Shooting new spiller and burr

chaz12 · July 30, 2012, 09:59 PM

I got a pietta spiller and burr online a few weeks ago, and I took it to the range with me the other day.

Here is how it went

The pistol was very easy to load, not much force needed on the loading lever and it shaved a perfect ring of lead off every time. I used about 17 grains goex, number 10 Remington caps fit perfectly. Very little recoil, shot true on windage but high at 50 feet.

The grips are small, but not enough to be uncomfortable. I had no problem with the trigger guard pinching my fingers like some folks have reported. Not enough recoil to cause that.

My only real complaint was this-I was amazed at how dirty the brass got. Every bit of brass was tarnished after only a few rounds. Obviously this is the only brass revolver I have shot. So I'm not totally sure I am going to keep this revolver. Don't know if I really like these brass frames enough.

Doc Hoy · July 31, 2012, 04:02 AM

on Spiller and Burrs I have examined.

I have only held perhaps four different S&B revolvers in my life and I do not own one and have never fired one.

But each of the four or so I have examined have a finish on the brass frame which can only be described as dull. I have never seen one that has been polished up.

Has anyone else noticed this feature on S&Bs

Second point....I think the brass parts of revolvers accumulate more "stuff" when they are not polished to a high sheen. This makes sense if you think about it.

Anyway, Chaz,

It was a good report on what seemed to be a nice day of shooting.

Two years ago I passed up a good condition S&B for 150.00 at a show. I regret it to this day.

chaz12 · July 31, 2012, 05:45 AM

Doc, when I first got this revolver the brass was somewhat dull, even though it had never been fired. I polished it up with some Flitz, and it looked so much better to my eyes. It polished back to the same level after I fired it. It just took a little extra effort.

Chaz

towboat-er · July 31, 2012, 06:02 AM

Keeping the brass pristine can be a chore. I don't worry bout it so much. Shoot the crap outa it. Have fun

noelf2 · July 31, 2012, 10:54 AM

I prefer the dull / used patina on a brasser.

DFrame · July 31, 2012, 11:28 AM

If you're worried about having a shiney gun you probably shouldn't have a brass framed percussion revolver. What towboater said above. Just keep it clean and let the brass gradually turn a pleasant brown. I've shot brass framed remingtons and my spiller and burr extensively and never polished them. I DO keep them as clean as possible but don't worry about the coloring of the brass.

Hawg · July 31, 2012, 10:43 PM

Brass is meant to get dull. I hate shiny brass on a gun. I wish I could get the finish on my Golden Boy to dull.

Willie Sutton · July 31, 2012, 10:59 PM

Hawg, have at it....

http://www.oillampparts.com/patina.html

Willie

.

Hawg · July 31, 2012, 11:50 PM

Preciate it but the brass on a Golden Boy isn't brass.

noelf2 · August 1, 2012, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Preciate it but the brass on a Golden Boy isn't brass.

What the heck is it? Sure ain't gold !

Hawg · August 1, 2012, 08:36 AM

The receiver cover is Zamak. Very shiny.

Willie Sutton · August 1, 2012, 10:40 AM

Well.... if it's anything like the plated Zamak crap that they use on boat cleats etc. these days, a few days aboard a salt water fishing boat will cure that...

Willie

.

Hawg · August 1, 2012, 10:47 AM

I don't get any of my guns near salt water.

Doc Hoy · August 1, 2012, 11:18 AM

Since I left the Navy I am keeping myself away from salt water.

But it isn't reducing the corrosion.

;o)

Hawg · August 1, 2012, 11:24 AM

Dunno what to say about that Doc. I clean my bp stuff within a few days of firing. Some of my guns don't get touched for a year or so and stay locked up in a steel cabinet year round. I don't do anything special and I get no rust or corrosion. I am about two hours from the Gulf tho.

bedbugbilly · August 1, 2012, 12:18 PM

chaz - that's not tarnish . . . it's "patina" . . . it just adds "character"!

Good report - glad you enjoyed shooting it! I'm not in to brass framed revolvers . . . unless of course the originals were. The S & B is one I've always admired and someday I hope to have one. Keep us posted on how she shoots! Thanks!

mykeal · August 1, 2012, 12:42 PM

I suspect Doc was referring to the corrosion on hisownself, not his guns.

Hawg · August 1, 2012, 12:52 PM

Methinks you're right Mykeal but I already said it now.

Doc Hoy · August 1, 2012, 03:17 PM

...Take good nuf care of my revolvers that they could lay in salt water and I would clean them up.

...In the other hand, my body is past preserving.

