Just got my first "cowboy" pistol!

[nativeshootist]

I just got my first "cowboy" pistol, it's a ASM colt 1851 navy in 44cal...... But I'm a shoot it the first chance I get and I couldn't find goex BP so I found Hodgon Pyrodex the FFF equivalent. So I'll take pictures of it tomorrow and shooting it. I wished it was a 36 cal as its the corrected caliber but I got this .44 ASM for $130 and not $220 cabelas asks. The gun store I got this from had 36 cal BRASS frames and I didn't want that...oh well. But I'm happy I got this navy even tho its .44cal

[Shawnee McGrutt]

I bet it won't be the last one you get.  They are addictive!  They seem to follow me home.

[hellgate]

I have a pair of 44 cal ASM '51 "Navies" that are my Gamer Guns. I had a friend work on them years ago (hardened the triggers, adjusted hammer pull & set the triggers at ~3 lbs). With a 44 Navy you get the light weight & balance of a Navy with it's superior SAA grips but with the punch of a 44.  I just used mine in the Oregon then the Washington state SASS shoots to great success. (It REALLY HELPS when better shooters sign up for a different category).

[Coffinmaker]

My first reaction is CONGRATULATIONS!!  Welcome to the fold.  My second reaction is, PYRODEX is corrosive in and of itself.  It's the chemical make-up.  My suggestion is to get rid of the Pyrex as soon as you can. 
Were I suggesting a Substitute (and I am), I would strongly suggest APP.  No lubes, no mess, cleans up with plain water.  Try it, you'll really like it.

Coffinmaker

[nativeshootist]

My first reaction is CONGRATULATIONS!!  Welcome to the fold.  My second reaction is, PYRODEX is corrosive in and of itself.  It's the chemical make-up.  My suggestion is to get rid of the Pyrex as soon as you can. 
Were I suggesting a Substitute (and I am), I would strongly suggest APP.  No lubes, no mess, cleans up with plain water.  Try it, you'll really like it.

Coffinmaker

I will don't worry  but it was the only thing cabelas had. for now i'll shoot that up then change to real BP when I can. I sure wish it was a 36 cal tho.

[Coffinmaker]

36 is the historically correct caliber of the "Colt" 1851 Navy.  ASM as well as Pietta took liberal license with the 1851, bulked it up a little (free weights and steroids) and built the 51 Design in .44 Caliber.

When chambered in 44, the gun is somewhat lighter in the hand than an actual 1851.  There is less mass in the cylinder and barrel.  With a bigger ball, when you shoot CAS, there are fewer mistakes from the spotters.  It seems some of them complain they can't "hear" the 36 ball ring the target (they're also blind).  The bigger ball solves most of that problem.

Be sure to drive a soft lead ball thru the barrel (a light swab of oil will help) and mic the driving band it creates.  Then you'll know exactly what size ball you need for that gun.

Coffinmaker

[Cliff Fendley]

Congrats on your first cap and ball. You're in for a load of fun.

I second Coffinmaker on the Pyrodex, clean your gun REALLY good soon as you're done shooting and keep an eye on it afterwards. Replace the Pyrodex with real BP or APP as soon as you're able.

[Mean Bob Mean]

Yeeeeeehawwwwww!

[Blackpowder Burn]

Real BP - less corrosive and cleans up really easy.

I buy it by the case from Powder Inc (www.powderinc.com)

[nativeshootist]

Real BP - less corrosive and cleans up really easy.

I buy it by the case from Powder Inc (www.powderinc.com)

do you have a can you can spare? 

[Johnny McCrae]

I just got my first "cowboy" pistol, it's a ASM colt 1851 navy in 44cal......

Your story is almost identical to mine. In November of 2005 I bought a Pietta 1851 Navy in .44 Caliber from Sportsman's Warehouse for $134.99 along with a bottle of Pyrodex. I found out that you can't shoot Black Powder at our local indoor range so I started browsing online for more information on Cowboy guns. I discovered CAS City , SASS and NCOWS. I've been shooting Cowboy Action matches since 2007. When I shoot Black Powder in a match I use APP. I'm amazed at how easy it cleans up. With APP I'm able to use up my supply of smokeless bullets.

[Coffinmaker]

I realize most of US already know this stuff, but Nativeshooter is NEW.  Like SHINY new to making smoke.

Old wives tale.  Black Powder is corrosive and causes rust.  NOT TRUE.  In and of itself, BP is not corrosive.  It IS Hygroscopic.  The residue attracts moisture and traps it next to the steel.  The moisture causes rust.  I have in the past, gotten BP guns into my shop for some "Mr Fixit" and the gun hadn't been cleaned in 3 months (dry climate).  NO rust.

