Anyone in to old pistols?

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to have a Colt 45 "Peacemaker" revolver. It must have been the "cowboy" influence of my childhood in the '50's. I don't have my Davey Crockett "Coon skin cap" any more but now that I older and capable of handling such a fire arm, I'm more interested than ever. "Black Powder" is also fascinating to me.

How many out ther are in to this (pistol) hobby and what recommendations do you have for an enjoyable pistol for me as a beginner in the hobby?

[tinksdad]

I wanted to stay with black powder; I opted for the 1861 Navy Colt. I started out in black powder with a Hawkens 50 cal long gun. That influenced my decision when I decided to get into the pistols. Both are replicas. I could never even dream of being able to afford the real thing.

If I were to pick an early style cartridge type revolver, it would probably be the Peacemaker with the 7 1/2" Cavalry barrel or the 5 1/2" Artillery barrel. Just remember that it is single action. The hammer has to be manually cocked prior to each shot. Yes, you can hold the trigger down and fan the hammer just like they did in the movies; but that is neither SAFE for the shooter nor good for the gun. The double action wasn't introduced until 1892.

[Kevin A]

http://www.dixiegun.com/
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/(S(w5mdyt ... 45wv43btyq))/Index.aspx

[MidTNJasonF]

I have been shooting and making guns for many years. I was just getting into black powder but lost my range. The gun club I was shooting at was started as a club of black powder enthusiasts but they lost their lease on the range.

Now I am stuck back at a short indoor range that is only friendly to "modern" cartridge weapons. I did however just pick up an 1960's era Smith and Wesson Model 10-5 service revolver. It was a former Washington DC Metro Police issue gun that I got as a restoration project.

I also have some older military war rifles. My most recent purchase was a 1944 made Mosin Nagant M38. I tell you that 7.62x54R kicks like a mule with an old metal butt plate.

[Kurt (Indiana)]

I could never even dream of being able to afford the real thing.

If I were to pick an early style cartridge type revolver, it would probably be the Peacemaker with the 7 1/2" Cavalry barrel or the 5 1/2" Artillery barrel. Just remember that it is single action. The hammer has to be manually cocked prior to each shot.

As with everything I like, it's very expensive to get the "original" piece.
Thanks for the information. The single action replica is fine with me so I'll explore that option first.

Thanks to everyone for the input.

[Senior Ninja]

Hi,

I've been shootin' black powder for a while. I really enjoy it. I have a lot of respect for our forefathers since I see now what's involved. Truth to be told the original peacemaker was a cap and ball revolver. Movies made the switch to the cartridge because it was faster to reload for retakes. They didn't want to spend the time to wait for the armorer to reload. Many more cap and ball revolvers were made then than cartridge guns.
One of the reasons I like shootin' black powder is it's like me, cheap. A pound of pyrodex lasts a loooong time. You can also adjust your load to fit both the circumstance and the shooter.
Steve

[Aaron Coffee]

I have what I guess you could call a collection of High Standard .22 pistols. Two Sentinal police style revolvers, and a Dura-matic, semi auto. The oldest dating back to the late 50's. I try to avoid going to gun shops as I always seem to be able to find another High Standard. Can someone explain the gun price guides? If I look up my 1967 Dodge Dart in the car price guides, I would be hard pressed to get the amount the say it is worth, but if I look up the prices for HS pistols in the gun price guides they are about 1/2 of what the gun shops are asking.

[MidTNJasonF]

but if I look up the prices for HS pistols in the gun price guides they are about 1/2 of what the gun shops are asking.

Several reasons. High Standards have a reputation and a brand name with some weight. They tend to run a bit more to the collector set. the biggest reason though is there are really very few real Gun Shops left. At least in my area they are all run by some serious attitudes with a superiority complex. Most of them seem to be looking to squeeze every last drop of money out of a gun.

I have had one owner flat out tell me that if he did not mark a gun up at least $100 over its real value he was loosing out on money because more than enough idiots would come in and pay the marked up price. They have no incentive to sell to the informed buyer looking for a fair price.

[Senior Ninja]

Hi Shootin' Friends,

You bring up another good point about black powder guns. The Government doesn't take them seriously. You can order them over the phone and have them delivered right to your door, no questions asked.
And they are just as deadly today as they were in the nineteenth century.
Just because they are obsolete, doesn't mean they aren't useful and fun to shoot.

Steve

[DrCrash]

One like this

And yes we do shoot it time to time.
1855 Remington
belonged to my great great wheww uncle M.D.John J Cameron He carried it as a civil war doctor. I have his musket, leather goods, bayonet and unifor also.

My grandfather was a gunsmith so there is a large collection of flint locks a wheel lock and cap and ball fire arms in my collection.

[Dark Horse]

Lots of good Black powder suggestions

A real colt is gonna set you back lots of $$$, with the popularity of Cowboy action shooting the single action revolvers are getting very popular and several manufacturers are making them again.

inexpensive - www.cdnn.com download the catalog - if you not using IE you'll have to save it then open it. you need to call for revolver prices
about Pg 19 starts the Beretta S.A. revolvers you will need an FFL to transfer through so factor that cost in.

Ruger makes some very nice SAs the Vaquero, BlackHawk, & Bisley.

Cimarron Firearms - they make replicas of the 19th century Colt Peacemaker

there are also some Italian makers the specialize in the Cowboy actions Uberti, and Pedersoli

http://www.sassnet.com/ Single action shooting society. They hold local shoots all over the nation through affiliated clubs. I suggest finding out when the next shoot is close to you go down and talk with them. It's been my exp that most shooters are more than happy to allow you to look, and handle and usually try a few rounds to see if you like how a particular pistol feels, provided the match will allow it. They will also be the most knowledgeable on you local options

hope this helps.

[tinksdad]

http://www.sassnet.com/ Single action shooting society. They hold local shoots all over the nation through affiliated clubs. I suggest finding out when the next shoot is close to you go down and talk with them. It's been my exp that most shooters are more than happy to allow you to look, and handle and usually try a few rounds to see if you like how a particular pistol feels, provided the match will allow it. They will also be the most knowledgeable on you local options

I've been here about 4 years and didn't even know there was an SASS club about 10 miles down the road from me. They just happen to be the state champions! I've dispatched an e-mail asking for more information and permission to attend their next shoot as an observer. From what I've gathered from their website, it looks like a lot more fun than going to the range once a month and throwing 3 or 4 clips of FMJ's at a paper target through my daily carry (S&W 6906).

I love this place. I keep learning more and more. It's not just trailers!!

[MsDana]

Best place to talk to folks who know a bunch about the kind of gun you have is SAS single action shooters society. My brother is a member.