First attempt at backyard CBAS: Remington 1858

[sharpie443]

I posted an introduction in the proper place but I thought i would show you what I normally do. I don't shoot at any competition but i shoot my 1858 as often as i can. I've always loved black powder guns and own a number of them. Mostly i shoot and hunt with flintlock rifles but In the last year i've also gotten into shooting C&B revolvers. I'm now hooked on them and looking for was to improve.

This is a good video of me shooting from a holster with the 1858. I've had training in drawing from a holster with modern firearms but this is actually the first time I've ever drawn a revolver from a holster. I thought I did ok but I have have no idea what I'm doing.  

[PJ Hardtack]

Sharpie443

You're hooked! When ya gonna buy your 2nd Remington? You didn't ask for suggestions or opinions but I'm gonna offer a couple ....

learn to cock with your left thumb when shooting with two paws. No sense in losing your shooting grip every time you cock the revolver, especially with greasy hands.
Also get in the habit of lowering the hammer on an empty chamber - unless you are going to shoot all six rounds right after loading.
This applies not only to cap & ball guns, but all single action revolvers. Yes, the Remington has a prominent 'safety' notch for the hammer nose, but ....

'T'won't be long, you'll be grouping all your rounds in the smallest circle of that target.

[sharpie443]

Sharpie443

You're hooked! When ya gonna buy your 2nd Remington? You didn't ask for suggestions or opinions but I'm gonna offer a couple ....

learn to cock with your left thumb when shooting with two paws. No sense in losing your shooting grip every time you cock the revolver, especially with greasy hands.
Also get in the habit of lowering the hammer on an empty chamber - unless you are going to shoot all six rounds right after loading.
This applies not only to cap & ball guns, but all single action revolvers. Yes, the Remington has a prominent 'safety' notch for the hammer nose, but ....

'T'won't be long, you'll be grouping all your rounds in the smallest circle of that target.

Thanks for the input. I've never even considered cocking the hammer with my left thumb. I shoot all six rounds only at my own range where I'm shooting right after i load.

I don't think I'm going to get another Remington any time soon but I want a colt 1851 navy bad. I had one two years ago but i traded it because it shot way off. This was before I knew how to sight in a Colt by modifying the hammer sight. Now I want a .36 cal colt bad. Wish i hadn't traded it for my flintlock Harpers ferry pistol.

[PJ Hardtack]

I think you'll find that cocking with your left thumb when using two hands will work better for you. Try both methods and decide for yourself.

The cap & ball guns are really fun, if a PITA to clean up. It's as 'Cowboy' as it gets. I have a 2nd gen Colt '51 Navy and until recently a Uberti '51 that I shot until it rattled. I find the .36 a bit of a yawn after a .44, but it's still a good gun.

Our club has an annual cap & ball match (BP in your long guns as well) and we get the Walkers, Dragoons, Navy's, Army's the whole gamut. I always opt to shoot my Remington .44s as I'm a believer in 'Murphy's Law' - if it can happen, it will, and most likely to a Colt 'wedgie'.

The only 'wedgies' I enjoy are my 2nd gen Colt Third Model Dragoon and my wife's .38 Spl. Open Top '71. The Dragoon is a real handfull and a lot easier for most folks to handle compared to the Walker. I sold mine and may replace it with another; the 'Dirty Harry' gun of the 1860s .....