How long can you leave a cylinder loaded?

secondeagle · September 7, 2011, 10:52 AM

I am sure that humidity plays a part, but how long can you leave your BP revolver loaded before the charge is affected? Just curious.

American Eagle · September 7, 2011, 11:03 AM

Humidity will eventually get in there as there is no air-tight seal. If you leave your cylinder loaded you will probably start seeing some rust within a few days, or it could be as long as a week or so (depending on humidity).

However, I would not recommend to leave the cylinders loaded for more than 24 hours regardless of the rust issue, because once humidity has a chance of interacting with the gun powder your gun may misfire. Wild Bill didn't reload his gun every day for no reason.

Slamfire · September 7, 2011, 11:03 AM

You have to waterproof the caps.

If you can keep water from getting to the charge, the gun will be ready to fire for centuries.

Hawg · September 7, 2011, 11:36 AM

Humidity is not an issue. Unfired powder isn't hygroscopic. There's been countless numbers of Civil War weapons dug up loaded and the powder charges were just fine. I myself found an original 58 Remington in an old barn and the powder was fine. The gun was pretty rough on the outside but when I pulled the balls the chambers looked like new.

noelf2 · September 7, 2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Humidity is not an issue. Unfired powder isn't hygroscopic.

+1 You will not get rust in a clean bore/cylinder from unburnt powder. You may get rust because of humidity, but the powder isn't causing it. I've left a blued cylinder loaded and capped for over three months. Fired fine and cleaned up like a new silver dollar.

bedbugbilly · September 7, 2011, 03:01 PM

+1 to what Hawg said. I've seen Civil War revolvers as well that were loaded for years as well as rifled muskets/smoothbores where the powder was fine. I know the question was out of curiosity but will get on my stump again - just remember that if you leave it loaded, as with any firearm, the potential is there for it to get into the "wrong hands" and an accident occur. Several years ago, there was a kid killed close to where I live who was "cleaning" an "unloaded" cap & ball revolver - it discharged and he is now deceased.

I also saw a kid snap a cap onthe line at Friendship one time prior to shooting a match and his gun discharged. He'd forgotten that he had left it loaded from the previous deer season. All of us near him were ready to do him in b ut the RO got to him first.

Just thought I'd mention the "safety aspect" - now I'll shut up!

Hawg · September 7, 2011, 03:06 PM

About 30 years ago there was a local farmer that plowed up a loaded Springfield barrel. He thought it would make a good gate hinge so he stuck the breech end into his forge and the minie hit him in the head killing him instantly. And what about all the cannon balls blowing up just because somebody cut or drilled into them?

**4V50 Gary** · September 7, 2011, 03:18 PM

Humidity and storage condition will affect your storage. In the high desert of Nevada, a load gun will be good until the Biblical Revelation manifests itself on earth.

Hawg · September 7, 2011, 03:59 PM

My father in law loaded a CVA Hawken about 10 years ago and then got in too bad of shape to hunt. It sat in a closet next to the washer and dryer until he died a couple of years ago. It fired fine.

Magnum Wheel Man · September 7, 2011, 04:36 PM

When my father in law died, he had a Brass framed Remington replica loaded... it sat in the air conditioned house until I was ready to start to play a little with black powder... about 17 years... added some caps, & the gun fired just fine, & cylinders looked just fine when cleaning afterwards...

1911Tuner · September 7, 2011, 05:07 PM

No experience with revolvers, but a guy I worked with had a great aunt who died in 1970 at the ripe old age of 101. Her father was a veteran of the War of Northern Aggression 1861-1865...a NC regiment...and she'd apparently kept his rifle after he passed sometime before the turn of the century.

When she died, coworker friend was going through her attic and found the rifle. Curious as to whether it still worked...he cocked the hammer and pulled the trigger.

It worked. It worked so well, in fact that the bullet knocked out a neighbor's central air unit two houses down.

robhof · September 7, 2011, 06:30 PM

Black powder, the real stuff is an extremely stable mixture and even if it's soaked, it can be dried out and used. I dug out a 3/4" cannon that my brother and I made a carriage for as a scout project in the mid 60's, still had about 1/2 can of Dupont powder and fuse, stored in wooden ammo box in shed for 30+ yrs. all worked fine.

mykeal · September 7, 2011, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by American Eagle

Wild Bill didn't reload his gun every day for no reason.

Good point. You're right.

The reason was he fired them every day to practice and stay proficient. Which is precisely the same reason we shouldn't leave them loaded either.

Hawg · September 8, 2011, 09:54 AM

Quote:

The reason was he fired them every day to practice and stay proficient. Which is precisely the same reason we shouldn't leave them loaded either.

