Black Powder Revolvers for Daily Carry?

[@curteaton]

I think Paul Harrell said it best. If it's all you have, go ahead, but there are better tools available.

[@KlingonCaptain]

Good, because it's all I have. I clicked on this video because I have that exact gun.

[@aloysiuswojocockowicz3855]

I actually never seen this guy's videos before. I only looked at because I thought the thumbnail was Roy Harrell, and the title was amusing.

[@0manoscar]

Paul Harrell said many things best. God rest his soul.

[@TomaszWerczeti]

in my country i sadly cant rely on anything more

[@clffreak]

In Poland where I'm from, without a permit you're only allowed to carry cap'n'ball. So I carry a 1851 .44 snubnose with a 3" barrel. Loaded it weighs around 1kg, so it's acceptable. As a backup I carry a 3" double barrell derringer in .44. Both loaded with 32 grains of black powder and a 200 grain conical, they produce roughly 250 footpounds of energy. I don't feel underpowered. Greetings from Poland!

[@tatsuhirosatou5513]

I didn't know Poland let's you carry at all, there are so few places in Europe that allows people to actually carry

[@Floridaman6815]

@@tatsuhirosatou5513Poland is based

[@MrHrKaidoOjamaaVKJV]

​@tatsuhirosatou5513 Poland is one of the few European countries that allow people to carry percussion cap&ball revolvers without any license. Such is real freedom as a country is only so free as it's weapons laws! Poland is awesome!

[@rickh3694]

that's cool man

[@TomaszWerczeti]

pozdrawiam!

[@codered7453]

Convicted felon here, expungement is in progress. In the meantime, I live in NC and picked up a brand new Colt Sig Series 1860 Army and it is my EDC. I open carry it predominantly in a Triple K 310 holster and it is splendidly accurate, powerful, and reliable. I have 2-6 shot reloads (paper cartridges with spare caps) but i keep it charged with loose 777 and roundball for as close to 100% reliability as possible. Everyone in Wilmington knows me for carrying it, but not my reason for doing so. I take it to the local indoor range as often as i can. Ive never had trouble with getting ignition even after leaving it charged for 4 months, they still fired, full-power and no real issues with cap jams thus far either. With 38 grains of 777 it chronos at 1180 fps with roundball and 1100+ with conicals. If i forego the wonderwad it will hold 48 grains of 777. Obsolete does not mean ineffective, and though i certainly would prefer to conceal carry a modern autoloader, i dont feel undergunned or outclassed by what i do have. Im not trying to check the advance of the Chinese Army, im just protecting myself and my family. The 1860 will do the job most admirably. Thanks for the convo starter, i do like to advocate for my fellow felons who are trying to live by the correct and legal way of life.

[@jameshorne9351]

I have to say, kudos to you for that & I also live in NC where you can open carry, which is nice. I do also want to say, you make a good point, because even though I'm a firm believer that as long as you've done your time, NOTHING should stop a person from being allowed to keep their family safe! Gun laws don't stop criminals from having guns, the only ppl hurt by gun laws & restrictions are those who want to protect themselves. If gun laws worked then Chicago would be a totally different place, (common sense). But as a felon if you don't want to keep going to jail then you don't have much choice so in your case it doesn't matter what other ppl think, it only matters that it'll keep you safe. & It will do that, with out question...

[@julieanddavidmyers6641]

Good for you to be armed. Hooe you get your ccw privileges back.

[@codered7453]

@jameshorne9351 I couldn't agree more with your position. Gun control makes law abiding citizens helpless but doesn't make violent criminals harmless. I am working my way to getting my firearms rights restored and I actually got to vote once again in our recent elections so it's coming together. Many thanks for the kind words from a fellow Carolinian!

[@KhanTrav]

Lifelong cop here. I believe if you have paid your debt to society, you should have your rights like everyone else. On the other hand, you can rest assured that your choice in defensive tools is solid.

[@codered7453]

@julieanddavidmyers6641 Thank you! I am in the process of doing so, but it takes awhile. Good things are happening.

[@PaulDeCausemacker]

I agree with you 100%. That being said, in Burlington, VT, not too long ago, a fellow used an 1851 to stop a homocide from becoming a double homocide as a deranged man was chopping up his wife and mother-in-law with a meat cleaver. I don't know if the good guy in this story had any restrictions to carrying a modern firearm, but I was quite suprised when I saw a photo of the firearm he used!

[@tatsuhirosatou5513]

I EDCed a replica pocket navy fir almost 2 years and loved it, then i finally got woth the times and modernized to a single action army

[@MilagroMadMan]

Ok first off, I have been using my paper patch kit from #Guns of the West and am super happy with the amazing product made by Guns of the West. I am in New Mexico well away from any city or town. I deal with coyotes, mountain lions, black bear and rattlesnakes. My daily cary for years has been a Colt Dragoon model 3. I have slightly modified it to stop cap sucking and with the paper patch load using beeswax as a lubricant have never had a chain fire and fewer miss fires than mi buddy has squib rounds that he hand loads. When I do go to town having that big iron tied on is enough of a defiant to keep “bad guys “ moving the other way. Sometimes just seeing a big pistol is all that is needed to keep the peace.

