flintlock pistols and ball seating

MEDDAC19 · March 19, 2012, 02:39 PM

Watched episode of Topshot where flint pistols were used and the balls were rolling out of bbls. Thought they needed a patch or a tight enough fit to engage the lands and grooves. Do I have this wrong? I admit my experience is with flintlock rifles and they are fitted tightly so no air gap to prevent excess pressure.

orangello · March 19, 2012, 03:00 PM

I use patches and want a tight fit in my CAPLOCK pistol (single shot, .50 cal, sidelock, etc).

mykeal · March 19, 2012, 03:21 PM

Smoothbore pistols and rifles were often shot using undersized balls and no patch. This was done to allow speedy loading.

denster · March 19, 2012, 03:23 PM

That was not one of their better episodes. They had it all wrong probably for the sake of rapid continuous loading.

FrontierGander · March 19, 2012, 03:29 PM

yes they were supposed to use a patch. IMO I think they skipped it due to all the shooters using the same pistol. A patch certainly would make things harder to load after all of those shots. Still a very dangerous practice they were doing.

Pahoo · March 19, 2012, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Watched episode of Topshot

I just got into the middle of what they were doing and saw the same thing. I'm not sure how they introduced this practice but thought it quite odd, if not unwise. On top of that, did you see how well they shot? I know it can be done and historically it has been done but still wish they could have explained themselves or just not show it if they are not going to do it right. I teach M/L's and how do I explain this if asked by a student. ....

Be Safe !!!

**4V50 Gary** · March 19, 2012, 04:19 PM

Had to have something to keep the balls from dropping. Pistols were the secondary weapon of the cavalryman (his sword or lance being the primary weapon). The pistols were carried in pommel holsters that were muzzle down. A trotting or galloping horse would shake the ball out quick but for some tightly fitted wadding.

Rifleman1776 · March 19, 2012, 04:32 PM

I didn't watch the show. Really never do just because it is more show than guns.
Most balls are patched. Rolling out is not correct. Nor is it conducive to accurate shooting. Everybody competing under those conditions was cheated.

Newton24b · March 19, 2012, 06:07 PM

you can do it with a patch or with over powder wad, and anothe wad over the ball. to expect anything realistic from that show is well, unrealistic.

Pahoo · March 19, 2012, 06:19 PM

Quote:

to expect anything realistic from that show is well, unrealistic.

Well said and for the short time that I watched this segment, they loaded the powder followed directly by the ball. No patch or wadding or anything else, was ever used. ....

Be Safe !!!

**4V50 Gary** · March 19, 2012, 07:46 PM

Television is for entertainment, not education.

B.L.E. · March 19, 2012, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Smoothbore pistols and rifles were often shot using undersized balls and no patch. This was done to allow speedy loading.

That's true, smoothbore military muskets did not use patches, but, the paper that the premeasured powder charge and ball was wrapped in was rammed down on top of the ball to serve as an overshot wad.

March 19, 2012, 02:39 PM	#1
MEDDAC19 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2005 Location: Endless Mts,NEPA Posts: 379	flintlock pistols and ball seating Watched episode of Topshot where flint pistols were used and the balls were rolling out of bbls. Thought they needed a patch or a tight enough fit to engage the lands and grooves. Do I have this wrong? I admit my experience is with flintlock rifles and they are fitted tightly so no air gap to prevent excess pressure.

March 19, 2012, 03:29 PM	#5
FrontierGander Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: Boncarbo,Colorado Posts: 651	yes they were supposed to use a patch. IMO I think they skipped it due to all the shooters using the same pistol. A patch certainly would make things harder to load after all of those shots. Still a very dangerous practice they were doing. __________________ https://buckskinsbp.blogspot.com/

March 19, 2012, 04:19 PM	#7
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	Had to have something to keep the balls from dropping. Pistols were the secondary weapon of the cavalryman (his sword or lance being the primary weapon). The pistols were carried in pommel holsters that were muzzle down. A trotting or galloping horse would shake the ball out quick but for some tightly fitted wadding. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

March 19, 2012, 07:46 PM	#11
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	Television is for entertainment, not education. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

March 19, 2012, 03:00 PM	#2
orangello Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Posts: 566	I use patches and want a tight fit in my CAPLOCK pistol (single shot, .50 cal, sidelock, etc).

March 19, 2012, 03:21 PM	#3
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	Smoothbore pistols and rifles were often shot using undersized balls and no patch. This was done to allow speedy loading.

March 19, 2012, 03:23 PM	#4
denster Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 581	That was not one of their better episodes. They had it all wrong probably for the sake of rapid continuous loading.

March 19, 2012, 04:32 PM	#8
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	I didn't watch the show. Really never do just because it is more show than guns. Most balls are patched. Rolling out is not correct. Nor is it conducive to accurate shooting. Everybody competing under those conditions was cheated.

March 19, 2012, 06:07 PM	#9
Newton24b Junior member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Posts: 974	you can do it with a patch or with over powder wad, and anothe wad over the ball. to expect anything realistic from that show is well, unrealistic.