Navy Arms 1860 Army

I know that it's common knowledge that the fires during the Battle of the Wilderness were caused by the intense small arms fire in the dense forest, but the actual reports of the conflagrations place blame on "exploding shells" and cooking fires that were still burning during the fighting. That certainly makes sense, particularly since the fighting occurred in the springtime.

There are probably other examples of fires during battles that I don't know about, though.
 
RedBowTies88 said:
nice deal, any idea on what kinda muzzle velocity you would be looking at running these at max load?
Click to expand...

mykeal said:
What good is muzzle velocity at max load if you can't hit what you're aiming at?
Click to expand...

mykeal said:
I suggest you've provided data that proves my point: full chamber (your 'high velocity') loads are generally not acceptable.
Click to expand...

I think that Voodoochile's accuracy data exactly proves my point as initially stated:

arcticap said:
The high velocity loads should be accurate enough for self-defense, self-protection, hunting and recreational combat shooting at moderate to close distances.
Click to expand...

After all, hitting a man size target in self-defense, a hog or deer while hunting, a mountain lion for self-protection, or a silhouette target at close range during recreational combat shooting doesn't require a tack driver. And loading & firing them is a matter of personal choice.
Self-defense, self-protection and hunting require enough additional power to penetrate at close range. So pinpoint accuracy is often secondary. Maybe that's why RedBowTies88 asked about max. loads to begin with.
These heavy loads are obviously useful for some and can provide reasonable accuracy to fulfill the intended purposes as well.
 
Last edited:
I have developed a theory of why the Colt's shoot high which supplements the intentional design theory. Can't test it because I don't have the equipment.
Click to expand...

They were sighted to hit a man on horseback at 75 yards.
 
Mounted soldier at 75 yards...That works for the .44s..

.....but does it work for the 1851?

I don't know the source for the fact that Colt designed a revolver to take a rider at 75 yards. I am not disputing it but just can't recal the source. I believe I read of the Walker having had that ability.


I think at 75 yards, the .44 still has enough umph to take the fight out of someone especially if the round starts at 1100 fps.

But isn't a .36 pretty well spent at 75 yards? Not saying it is harmless but just not very much energy.

According to R.L.Wilson, Colt stated the useful range of the 1851 Colt at 25 yards.

I don't know where I read this and I read it a long time ago but when the Navy was considering a replacement for their single shot .50 pistol, there were many who felt the .36 was underpowered. I wish I could cite some sources for this info.
 
Most clones except for the newer Pietta Remingtons use the same sight configuration as the originals. My 51 hits point of aim, at least up to 25 yards.
 
Dixie Gun Works 1860 Army is NOT a Navy Arms

What Dixie Gun Works is advertising as a "Navy Arms" 1860 Army is a regular Pietta. Navy Arms has not imported any percussion revolvers since 2002. The last marking found on a Navy Arms percussion revolver import is, FRONTIERSMAN NAVY ARMS COMPANY, UNION CITY, NJ. This marking is extremely rare and only used less that a year.
 
Then why is it documented that small arms fire started several woods fires during the Civil War?
Click to expand...

I wonder who sat around determining the source of the fires while battle was being waged around the observer. There's a heck of a lot going on in a battle, including artillery.

Nonetheless, I thought we were talking about a fire being started in one's home. The more easily ignitable a substance, the shorter a sustained flame needs to be to start combustion. Dry grass is wonderfully easy to ignite. Add a full charge from a rifle while lying in grass, and I don't doubt fires were started by "small arms". I'm having trouble thinking of anything in a hallway or living room that is nearly as flammable as dry grass though.
 
In today's homes, the emphasis on product safety and flammability has pretty much reduced if not fully eliminated the likelihood that a bp gun discharge would start a fire. In my grandmother's home, however....
 
How about today?

There are plenty of re-enactments these days during which a line of infantry fires multiple volleys. Plenty of CAS events during which a lot of shooting goes on.

For those events which happen to be held in an area where there might be dry grass just in front of the line, does anyone know of any any reports of fires started just in front of a line of infantry or in front of an artillery piece?

Do reenactors get the encouragement to check the area in front of a line to make sure nothing is amiss?

How about fire prevention rules at CAS events? Safety rules are written in blood. If there are rules about fire prevention, they came to be written because someone had a problem with it or at least thought they might have a problem with it.

I don't have a feeling one way or another nor have I had any experience with CAS or reenactments. Just wondering.
 
I have personally set the dry grass in front of our covered 100 yard range on fire with the patch from a long rifle while working up a load. If you're using the right load your patches won't be smoldering after leaving the barrel, but I have had it happen (very rarely) when using a heavy load (meaning overloaded, beyond the sweet spot) and a tight ball/patch combination.

I have also seen a sandbag smolder after a revolver was fired with the barrel resting on the bag; I suggested a different technique for using a pistol rest to the shooter.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top