[@blueduck9409]

As long as you keep your powder dry, youre good to go.

[@zimzinzorf]

Fellow Dragoon enjoyer here, what did you do to address the cap sucking?

[@MilagroMadMan]

@ when you look at the face of the hammer you will see what looks like 2 fangs. Take a small file and round those off. It sucking persists continue to file all the sharp edges .

[@bsaneil]

I live in France, where Black Powder weapons are unregulated, and you can buy one over the counter without a license. My trusty Pietta Remington 1858 is totally reliable, and with a pre loaded spare cylinder I can reload in about 20 seconds.

[@spicyberry420]

Amen 🙏 G0D Bless Y0U❤

[@RickDelmonico]

Wild Bill's every day carry! Cantrell's raiders carried a brace of pistols. Statistics show concealed carry saves many lives, takes few. Felon? Shall not be infringed. If the man is so dangerous that he should not carry, why is he allowed to roam free, jail the bastard.

[@unhippy1]

I know a truck driver that has a cap and ball gun as his truck sleeper self defense gun....his reasoning is that a cap and ball gun is not legally considered a firearm so taking it interstate is less problematic.....and he points out that if he needs more that 5 shots to defend himself from some crackhead breaking into in his sleeper cab at night he probably has bigger issues to deal with.

[@ds9902]

There are certain States you're not allowed to carry a firearm in such as North Dakota with or without a permit it is still illegal in the state of North Dakota so the only option for those people would be a black powder weapon so it would make sense that if you were a truck driver that would be your best option to carry if you're crossing state lines

[@unhippy1]

@@ds9902 Yeah and a lot of towns/citys have ordinances against being able to carry a firearm even if the state they are in allows it.....however after having to bottle an idiot that was trying to break into his truck cab while he was sleeping in it he decided he needed something more substantial to deal with attackers.....so a .36 pocket police replica with a very period incorrect laser sight is his tool of necessity.

[@MrHrKaidoOjamaaVKJV]

Avoid going to New Jersey and New York State with a loaded cap&ball percussion revolver unless you have a license and it is registered or you have LEOSA HR218 credentials.

[@millcreekrange]

Alabama recognizes cap and ball guns as firearms, so check your State Laws. Federally, they’re not, but State Law might be different.

[@aloysiuswojocockowicz3855]

@@ds9902 what do you mean you can't carry a firearm in ND and other states?

[@johnmuffy2848]

I open carry 1851 Navy with 4.5 barrel. I preferit. I am a firearms instructor and competeter. At the IHMSA course, i make a lot of smoke. Gets a lot of attention. Its light, fits well, and is very accurate.

[@Squib1911]

I'm glad you brought up the prohibited person angle on this question.

[@albertvonschultz9137]

For a convicted felon to carry one would be practical. But even though the federal law does say one thing definitely check with the state law. 20 years prior to me becoming a convicted felon. That actually was my primary carry gun. I fell in love with black powder and switched over everything to either. A 36, 44, 50 or even 12 Gauge shotgun. I totally went back in time even with the Woodcock stove.

[@millcreekrange]

Yeah, even though cap and ball guns are not looked upon as being a firearm federally, some states do look at them as being so, such as the state I’m in is Alabama, and here Felons cannot carry such a weapon for defense. So it does vary State to State, so check your laws before traveling. To those that do carry cap and ball for EDC, I give you Two Thumbs Up for doing so. 👍👍

[@Just1American1966]

Absolutely check those local laws. Some states even consider an air/BB gun to be a "firearm".

[@Omega34736]

Much like you just said. I prefer single action because it prevents you from mag dumping in a high stress situation. You have to be on point that first shot. Those extra seconds gets you back on target steadied and hammer back.

[@furmanmackey5479]

Without going into too much detail, I knew a Rural Mail Carrier in the Peoples Republic of Maryland who got really tired of being attacked by dogs (especially of one particular breed) that ran loose on his route. After being bitten three times and nothing being done about the vicious dogs on his route, he felt he had to arm himself with something a bit more effective than the basically useless "Dog Be Gone" spray he had been issued. Because of rules and regulations, he could not carry a "firearm" so with a little research he found that he could avoid that pitfall with a BP revolver. His first purchase was a clone of a .31cal Colt's revolver but soon discovered that it was only slightly more effective on attacking 80-90lb dogs than harsh language or the "Dog Be Gone" spray. I know he spent a good bit of money on an 1851 Colt's clone in .36cal by having a world class gunsmith work on it but he told me just before we moved back home in 2019 that he was going to have to go with something a bit more powerful and had purchased a .44cal Remington clone and that the same gunsmith was working to make it easier for him to carry than the 8" barrel allowed. I can only assume he finished his career with that revolver on his person as he was planning on retiring in 2022 and moving to our home state of South Carolina.

