Any old Colt collectors on here

I have became fascinated with old open top colts.
I can’t afford the real deal so I’ve started collecting the reproduction models.
So far I have a 1851 Navy
A 1860 Army.
Hoping for a Walker next.

plummerscarin wrote: I have those repros also. As well as an 1858 Army target model. Fun to shoot. Take them deer hunting during muzzleloader season. Have taken 3 so far. And yes the real deal is out of league

I have in my possession an 1858.
It belongs to a close friend. He broke the front sight off. I’m trying to get it fixed for him.
It’s a very neat ole gun. I hope to have one of those one day as well.
I’m amazed at how accurate these are and yes lots of fun.

I have a couple of the replicas and a Ruger Old Army in stainless, the Ruger by far is the best and you can load it right up,one thing with any muzzle loading pistol is you have to make absolutely,100% sure, check it twice you have grease in front of the ball or you may have a flash fire, I had it happen one time, I was lucky the two that went off were right next to the one I fired, it left lead streamers down both sides of the barrel, had the bottom one touched off?? Kind of like a hand grenade going off in your hand, the Colt Walkers we're notorious for doing it, for a short time the government made a shoulder stock for the cavalry, that got shelved when people were blowing the hand off that was holding the barrel.

TomC wrote: I have a couple of the replicas and a Ruger Old Army in stainless, the Ruger by far is the best and you can load it right up,one thing with any muzzle loading pistol is you have to make absolutely,100% sure, check it twice you have grease in front of the ball or you may have a flash fire, I had it happen one time, I was lucky the two that went off were right next to the one I fired, it left lead streamers down both sides of the barrel, had the bottom one touched off?? Kind of like a hand grenade going off in your hand, the Colt Walkers we're notorious for doing it, for a short time the government made a shoulder stock for the cavalry, that got shelved when people were blowing the hand off that was holding the barrel.

I use lubed felt wads.
I also use 454” balls in a 44 and 375 or 380” in 36.
I make up paper cartridges and include the lubed wad between the ball and powder.

Have 4 or 5. The old timer that sold me my first one said to just load and use one cylinder at a time to avoid that flash fire. Said you’re likely target shootin anyway and why not take your time and enjoy it.
Bought my first one while on a youth church group outing to Branson, Mo at the ripe ole age of 14. Our youth group leader said, “we can call your folks and if they’re good w it I’ll spot you the cash!” Dad, said no problem just write down some instructions as he’d never had one.
AH, the irony of that happening today!
Love firing them off at night and watching the flame shoot out the barrel!

Back in the day they had bullets shaped like candy corn. They would get deformed while loading so some loaded them point first. Would allow for more powder even yet.
That blew up walkers.
Always make sure you see a commercial let’s round ring 💍 f shaved lead each time you load.
A moon shape means not a good seal.
I’m not fighting a war with mine so I pack grease over every ball.
I make my own paper cartridges with lubed wad included.

The 4 or 5 I mentioned in earlier post are all replicas. But I do have a cap and ball past down from my Dad. It was dug up when they relocated John Browns house to Osawatamie, Ks for a museum. It’s for sure original though non-operational. Believe it to be in .36 caliber.

Scott B wrote: The 4 or 5 I mentioned in earlier post are all replicas. But I do have a cap and ball past down from my Dad. It was dug up when they relocated John Browns house to Osawatamie, Ks for a museum. It’s for sure original though non-operational. Believe it to be in .36 caliber.

That’s cool. Is it a revolver?
I do have an original 1861 Springfield. It’s not a shooter.

Walker wrote: The that's what blew up walkers made me think somebody must be. It was because of increased cylinder length to the point of being capable of holding two charges and blowing cylinder. The amount of powder you could pack around a conical bullet wouldn't be enough to blow your nose.

Google walker Colt billet mold. You’ll see the round ball and corn shaped bullet option. It’s neither a round ball or mini ball.
The story is just something I read in Colt history.
They were purposely designed to hold six shots rather than 5 and in 44 rather than 28 or 36 . They’re all designed to have the projectile just below the surface of the end of the cylinder.

Are several reasons of having Grease across the face of the cylinder was one to keep the Powder DRY in wet or damp environment, next was to reduce the reaction of the lead to the Cylinder (Corrosion), A most important was cross fire cylinder firing reduction, another to add gas seal at the Barrel gap somewhat while also lubricating the rifling as the slug pushed said grease down the barrel.  Was but two options to Offload these for Cleaning and inspecting the cylinder bores, fire all the shots or pull the bullets and dump the unused powder back into a storage cup to reuse.

I am not collecting but I got my pappy's 1887 45 Long Colt Frontier model.  It is all in one piece but loose as a goose.

fjdrill wrote: Dixie Gun Works in Union City Tn, Has reproduction guns, canons and parts. If you ever get a chance to go by there-do it. They have many flint , cap and curio guns. They also have a scratch and dent table that had a few pistols on it. Their Catalog ( A Good read ) are $5.

Good to know. I’ve ordered from them but didn’t know they had a store.
Smokey mountain knife works has a relic room in the basement. Has some nice real Colts.

BrianC wrote: I had a 1851 navy reproduction.  Must had been a 1974 model. Italian made, I think it was a Lyman import. Pretty case hardening, engraved cylinder. I always used Crisco grease to prevent multi-fire. I cast my own lead balls. I shot it so much the internals wore out, trigger wouldn't hold in the hammer notch (dangerous). You could get replacement parts, thank you, Lyman.

Did you use pure soft lead?
I’ve been saving lead and wheel weights for years.
I’m told not to use those for BP balls.
Gonna order some soft lead from midway.