Cap and Ball Revolver For Personal and Home Defense
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suzukibruce
New member
tim my 1858 is my personal carry now and since i wear it almost all day, it's my home defense pistol also, but for the "3am there is a crash and i was sleeping" scenario i go for the moss 500
madcratebuilder
New member
What ever one you shoot best and is the most reliable.
In more than one article about tests and wound channels and real life shootings accumulated from existing records the 1860 Army 44 with it's lead ball had a rating of 75% one shot stops. By comparison the 45 Colt cartridge had 67% one shot stops.
In one test the shorter barreled Sheriff model had the highest velosities and one of the longest crush cavities in ballistic gelletain.
Naturally the Walker was at the top of the list and was comparable to the 357 in one shot stops and had a longer wound channel in the ballistic gell than a 44 mag. with a jacketed soft point bullet. The mushroom of the 44 bullet stopping it short in the gel.
In retrospec the percussion caps which can hang a cap&baller up should be made reliable naturally. I'd opt for a Remington,Rodgers&Spencer,LeMat or one other that had accomodations built in the deal with the flayed ouit caps not hanging the gun action up. Colts are the least reliable when it comes to caps hanging up the action.
While carrying a cap&baller an extra cylinder or two would help the carrier. Of course that'a cumbersom weight and bulk.
I guess if a Pard just strapped on his cap&baller leather rig and wore a long oversize shirt or long coat it could conceal.
I bet if open carry were allowed by law just wearing the rig in full sight in all it's glory with an extra birds head gripped short barreled cross draw revolver added and cylinder pouches and flask and bowie knife would be a deterent.
In one test the shorter barreled Sheriff model had the highest velosities and one of the longest crush cavities in ballistic gelletain.
Naturally the Walker was at the top of the list and was comparable to the 357 in one shot stops and had a longer wound channel in the ballistic gell than a 44 mag. with a jacketed soft point bullet. The mushroom of the 44 bullet stopping it short in the gel.
In retrospec the percussion caps which can hang a cap&baller up should be made reliable naturally. I'd opt for a Remington,Rodgers&Spencer,LeMat or one other that had accomodations built in the deal with the flayed ouit caps not hanging the gun action up. Colts are the least reliable when it comes to caps hanging up the action.
While carrying a cap&baller an extra cylinder or two would help the carrier. Of course that'a cumbersom weight and bulk.
I guess if a Pard just strapped on his cap&baller leather rig and wore a long oversize shirt or long coat it could conceal.
I bet if open carry were allowed by law just wearing the rig in full sight in all it's glory with an extra birds head gripped short barreled cross draw revolver added and cylinder pouches and flask and bowie knife would be a deterent.
simonkenton
New member
I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of a .44 round ball.
I have 2 cap and ball pistols for home defense.
I have 2 cap and ball pistols for home defense.
New guy with a related question
What kind of load set up would you go with for a cap and ball that is carried for defense or stored loaded and uncapped for defense at a later date.
I mean, what is the best way (even if it costs a few cents more) to keep a cap and ball at the ready, yet safe...without having to go through the hassle of greasing ends of the cylinder?
I am currently considering carrying my 1858 in a shoulder holster for outdoors protection as I don't have a large revolver back up. I'd like to know what kind of loading procedure would allow me to carry it safely, what I can do to make sure it fires reliably without having melted crisco ooze into my holster or getting bore butter all over my clothes? This particular load out wouldn't be for easy of multiple cylinders of firing as if I were shooting at the range. Just 6 safely loaded balls for a just-in-case.
Also, what propellant would be the most stable/safest to carry for such a situation. I'm not really concerned about fired fouling (although long term unfired corrosion would be nice to know about). I'm more concerned about static build up or something of that ilk. Is that even a real worry?
Sorry for all the questions. I've only come to the Dark Side about 2 weeks ago
What kind of load set up would you go with for a cap and ball that is carried for defense or stored loaded and uncapped for defense at a later date.