[@SmallCaliberArmsReview]

I daily carry a modern firearm, but there's nothing more fun than those classics!

[@GunsOfTheWest]

Amen!

[@jameshorne9351]

That's the truth...

[@mbj__]

In Sweden antique BP guns are the only handguns you can legaly own without a license. To get a license, let's say for a 9mm, in Sweden you have to first register at a competition shooting club. Go through a security training, have been active for 6 months, and shot a few very good groups at 25 meters. Then you can get a 22lr(!). Then you have to be active at the club competitions and wait another 6 months. Then you get to buy a 9mm. But then you still need to be an active shooter and record your participation because ever 5 yrs the Polise will re-evaluate if your license is still to be issued again or not...

[@oldstoner-xn4pe]

Not only do I carry the 1851 Confederate Navy revolver, which I agree gives me six shots, but I also carry the 11-inch AGC 12 gauge loaded with DGS. giving me 8 shotts for self-defense two being able takedown any Kodiak brown bear or a polar bear. As an Alaskan I would disagree. A black powder is my preferred everyday carry weapon outside the city. I have more stopping power I can customize my loads on the Fly And is what our founding fathers used not only for survival but to win the Revolution, civil and Mexican-American War 3:04

[@jasonjulian1]

yeah, except the founding fathers would’ve got their asses handed to them or after the fact where repeating arms and metallic cartridges we’re available. If they had their choice, they would take anything for what they had at the time. Just like we would probably rather have a pulsed plasma rifle or a phaser.

[@GratefulBamboo]

I carried my 1858 Remington New Army in my pickup truck loaded for about 3 years. Fired it after 3 years, all cylinders fired.

[@guardianofgoblins682]

Leaving my comment here because for some reason KZbin is not letting me actually leave a original comment of my own only a response but therefore a few years when I became a gun owner I had some legal issues where all I could own was cap and ball and unless the gun became fully submerged I found that it worked most of the time of course there wasn't anybody to actually you know teach me how to use these things so a lot of it could have just been new user ignorance however if you have certain pests issues you know legal ones that you have to get fixed first these guns are perfectly legal in most states to carry and if it's your only option it's not a bad one I have since gotten my legal issues cleared up and die now just carry single action revolvers

[@rickh3694]

you answered my question .

[@guardianofgoblins682]

@@rickh3694 what questions?

[@FoulPet]

You expect them not to?

[@shadowwolf9503]

I picked up an Italian copy of an 1851 Navy .36 revolver from a neighbor a few years back. It was her boyfriend's. He had passed 2 years prior. The cylinder was loaded with ball and powder, but no caps on the nipples. I went to a nearby friend of mine that is into black powder. My thought was to pull the balls. He suggested we just put caps on it and fire it. So we stepped out back to his range, caped the nipples and to my surprise, all the chambers fired ! The revolver had been loaded for 2+ years and fired just fine.

[@bobclifton8021]

The big mag semi autos are big promoters of the pray and spray technique. What ever happened to the "make your first shot count as though it was your only shot" principle.

[@Dominic1962]

No one promotes that because you have to answer for where your strays go…

[@rotaman8555]

I’m a cap gun aficionado and love all things black powder. And I have no problem with someone choosing to carry a cap gun so long as they admit the disadvantages. But we have to mention here that back in “the day” many gun slingers chose to carry top of line technology for their EDC. Doc Holliday, Billy the Kid and John Wesley Hardin all carried double-action Colts during a time when single actions were the norm. I have no doubt that they and many of their counterparts, if alive today, would far prefer to carry a quality semi-auto with red dot optic. Even James B. Hickok would likely choose to carry a semi-auto as a far superior option over any single action as a tactical advantage, because when it comes to a life or death gun fight, it is always preferable to win over losing and winning means using every advantage possible.

[@theidahoan9826]

I have a conversion cylinder in my 1858, i modified it with a safety notch so i can load all six... and i use remington performance ammo, its a good woods carry for me, 225 grain bullet 900 fps... but for edc i always carry my more modern guns, especially for urban carry where concealment is key

[@charlesharper7292]

Like that scattergun on the wall.

[@TBL4848]

I feel like a more fair comparison would be to modern revolvers, rather than a Glock, in which case I would say it would still be close to on par (ie you aren’t going to carry loose ammo to reload your modern revolver, so the reload time isn’t really a factor)

[@MegaRiffraff]

We carried those in our trucks back in the 70s and 80s , because they weren’t illegal in cook county Ill, or east cost states, I don’t know about now .

[@herlemaggard69]

Crook County

[@East_TX_LCR]

I've edc my naa super companion concealed for nearly 6 months. I often edc my pietta 1860 as well, when not working. It's the 3" snub nose, and I use a paddle holster for open carry. Both guns I also carry a fully loaded spare cylinder. Due to a 20 year old drug charge, I have no other options for self defense. I've grown to love black powder and am up to 3 so far. As far as felons owning cap and ball, in Texas I'm fully legal. I've checked with lawyers, sheriff's, and my county judge. All assured me, that I am within my legal rights. I don't carry outside of Texas, but usually don't bother going out of Texas anyways. I'm just happy to have found a way to get guns back into my life, and to be able to hunt more than bow season alone.

