First Black Powder Revolver Suggestions

RED_beard92 · May 25, 2023, 08:27 PM

I'm not new to firearms but I am to black powder. I have done enough research and watch enough videos to make my head swell.

I think I'm wanting a revolver that's around the Civil War Era. I'm leaning towards Uberti for the value but that's really all I have locked in. I was thinking the 1851 Navy in 36 cal but then I found out about the Remington 1858 in 44 and from what I've seen they say it's less likely to have cap jams. (I don't know why) but the idea of less failures is really appealing. What's a good black powder pistol you would recommend for a first timer.

Doc Hoy · May 26, 2023, 02:20 AM

The cap, upon discharge comes off the nipple and because of the geometry of the frame and hammer falls into the space between the hammer and the hammer channel in the frame. On the next shot the hammer flattens out the cap but the flattened cap frequently causes the pistol to misfire.

The remedy is to cock the pistol and quickly check the nipple to see if the cap is still there. If it is not visible, turn the pistol over to clear the expended cap, then check the space between the hammer and the hammer channel to make sure it is safe to fire. The process of clearing the cap from the channel has come to be known as the Colt Wave.

A better remedy is to make sure you are getting the right caps. I have also read of modifications to the hammer.

Don't avoid the Colt simply because of this issue. It is a minor issue that is easily managed.

l.cutler · May 26, 2023, 03:09 AM

Either would be a good choice, but both have their little peculiarities. The cap jams can be minimized without much effort. Aftermarket nipples are said to help, as well as the shooting technique and hammer modifications mentioned by Doc Hoy. The Remington design is more prone to having the rotation of the cylinder gum up from black powder fowling. Again this is easily fixed by sliding out the cylinder pin and wiping it down when re-loading.

gwpercle · May 27, 2023, 02:38 PM

I bought my first over 50+ years ago . Do Not get a brass framed revolver ... I did , an EMF 1851 Navy Colt and shot it so loose the cylinder wobbled , the arbor would spin around and the wedge retaining slot cracked .
Whatever you do ... Get a Steel Framed cap & ball ... any model that strikes your fancy .

If I had it to do again I would get a one of the 1858 Remington New Model Army or Navy and I sure like the short barreled 5 1/2" models ... The Remingtons are Steel framed and have a solid top strap ... they will have a long shooting life .
Only question is caliber ... I've seen both 36 Navy and 44 Army for sale !
Gary

armoredman · May 27, 2023, 05:28 PM

If you buy a Colt style open top, whether 1851, 1860, 1862, etc., best bet is to contact Jackrabbit1957 in Arizona for a rebuild, where he fixes all the known problems with such reproductions, including the short arbor issue. He reworked my 1860 Army, and it is a great shooter.

Having said that, after I bought my first Remington New Model Army, I wondered why it took me so long.

May 25, 2023, 08:27 PM	#1
RED_beard92 Member Join Date: August 21, 2013 Location: The Appalachian Mountains Posts: 65	First Black Powder Revolver Suggestions I'm not new to firearms but I am to black powder. I have done enough research and watch enough videos to make my head swell. I think I'm wanting a revolver that's around the Civil War Era. I'm leaning towards Uberti for the value but that's really all I have locked in. I was thinking the 1851 Navy in 36 cal but then I found out about the Remington 1858 in 44 and from what I've seen they say it's less likely to have cap jams. (I don't know why) but the idea of less failures is really appealing. What's a good black powder pistol you would recommend for a first timer. __________________ Nothing Exceeds Like Excess

May 26, 2023, 02:20 AM	#2
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,378	The famous Colt Wave The cap, upon discharge comes off the nipple and because of the geometry of the frame and hammer falls into the space between the hammer and the hammer channel in the frame. On the next shot the hammer flattens out the cap but the flattened cap frequently causes the pistol to misfire. The remedy is to cock the pistol and quickly check the nipple to see if the cap is still there. If it is not visible, turn the pistol over to clear the expended cap, then check the space between the hammer and the hammer channel to make sure it is safe to fire. The process of clearing the cap from the channel has come to be known as the Colt Wave. A better remedy is to make sure you are getting the right caps. I have also read of modifications to the hammer. Don't avoid the Colt simply because of this issue. It is a minor issue that is easily managed. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

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May 26, 2023, 03:09 AM	#3
l.cutler Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2005 Posts: 268	Either would be a good choice, but both have their little peculiarities. The cap jams can be minimized without much effort. Aftermarket nipples are said to help, as well as the shooting technique and hammer modifications mentioned by Doc Hoy. The Remington design is more prone to having the rotation of the cylinder gum up from black powder fowling. Again this is easily fixed by sliding out the cylinder pin and wiping it down when re-loading.

May 27, 2023, 02:38 PM	#4
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,631	I bought my first over 50+ years ago . Do Not get a brass framed revolver ... I did , an EMF 1851 Navy Colt and shot it so loose the cylinder wobbled , the arbor would spin around and the wedge retaining slot cracked . Whatever you do ... Get a Steel Framed cap & ball ... any model that strikes your fancy . If I had it to do again I would get a one of the 1858 Remington New Model Army or Navy and I sure like the short barreled 5 1/2" models ... The Remingtons are Steel framed and have a solid top strap ... they will have a long shooting life . Only question is caliber ... I've seen both 36 Navy and 44 Army for sale ! Gary

May 27, 2023, 05:28 PM	#5
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,193	If you buy a Colt style open top, whether 1851, 1860, 1862, etc., best bet is to contact Jackrabbit1957 in Arizona for a rebuild, where he fixes all the known problems with such reproductions, including the short arbor issue. He reworked my 1860 Army, and it is a great shooter. Having said that, after I bought my first Remington New Model Army, I wondered why it took me so long.