Starr DA Army working

[68coupe]

The recent addition to my stable, a relic 1858 Starr DA revolver is working. I had to swap the hand for a repop from Dixie. It took some careful fitting to make it work with the original hammer. The cylinder still needs a little love, but I think I'll have it at the range within a week. I plan to test fire a full cylinder, then put it in a display box, in working condition. My reproduction Pietta Remington New Army revolvers will have to scratch that cap-n-ball itch.

I'll try to get more photos while I shoot it.

 

[scooter748driver]

Congrats on getting it working. I'm sure that s a satisfying feeling. Looking forward to seeing it!

 

[ColonelBuckwalter]

I'm not saying you get video of you firing it, but I'd like to see video of it being fired.

 

[68coupe]

I know that I can get a video of it empty and cycling properly. Getting a video of me shooting it depends entirely on the good nature of the people at the range to take a video & not be behind cover. I'm going to visit my family in TX in April, and I may just wait until then. My brother, who got me into Black Powder to begin with, could shoot the video with a tripod (while standing behind cover with a first aid kit & fire extinguisher). LOL Either way, I'm going to use a half-charge (15gr) to preclude any "Big Bang". I'm not using the revolver for its intended purpose, so just enough powder to get the ball out the end of the barrel is plenty to prove functionality. If it proofs at half charge, I'll step it up to 2/3 (20gr) charge, but no more than that. I don't want to destroy this piece of history, I just want to shoot it. I'll bring along my reproduction Remington 1858s to scratch that itch a little more.

Karl, 68coupe

 

[ColonelBuckwalter]

I didn't think about proofing.

With first aid kit and extinguisher it gives a whole new meaning to hand cannon.

 

[tokashikibop]

Do you have a link for the hand you bought? I have a Starr that needs a hand and was not able to successfully make a homemade spring steel piece. Any info would be appreciated.
Best regards,

 

[68coupe]

Do you have a link for the hand you bought? I have a Starr that needs a hand and was not able to successfully make a homemade spring steel piece. Any info would be appreciated.
Best regards,

I bought the hand w/spring from VTI @ vtigunparts.com (click on Pietta, then Starr DA). They sell the springs separately, as well. Dixie sells the hands too, but the listing shows "out of stock". I had to do some fitting. the pin fits the original hammer, but the surrounding "circle" is a bit too large to fit in the recess of the hammer. I used a mini belt sander to remove the material and cold-blued. Compare the full range of motion to the original part. I imagine files and stones would work, but would take quite a bit longer.

Good luck, Karl