Loading C&B cylinder(s) on loading stand.

Dick Dastardly · May 25, 2006, 08:02:37 AM

Question for ROs here.

When shooting C&B pistols at a SASS match, I like to load my cylinder(s) on a loading stand on my gun cart. The cylinders are NOT in the pistols because I use the same stand that I sell to load the cylinder(s) separate from my pistols. Then, when I go to the loading table, I install the loaded cylinder(s) and cap them. After shooting the stage I go to the unloading table and remove my clyinder(s) and clear my rifle and shotgun. Then, I go back to my cart and reload the cylinder(s) on my loading stand.

My question is this. Do you think I could be in violation of SASS rules following this procedure?

Thanks,

DD-DLoS

Arcey · May 25, 2006, 08:50:55 AM

No, you're good.

I would tell the Match Director what I planned on doin' before I did it.

sundance44`s · May 25, 2006, 09:39:01 AM

Dick after the cylinders are loaded with the powder and balls do you reinstall them into your pistols at your cart .. or back to the loading table ?

Dick Dastardly · May 25, 2006, 01:45:47 PM

Just to keep everybody at ease, I take the charged but uncapped cylinders to the loading table and drop 'em in and then cap them. All capping is done at the loading table. Also, I remove the cylinders at the unloading table so that only ROAs without cylinders are in my holsters.

So far, everybody seems ok with it.

DD-DLoS

J.J. Ferrett · May 25, 2006, 03:58:00 PM

I just been talking to one of our Govs and marshals. He stated that cap and ball pistols are only classed as loaded when they have percussion caps installed on the chambers. He stated also that it didnt matter if the chamber was loaded with powder and ball, if there is a cap on the nipple, that gun is classed as 'live'.
Any percussion caps that havent fallen off already must be removed at the unloading table, and can only be placed on nipples at the loading table. Chambers may be refilled with powder and ball either at the unloading table, loading table or at your gun cart. Doing this at the loading table may cause a backup of shooters though.
So. I believe that you are being cautious and practically very safe in carrying the cylinders seperate from the revolver, but, I do not believe that it is entirely necessary.

sundance44`s · May 25, 2006, 05:39:10 PM

Well only thing i could see wrong with uncapped cylinders but loaded with powder and ball..in the pistols carried that would be the threat of a spark ..from some unknown source .. smokeing matterial or such .. to me they are just as much a danger with out the caps as they are with .. i often wondered about SASS rules on the uncapped cylinders on a cap & ball pistol being thought of as safe or unloaded ...something just didn`t sound right . after all chain fires can happen from the rear .

hellgate · May 25, 2006, 09:57:30 PM

Dick,
You are being extremely prudent in your loading procedure. As long as you are clearing off the spent caps at the unloading table and then removing the cylinders from the guns for charging at your cart, I see no problem whatsoever. People do not want a gun barrel looking at them (being swept). Nobody cares about you handling the cylinders with the rest of the guns in your holsters. I cannot for the life of me see any problem with what you are doing. I find it exemplary.

Dick Dastardly · May 26, 2006, 07:38:39 AM

Thanks Pards,

That's what I was thinkn'. I've been selling the loading stands for charging C&B cylinders all around the world. I've had questions about SASS rules and I worked out the procedure I detailed above.

Just because I've handled guns since I was Six years old don't mean I know all the rules. That's why I was looking for input from experienced shooters. I appreciate the posts and welcome more. The great thing about Cowboy shooting is that it is SAFE and only by having safety rules and sticking to them will it stay safe.

Thanks,

DD-DLoS

J.J. Ferrett · May 26, 2006, 01:01:04 PM

QuoteJust because I've handled guns since I was Six years old don't mean I know all the rules.

I so wish more people thought like this. Its all to frequent that I see 'range morons'. Luckily not seen many in CAS, well except for one who thought fanning was 'soo cool' and was promptly ejected from the match and range.
With firearms a little common sense goes an awfully long way. Glad to see people like you.

Montana Slim · May 30, 2006, 11:44:15 AM

Quote from: Dick Dastardly on May 25, 2006, 01:45:47 PM
Just to keep everybody at ease, I take the charged but uncapped cylinders to the loading table and drop 'em in and then cap them. All capping is done at the loading table. Also, I remove the cylinders at the unloading table so that only ROAs without cylinders are in my holsters.

So far, everybody seems ok with it.

DD-DLoS

As we used to say....Right-on DD!
Air-tight safety on your part.

I use Colt 1860 most of the time & to "charge" cylinders, I either move to an unoccupied loading/unloading table, or perform at my cart. When doing at my cart, I move it parallel to the firing line or other safe direction to maintain a safe direction while drawing, charging and holstering. Use of C&B Colt six-shooters seem to be in the minority around these parts.

Dick Dastardly · May 31, 2006, 09:56:48 PM

Ho Pards,

If we ever loose our favorite sport, it'll be the hired guns (lawyers) of somebody that don't understand our sport. I don't blame the Lawyers. They are only doing their educated intent. I do blame shooters that that don't understand what we are all about.

Thus, I want to develop a simple way that C&B shooters can enjoy our sport, keep pace with the posse, and partake of their obligations as spotters, unloading and reloading table workers and brass pickers. There's more that we do, but that's a good start.

My plan is to have an easy way to charge C&B cylinders away from the action, cap them at the loading table and keep things safely moving along so the entire posse doesn't have to wait for our lovely BP fragrence. . . . .

DD-DLoS