Guns

45thga · #1 02-16-2006, 11:15 PM

I hope iI am posting this in the right forum.I guess more than one of you are members of the North-South Skirmishers Assn.I would really like to become involved with it.I just purchased my black powder gun a Uberti Leech and Rigdon 36 cal. I do not have any accessories yet for it .Any recommendations where to get items from.Also does anyone know any good books on learning about how to use cap and ball revolvers.I dont really know much about them at all and I want to be safe.Thanks 45thga

johan_steele · #2 02-17-2006, 12:34 AM

Cabela's sells a kit that had everything you need to shoot & maintain your revolver... around $30 I think. They also sell an excellent instructional video on black powder pistols. I don't shoot pistols as I prefer rifles so my info may not be the best.

Cabela's will probbaly be your cheapest bet; though I would probably suggest Lodgewood.

The Civil War Re-enactors Blackpowder Guide by Smith about $15 I think may be exactly what you're looking for.

The Re-enactors Encyclopedia about $30

Commanager I believe wrote Living History The Civil War though I'm not certain how helpful that would be for your purposes.

And I believe the N-SSA site http://www.n-ssa.org/ will probably have some info to help you out as well.

I'm a big fan of Lodgewood, one of the best and most helpful sutlers in the business a phone call will get all of your questions answered as well as exactly what you need ordered. THough I suggest a phone call instead of email; they aren't always real good about email. http://www.lodgewood.com/

Fall Creek http://fcsutler.com/ has a good selection of books that might be useful for decent prices as well as a full collection of cleaning & reloading accesories for your pistol.

Good Luck

william42 · #3 02-17-2006, 01:01 AM

Hi 45th. Welcome to the board. There are many members here who re-enact and shoot black powder. Johan Steele is probably your best source there. I used to have two replica .44 cal.1860 Colts. One was Italian made - it may have been Uberti, and the other was made by Colt. Strangely, I was more accurate at 25 yards with the Italian gun, and it seemed to be balanced better than the Colt.

For accessories, when I lived in Minnesota, I drove to Owatonna where there's a hugh Cabelas. They had just about everything I needed to shoot the guns; powder, caps (different sizes) lead balls (different sizes), lubed "wads" I think they called them to insert into the chambers to prevent flame from a shot flashing to other chambers simultaneously, and on and on. I couldn't believe the vast inventory there, just for black powder.

They also have all the cleaning solvents, oils, etc. Black powder shooting is fun, but the fouling from the burnt powder and residue is pretty extensive and you obviously have to clean the gun thoroughly after each target session. That ultimately was why I sold the guns, plus I needed the money. I would shoot for about an hour, then come home and clean for 1-1 1/2 hours. It's quite involved, but I had to clean two guns too. The manual that came with the guns told me to rinse it all out in warm water after everything was swabbed and cleaned out, then dry them in a warm oven, not hot, because they would rust if not dried properly.

Another good source for black powder supplies is Dixie Gun Works, down in Tennessee. They put out a huge catalog with, again, everything you would need. When I was shooting I ordered from the catalog by phone, and they shipped it pretty quickly. They may now offer an online catalog, where maybe you could order over the internet. I'm not sure.

I loved shooting the gun. Have a great time with it. Don't drop the gun when it's loaded for heavens sake. Safety mechanisms found on todays handguns were not there in the 1800s. Cabelas and Dixie both offer a couple of types of loading stands to set your gun in while you're loading, which stabilizes and secures the gun, allowing you to safely load each chamber with the lever/rod. Take care.

Terry

ami · #4 02-17-2006, 11:04 AM

You may want to talk to Mike mike@civilwartalk.com, we are both NSSA members and shooters, but he knows a lot more of the technical stuff than I do.

He is the one who makes all the bullets for us, and has taught me how to shoot.

www.n-ssa.org is a really good site to look at, unfortunatly their message board is down right now.

If you are really interested in joining, you need to find a unit who is in the N-SSA, individuals can not join on their own...

Good luck, maybe we will see you at a national soon!

Calicoboy · #5 02-17-2006, 06:13 PM

I shoot black powder and like it. Cleeaning the weapons after using is just part of the process. It's a zen. One thing I would highly suggest. Cover each loaded ball with grease after you've loaded your pistol. I find it helps with accuracy. It also stops the possibility of a multiple discharge. Nothing worse than the shot you're firing igniting another cylinder. It's an extremely rare occurance; but it's no fun

Calicoboy

texascavcadet · #6 02-17-2006, 06:19 PM

Heres a nice site with reccomended parts and other for your musket,
Just want to say im glad to see that you are in the hobby.

http://mercurysutler.com

Best of Luck!

regards
Garrett Estey
11th Texas Cav

45thga · #7 02-18-2006, 06:08 PM

WOW,thanks for the responses.I look forward to learning about Civil War era weapons and how to use them proprely.I have reloaded centerfire pistol and rifle for over 20 years and have metal detected for relics for just as long.I don't know why it took that long for me to combine my intrest in to one.I look forward to spending time on the board and learning about different aspects of the defining time in our history.Once again thanks to everyone.