[@GenderSkins]

As a former Pinkerton Detective, what Dustin is saying is all very valid. However, many in the private security field do still carry revolvers, they are mostly all double action revolvers in .38 caliber or some similar caliber that can carry .38 rounds all of which are still heavy to carry. Yes you can use a black powder revolver as your daily carry, if you put the work in to make more reliable which is not easy to do. And most will not put that level of work and time or money into a cap and ball revolver, to make it reliable enough. If you are not a prohibited person, and really want to carry a cap and ball revolver as your daily carry I’d suggest investing in one of the Remington models due to how easy it is to change a cylinder out. I’d even suggest one of the many cartridge conversion cylinders, about 6 of those and you’ll start understanding why most carry a semi auto pistol instead.

[@chrishynes6091]

If the only other options were a stick or a sword...sure.

[@rastaman1527]

pretty much thats how it is in Poland, to be honest im happy that i can have a cap and ball guns at least

[@davefellhoelter1343]

Bow and arrow would be faster for me? I can loose my arrows a lot faster than I can cap my capper. Keep a tight group at 50ft.

[@rastaman1527]

@@davefellhoelter1343 I don't doubt you can. But carrying a bow and arrows is a much, much bigger problem than even say colt walker which is one of the biggest cap and ball revolvers

[@davefellhoelter1343]

@@rastaman1527 not in CA they think your cool and green.

[@rastaman1527]

@@davefellhoelter1343 so youre saying that in CA the law and the people are even worse in Poland? wow, i mean WOW. I cant even imagine how the things look there

[@snappers_antique_firearms]

I look at what i am doing and where i am going. in a big city. I want every Advantage I could get. If i feel like carrying a antique, My thunderer is the only one i use in the city. In a small town i would consider a SAA. If camping or hiking i would consider a cap and ball

[@you_dont_know_me6583]

So to the people that don't know. I left my 1860 army loaded for a year shot all 6 and no problems. Full power and no hang fires. I have carried it in my car on my person and on my bed side. I seal the nipples with nail polish and use real black powder. It was loaded with my home made powder. So loaded for a year with home made powder. And was just as powerful and accurate. So yes. If your caps fit tight and you use real black with beeswax lube and seal with clear nail polish you will not have any problems.

[@kenofken9458]

What do you seal with nail polish? I had not heard of this before.

[@you_dont_know_me6583]

@kenofken9458 i do it to be 100% sure zero humidity can get to the powder. It can stay loaded forever as long as the powder stays air tight. That's how I can leave it loaded years at a time. The front seals by cuting a ring of lead and wax. The back seals by the cap being tight. But to be extra sure I seal with clear nail polish

[@chubbethsthunder]

Dustin, Only yes if it's all you have but no if you have a better gun. Thank you very much. You and family have a beautiful and blessed week. LORD GOD Bless and stay vigilant.

[@dennislloyd494]

If I was going into a bad neighbourhood back in the day, I would carry a pair (a 'brace' )

[@vehdynam]

What you are saying only makes sense. Many thanks .

[@dutchvanderlinde9400]

As a 19 year old i will be investing in one for open carry. Until im able to buy a modern cartridge pistol/revolver.

[@madrat5176]

I’m surprised you don’t carry a modern revolver like a Smith J frame or something comparable

[@drmachinewerke1]

I have a good selection of BP . I would carry a 1862 Navy . It has a 1877 grip frame , 3" barrel .

[@jeffryrichardson9105]

Wild Bill carried two right!👍🏽😊❤️🇺🇸

[@paulkopacz5051]

He did the "New York" reload before they did! Well, probably.

[@mikereinhardt4807]

He also cleaned and reloaded his every day. Are you willing to make that commitment in order to get the utmost in reliability out of your cap and ball revolver? Not too many individuals would...

[@julieanddavidmyers6641]

The 1858 Remington with the resting slots between the chamber would be my choice. Maybe a Sheriff model.

[@rebeccaback3287]

Of my favorite capball revolver's is the Colt 1847 revolver! But my modern open carry my c 96 semi broomstick handle. To me it has never let me down! David Back from Menifee co KY. I have been watching your videos for 4 year's now.

[@timemeddlertardis5343]

briefly when I got my concealed carry permit, I carried a cimmaron model p 45 colt in a shoulder holster, while saving and searching for a regular carry gun, I think the biggest drawback was just trying to hide the thing when the weather warmed up.

[@echowolf5638]

In a lack of other options, it is more than nothing, and less than what you want.

[@WhatIfBrigade]

I own a Ruger Old Army. After watching Paul Harrell videos, I think home defense is much more plausible than concealed carry. At home a percussion revolver is dry, it can be kept somewhere the caps won't get loose, the ammunition capacity can be mitigated with multiple revolvers, some countries don't allow you to own cartridge firearms, etc. But pretty much none of that carries over to concealed carry. Get a bullet proof vest and a knife.