Maybe I'm not fully awake yet but that really doesn't make any sense to me.

Slamfire · September 8, 2011, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Humidity is not an issue. Unfired powder isn't hygroscopic. There's been countless numbers of Civil War weapons dug up loaded and the powder charges were just fine. I myself found an original 58 Remington in an old barn and the powder was fine. The gun was pretty rough on the outside but when I pulled the balls the chambers looked like new.

I always heard that you needed to keep your powder dry. Maybe that advice is bad. The web is not showing a 100% consensus on how water/humidity effects black powder. Wiki seems to blow it off for potassium nitrate black powder, but Wiki and another article warn about sodium nitrate blackpowder. I would have thought charcoal would absorb water.

So how do you tell if your blackpowder is the potassium nitrate stuff? And how wet can the powder be and still function?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpowder

Black powder made with sodium nitrate tends to be hygroscopic, unlike black powders made from saltpeter. (In this article, "saltpeter"--also spelled "saltpetre"--means potassium nitrate and not any of the other nitrates that are also sometimes called "saltpeter.") Because black powder made with saltpeter is less affected by moisture in the air, it can be stored unsealed for centuries without degradation if it is kept dry. Muzzleloaders have been known to fire after hanging on a wall for decades in a loaded state, provided they remained dry. By contrast, black powder made with sodium nitrate must be sealed from the moisture in the air to remain stable for long periods.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/problems_blackpowder.htm

The Problems of Black Powder
By Randy Wakeman

A problem associated with black powder is its hygroscopicity. Black powder absorbs about 1.5 weight percent moisture under 75 percent relative humidity at a temperature of 21.1.degrees C. (70.degrees F.) over a period of 24 hours. If black powder picks up sufficient moisture, there is a possibility that the black powder will not burn as fast. High relative humidity may cause erratic behavior. Water may cause the potassium nitrate to migrate out of the black powder and cause corrosion of metallic parts.

Hawg · September 8, 2011, 04:29 PM

Quote:

I always heard that you needed to keep your powder dry.

That mainly dates to flintlock times with the powder in the pan but wet powder will not function period. To the best of my knowledge Goex black and Pyrodex still use potassium nitrate. If Randy Wakeman told me the sky was clear and not a cloud in sight I'd be sure to get an umbrella.

mykeal · September 8, 2011, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawg Haggen

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykeal

The reason was he fired them every day to practice and stay proficient. Which is precisely the same reason we shouldn't leave them loaded either.

Maybe I'm not fully awake yet but that really doesn't make any sense to me.

Hickok believed (apparently) that he needed to practice daily to maintain proficiency. He 'unloaded' his guns daily not to prevent corrosion, but to practice shooting - to maintain proficiency.

I think there's a great deal of merit in that. Loading a gun and then letting it sit idle for long periods of time may or may not (which I believe) result in the gun corroding, but it certainly will result in the shooter's skills with that gun eroding.

I'm not suggesting we should shoot every day, but some level of regular practice 'unloading' your guns is surely advisable.

Hawg · September 8, 2011, 07:05 PM

Ok thanks for clearing that up.

Lee McNelly · September 9, 2011, 09:48 AM

get a cartridge revolver

secondeagle · September 9, 2011, 09:52 AM

I have several cartridge revolvers. Thanks

noelf2 · September 9, 2011, 01:49 PM

Quote:

get a cartridge revolver

BLASPHEMY

Lee McNelly · September 9, 2011, 02:01 PM

way to quit worrying YES
less worry less cleaning less equipment to buy

Rachen · September 9, 2011, 03:09 PM

Quote:

get a cartridge revolver

You said the C word! How shameful of you!

Quote:

It worked. It worked so well, in fact that the bullet knocked out a neighbor's central air unit two houses down.

Wow, I am glad nothing else happened. If that were to happen today, even if nobody got hurt, bomb squad would be called, then Homeland Security, then they will cordon off the area and send in nuclear response teams

Hawg · September 9, 2011, 03:26 PM

Quote:

less worry less cleaning less equipment to buy

Don't have to buy ANY cleaning equipment with black. As long as you've got access to water and an old rag you're good to go.

mykeal · September 9, 2011, 06:05 PM

I love the way that man thinks.

September 7, 2011, 10:52 AM	#1
secondeagle Junior Member Join Date: July 28, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 7	How long can you leave a cylinder loaded? I am sure that humidity plays a part, but how long can you leave your BP revolver loaded before the charge is affected? Just curious.