July 30, 2012, 09:59 PM	#1
chaz12 Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2008 Posts: 223	Shooting new spiller and burr I got a pietta spiller and burr online a few weeks ago, and I took it to the range with me the other day. Here is how it went The pistol was very easy to load, not much force needed on the loading lever and it shaved a perfect ring of lead off every time. I used about 17 grains goex, number 10 Remington caps fit perfectly. Very little recoil, shot true on windage but high at 50 feet. The grips are small, but not enough to be uncomfortable. I had no problem with the trigger guard pinching my fingers like some folks have reported. Not enough recoil to cause that. My only real complaint was this-I was amazed at how dirty the brass got. Every bit of brass was tarnished after only a few rounds. Obviously this is the only brass revolver I have shot. So I'm not totally sure I am going to keep this revolver. Don't know if I really like these brass frames enough.

July 31, 2012, 04:02 AM	#2
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Something I have noticed on Spiller and Burrs I have examined. I have only held perhaps four different S&B revolvers in my life and I do not own one and have never fired one. But each of the four or so I have examined have a finish on the brass frame which can only be described as dull. I have never seen one that has been polished up. Has anyone else noticed this feature on S&Bs Second point....I think the brass parts of revolvers accumulate more "stuff" when they are not polished to a high sheen. This makes sense if you think about it. Anyway, Chaz, It was a good report on what seemed to be a nice day of shooting. Two years ago I passed up a good condition S&B for 150.00 at a show. I regret it to this day. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

July 31, 2012, 10:54 AM	#5
noelf2 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Stuart, VA Posts: 2,473	I prefer the dull / used patina on a brasser. __________________ Liberty and freedom often offends those who understand neither.

July 31, 2012, 11:28 AM	#6
DFrame Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2008 Location: central Illinois Posts: 451	If you're worried about having a shiney gun you probably shouldn't have a brass framed percussion revolver. What towboater said above. Just keep it clean and let the brass gradually turn a pleasant brown. I've shot brass framed remingtons and my spiller and burr extensively and never polished them. I DO keep them as clean as possible but don't worry about the coloring of the brass. __________________ Mark Lane to William Buckley: "Have you ever referred to Jessee Jackson as an ignoramus?" Buckley: "If I didn't, I should have"

August 1, 2012, 11:18 AM	#14
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Hawg... Since I left the Navy I am keeping myself away from salt water. But it isn't reducing the corrosion. ;o) __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

July 31, 2012, 05:45 AM	#3
chaz12 Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2008 Posts: 223	Doc, when I first got this revolver the brass was somewhat dull, even though it had never been fired. I polished it up with some Flitz, and it looked so much better to my eyes. It polished back to the same level after I fired it. It just took a little extra effort. Chaz

July 31, 2012, 06:02 AM	#4
towboat-er Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2011 Posts: 146	Keeping the brass pristine can be a chore. I don't worry bout it so much. Shoot the crap outa it. Have fun

July 31, 2012, 10:43 PM	#7
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	Brass is meant to get dull. I hate shiny brass on a gun. I wish I could get the finish on my Golden Boy to dull.

July 31, 2012, 10:59 PM	#8
Willie Sutton Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 1,066	Hawg, have at it.... http://www.oillampparts.com/patina.html Willie .

July 31, 2012, 11:50 PM	#9
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	Preciate it but the brass on a Golden Boy isn't brass.

August 1, 2012, 08:36 AM	#11
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	The receiver cover is Zamak. Very shiny.

August 1, 2012, 10:40 AM	#12
Willie Sutton Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 1,066	Well.... if it's anything like the plated Zamak crap that they use on boat cleats etc. these days, a few days aboard a salt water fishing boat will cure that... Willie .

August 1, 2012, 10:47 AM	#13
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	I don't get any of my guns near salt water.

August 1, 2012, 11:24 AM	#15
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	Dunno what to say about that Doc. I clean my bp stuff within a few days of firing. Some of my guns don't get touched for a year or so and stay locked up in a steel cabinet year round. I don't do anything special and I get no rust or corrosion. I am about two hours from the Gulf tho.

August 1, 2012, 12:18 PM	#16
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	chaz - that's not tarnish . . . it's "patina" . . . it just adds "character"! Good report - glad you enjoyed shooting it! I'm not in to brass framed revolvers . . . unless of course the originals were. The S & B is one I've always admired and someday I hope to have one. Keep us posted on how she shoots! Thanks! __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

August 1, 2012, 12:42 PM	#17
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	I suspect Doc was referring to the corrosion on hisownself, not his guns.

August 1, 2012, 12:52 PM	#18
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	Methinks you're right Mykeal but I already said it now.

August 1, 2012, 03:17 PM	#19
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Mykeal is the winner.... ...Take good nuf care of my revolvers that they could lay in salt water and I would clean them up. ...In the other hand, my body is past preserving. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.