[@charlesharper7292]

Much, MUCH, better options today.

[@mbj__]

Agree 100%. For those that can legaly pick any gun...

[@charlesharper7292]

@mbj__ long as you aren't a felon, your options are very open.

[@michaelpriest6242]

Thank you Dustin for opening this conversation.

[@mantistobogganmd6580]

It depends on the situation, I generally don’t carry my cap & ball revolvers but I sometimes do if I am hiking and don’t have any concerns about concealability.

[@williamlindner3984]

If you have nothing else, a C&B may get you something better. They sent a lot of people to the promised land in the last century.. Get a Remington and carry extra cylinders.. With conicals they hit pretty hard ..

[@JohnCarlisle-r1i]

I own two 1851 Navies and they point very well. I love calvary draw and carrying with butts forward. When you draw the pistol and flip it around, it is a natural action to draw the hammer back. I learned how to conceal carry them wearing overalls. You wear a belt under the bibs of the overalls, kinda high up. Then you carry two simple leather cross draw holsters inverse on the INSIDE of the belt. This makes the guns ride close to your body instead of flopping about on your hip, and points the butts forward. A lightweight short sleeve cover garment is all you need to conceal them, because the belt is not visible under the overalls. It is actually quite comfortable to carry in this way, and they are just as high as if you are wearing a shoulder holster. They draw very quickly, right hand draws the right side one and left hand draws the left one, and this is the way Wild Bill Hickock carried his. Of course, isn't the best for daily carry in modern times, though. But it sure would be epic to calvary draw two old-school pistols on a mugger, or even a gang. Even if you get killed it would be glorious. I actually carry a Keltec P17 in 22lr, and plan for a mag dump. It weighs less than a pound and hangs in a kydex holster behind the bibs of Carhart overalls, which I wear everyday.

[@Duckie1982]

I do open carry using a shoulder holster with my Uberti 1858 new model army revolver with a Howell .45 Colt conversion cylinder in it that I load up with .45 Colt 250 grain cowboy loads because I don’t like filling out 4473 forms at an FFL to buy modern firearms and having the Man know my buisness

[@ronrobertson59]

As a former police officer whose been in an officer involved shooting in 85 when we still had revolvers a cap n ball revolver would be a last resort not a first choice.

[@GunsOfTheWest]

I’m sorry you had to experience that and I’m glad you’re here with us.

[@archer721]

Once upon a time, swords were commonly carried for self protection… I somehow don’t see how that would work well today 🤔 I do “sometimes” I carry an 1873 with black powder cartridges… 😁 but mostly when I’m out walking or hunting in the woods with a rifle. In a true defensive carry, I would be more inclined to carry a .22lr semi automatic than ANY cap n ball pistol!

[@sixoffive]

Twice while in Texas I saw open carry cap and ball. I suspect it was more of a statement considering the inner city neighborhood.

[@you_dont_know_me6583]

It very well could have been me. And no not a statement. It stays loaded 24/7 and I left it loaded for a year and it still went off all 6 full power.

[@seymoarsalvage]

I'm nearing 40. I have been shooting cap and ball revolvers since childhood. I'll take my 1851 .44 steel frame Pietta anyday. 30grs of Goex, slix-shot nipples, 220 gr. Johnston & Dow conical.

[@Ds-fv6cr]

I disagree. It can be carried as an everyday weapon but you also need to understand there are some states that do not even allow concealed permits or permit open caring like North Dakota. There is one exception construction workers are permitted to carry Ram shots because it is a tool even though it uses smokeless powder and can fire a projectile with or without the safety. You can't even carry a modern-day firearm on your own Farm. But you are allowed to carry a black powder weapon. So when in those States you are at an equal advantage to the bad guy because they're not supposed to have anything but what you have. But we know they're the bad guy so they break the law and they're carrying illegal weapons. Also there are laws about transporting modern-day Firearms across state lines but you are permitted to carry a black powder across state lines

[@Pastor.Dragon]

With the recent law changes in NY, where I live, you now have to run a background check on any muzzleloader or black powder firearm. I agree on not carrying a cap and ball for EDC, unless that's all you have.

[@mikeyhuntsman568]

Arizona law says don't do it. Arizona law does not distinguish between antique and other firearms. A firearm is defined as any weapon that can expel a projectile through the use of an explosive, including handguns, rifles, shotguns, and more.

[@ClydeMace-hh7dx]

I agree with you on carrying a modern tool . But I know that a Remy 1858 you can carry 4 spare loaded cylinders and capped. Those cylinders can be swapped out in ten seconds. I know, I've done it .😊

[@surrelljr]

What I did is use a conversation cylinder, good for my night stand. I figured a 45 colt cowboy load will do the trick. Ignition is more reliable, I have had cap jams and misfires, not many however I wouldn’t want one during a critical moment.

