David Pedersoli Howdah Pistol

[Snowwolfe]

Anyone ever try one of these in .58 caliber?
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?type=pod&cmCat=MainCatcat20712-cat20720-cat20817&id=0058399

Likes or dislikes?

[simonkenton]

That is one cool-looking pistol. I would love to have one. You could load that thing with 6  of the 00 buckshot balls, that would be the cat's meow for household defense.

Here is a discussion of this pistol:


http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=398033

[Nobade]

If it were me, I'd go with the smoothbore. No need for rifling at the range this is supposed to be used. That said, I handled one at Dixie Gun Works last time I was through there. The reach to the front trigger is unmanagable for me. I do have fairly short fingers and others may fit it better, but that's something to consider if you are thinking of buying one. Otherwise, they sure are cool!

[PHATINJUN]

I know this is old topic but please enlighten me as to how this is legal. I must be having a brain fart! Is it because it is muzzle loaded? Thanks Kurt

[mechanic]

I know this is old topic but please enlighten me as to how this is legal. I must be having a brain fart! Is it because it is muzzle loaded? Thanks Kurt

Yep, the feds don't consider this a firearm, even though a few states do.  Depends on where you live. 
 
I guess the powers that be don't think a muzzie could be dangerous.  Not withstanding the thousands killed in the War between the States.  Personally, I'd rather face a 9mm any day rather than this cannon!
 
Ben

[coyotejoe]

They are neat looking guns but Pedersoli only recommends very light powder charges and with those the buckshot is pretty feeble. A 20 gauge is really too small in bore size for effective use of buckshot as large as 00, that's why modern shotshells in 20 gauge are loaded with buck no larger than #2 or #3 buck. Larger pellets won't stack evenly in the 20 gauge bore and when fired they jam against each other, deform badly and lead the bore.
 I built a singleshot 20 gauge pistol with an 8" barrel and fired a few loads of #4 buck over 40 grains of 3f Goex and regular 20 gauge wads. At 30 feet the pattern would have put lots of pellets on a human torso but they only penetrated through the bark of a pine log and barely dented the soft wood below. I think 40 grains is a heavier load then Pedersoli recommends for their Howdah pistol. No doubt the barrels will stand more but I think they are concerned about recoil splitting the stock.

[Dogmann]

I want!!