I mean, what is the best way (even if it costs a few cents more) to keep a cap and ball at the ready, yet safe...without having to go through the hassle of greasing ends of the cylinder?
I am currently considering carrying my 1858 in a shoulder holster for outdoors protection as I don't have a large revolver back up. I'd like to know what kind of loading procedure would allow me to carry it safely, what I can do to make sure it fires reliably without having melted crisco ooze into my holster or getting bore butter all over my clothes? This particular load out wouldn't be for easy of multiple cylinders of firing as if I were shooting at the range. Just 6 safely loaded balls for a just-in-case.
Also, what propellant would be the most stable/safest to carry for such a situation. I'm not really concerned about fired fouling (although long term unfired corrosion would be nice to know about). I'm more concerned about static build up or something of that ilk. Is that even a real worry?
Sorry for all the questions. I've only come to the Dark Side about 2 weeks ago
simonkenton
New member
I keep my cap and ball pistols loaded, and in drawers in my house.
I use 30 grains of fffg black powder, no wad and no sealant on the cap or ball.
In this configuration, I have kept a pistol loaded for 3 years and it fired fine, all five cylinders full power. There was no corrosion in the chambers.
This is in the humid N. Carolina mountains.
For carry in the woods, you might want to seal the balls with beeswax. Beeswax won't melt at normal temps. Make a little ball of beeswax, roll it between your fingers to make it soft, and to make a little "noodle" of beeswax an inch long, and pack that in between the ball and the cylinder.
Black powder keeps indefinitely if stored properly, I do know that some of the subs will deteriorate over time, so I would use black powder.
I use 30 grains of fffg black powder, no wad and no sealant on the cap or ball.
In this configuration, I have kept a pistol loaded for 3 years and it fired fine, all five cylinders full power. There was no corrosion in the chambers.
This is in the humid N. Carolina mountains.
For carry in the woods, you might want to seal the balls with beeswax. Beeswax won't melt at normal temps. Make a little ball of beeswax, roll it between your fingers to make it soft, and to make a little "noodle" of beeswax an inch long, and pack that in between the ball and the cylinder.
Black powder keeps indefinitely if stored properly, I do know that some of the subs will deteriorate over time, so I would use black powder.
I thought this would be a good thread for the search engines.
I use two Remington New Armies for bot personal and home, which seems to be the best choice for me so far. I'd like a third c&b revolver. just wanted some expert opinions on which to base my decision. Thinking of something shorter for personal defense. Could chop the barrel off of my ASM Remmy...it is a decent gun.
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Loading protocol: powder, lubed felt wad, ball. No grease.
Use a ball of the proper size and caps that fit and chain fires will not be a problem.
Propellant: real black powder, Pyrodex, Triple 7 - all are stable, with real black having legendary long term stability.
Now the lecture:
There is no, repeat, absolutely no good reason to store a bp revolver loaded for any more than a month, and preferably a week. If you're going to use the gun for self defense you absolutely MUST be fully proficient with it. You're betting your life on that gun and your ability to use it - why would you accept anything less than full, top of the line performance from either the gun or yourself? And how in the world can you be proficient if you haven't fired the gun even once in several months? The simple fact is you can't.
Take the time to find an accurate, reliable load and shoot it once a week at least Get proficient, to where you can place your shots where you want them every time, and stay that way with frequent practice. If you don't, then you're just playing cowboy and you're not serious about using the gun for self defense.
Use a ball of the proper size and caps that fit and chain fires will not be a problem.
Propellant: real black powder, Pyrodex, Triple 7 - all are stable, with real black having legendary long term stability.
Now the lecture:
There is no, repeat, absolutely no good reason to store a bp revolver loaded for any more than a month, and preferably a week. If you're going to use the gun for self defense you absolutely MUST be fully proficient with it. You're betting your life on that gun and your ability to use it - why would you accept anything less than full, top of the line performance from either the gun or yourself? And how in the world can you be proficient if you haven't fired the gun even once in several months? The simple fact is you can't.
