Spiller & Burr Revolver

[Bottom Dealin Mike]

It has been a tough Winter, but I finally got back out to the range to test the Spiller & Burr replica for my black powder column in "Guns of the Old West" magazine.

Here's a video of the session, and a picture for your enjoyment.

[Trailrider]

Great video, Mike. I've owned a replica S&B for years, though haven't shot it much (nor other BP stuff, either). But I found it to be one of the most accurate cap-and-ball pistols I ever shot. I once owned an original Whitney Navy, and took it to the range once just to see how it worked versus the S&B replica. Too my amazement (and disgust) the Whitney would bind up after about six or seven shots! The Spiller & Burr was good for about three or four cylinder-fulls before becoming just a bit hard to cock. (I bought my S&B replica from an outfit called "Joan's Gun Shop" in Nebraska, quite a bit before Dixie started selling them. Not sure who made mine.

BTW, I think Ruger misnamed their Old Army. They should have called it the "Super Whitney". Just compare the design of the rammer/base pin assembly! That chuckling sound you hear is Fordyce Beals' ghost. 

[Bottom Dealin Mike]

Hi Trailrider,

I agree about the ROA. Here's what I wrote in my upcoming Spiller & Burr article

"The loading lever and basepin assembly on the Spiller & Burr is quite different that the Remington, but it is also an excellent design that today lives on in the Ruger New Model Army.  The basepin is held securely in the frame by a steel hump at the front of the frame. There is a lever that you rotate to allow the basepin stop to engage a semi-circular cut in the bottom surface of the basepin. But, unlike the same assembly in the Ruger, the basepin and bullet rammer in the Spiller & Burr are securely attached to the loading lever by screw pins, so they won't disintegrate into their constituent parts in your hand, the way a Ruger does, when you remove the basepin."

[rdstrain49]

Two month with out shooting 

Where there's a will there's a way.  Lost track of how many times I've had to clear my range this winter.

[rdstrain49]

By the way, your videos are always entertaining, thanks.

[RRio]

Well, you probably got me in trouble now, Mike. After watching your video it cause me to get a case of GAS (Gun Acquisition Syndrome). Very informative, thank you, sir.

[pony express]

I bought a pair of them from Dixie 8-10 years ago, Haven't shot a lot, just a few stages of CAS. about the only complaint is that they, too, shoot about 18" high.

[St8LineLeatherSmith]

I saw your post at Firearms Talk
I enjoyed the video, as usual very informative