Author Topic: Cap and ball Q (Read 522 times)

Caspian35 · « **on:** June 21, 2003, 08:44:44 AM »

I was nosing around my local Cabela's and got to the section full of cap and ball revolvers, and found some real pretty .44's. What I was wondering about was the rumors about brass backstraps bending under the recoil of a 44. Does anyone know if these are true or just rumors? Also what sort of muzzle velocity could I expect from a .36 as compared to a .44?

Chris · « **Reply #1 on:** June 21, 2003, 11:15:13 AM »

Caspian35:

Why don't you post your question on the Cap & Ball Revolvers and Pistol forum? You'll get all of the info you are looking for from some good heads!

Be Safe! ...Chris

daddywpb · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2003, 07:38:32 AM »

The brass frames are plenty strong enough to handle black powder pressures. I've seen those revolvers in the catalog. They are affordable and a lot of fun to shoot.

Dan Chamberlain · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2003, 10:41:15 AM »

The difference in price betwee the brass frames and the steel frames I believe is not enough to justify buying a brass framed pistol. If it is just the back strap you are referring to, then there is no worry. However, if you are interested in a pistol with a totally brass frame, you would be wise to go the few extra dollars necessary to get a steel frame. I have them all. When you are talking about an open top frame like the 1851 and 1860 pistols, the gun gets as much stress from repeated loadings as it does from recoil. The under-lever stresses the cylinder pin when everthing is locked together. There is a torqueing action at work. Go with steel.

The .36 caliber is very versatile. If you are just looking for a plinking arm or target shooter, the .36 is most economical. They can be used for small game hunting as well. The most accurate and longest lasting will be the Remington pistol copies. They can be had in .36 as well. The .36 caliber ball looks awfully small, but don't count it out. I have taken squirrel, rabbits and one fox with it.

I have a target 1858 Remington that shoots as well as any of my centerfire handguns at 20 or 25 yards.

Dan C

Flint · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2003, 07:12:48 PM »

Don't worry about bending backstraps with a 44 or any other caliber, particularly Cap & Ball... Ruger had Brass gripframes on Super Blackhawks, and you can still buy them aftermarket. I have several brass gripframed revolvers with no problems, and if the recoil were capable of bending a backstrap, it would break your hand first.

A brass receiver frame is another story, and even a 36 will wear out faster, as the steel cylinder beats the recoil shield back and opens up the cylinder gap, and the cylinder pin (on a Colt) is threaded into the brass. A steel receiver will last a lot longer, as someone mentioned, loading is as stressfull as shooting a Colt open top.