new to bp, a few questions.

Jacobie · May 19, 2013, 08:20 PM

With fathers day coming up I was thinking of ideas for my father, I know he has been looking for a few revolvers, but he has mentioned how much he used to shoot bp. He has quite a gun collection but no black powder ones anymore (sold them off many years ago according to him) anyways, time for the questions.

I have been reading up on them a bit, but no idea where to start as far as what is a good brand.

More than likely going with a revolver not rifle, any particular brand to look for? Stay away from? Are the ones Cabelas carry any good? What can I expect to pay for a decent one? I don't really have a budget set, but would rather not drop a grand if he decides its not quite as fun as he remembered.

Thanks.

wap41 · May 19, 2013, 09:04 PM

A ruger old army is as good as you can get.No longer mfrd but you can find them on gunbroker,still some new in the box ones floating around if it has to be new.[used priced about $4-600.]

Hawg Haggen · May 19, 2013, 09:22 PM

A Pietta from Cabela's is the best bang for the buck.

bn12gg · May 19, 2013, 09:25 PM

Jacobie-- I'm 64 y/o and came to BP approx 5 years ago -- started shooting as a kid. If you are looking for a nice revolver in BP for a gift, I'd suggest reviewing the options via Cabela's. I happen to own a Colt/Walker 44 built by Uberti. It was purchased thru Cabela's-- shipped to my home, no FFL transfer needed to Florida. Cabela's carries other revolvers most being lighter than the Colt/Walker. Stay away from the brass built revolvers re the manufacturer.

Just my .02

David

Jacobie · May 19, 2013, 10:29 PM

Bk12gg, thanks. I'll take a look at it.

What else will I need? Sorry, totally new to the bp.

Poindexter · May 19, 2013, 11:34 PM

While the cap and ball revolvers are a gas to operate, don't overlook plain old .45Colt.

Perhaps a little more to deal with than loading directly into the cylinder but you can do almost anything worth doing in the Lower 48 with BP under a 250gr Keith style bullet in 45 Colt.

Just saying.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · May 19, 2013, 11:41 PM

Before your buying.
I'd casually try and find out why He gave up on B/P pistols in the first place? Guns in general are always interesting to look at and talk about. But He may have a private reason for not wanting to own another.

S/S

North East Redneck · May 19, 2013, 11:42 PM

Above suggestions are all spot on. I would suggest staying away from brass framed guns as was said before. Pietta and Uberti are both fine. As much as I like ROAs, you can find something cheaper and just as reliable. I like SS guns. Some people don't. I also like blued guns, just prefer SS. An 1860 or an 1858 would be my preference. Good starting points. The Walkers, Dragoons etc etc are nice also, and many people start with the 1851. Personally, '58 or '60 would be my bet.
You will need a powder measure, nipple wrench, balls, caps, powder, cleaning kit and perhaps over powder wads. Also lube (crisco is fine). I suggest you read the sticky 'so you want a cap and ball revolver' found at the beginning of the Blackpowder Forum.
I got my dad into BP a year or two ago. I sold him (yes sold, he aint the type to take free stuff, and yeah I lost money on the deal

) an 1851 Pietta. He has 8 years in the armed forces and is in his 60s, been a gun owner since the 1950s. He had never shot a black powder gun before this one. He still likes modern stuff, but the BP is growing on him. I think you're idea is great. Get your dad one. Makes for fun times.

Pahoo · May 20, 2013, 11:37 AM

Jacobie
Right now you are showing two good choices. ....

Quote:

A ruger old army is as good as you can get.

Yes, and they have gotten pricey and for very good reasons. These are getting to be collector's items and investments. Depends on you personal circumstances.

Quote:

A Pietta from Cabela's is the best bang for the buck.

Once again, Yes as they are more practical and very serviceable and won't break your bank. ....

Be Safe !!!

Noz · May 20, 2013, 12:58 PM

Keep in mind, that although the cap and ball guns are by far the most fun to deal with, there is a learning curve involved. They can be extremely frustrating for a beginner.

brazosdave · May 20, 2013, 01:33 PM

I gotta go with the previous posters, any of cabela's offerings is good. I wouldn't shy from the brass, maybe your dad doesn't want to shoot elephant loads. I have lots of b.p. revolvers, both brass and steel frames, and some of the brass frames are my favorite shooters. But it might be a good reason to ask why he got out of it. Or not. Hell, you know him better than us, lol! I'd find a nice remmy, 1860 or 51 on the Cabelas website, brass or steel, and go with what feels like a good choice and what is right for your wallet. ROA's are nice guns, if you like Rugers and such, but still nice guns. So are Porsches. There is a reason why I don't have a Porsche anymore. Same thing with a ROA.

Beagle333 · May 20, 2013, 02:47 PM

Definitely agree with Cabelas 1860 or '51 in steel frame. Both good choices and good resale value if he doesn't like it.

Rigmarol · May 21, 2013, 12:39 PM

I agree that you should find out why he gave up on BP in the past. He may not enjoy it.

I shot with a fellow who told me of a tale of his Mother being one of the soldiers who fought the Germans while defending Stalingrad in Russion during WWII. He remembered her telling him of her trusty Mosen Nagant carbine rifle and how well she could shoot it as a girl.

He found one on sale and bought it to surprise her with it. (His mother was still an active shooter).

He gave it to her for her birthday and the first thing she said was "Oh my, I had hoped I'd never see one of these ever again! They kick like a (bleep) mule!".

See if he would actually like one before you get him one.