September 7, 2011, 11:03 AM	#2
American Eagle Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2009 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 265	Humidity will eventually get in there as there is no air-tight seal. If you leave your cylinder loaded you will probably start seeing some rust within a few days, or it could be as long as a week or so (depending on humidity). However, I would not recommend to leave the cylinders loaded for more than 24 hours regardless of the rust issue, because once humidity has a chance of interacting with the gun powder your gun may misfire. Wild Bill didn't reload his gun every day for no reason. __________________ I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. ----THOMAS JEFFERSON

September 7, 2011, 11:03 AM	#3
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	You have to waterproof the caps. If you can keep water from getting to the charge, the gun will be ready to fire for centuries. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

September 7, 2011, 03:01 PM	#6
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	+1 to what Hawg said. I've seen Civil War revolvers as well that were loaded for years as well as rifled muskets/smoothbores where the powder was fine. I know the question was out of curiosity but will get on my stump again - just remember that if you leave it loaded, as with any firearm, the potential is there for it to get into the "wrong hands" and an accident occur. Several years ago, there was a kid killed close to where I live who was "cleaning" an "unloaded" cap & ball revolver - it discharged and he is now deceased. I also saw a kid snap a cap onthe line at Friendship one time prior to shooting a match and his gun discharged. He'd forgotten that he had left it loaded from the previous deer season. All of us near him were ready to do him in b ut the RO got to him first. Just thought I'd mention the "safety aspect" - now I'll shut up! __________________ 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

September 7, 2011, 03:18 PM	#8
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	Humidity and storage condition will affect your storage. In the high desert of Nevada, a load gun will be good until the Biblical Revelation manifests itself on earth. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

September 7, 2011, 11:36 AM	#4
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	Humidity is not an issue. Unfired powder isn't hygroscopic. There's been countless numbers of Civil War weapons dug up loaded and the powder charges were just fine. I myself found an original 58 Remington in an old barn and the powder was fine. The gun was pretty rough on the outside but when I pulled the balls the chambers looked like new.

September 7, 2011, 03:06 PM	#7
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	About 30 years ago there was a local farmer that plowed up a loaded Springfield barrel. He thought it would make a good gate hinge so he stuck the breech end into his forge and the minie hit him in the head killing him instantly. And what about all the cannon balls blowing up just because somebody cut or drilled into them?

September 7, 2011, 03:59 PM	#9
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	My father in law loaded a CVA Hawken about 10 years ago and then got in too bad of shape to hunt. It sat in a closet next to the washer and dryer until he died a couple of years ago. It fired fine.

September 7, 2011, 04:36 PM	#10
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	When my father in law died, he had a Brass framed Remington replica loaded... it sat in the air conditioned house until I was ready to start to play a little with black powder... about 17 years... added some caps, & the gun fired just fine, & cylinders looked just fine when cleaning afterwards... __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

September 7, 2011, 05:07 PM	#11
1911Tuner Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: NC Piedmont/Foothills Posts: 666	Black Powder No experience with revolvers, but a guy I worked with had a great aunt who died in 1970 at the ripe old age of 101. Her father was a veteran of the War of Northern Aggression 1861-1865...a NC regiment...and she'd apparently kept his rifle after he passed sometime before the turn of the century. When she died, coworker friend was going through her attic and found the rifle. Curious as to whether it still worked...he cocked the hammer and pulled the trigger. It worked. It worked so well, in fact that the bullet knocked out a neighbor's central air unit two houses down. __________________ If your front porch collapses and kills more than three dogs...You just might be a redneck

September 7, 2011, 06:30 PM	#12
robhof Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2007 Posts: 712	robhof Black powder, the real stuff is an extremely stable mixture and even if it's soaked, it can be dried out and used. I dug out a 3/4" cannon that my brother and I made a carriage for as a scout project in the mid 60's, still had about 1/2 can of Dupont powder and fuse, stored in wooden ammo box in shed for 30+ yrs. all worked fine.

September 8, 2011, 07:05 PM	#18
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	Ok thanks for clearing that up.

September 9, 2011, 09:48 AM	#19
Lee McNelly Junior member Join Date: June 9, 2011 Posts: 325	worrying get a cartridge revolver

September 9, 2011, 09:52 AM	#20
secondeagle Junior Member Join Date: July 28, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 7	I have several cartridge revolvers. Thanks

September 9, 2011, 02:01 PM	#22
Lee McNelly Junior member Join Date: June 9, 2011 Posts: 325	blasphemy no way to quit worrying YES less worry less cleaning less equipment to buy

September 9, 2011, 06:05 PM	#25
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	I love the way that man thinks.