Take the time to find an accurate, reliable load and shoot it once a week at least Get proficient, to where you can place your shots where you want them every time, and stay that way with frequent practice. If you don't, then you're just playing cowboy and you're not serious about using the gun for self defense.
Mykeal, your lecture for the day is well received.
I do pretty well keeping two revolvers shot frequently but need to spend even more time with them.
Of course, please continue with the recommendations guys. I realize I am inexperienced and could have made the wrong choice.I had originally thought about the 1851 & 1860 Colts for instance.
It would be a slow transition for me, I have never owned anything but the Remmy.
Until I get comfortable and proficient with another style, I will still follow the words of another esteemed black powder sage:
I do pretty well keeping two revolvers shot frequently but need to spend even more time with them.
Of course, please continue with the recommendations guys. I realize I am inexperienced and could have made the wrong choice.I had originally thought about the 1851 & 1860 Colts for instance.
It would be a slow transition for me, I have never owned anything but the Remmy.
Until I get comfortable and proficient with another style, I will still follow the words of another esteemed black powder sage:
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ubertie 1861 navy is my fav. Keep the gun in a holster or on something sloping it downward or your caps will oil and not fire. I take the caps off every morning and clear the nipples with a broken guitar string. I examine the chambers to make sure the balls are still seated properly and check the caps. If the green is gone they won't fire.
WBH
WBH
One shot stop percentages
See post #62, the Colt & Remington Army .44's have a 1 shot stop rating of 75%.
The whole thread pertains to using c&b's for home defense.
BP for HD?
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=382999&highlight=one+shot+stop&page=3
mykeal said:
See post #62, the Colt & Remington Army .44's have a 1 shot stop rating of 75%.
The whole thread pertains to using c&b's for home defense.
BP for HD?
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=382999&highlight=one+shot+stop&page=3
simonkenton
New member
mykeal:
Thanks for the repeated lectures on how and when cap and ball pistols should be fired.
But, unless you received your information on Mt. Sinai, engraved on marble tablets by God, your info is no better than mine.
I will shoot my pistols when and how I want.
Thanks for the repeated lectures on how and when cap and ball pistols should be fired.
But, unless you received your information on Mt. Sinai, engraved on marble tablets by God, your info is no better than mine.
I will shoot my pistols when and how I want.
Smokin_Gun
New member
Myself I'd prefer to use a Remington .44 C&B with 30gr of Holy Black and a dry loaded Round Ball no wads, lube pills, cereal, or cooking fat.(for long term storage). If I had only the one Remington to practice with, which ain't the case, I'd use the extra cylinder I would buy to practice with and keep the defence cylinder loaded. And I have and kept a C&B cyl. loaded for a year and fired it off without any difficuly.
That's how you keep a C&B loaded and be proficient with it at the same time...or have two of the same mfg. Rems set up to shoot identically. Like two E.N. Santa Barbaras, two ASP's, two Piettas, two Uberti, two ASM's...but the easiest and cheapest would be two C&B cylinders...and the Remington .44's are the easiest to switch cylinders in and most will hold 40gr of Black Powder by Volume.
Just ask the Preacher in Pale Rider :O)
That's how you keep a C&B loaded and be proficient with it at the same time...or have two of the same mfg. Rems set up to shoot identically. Like two E.N. Santa Barbaras, two ASP's, two Piettas, two Uberti, two ASM's...but the easiest and cheapest would be two C&B cylinders...and the Remington .44's are the easiest to switch cylinders in and most will hold 40gr of Black Powder by Volume.
Just ask the Preacher in Pale Rider :O)
DustyBottoms
New member
Nice!
A man after my own heart.
Broken guitar strings are the best thing since... well...
Guitar strings!
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