Tripple 7 and Prodex should have a warning label that reads "May cause instant corrosion."  Because of their chemical makeup, they are corrosive in and of themselves.  They don't need moisture to corrode and pit steel.  Want em to look a hunnert and fifty years old??  Simple ........... just shoot some Pyrorust in em and forget to clean em for a week.

APP is the LEAST corrosive of the Subs.  It will cause corrosion, but not nearly as fast nor a severe.  You still should clean your guns quickly.  Normally, if I shot on Saturday, I cleaned up on Sunday.  Or maybe Tuesday or Wednesday.  Thursday at the latest.  I've also found just a tiny spritz of Ballistol (I use to hate the stuff) every three or so stages, keeps the rifle running nice and slick.

Oh, forgot the real good example (almost).  Fella gave me an 1866 for an action job and short stroke (some years ago) and said "I shoot a sub so you don't have to clean it right away (like it was MY job to clean it .... add $50 to the bill) and when I checked it on monday to start work, the Carrier Block was half FUZED to the receiver.  THAT was fun to fix, you betcha.

Coffinmaker

[nativeshootist]

I know BP isn't corrosive but I can't seem to find it any where...and pryodex was on sale and I wanted to shoot my pistol right aways I.E the next day. So pryodex it was sadly...I am looking for REAL BP, just having a hard time. Im thinking about taking it from fireworks. jk

[Mean Bob Mean]

I know BP isn't corrosive but I can't seem to find it any where...and pryodex was on sale and I wanted to shoot my pistol right aways I.E the next day. So pryodex it was sadly...I am looking for REAL BP, just having a hard time. Im thinking about taking it from fireworks. jk

Order it from these fine folks:  shipping and hazard fees are included in prices and they are aces to work with:

https://www.powderinc.com/

If you want a price break but can't see buying that much BP, go in with a few fellers. 

Mean Bob

[Montana Slim]

Point #1  -  Congratulations!! My first C&B was also a historically incorrect model (44 brass Griswold) , still have and it still works (although I don't shoot it in many-many years).

Point #2  -  No need for crisis mode on the Pyrodex 

While it's not my first choice in propellant, it ranks as a distant "second" for me (I follow the "true" faith ya know).

Back in the 1980's I lost my "then" local BP retailer (Ted's gunshop in Des Moines - RIP Ted)...I was a transient semi-employed type living in an apartment.....Had to use Pyrodex for several years until things settled down & I found a new source...and today I order my BP by the case. Take note - Pyrodex will cause no serious issues with your C&B, PROVIDING it will be well cleaned (water-based solution) the same day as used.....I've ALWAYS cleaned the same day regardless of BP or Pyrodex. All of my revolvers are squeeky-clean & free of corrosion....and a few of my revolvers had nothing but Pyrodex used in them for 8-10 years.

Will I use Pyrodex in my front-loading rifles or shotguns???  No....(!) These guns are more of a closed system and in particular - getting the bore 100% flushed is a might dicey.

BTW, Pyrodex will give a flame similar to BP...other subs do well on smoke, but not so much on the flames.

The perchlorate compound in Pyrodex is the "offending" critter...same compound could be found in priming compounds in some WWII era and beyond 50 BMG. I shared the secret cleaning technique (hot water) to some folks who were forced to use the old ammo in their modern semi-auto rifles during a time of need.

Lots of threads on proper cleaning your revolver.... suggest you use the search feature on this board,

Welcome to the club 
Regards,
Slim
Who just luvs spending quality time (even cleaning ) with his favorite firearms 

[Thumb Buster]

My first experience with a B&B was an authentic 1851 borrowed from a high school friend who didn't realize what he had. (Neither did I.)  The experience stuck with me and finally, after many years my wife bought me a Hy-Sport brass-framed 1851.  Still have it-don't shoot it, but it rekindled something deep in my soul.  Then came the hybrid .44 1851, followed by a correctly chamber .36 1851, then the Remington NMA .44, then the 1873 .45 Colt then...well, you can see the trend developing.

Being retired and under my better half's feet all the time she is prone to ask me what I am taking to the range that day.  Taking one of my black powder guns makes her happy as I tend to take forever cleaning it when I get home  and that keeps me in the garage for a while especially when I have to reload cartridges. 

Buying another C&B gun is also met with less angst than a more 'modern' firearm for some reason. 

Anyway, congratulations and welcome to the club.  Nothing more satisfying the 'BOOM', the flame, the smoke and the soot!  It IS addictive.   

[nativeshootist]

cool, always interested learning about your guys first c&b stories. I'll look at powder inc

[Dick Dastardly]

May I speak for my black powder supplier?

http://www.buffaloarms.com/Content.aspx?PAGE=Black%20Powder

They deliver promptly and price fair.

DD-MDA

[Noz]

If you'd let us know what part of the world you live in we'd be more likely to get you in contact with some real BP.

[nativeshootist]

I live in south dakota