February 4, 2018, 11:09 AM | #1 |
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Pepperboxes?
I mean, these weren't a bad idea, and have an awesome look to them. Given some revolvers can 'survive' having half their frame cut away, what if we did that to one, then attached a machined very long cylinder?
Also, aside from waste of materials and weight, what even are the cons to pepperboxes? |
February 4, 2018, 11:17 AM | #2 |
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You mean something like this? http://www.cabelas.com/product/Piett...er/2373101.uts
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February 4, 2018, 12:09 PM | #3 | |
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February 4, 2018, 01:00 PM | #4 |
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Yes, something like this, but with a bit longer 'cylinder', less 'historical and fragile' value, and a more modern look. Oh, and no black powder, normal cartridges please.
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February 4, 2018, 02:34 PM | #5 |
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Each barrel has to be rifled. None of the barrels will shoot to the same pint of aim. Lots of barrels are heavier than one barrel. More expensive than a single barrel.
There have been a few guns made like this. None of them sold well. |
February 4, 2018, 02:50 PM | #6 |
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Well, given a pepperbox (and to an extent snub revolvers) are to be used in pretty short ranges you don't need each last drop of accuracy right?
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February 4, 2018, 03:19 PM | #7 |
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What would the advantage be?
Most people aren't looking for modern variations of antiquated designs. Especially when they're larger and more expensive than "normal" guns. |
February 4, 2018, 04:02 PM | #8 |
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Only advantage I can even remotely think of, and I'm reaching here, is that one barrel gets a bad load and leaves the bullet in the barrel you still have the other barrels shootable. Personally I'd still rather have a modern revolver.
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February 4, 2018, 05:26 PM | #9 | |
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This was a way to sell a multi shot firearm and not run afoul of the law. |
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February 4, 2018, 05:36 PM | #10 |
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Pietro makes a ball and cap repro.
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February 4, 2018, 08:45 PM | #11 |
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I do wonder if the manufacturers get bored on a rainy day when sales are slow and they have their crew dream up some wildly impractical, even foolish, variant, (deviant, perhaps?), of something more sensible that they already have in production, so as to save the cost of designing something really stupid from the ground up. "If we make it, they will buy it." That long-cylinder-barreless, 1851 Colt-ish abomination is ridiculous. But so is the, "Mare's Leg", and the Ruger Charger.... yet, apparently, they sell. I guess the manufacturers found a niche market that prevents them from having to lay off skilled workers. I suppose that's a good thing; clowns need guns, too.
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February 4, 2018, 09:04 PM | #12 | |
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February 4, 2018, 09:13 PM | #13 | |
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But still, they're cool as heck! The other issue with them is that there are no sights. Like already said, they're not for aiming. Another thing that could be done with them (the cap and ball one), is add a rifled conversion cylinder if Howell's or Taylor's would make one. 38 special would be perfect, but it could even be made to shoot other calibers since there's no barrel to limit it.
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February 4, 2018, 09:42 PM | #14 | ||
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February 4, 2018, 09:56 PM | #15 |
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Standard Manufacturing is supposedly coming out with kind of a modern version.
The prototype was shown at last year's SHOT Show, but a year later, no word of a release date. http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/201...33-volleyfire/
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February 5, 2018, 05:20 PM | #16 | |
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February 5, 2018, 05:35 PM | #17 |
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The issue with a modern pepperbox is the reload time would be so long that they'd be impractical. Seriously, an NAA mini revolver would be faster to reload.
I do think that pepperboxes are simpler and more robust designs because they'll never have timing issues develop like a revolver will, but the length of time that it will take for mechanical wear to develop in the any newly manufactured gun will be longer than your lifespan most likely. A pepperbox would be a great end of the world gun or something, but the design doesn't work with cartridges. For muzzleloaders, they're not a bad idea. I think with a long enough cylinder and large enough caliber, you could put 2 or 3 buckshot balls in the cylinder and it would be an effective close range gun. I wouldn't want three .45 caliber balls being shot at me. But, again, the size is impractical and if I wanted a big bore black powder percussion handgun, I'd get one of the Great Gun derringers in .54 caliber.
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February 5, 2018, 06:14 PM | #18 | |
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The big difference being the barrels don't revolve, the firing mechanism does.
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February 5, 2018, 06:18 PM | #19 |
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Maybe someone could lop the barrel off a Judge.
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February 5, 2018, 06:37 PM | #20 |
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A revolver is still smaller.
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February 5, 2018, 07:31 PM | #21 |
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What about the COP .357.
Isn't that similar?
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February 5, 2018, 08:02 PM | #22 |
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There have been many schemes for making a repeating pistol, none especially good. They usually gain compactness, such as a gun that is shorter overall for a given barrel length, at the cost of extra mass. Mostly, any benefit is in the mind of the seller and, presumably, the buyer.
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February 5, 2018, 08:53 PM | #23 |
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Call me crazy, but sometimes I want something just because it's weird! Still looking for a USFA Zip!
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February 5, 2018, 11:01 PM | #24 |
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Howdy
Did somebody say Pepperbox? This little four barrel Sharps Pepperbox was made sometime in the 1870s. Chambered for 22 Shorts, it will not take anything longer. To load it you push up the latch at the front. Then you slide the barrels forward. There is a ratchet on the hammer that rotates the firing pin around 90 degrees every time the hammer is cocked. There is a tiny front sight, and a groove on the rear of the frame for a rear sight. Of course, aiming would have been rudimentary with this little gun, it was only meant for close quarters, not much more than a card table away. Not too long ago, Navy Arms was importing a replica chambered for 22 Long Rifle. |
February 6, 2018, 02:49 AM | #25 |
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The Sharps is not a true pepperbox.
Pepperbox barrels rotate. |
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