[@AMX86]

As others h ave said, if its all ya got, protect yourself as needed BUT there are better modern choices for everyday carry.

[@CosmicDust5000]

Its a shame that nobody has made a reproduction of the J.M Cooper Navy which is a small .36 double action 5 shot cap and ball revolver. Very smooth action too. Same thing with the Remington Rider Belt Model.

[@PeterMinoz-px3kx]

Here in Nevada, a felon cannot have BP in their possession and cannot have a BP gun.

[@growleym504]

I absolutely agree with you that a BP revolver is far from ideal for EDC. You hit all my talking points. If I WERE carrying a cap and ball revolver, it would be Remington's 1858 New Model Army, because of how quickly one can perform a cylinder swap. I own three of them, one Uberti and two Pietta. I would of course bob the barrel and lose the loading lever, for EDC if I were limited to this type of gun. Besides the fast reload via cylinder swap, I also appreciate the safety notches for resting the hammer down safely with all six chambers loaded. Then again, if I were REALLY serious about carrying a cap and ball revolver, I would make it myself, with the 1858 style frame but a Walker size cylinder. The Walker is awesome but the issues with a half frame revolver with wedge style disassembly/reassembly, have prevented me from ever buying or making another one. The Walker size cylinder in a better frame would be awesomer. A lot of the shortcomings of this type of gun have workarounds. With practice, thumbing the hammer becomes second nature and barely slows followup shots. A good fit between cap and nipple probably do more to prevent chain fire than anything else, as well as improving dependability. I am a big fan of crisco over the ball. If I HAD to carry BP for some reason, I could make it work, sort of, but I could never make it work like my 1911 which I carry afield, or my .380 pocket gun that is my city carry gun. Still, the concept intrigues. I may mod one of my 1858's one of these days, to make it as close to a practical carry piece as possible, just as sort of a concept gun. At any rate, the best gun you can get is the one you should get. The best one you have, is the one you should carry. The gun you got is better than the gun you wish you had but don't.

[@CCM2361-]

I love the 1851 Navy. It is a beautiful gun. But, I would not carry one unless it was cartridge converted. Even then I would insist on a Texas reload (2nd gun).

[@Purvis-dw4qf]

Ask any old police officer about reloading a modern revolver in a shootout, it is not easy.

[@robertcole9391]

I prefer the Remington model. With practice, the cylinders swap out in a couple seconds. Also you have pocket models. And don't forget the .32 Cal belly gun. For reloading, you can as I said, swap out quickly. First of all, you are not fighting an armed mob. After two shots, everyone runs. Most of these experts have never been in a firefight. Trust me, one or two shots they run for cover. The use of an everyday carry is not to take out a gang, but to clear for a quick withdrawal. Think about it. Then you also have conversion cylinders. But you'll need to swap them out quickly, hence the Remington models.

[@manyrounds5468]

A 45 cal Glock carries easy enough, why fool with a 9mm? I use the 1851, 1861, 1860 to practice drawing, and shooting quick. I have gotten pretty fast with the 1873 colt that way, without the expense of blowing thousands of cartridges, reloads or not. I carry both the Glock, and an 1873, I am quicker with the colt getting a round on target than the Glock, and it just feels very good to have it handy. I think we all will be glad we have something very soon, for there is an ill wind blowing that no one will stop. Stay clear of it if possible, don't drink any coolaid, say your prayers, and watch your six.

[@donaldfuller5058]

I’m a truck driver out of the lower 48 I don’t go to California. I have a 1851 navy in .36 caliber. I take it with me in the truck. Now the ATF doesn’t classify it as a firearm. So if something bad happens that I need a firearm it will do. Now someone is going to say something about it. But I can’t trade up with a bad person after I’m done with it or I can use it for hunting small to medium animals. Now I can make caps and powder for it and get lead too. And I a pinch I can look at protecting my life from predators. I’m not looking for a weapon to fight a war. Now the 1851 navy should be good to travel on foot home and most states should have little issues with it unlike a Glock with a standard magazine or something similar. Now I like old west stuff and I think it is just as good as newer models but remember it just me in the truck I don’t need a firearm that is easier to reload because a gun fight is never on my list of things to do. Remember the first thing is where are you is it dangerous and why are you there. That means if you don’t have to go to a dangerous location don’t if you don’t need to go to a city that is dangerous don’t. And if I need to travel I can mail most of the parts home and take a bus with just the action. And no I’m not a felon

[@TheGrenadier97]

It's interesting that besides reloading, revolver-carrying today isn't too far away from what it used to be. Smaller guns were favoured, 5 or 6 shots were deemed enough. It would be extremely amusing if someone took the faults of stupid anti-gun laws today to pack a cap-and-ball because "it's not a firearm".

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

Black powder tactical reload= more than one. It was often seen in the Civil War, for example.

[@KlingonCaptain]

I only own two guns because I don't own money. The Uberti London Navy and a Heritage Rough Rider are the only guns that I have.

