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Put a Cap on it.

Talyn

Emissary
Founding Member
Percussion Cap Firearms

For over two hundred years, the flintlock was the predominant firearm worldwide. The flintlock mechanism used a flint to shave sparks into a small pan of gunpowder that detonated the charge in the barrel. It had a few obvious advantages. The wheellock mechanism was cheaper and faster. Unlike the popular matchlock, the flintlock was ready to shoot at all times and was more weather-resistant.

Percussion cap firearms, sometimes called caplocks, are the penultimate evolutionary step that ushered in firearms that fire self-contained cartridges. Although technically obsolete, the caplock is the go-to choice for black powder shooters. Whether it is for primitive hunting seasons, historical reenacting, or vintage target shooting, a caplock firearm is worth owning.


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I always liked the Ruger Old Army

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I’m an instructor with 4-H Shooting Sports. Of the several disciplines we do, Rifle, Pistol, and Muzzleloader shoot together at the same time and location in our county. So while I’m mainly the club’s Rifle and Pistol guy, I am there with the old-timey guns.

I am happy to report that today’s kids really enjoy muzzleloaders.

I watch the numbers at these things. At these shoots, we have tables setup for pistol, tables for rifle, and tables for muzzleloader. The kids can go to whatever table they want when there is an opening. We want them to try everything, but don’t make them.
Our numbers have been down overall the past three or four years, but we averaged over 40 kids at each shoot this year, and all but a couple have shot muzzleloader at each shoot.

That is the Basic group, where it’s all .50 caliber percussion or inline 209-primed rifle. In Advanced, we shoot all types of guns but try to have a black powder day at least once each year where we shoot the usual, plus a muzzle loading shotgun, a .54, and I bring my revolver. We need to gather some parts and use the flintlock. Again, we don’t make them do this, it is “by demand” of the kids.

The Advanced kids (HS age) have semiauto pistols and revolvers from .22 to .45, and rifles of all types including an AR and Mini-14 available to shoot. So with only 6-8 fun shoots before the annual competitions begin, it’s interesting (and inspiring) that they WANT to use at least one to shoot only black powder.
 
I’ve got an old Lyman 1858 .44 Remington New Army that I used to shoot a bit of competition with. Great old pistol. At one time 45 years ago it and a couple .22 Rugers (auto and single six) were the only handguns I owned. That ol Remington lived in my nightstand for several years, with a .457 round ball seated over 30 grains of FFFG with RWS caps and sealed with a beeswax lube. Never felt unarmed,
 
Revolvers are the most fun to me. I only have a Ruger Old Army in stainless right now, but I feel it’s a good one to have if you have just one.

One I’ve always wanted, I think I see in your group. That’s an 1862 Pocket Police. Those have always been one of the cutest/prettiest to me.

I also have a ss Old Army, and lust for a 1862 Pocket Police.
 
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