What exactly are the pros of BP over modern firearms?

S

seth

New member
I am currently saving up cash for a revolver and semiauto when I turn 21 in a few months (I already have my NRA pistol certification). However, I have a thing for 1848 Dragoon pistols in silver....

To me, they are classy, elegant, and follow the KISS principle. However, I can see it being a pain in the ass to reload and clean. Are there any reasons why you guys and gals shoot black powder arms over modern weapons?
 
Ease of acquisition. No waiting, just call Dixie and the brown santa is at your door! (About 4 days where I live) And what 4V50 Gary said.
 
I was reading last night that certain BP loads can reach the same or greater velocities than their smokeless counterparts and at less pressure.

Not true across the board but some can.

I really don't know, but Georgr Herter says so in his book. It's probably worth experimenting with to find out. Not sure if he was talking about pistols or rifles.
 
Let's see, less expensive to purchase, can order/receive one through the mail, no yellow sheet, adequate ballistics to do anything needed to be done.

Nope, I can't think of anything.
 
Another Reason Is That You Can Adjust Your Loads In The Field To What Works For You Or The Firearm Your Using.plus Its Just Plain Fun To Work With The Blackpowder Firearms Of Yesteryear.
 
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Thanks for the replies, guys. All very fine reasons to own a BP, as they make sense to me.

The above gun is a 1848 Colt Dragoon pistol in .44. It's a non-firing replica, and I've been trying to find an actual FIRING replica on the net with no luck; I keep finding wall-hangers. Any advice where to buy fine BP pistols (flint and percussion alike) besides DixieGunWorks? I looked there and didn't find what I was looking for. I did see Colt Dragoons but they had tarnished Brass materials and not the silver finish.
 
"Are there any reasons why you guys and gals shoot black powder arms over modern weapons?"

Tradition and personal preference over the modern 'tupperware' stuff. Also its more economical and has a much more satisfying 'BOOM!'. With a good fifteen feet of flame from the muzzle if you happen to miss at short range you will likely cook the target anyway.:eek:

Any nickel finished guns I've ever seen were done that way at the owners request. They also usually sport pearl grips and a fancy holster rig. Thats OK but its not my style. I prefer more of a utilitarian/work a day appearance, dull brass and factory blue with unvarnished oiled grips. For target shooting a dot of liquid paper on the the end sights helps my old eyes some.
 
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Thanks for the good replies. I've recently went on Taylors and browsed around. Found the LePage Napoleon Dueling pistol for about $100 less than on Dixie; woohoo!

Now, I just have to figure out what I need to reload it. Percussion caps, balls/slugs, and gunpowder? Wads? Heh, is there a "BP 101" newbie website you guys could refer me to? They never taught us how to use BPs at my NRA pistol class :(

EDIT: Never mind that, I found the "BP tutorials" thread. Thanks!

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Your thoughts?
 
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Looks like a great find, although it will be twice expensive as you expect. The proper application is dueling pistolS, not pistol:p Honestly, I think you'll be happy having one of those to shoot with, let us know how you like it.
 
1st thing you'll need is a ramrod. Lots of different kinds out there. I mostly use wooden ones but other folks like the newer composite ones. You will want to shorten it a bit and mark a notch to indicate that the load is completely seated in the breech. Does it come with a nipple wrench/turnscrew combination tool or a powder measure? If not you'll want one of those too. A ball remover might be a good idea too. The LePage is a good pistol with nice lines and I like the spur on the triggerguard. A comparable pistol would be the TC Plains pistol. Some claim it to be more accurate than the LePage but I think accuracy depends more on the shooter and how well he knows his gun than the gun itself. Practice, practice, practice.
 
Are there any reasons why you guys and gals shoot black powder arms over modern weapons?
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Interest in the Old West (or Civil War, or American Revolution or... or...).

It's addictive, it's fun, and you will be surprised how accurate this smokepoles are. I started out with a Colt-style 1851 Navy and later added a Rogers & Spencer as well as a Lyman Great Plains Rifle. And that will not be the end...

My friend shoots tighter groups with his Remington New Army 1858 than with his 1998 Beretta F92!

Go for it, you'll have more fun than you can think (especially showing up with a duelling-pistol on the range!).
 
robw,
i can beleive the tighter groups.im a police officer and carry a glock .40 cal and my 1858 will out shoot it ,well until i shoot all six.lol.
 
Ah, well, my interest in BP stemmed from reading a play that had to do with China's second to last emperor; he commissioned a British ex-military officer to raise a mercenary group called "The Ever Victorious Army" to wipe out the warlords opposing the dynasty. They were europeans and chinese armed with muzzleloaders and kicked some serious ass. Since then, my fetish with old-school weapons grew...

But, as I told CapNBall in a PM, I noticed that the LePage (without ammo, powder, accessories, etc) is $350 plus shipping from Taylor's and Co.

Now, I'm no cheap-ass, but I'm a college student who makes 8 bucks an hour, working part time. $450 for this weapon is pushing my budget.

I'm just worried that the thing will be too expensive to keep up, or be so unreliable, compared to the Springfield XD-9 I was saving up for. I was wondering if the BPs were more reliable and "pay for themselves" because they're so much simpler in design... "Keep it Simple Stupid."
 
Well,im A 1858 Fan Myself And You Can Get The Piettas For About 160-200.00.once You Get One And The Powder The Only Thing You Really Go Thru Is Balls And Caps.the Powder Last A While.you Can Also Go To Gunbroker.com And Buy One Used For A Good Price.i Have Bought Several Guns On There Including 2 1858's And All Has Went Well.
 
One thing I really like about the 1858 New Model Army is that it has a strong frame. With the exception of the screws, (and they can be scavenged) almost everything else can be made by the owner. Ammo, springs, internal parts hammer etc. So if you were ever in a need to be completely self reliant this would be a good choice. Of course make sure you have plenty of powder, and primers on hand. IMHO
 
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