[@eldermikat]

Let’s be honest: Sometimes we carry for “Cool Factor,” even if it’s concealed. We know it’s there, and I feels cool. When I carry my Bond Arms Derringer, I say to myself, it will probably work if I really need it, but I am honestly, mostly carrying for my own amusement. When I’m not 100% comfey with where I might be, a lightweight, high-capacity auto, concealed but easy to reach is on.

[@Marcus-xl9kr]

One thing I've learned from watching active self protection is that just having a gun usually can deture your average criminal. The "FIBSA" (fudge i'm being shot at) And "FIBS" (fudge im being shot) both of those generally make bad guys run away.

[@lavern007]

Be a bushwacker and carry more than one weapon. A Bowie knife backup.

[@DerekCallan-f9x]

I prefer BP for everyday carry as in most areas if it was to get stolen it would be useless as what is needed to shoot is unavailable for purchase

[@Noah-sy7ot]

In terms of defense, if ur fuqed after 5 shots, then your odds are bad anyways, just buy a spare cylinder. Realistically: not depending on premade casings is still an advantage in camping/ hunting scenarios. Plus you could always compair slide jam rates with how often a cap won't go off

[@steelgila]

Of course not quite comparable to a modern shell banger and too bulkie for most of us, but as one commenter said he uses his out in the great outdoors and that tends to be revolver domain anyway. And they do work and practically speaking the pocket revolvers were the concealed carry of the day and a '51 is definitely a 'belt' gun atleast for me. A lot of folks carried a brace(two) or more especially Colts and you can certainly do that. You can still carry your back up .32 or .38 calliber ctg shooter or a .32ACP/.380, 9mm etc. Really is an individual issue. Some people feel very confident with their choices. Keep youp lever-action carbine or double-arrel coach gun handy too!

[@ROE1300]

My daily carry is a 5-shot double-action revolver in .44Special. In 74 years of civilian life I have never had to use a firearm for self defense. If a civilian finds themselves in a situation needing more than 5 or 6 rounds they are hanging around in the wrong neighborhoods IMHO. I am not an advocate for blackpowder cap & ball revolvers being depended upon for self defense in the 3rd decade of the 21st Century, but neither am I a proponent of needing a 17 round semiautomatic pistol with 1 or 2 spare magazines as a civilian. Call me crazy if you must. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@aazz9676]

ok Fudd.

[@kidhammer2567]

Thank you for this highly germane video topic. I agree with your message 100 percent. If I had no choice, whatever that might entail, the Remington .44 caliber New Model Army (definitely rough to conceal) would be my only consideration for a black powder percussion EDC firearm. Let's hope it never comes to that for us. Thanks again, good sir.

[@dennislloyd494]

There's an old saying that a single action sixgun can get you into trouble but it can't get you out

[@buckgulick3968]

With a custom shoulder holster and conversion cylinder (special ammo required) sometimes I'll carry my 1860 Army Colt. Not something I carry everyday of course, but when you want to carry "with style" and feeling fancy, why not?

[@trynsurviven2440]

My personal opinion is a bad guy would be foolish to challenge a person who is comfortable carrying a black powder pistol. Obviously he or she knows how to use it. Again my personal opinion.

[@blackhawk65589]

If that's all you have, that's all you have. I open carried a 5.5" Pietta RMA for a few years before I turned 21. I eventually put the conversion cylinder on it. Was it the best option? At the time yes. After turning 21 I bought a more modern style. They have their place and the user should understand their limitations. Great topic!

[@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723]

I have a hard tome choosing between the Colt Walker & Le'mat, but I ould choose both, unloaded fir safety reason, anything else keep it in the car, or hidden away, they would double as fidget spinner

[@mkshffr4936]

Not for everyday carry but perhaps occasional carry. Might make for good BBQ guns. Also consideration can be given to what your BUG is. I don't frequent big city gang turf so one might find me out and about with a single action revolver (44 Mag) and a DA pocket 38 or a high cap 22 auto. I don't happen to own a cap and ball (yet) but I could foresee carrying one but not by itself.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Yeah, trusting a percussion against some bad guy with even a Saturday Night Special makes me pause!

[@JosephAllen-d2e]

I will say that a well trained man with a cap and ball revolver beats the untrained criminal every time. The type of pistol a person carries is the least important part of the self-defense equation. Nevertheless, it doesn't make sense to choose a cap and ball revolver over a modern pistol if modern pistols are an option.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

@@JosephAllen-d2e "it doesn't make sense to choose a cap and ball revolver over a modern pistol if modern pistols are an option." Yeah, that's what wer're talkin' about.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

​@@EntrustWithinChrist Dustin actually said it in the video. Why would you put trust in the cap jams and other potential malfunctions when up against a Glock? Simple to remedy. Just convert the 1851 to cartridge. Puts you in a better situation.

