1858 Remington New M-A (Repro) at the range

You seem dressed just fine to me LOL, what am I missing?

As for the draw, keep in mind most 19th century (and early-mid 20th century) shooters never used two hands.

As for your groups, what I would do is first and foremost slow down. What you want to do is work up a load for your New Model Army that is accurate, and you know it's accurate because you've shot it off a bench. ;)

Experiment with different powder loads etc. till your NMA is hitting true. You also might find the gun will group well, but the sights aren't on. There are ways of fixing this, if this is a problem look up how to adjust the sights on a NMA.

After you're sure your gun is shooting true, it's time to work on your shooting technique. I recommend watching some videos on proper shooting stance for single action revolvers. You might also do well to learn the basic fundamentals of handgun marksmanship. There are plenty of videos as well as in person classes that you can go to that will help you out a lot.

Also, as for cleaning between cylinders, you might find that some lubricated felt wads will help a lot. These are little felt discs soaked with lubricant that you place between powder and ball. When fired, the greasy was literally smears lube all over the bore with each shot. This will keep everything nice and lubed, and when you go to clean the gun it will clean up MUCH better than using no lube at all. They are also way cleaner and faster to use than just smearing bore butter or Crisco over the chambers, you should certainly look up "lubricated felt wads", you can either buy them pre made or make them yourself, which is surprisingly simple. Thank me later. :cool:

Good luck on your shooting quest, just make sure to slow down and focus on making good shots. Take care! :)
 
Thank you so much, it never even occurred to me to shoot from a bench. I have been using lubed wads, and as for handgun techniques, I've been leaning on my brother for that. Maybe I should consult a professional. Thanks for the invaluable advice.

-Otto
 
No, it's not my only gun, but it is my first. I also have the carbine version of the 1858 NMA. Very cool, but difficult to find spare cylinders for, due to the .0008" difference in the frame sizes. My brother has moderate instruction, but much more experience, however only with modern firearms. My eyes are on the 1853 Enfield next, for my reenacting kit. Not something I would take to the range.
 
There are four rules of gun safety.

You're fumbling way too much with a cocked hammer.
Looked like it caused that one "Whoa-Shot".

If you're going to be fumbling with a cocked hammer, keep your finger OUT of the triggerguard till you're through fumbling.

Lean forward into the gun, not away from it.

Work up your most accurate load by firing off a bench fully supported.

Might consider if you're going to be shooting an SA two-handed it could be smoother with less fumbling by cocking with the left thumb.

Might consider shooting with your firing hand pinky curled under the gripframe.
Anchors the gun in hand better, reduces the amount of slippage in the hand under recoil, and reduces the re-adjustment of your grip that you do quite a bit of (and with the hammer cocked).
Denis
 
Also- In the cold grey light of another rainy morning, no need to be doing a leg shuffle in drawing, and no need to be trying for speed on a draw.

Speed would only be an issue during competition, and you're not up to that.
Denis
 
Yup

Keep your finger out of the trigger guard. Even if there is no cylinder in the gun. Learning that habit will help enforce keeping your finger out of the trigger guard when it is loaded. Only put your finger on the trigger when you are about to shoot.

And never load a single action with six rounds. Always only load five. Keep the hammer down on an empty chamber. Yeah, I know a lot of these C&B guns have a 'safety slot' you can lower the hammer nose into, but once again, form habits. If you get a cartridge gun, it will not have safety slots. Always load a single action (unless it has a transfer bar, such as a Ruger) with just five rounds and keep the hammer down on an empty chamber.

Stop wiggling and fooling around. Handguns are serious business. If you have a loaded one in your hands, concentrate on where the muzzle is pointed. Don't fool around for the camera.
 
If you're doing this video as a genuine "Please help me learn" exercise, that's one thing.
If you plan to leave it on Youtube as it stands, you're not doing yourself any favors & you're displaying some bad practices that other new or potential shooters may pick up in watching you.

Not entirely sure why you'd want to post a video of you saying you're a beginner, don't do what I do, and then go on to show you're a beginner doing things your viewers should not do. :)

Just something else to think about.

The BP guns are fun, but they're still guns, not toys.
Denis
 
Extra Cylinders

I load extra cylinders and swap them out, BUT do not put the caps on the nips until the loaded cylinder is IN the gun and lever is secure
but I'm old......and hope to get older:D
 
Otto,
Not to discourage you from shooting, or participating here, but after watching some of your other videos, you may want to give up on the YouTube experience altogether.

Few people are interested in going to the store with you to buy a padlock, watching you discuss Legos in your bedroom, or driving around your town with you on your day off.

If you choose to keep on with your channel, at least reconsider your subject matter.
Make it entertaining.

If you want to make more shooting videos, might consider showing what you're learning & what the people here that you asked for advice have told you that you need to modify.
That's more important than what you're wearing.

People are happy to help you learn to shoot, though, if you want to stay active here.
Denis
 
Yeah. :)
Was actually intended to be helpful.

As with everything else, YouTube falls into that broad category of "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should."

I'm admittedly waaaay behind the technology curve, and even farther behind the "Share EVERYTHING Social Media Phenomenon", but video-ing yourself buying a padlock & driving around town on your day off is beyond my comprehension. :)

Unless people today are really that entertainment-starved, why bother?
Find something that actually has interest. :)

Otto- seriously, if you have more gun-related questions, we're here.
You don't need to leave.
Denis
 
Many thanks to everyone. I'm going to print out this thread next time I go shooting and go down the list. A lot of great tips on here, and as far as "showbiz" goes, it's more of just another hobby than an attempt to gain internet fame. Fame passed me by long ago. I will, however be sure to record next time I go shooting and specifically identify the tips I've received. Looks like I found the right group to help me along.

-Otto
 
I already posted in the BP/CAS section where you posted the same thing . . only under a different ID. Trying to figure out why you feel the need to have two IDs on here but . . . .

All I can add to what I said in the BP?CAS section is that if you have the "Carbine" version of the NMA as you state . . . I sure as heck hope you have sense enough not to support it with your hand on the loading lever IN FRONT OF THE CYLINDER. To do so is inviting tragedy if you ever have a chain fire . . not too much different than holding your hand over the muzzle while you fire. That spur on the trigger guard was put there for a reason . . please use it. sAnd just like any pistol . . . a rifle or shotgun is no different . . . stop ignoring your rule #3 and keep your #$#%%@ off the trigger until you are ready to fire. Please . . . :)
 
One great thing about shooting is, the better you get, the more funnerer it gets. :cool:

Don't be discouraged, learning to shoot and shooting to get better is a beautiful thing. :)
 
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