May 19, 2013, 08:20 PM	#1
Jacobie Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2005 Location: Ky Posts: 292	new to bp, a few questions. With fathers day coming up I was thinking of ideas for my father, I know he has been looking for a few revolvers, but he has mentioned how much he used to shoot bp. He has quite a gun collection but no black powder ones anymore (sold them off many years ago according to him) anyways, time for the questions. I have been reading up on them a bit, but no idea where to start as far as what is a good brand. More than likely going with a revolver not rifle, any particular brand to look for? Stay away from? Are the ones Cabelas carry any good? What can I expect to pay for a decent one? I don't really have a budget set, but would rather not drop a grand if he decides its not quite as fun as he remembered. Thanks.

May 19, 2013, 09:22 PM	#3
Hawg Haggen Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 10,252	A Pietta from Cabela's is the best bang for the buck. __________________ http://blackpowdertimes.com/index.php

May 19, 2013, 11:42 PM	#8
North East Redneck Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2012 Location: Berkshire Hills Posts: 303	Above suggestions are all spot on. I would suggest staying away from brass framed guns as was said before. Pietta and Uberti are both fine. As much as I like ROAs, you can find something cheaper and just as reliable. I like SS guns. Some people don't. I also like blued guns, just prefer SS. An 1860 or an 1858 would be my preference. Good starting points. The Walkers, Dragoons etc etc are nice also, and many people start with the 1851. Personally, '58 or '60 would be my bet. You will need a powder measure, nipple wrench, balls, caps, powder, cleaning kit and perhaps over powder wads. Also lube (crisco is fine). I suggest you read the sticky 'so you want a cap and ball revolver' found at the beginning of the Blackpowder Forum. I got my dad into BP a year or two ago. I sold him (yes sold, he aint the type to take free stuff, and yeah I lost money on the deal ) an 1851 Pietta. He has 8 years in the armed forces and is in his 60s, been a gun owner since the 1950s. He had never shot a black powder gun before this one. He still likes modern stuff, but the BP is growing on him. I think you're idea is great. Get your dad one. Makes for fun times. __________________ NRA Life Member Goal Member SAF Member

May 20, 2013, 01:33 PM	#11
brazosdave Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2012 Location: Copperas Cove, TX Posts: 251	I gotta go with the previous posters, any of cabela's offerings is good. I wouldn't shy from the brass, maybe your dad doesn't want to shoot elephant loads. I have lots of b.p. revolvers, both brass and steel frames, and some of the brass frames are my favorite shooters. But it might be a good reason to ask why he got out of it. Or not. Hell, you know him better than us, lol! I'd find a nice remmy, 1860 or 51 on the Cabelas website, brass or steel, and go with what feels like a good choice and what is right for your wallet. ROA's are nice guns, if you like Rugers and such, but still nice guns. So are Porsches. There is a reason why I don't have a Porsche anymore. Same thing with a ROA. __________________ "I'm your huckleberry, it's just my game"

May 20, 2013, 02:47 PM	#12
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Back in the woods a piece Posts: 744	Definitely agree with Cabelas 1860 or '51 in steel frame. Both good choices and good resale value if he doesn't like it. __________________ 1860. It just feels right.

May 19, 2013, 09:04 PM	#2
wap41 Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Posts: 52	A ruger old army is as good as you can get.No longer mfrd but you can find them on gunbroker,still some new in the box ones floating around if it has to be new.[used priced about $4-600.]

May 19, 2013, 09:25 PM	#4
bn12gg Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Winter Park, Florida Posts: 130	Jacobie-- I'm 64 y/o and came to BP approx 5 years ago -- started shooting as a kid. If you are looking for a nice revolver in BP for a gift, I'd suggest reviewing the options via Cabela's. I happen to own a Colt/Walker 44 built by Uberti. It was purchased thru Cabela's-- shipped to my home, no FFL transfer needed to Florida. Cabela's carries other revolvers most being lighter than the Colt/Walker. Stay away from the brass built revolvers re the manufacturer. Just my .02 David

May 19, 2013, 10:29 PM	#5
Jacobie Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2005 Location: Ky Posts: 292	Bk12gg, thanks. I'll take a look at it. What else will I need? Sorry, totally new to the bp.

May 19, 2013, 11:34 PM	#6
Poindexter Member Join Date: September 2, 2009 Location: Interior Alaska Posts: 57	While the cap and ball revolvers are a gas to operate, don't overlook plain old .45Colt. Perhaps a little more to deal with than loading directly into the cylinder but you can do almost anything worth doing in the Lower 48 with BP under a 250gr Keith style bullet in 45 Colt. Just saying.

May 19, 2013, 11:41 PM	#7
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Need to know basis only Posts: 943	Before your buying. I'd casually try and find out why He gave up on B/P pistols in the first place? Guns in general are always interesting to look at and talk about. But He may have a private reason for not wanting to own another. S/S

May 20, 2013, 12:58 PM	#10
Noz Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Posts: 589	Keep in mind, that although the cap and ball guns are by far the most fun to deal with, there is a learning curve involved. They can be extremely frustrating for a beginner.

May 21, 2013, 12:39 PM	#13
Rigmarol Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 185	I agree that you should find out why he gave up on BP in the past. He may not enjoy it. I shot with a fellow who told me of a tale of his Mother being one of the soldiers who fought the Germans while defending Stalingrad in Russion during WWII. He remembered her telling him of her trusty Mosen Nagant carbine rifle and how well she could shoot it as a girl. He found one on sale and bought it to surprise her with it. (His mother was still an active shooter). He gave it to her for her birthday and the first thing she said was "Oh my, I had hoped I'd never see one of these ever again! They kick like a (bleep) mule!". See if he would actually like one before you get him one.