thomas really helps with that! I’ve got a new one coming out in a spiller and burr and fouling is an issue there too..but that gun butter really helps! Thanks
Thank you for this superb presentation. I'm sure you have offered a great service to those thinking of getting started in this hobby. Wish I had a mentor 40 years ago when I started shooting these things, but now things are running smoothly. When I head to the range with these percussion pistols I know I'm in for a relaxed, fun afternoon stepping back in time. I never minded the cleaning aspect. Its just a little messy but no big deal, not the horror story some make it out to be. Besides, I've also been plagiarizing Bill Hickok about keeping the guns cleaned and ready: "When I pull I must be sure!😀"
Thank you so much! We’ve got the right mindset! And yes, I love wild bill and will steal from him when I can! I really appreciate your kind words
Good stuff. Wish I had watched this years ago. Lots of fun shooting these guns and I am now carrying them on the farm for predator encounters. Thank you for the effort you put into these videos!
Your welcome. I also carry one for same reasons here on the farm. I appreciate your kind words.
Probably should include finding caps as a major challenge....
I fully agree. That’s in one of my next vids. I’m discussing caps then. Thanks. I recorded a segment but the video would have gotten tooooo long. It’s coming soon.
@JohnTheHangmanRuthp51mustang yes! I have a cap maker from 22reloader, the #10 and they work just fine! I also tried toy caps and in a pinch they work too…caps are a huge issue and I think homemade might be the answer for lots of folks.
Good one.
Good advice. Good video. Thanks.🤠
Thank you!!! You’re welcome.
Solid video my friend.
Thanks brother.
Slix-shot and tresco nipples help with the jams in a very significant way. They both have a narrower flash hole, but the slix also vent the cone. I personally swear by slix, blackie swears by trescos... Either way, especially lately the vent holes are oversized on modern repros. The springs are also weak... Uberti more so then Pietta.
As for my cleaning, like cast iron i season mine. Makes cleaning a whole lot easier. I dont even use soap anymore, just hot water and balistol when im done. Ill usually run a patch of my bullet lube in each chamber and barrel when im gonna store them for a while too. Beeswax/olive oil 50/50 is what i use for bullet lube. Done fine for me. Your mileage may vary.
I agree on the slix shot nipples. Although I have good luck with many of my stock nipples..mainly pietta. Ubertis tend to get replaced. I have found that on the pocket sized model the slix shots work but not as well…for some reason. I use basically ballistol and water too. Sometimes a little dawn but not often.
@@CapBallFanatic-gb3jb ive bought 2 piettas last year... Hilariously they blow pressure thru the vents so bad they knock the hammer back into the half cock notch on both... $36 was well spent lol. But like ive told you before, i tend to shoot conicals mostly these days rather then round ball. The cost is more chamber pressure.
@Rumblestrip I’ve had that once on a 62 pocket police. I admit I shoot about 90% round balls.
3 gun BP, Wyatt Earp 44 Carbine, 50 cal LH flintlock and a Traditions 50 with a 3-9 scope.
Nice!
Most important the product used for cleaning must be water based. Solvents used for nitro powders will not work.
All good information for beginners and old timers too. You should never stop learning or shooting.
Thank you!!!! Water based absolutely!!!!
A lot of things Jay has said are true. And yes I would have loved to have had a mentor with black powder fire arms some 36 years ago, I didn't though and had to learn it all the hard way through trial and error. So that is something I will add to what Jay said, is if you do not have a mentor do not be afraid or discouraged to learn through trial and error as you will learn what works for you. That is also how you will learn if you like rifles better then pistols or revolvers, or if you like revolvers better then again you may like flint locks better. As for the cleaning, if you prefer revolvers you may find you develop 3 different ways of cleaning your revolvers those being a quick field cleaning to get the gun back shooting, a good daily cleaning and a deep cleaning. For me a quick field clean means breaking the gun down if it is a Colt replica, and wiping the arbor down and applying lube to it to on top of swabbing the barrel out to get it back shooting. Everything else is like Jay described.
I agree with all you said! I didn’t have mentors for my revolvers either so I’m trying to encourage them. I’m lucky to have great mentors for my flintlocks and cap lock rifles at my muzzleloader club! Thanks for your comments and keep on firing!
I enjoy watching your channel. I been shooting cap and ball revolers since I was 11 yo, changing powder loads for close work or long range is dumb in my opinion, shooting same load constantly and at varying distances is always best as it is with archery. They didn't mix powder charges 160 years ago. Why do it now.
Thank you! I agree. I don’t adjust charge for distance. Once I find it I keep it! If you’re worried about distance…aim a touch higher lol.
Something you missed. Clearing out rumors and innuendo well and the bold face lies, I know some folks whom whole heartedly believe in them, and those who still perpetuate them...😮
I want to make a list of the lies and myths so I can address them
i am trying Pyrodex pellets, 40 gr with round ball filled with kiwi next range day easy and quick. I am teaching my daughter black powder. I told her that if she can shoot the 3 guns i am bringing, you can shoot anything.
That’s so cool. Start em early!
I’ve never used pellets! Gonna try em one day
Hi, I’m a new subscriber. You mentioned a spread sheet to keep track of your guns, cleaning shots fired ect. Could you post a picture of it or list what it has in it. Maybe send me a blank copy? I just moved from MI to Alabama . I have to say I’ve yet to find anyone interested in black powder, C&B or flintlock. I’m sure they are out there and will eventually meet some. Anyway, I enjoyed your video on the first three challenges.
Thanks! Yes it made one and it’s really simple in excel. Column lists each revolver on left and one column for deep cleaning date and one for #shots between cleaning. I’ll see if I can post it. There’s shooters there I bet. Thanks.
You are shooting around 15,000 round balls a year.
Probably more like 8-9000. 600 caps per month more in summer, fall and spring.
@@CapBallFanatic-gb3jb Given that high round count, do you cast some of your own balls? What are your favorite sources of lead? Sometimes when I score buckets of wheel weights I find many aren’t even lead. My plumber gave me some lead he recovered in an old bathroom renovation, that was massive amount of lead I am grateful for. It was used to line an old shower. It must weight 65 #
@ReichenbachEsq yes. I have to cast my own….i get lead from a friend who’s a plumber…he’s a shooter to so he knows what I need. I also buy some lead on Amazon if I’m desperate. Delivered to my door! Pay 2-3$ pound but it’s good and easy. Still cuts my round ball bill.