Interested In A Revolver

[Donny123]

I've enjoyed learning about black powder and shooting my CVA Optima and now I'm interested in a C&B revolver.

My concern is the availability of percussion caps. It seems that there is good information on making black powder should the need arise but what about DIY percussion caps? Like reloading metallic cartridges primer availability becomes the major problem.

I don't mind the tinkering/making process, but is is viable?

 

[deermanok]

Most revolvers use the #10 caps, which can be difficult to find. You can swap out the nipples for #11's.
There are quite a few shooters out there that make their own caps. Kits are available but you have to shop around.

 

[smokepolehall]

Yes some kits are indeed better than others. I have not shot my 1860 New Army this year for practice for huntin. I have maybe 2/3's a Tin of #10 's left. I have not found anymore i am willing to pay $20-$30 a Tin for. I will shoot my Pistola , Optima V2 .50 cal. single shot CVA instead. I have plenty of 209 primers. I love my revolver just not the outrageous price for the caps.

 

[Jitterbug]

There are options out there, for DIY caps.

I do not have experience with any of them. (NDIH)

Here’s one of the more popular choices:

https://22lrreloader.com/products/11-percussion-cap-maker

 

[anonymouscowherd]

Yes, the lack of #10 caps is an issue. I've heard of others being able to use small pistol/rifle primers in aquarium tubing. While my revolver (Uberti made early 70s 1858) will cycle with them, I can't get them to go off.

Considering spending the $ on the tap-o-cap system or whatever it is called, think I'll need to have ninering start drinking beer in a can instead of a bottle, we'll need the aluminum

Of course, converting to 45lc or 45acp is also a possibility....

 

[Donny123]

Of course, converting to 45lc or 45acp is also a possibility....

Ouch, that's looks like it cost's more than the pistol.

 

[smokepolehall]

Ouch, that's looks like it cost's more than the pistol.

As much as a new revolver costs

 

[Donny123]

As much as a new revolver costs

Also, because I'm not in a free state here in California it would turn it in to an unregistered firearm.

 

[45D]

Also, because I'm not in a free state here in California it would turn it in to an unregistered firearm.

My goodness!! It's perfectly legal for you to make your own firearm . . . not to mention there is no "registry" (not yet anyway).

 

[Donny123]

My goodness!! It's perfectly legal for you to make your own firearm . . . not to mention there is no "registry" (not yet anyway).

Oh god, don't get me started. This is why I'm moving from CA soon.

It is illegal here and now we have an 11% additional tax on guns and ammo, background checks for ammo that they charge $1 every time and it's going up to $5. They also just signed a new law for safe storage of firearms. Illegal to store firearms in a non approved safe.

 

[45D]

So Kirst or Howell won't deliver to California?

 

[Donny123]

So Kirst or Howell won't deliver to California?

They may but then I would have an unregistered, un serialized gun. Not sure of the legalities here but quite sure they would call it illegal anyway, lol.

Gun registration is mandatory going through an FFL but it is not required for older guns that were owned prior to that. Interesting fact, carrying a concealed weapon in CA in a misdemeanor, first offense. But if it's not registered it's a felony.

They hate the constitution and anyone who believes in it here.

 

[Ernbar]

You will get a bunch of different opinions but for what is worth, for reliability, accuracy, no cap jamming or sucking the 1858 Remington in either .36 or .44 are great. Either Pietta or Uberti with the latter being a tad better finish/fit with no ugly barrel stamps showing.
Regarding the cap issue, go on line with Academy or Bass Pro and sign up for notifications saving shipping and hazmat fees when picked up at the store. I have been lucky to find caps this way in my area. You can always get Slixshot nipples that will accept both 10 and 11 sized caps.

 

[Hanshi]

I still have a small hoard of #10 and #11 plus a supply musket caps. My pistol is a flintlock as are most of the long guns I own. I seldom fire anything other than flintlock rifles/smoothbores. As for patchedball/flints/powder I have a modest supply laid by that will last a good while yet.

I no longer have a bp revolver, just the .50 flint pistol. But at one time I did own and shoot a Rem 1858 and Rogers & Spencer both .44. They were accurate and powerful but I just had no real need for either of them.

 

[CVA Fanboy]

I have several, Like em all I have even taken time to carry one of them, testing different ideas. If it is going to be a carry I will state non-lubed wads, from hot/cold/warm climates oil/grease does melt and run, thus contaminating powder/substitute. If range shooting that is different lubed wads are not in it long enough. And Yes my .44 Pietta Sheriff is still among the carry. As far as Pietta or Uberti Just depends where you want roll markings on side of barrel (Pietta) or on the Bottom of barrel under rammer, (Uberti) other than that get some jewelers files, 800-2000 grit sand paper and be prepared to finish the revolver MannyCA, Duelist1954, Old Ranger, and tons of others on you tube can walk you through the process at your own pace. The revolvers are awesome I got a Kentucky Pistol in .45 sometime ago that still slaps a grin on my face.

 

[CVA Fanboy]

I've enjoyed learning about black powder and shooting my CVA Optima and now I'm interested in a C&B revolver.

My concern is the availability of percussion caps. It seems that there is good information on making black powder should the need arise but what about DIY percussion caps? Like reloading metallic cartridges primer availability becomes the major problem.

I don't mind the tinkering/making process, but is is viable?

I longer worry about caps, I went to 22Sharpshooter a while back and scored a #11 cap maker and prime all OUT THE DOOR it was $90 (pandemic era) Several years later I order an occasional Prime All Batch and do about 2000 caps for $22 can not complain I cut caps in advance I generally have 1500 to 2500 of them in a bag then I mix and add my Prime All. Couple nights later cap maker and hammer, and punch caps all night long. Put in bag wait till my next batch.