I picked up A Colt 1851 Navy reproduction pistol a couple of houra ago. It is an armi san Marco from 1987 that has not been fired. It is a 44. This pistol is apparently more collectable because it is marked Colt on the cylinder.
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Bought my first cap and ball revolver today.
- Thread starter roccoracer
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pretty cool.
wasn't the 1851 navy a .36 caliber though, not a .44? the army version was .44. don't know for sure. enjoy the pistol.
Yes, the Colt 1851 Navy was .36 caliber. Armi san marco pistols were made in both .44 and .36.
D
Deleted member 67409
If you start exploring BP revolvers more, "Navy" guns are .36 caliber. "Army" guns are .44 caliber. That was the nomenclature back then. Obviously modern companies are not so strict with the terms.
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right, they do. their '51 army is .44, their '51 navy is .36.
just didn't want you to try and load a .44 ball in the .36 is all. enjoy your new pistol.
eta: the army .44 is a larger gun, the .36 navy is a smaller frame. or they should be if true to the originals.
Go have fun with it.
45collector
NES Member
Awesome! I just got into BP stuff recently as well. I never really had much interest in cap and ball revolvers until a Colt 1860 was gifted to me by friends of family. A genuine, military model made in 1861, all original with martial proofs. There’s no doubt in my mind it saw action during the war. I wish it could talk!
Shortly after I picked up an Armi San Paolo 1860 and an Armi San Marco Remington 1858. Its messy fun shooting BP guns.
Shortly after I picked up an Armi San Paolo 1860 and an Armi San Marco Remington 1858. Its messy fun shooting BP guns.
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That orginal must be awesome to hold in your hands and imagine where it has been.
45collector
NES Member
It’s quite a piece. I have put 15 rounds through it.
I bought a pistol flask yesterday but im not sure if it is 15 grains by weight or volume. The flask is made for black powder pistols so is it fair to assume it is volume? I suppose I could measure the weight of the charge in the tip of the flask.
mousegunguy
NES Member
Black powder is usually measured by volume not weight
one-eyed Jack
Manufacturer
No worries. You can't "over charge". If you put in too much powder and a wad the ball won't seat flush or below the cylinder face. Jack.
gerrycaruso
NES Member
You may want to buy a set of spouts so that you can use the one that throws the correct charge for your application. Make, model, caliber, projectile and loading technique all change the amount of powder required.
I was just looking the spouts up. Thank you for the advice.
I shot it last night for the first time. I loaded it with just 15 grains of triple7 but it functioned well and was surprisingly accurate. That was fun.
45collector
NES Member
I’m shooting about 24 grains of FFFg through any of my .44’s. I was told by some on the black powder forums that I could even go up to 30 on the old Colt and not worry about it but I’m not gonna push it. 24 gives a nice thump and isn’t too wimpy.
It shot 4 inches high at 10 yards. My pistol has a brass frame and it seems there is a lot of caution about shooting triple 7 out of brass framed guns. I will get more spouts for my powder flask and try a heavier load.
Taipan01
NES Member
I use one of these to reload my BP pistols. I've seen others but they are flimsy. These are all steel, well built and easy to use and set-up for various cylinders, calibers.
Loader
I don't know how they are now but Cabellas used to always carry a number of BP pistols, rifles and accessories in their Bargin Cave at a decent mark down if you're looking to expand. I got a variety of models there sent directly to my house. They also carried extra cylinders and conversions. That was a number of years ago and all things change over time, usually not for the best concerning guns.
Loader
I don't know how they are now but Cabellas used to always carry a number of BP pistols, rifles and accessories in their Bargin Cave at a decent mark down if you're looking to expand. I got a variety of models there sent directly to my house. They also carried extra cylinders and conversions. That was a number of years ago and all things change over time, usually not for the best concerning guns.
TayNinh_66
NES Member
Traditions makes a loader. $24 on Amazon. Works OK. Amazon product ASIN B000PW45GSView: https://www.amazon.com/Traditions-Performance-Firearms-Revolver-Cylinder/dp/B000PW45GS