[@JohnnyBallou]

Yes! My Ruger Old Army has both cap&ball, and conversion .45ACP & COLT45 cylinders!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

@@JohnnyBallou Great gun

[@traviscochran6280]

If I was back in 1865 I would be proud to carry my 1861 Colt Navy. In 1875 I would be looking for a metalic cartridge revolver. Today I am satisfied with my Colt Detective Special or Ruger LCR. If all I had was the Colt Navy, well it's not optimal, but beats a sharp stick and harsh words.

[@billconger3689]

Work well for Wild Bill. It's different now tho.

[@victoriasrandomstuff]

Back when I was a civil war reenactor, many of our guys would carry extra cylinders for their guns (you can't really do that with a colt) and switch them out. Between the scripted battles they would have a tactical and them extra's could be the difference in winning and loosing. You can also buy conversion cylinders and shoot modern amo out of them. Many of my fellow sas members use them.

[@ColAuctioneer]

0:10 Heck Yea they are.

[@michaelpriest6242]

Don't forget the double action cartridge revolvers of the 1880's and 90's. They fall into many of the same categories as the C & B revolvers.

[@pasqualguigano6315]

In NY state you can own the pistol but if you have all the components to make it fire(cap, ball & powder) you have to have a pistol permit

[@johnmichaelwatson3400]

My edc is usually a pietta remington new model army with a taylors 45 colt conversion cylinder. Unless of course i need to conceal, then I carry a glock, but I prefer revolvers so I carry one when I can.

[@guardianofgoblins682]

Finally I'm actually able to leave an original comment Dustin I actually agree with you when I had left another comment trying to comment on this on a different gentleman's post in my state and a few states that I would travel to perfectly legal for a felon or any other prohibited person as long as it wasn't of a certain forced nature could carry this however a couple of the states surrounding me I could not carry that percussion gun into but at least knowing your state's laws know whether or not even this is an option and I'm sure anyone who is in a situation where they have to defend themselves would like at least a percussion revolver over a pointy stick believe it or not when you get used to carrying a single thing for a number of years you learn all the tips tricks and quirks on how to actually perform better with what is otherwise a show / range piece

[@guardianofgoblins682]

Quick at it I actually still carry every day my 1860 piedra Army I have since gotten my legal issues cleared up and I added a Kirsed Konverter to it

[@TheStraycat74]

1:23 I just picked up an 1851 YANK navy revolver. the grips are cheesy, butt over all it's a good gun. I spent the weekend making combustible paper cartridges for it

[@ds9902]

I do agree it's probably not the best thing to carry in city limits but disagree for Rural and in the woods. a 9 mm will not defend you against a wolf or a bear or a moose attack. In fact it will just piss them off. Not only would a black powder have more stopping power for wildlife but you can also use it for scaring off animals because of the noise that it will produce. Meaning you don't necessarily have to hit the animal to deter the animal using black powder. But a lot of modern-day Firearms aren't that loud. That being said if you're in a lost situation and you need to signal for help a black powder is going to send a louder signal than a modern-day weapon has everybody should know three repeated shots in the wilderness means help

[@harveylane932]

There certainly are better choices, but if that's all tou have, or can have, they certainly can do the job.

[@duybear4023]

I imagine derringer pistols being popular for carry back then. You should do a video on them.

[@JuanRodriguez-kw2gr]

Any gun is better than no gun.

[@bozo572]

the 17 is awesome, but big. The S&W Shield Plus is what I EDC, highly recommended .

[@GunsOfTheWest]

In my concealed carry classes, I recommend that whole Smith & Wesson series a lot. They’re great.

[@greenbroccolistudios1275]

Gloomwood and rdr2 flashbacks

[@KathrynLiz1]

Size and weight are the main drawbacks. They are pretty reliable and hit quite hard and the noise and smoke are quite impressive. A modern weapon is of course better, less likely to malfunction in some way. Having said that, there are two pistols that I can run by "muscle memory", instinctively. One is either of my Remington NMAs and the other is my 1911 from which I have fired hundreds of thousands of rounds. With the 1911 I am fast and accurate, and of course reloads are fast, although rarely necessarily in a self defence scenario. If I had to choose a really modern carry gun it would probably be a Glock 19... Ones I have fired are quite agreeable and the Gen5s have much better triggers than used to be the case. OK, yes I am spoiled by the 1911 for trigger pull, but the latest Glocks are very useable. If the gun available was one of my Remingtons though, I think it would do the job, but it'd be a big chunk of iron to tote around on the belt all day... :-)

[@jayham1970]

I open carry a Colt .45’LC. If I cannot take care of a situation in 6 rounds, 26 more rounds are not going to help. Your weapon should not be thought of as a million round hose of lead sprinkles. I also have two shotguns…loaded. All 19th Century, old west technology…not a semi-auto in the bunch. Semi-autos are dangerous, and I have seen many an “empty gun” blow a hole through someone’s floor or ceiling…luckily not shooting me in the incidents. (JMHO) G Gordon Liddy even conveyed the fact that the best arm to carry was a .357’magnum…although that one is a double fire trigger. A six shooter is inherently safe. If a cartridge no-fires, you roll to the next cartridge.