Colt Model 1877 DA Delicate flower or gunfighting tool

[@InrangeTv]

Great video, thank you - but I am compelled to point out that the image you used for Doc Holliday is a common error, that is John Escapule, ancestor to the current Escapule family that is currently still involved in local Tombstone government.

[@duelist1954]

I didn't realize that. Thanks for the info!

[@HircineDaWolf]

hi karl

[@deadeyeddanny]

u right.. doc had lighter hair.

[@samuelpatrick5050]

The legend appears....

[@rre9121]

Eww, it's here

[@geneshockley6375]

Saw one of these recently in .41 in the local shop for $700. In surprisingly good shape. They are still around out there. Thanks again for the great content Mr. Bellevue. Really wonderful history. :)

[@KH2837]

$700? Dang thats actually not too bad..

[@geneshockley6375]

@@KH2837 not at all - I should have jumped on it. It was gone the next week. Follow up question for Mr. Bellevue - do you think folks shot them in double action primarily at the time? I wonder about that. Perhaps it would depend on the situation.

[@duelist1954]

@@geneshockley6375 I’d agree on your last point. Right through the 20th century, most DA revolvers were shot mostly in the SA mode, even in competition, which was Bullseye. But in a fight, I’d expect them to be running in DA.

[@Garth2011]

@@KH2837 Yes, the auctions are getting much more for them depending on condition but most of them in just average shape will bring $1,200 to $1,500 I'm told.

[@thelonerider9693]

I just like the birdshead grip. Ever since I saw one of these in the billy the kid film 'young guns' in my youth, this has easily been by second favorite after the original 1873 design. It is also interesting how colt was slow on the uptake for dble action; Adms in England was doing them for a while by then! Glad you finally did a vid on one!

[@Rifleman4570]

Haha, I fell in love with them from that movie too.

[@seymourwrasse3321]

Henry Ford refused to change the Model T for years...go figure!

[@edmazzeo1985]

as always ,mike, you do a great job....way back in the day i even carried one, a thunder. loved that gun. yes it did break down.. yup, trigger spring..i got pretty good at taking it apart and putting it back together, lol. please keep the videos rolling...

[@glennycarroll]

I've been wondering about this for decades! A local gun shop had one of these hanging in a holster on the wall next to a picture of William Bonney. Of course it would not function. The shop owner explained that you can't keep them running. That just didn't make sense to me, that well known gunfighters would continue to trust a gun that wouldn't run. THANK YOU!, for answering a question I have long had. I think you have explained it very well. The tactical advantage of the double action with that sweet trigger system would have been a huge advantage and the guns were probably far more reliable when new than when age had set in. I can finally put this to rest. Thanks again.

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I’m glad you liked it.

[@kenm8376]

I always liked the 1877. That being said, I carry either a P08 Luger in .30 cal or a S&W DA 44 like you described. I figure that both of those have a long history of making folks dead. Thanks for the video.

[@calanon534]

Oh, I would drool over your carry choices..

[@kenm8376]

@@calanon534 winter carry may include my Mauser Bolo or Broomhandle. With such a wide variety the choice can be difficult, lol.

[@calanon534]

@@kenm8376 ...I have a Ruger Security 9? I just got a neat-o NcStar light for it.. ..I feel very inadequate and severely out-styled. I bow to thee and thy fine collection, sir.

[@johnfessenden3771]

As always time well spent with you ! As a young man I had the chance to handle a lightning shop keeper in a great chaps/ jacket pocket holster! Very sexy rig!

[@danielrobbins5834]

Great video! Having repaired 1877’s over the years, I agree they can be a pain to work on. But I have a possible theory as to why they break down, and it’s the same reason I have repro cap and ball revolvers brought in, TV westerns. I’ve had multiple people tell me how much they love dry firing their empty revolvers at the television while watching westerns. Could that be it? I don’t know😂

[@duelist1954]

It could be.

[@phlodel]

My nephew was dry firing his cap and ball revolver at the TV sans caps. He put the caps back ob to put the gun away. Beretta (remember that show?) said "shoot me!" and my nephew did as he was told. He said it was real anticlimactic aside from the noise. No sparks. The TV just went out.

[@xmetguy1]

These guns broke in the 1870's. Nobody was dry firing at a TV back then.

[@ShaddySoldier]

@@xmetguy1 yeah back in the 1870s they used live ammo while watching tv, they had much more lax gun safety back then.

[@rodan2852]

Partially yes. I have heard the trigger spring and main spring can fatigue

[@blueduck9409]

Ive always wanted a Colt thunderer, and frankly, im surprised that none of the Italian clone makers do not make a modern version of this pistol. I would buy one in a minute.

[@3ducs]

Uberti and Pietta make a sorta clone, but they are just SAAs with the bird's head grips, not DA revolvers. If you can find a Model of 1878 you'd have a much stronger action than the 1877.

[@hoodoo2001]

I agree, but hard to get reproduction interest on guns that might need a lot of warranty repair. I have bought three reproductions of early pistols and two of three needed fixes (one was so bad that they replaced the pistol)... reproducing the old parts with modern methods is not the same as they do not want to hand tune them before sale... So, am I still looking for an original...

[@mnubs7975]

Totally agree. Ever since I knew about the 1877 & the 1878 models, I have hoped for one of reproduction companies would remake these, especially with modern metals and technology available.

[@Hibernicus1968]

The plethora of frontier-era firearm clones out there exist largely thanks to the large market created by cowboy action shooting -- whose rules prohibit double action revolvers, even authentic ones from the period. Weirdly, to my mind, you can have a modern single action that did not exist back then, such as those SAA clones with bird head grips. That alone was enough to kill any interest I might have had in the sport. I used to own an original, 1883 Smith & Wesson DA frontier model in .44 Russian. When I learned I couldn't shoot it, but other people _could_ shoot modern guns that weren't accurate representations of anything from the cowboy era (as long as they were single action), I just shook my head in disgust. Then add the fact that the competitors shoot these pipsqueak, squib-loaded .38 special handguns, two-handed, in a manner completely inauthentic for the 19th century, all in order to maximize their scores on the clock... The sport had zero interest for me at that point. But it is what drives the market for clones of guns in this period. As long as the rules for cowboy action shooting prohibit DA revolvers, the companies that make these clones probably won't see enough of a market for a gun like this to justify making it, particularly when it's known to have rather delicate lockwork that's prone to breakage.

[@marionriverwoodcraft]

@@Hibernicus1968 there are a variety of categories in CAS. You don't have to compete with the superfast gamers. I agree they are ridiculous, so I sport a pair of 61 navies, an 1860 Henry, and a hammered 10ga. The sport is what you make it.

[@fastdraw73]

Great video. I have a couple of these Colt Model 1877 revolvers. One is the Lightning and the other is the Thunder. I haven't shot either one of these because I've always thought they were very delicate. After watching your video, I might change my mind about it. It doesn't help that it's actually become extremely difficult to get the .41 ammo for the Thunderer these days.

[@duelist1954]

That's why I stick to the .38s. I have a .41 rimfire Remington revolver, and finding ammo for that is like finding unicorn eggs.

[@ericv7720]

If you're a hand loader, I think Starline makes brass for the .41 LC, or you can trim back .30-30 brass. You might be able to find the hollow-base bullets from specialty makers, or cast your own (if you're really hard-core, you can find/cast heel-based bullets, and try to find the collet die for crimping).

[@fastdraw73]

@@ericv7720 Thanks for the information & thanks for watching.

[@nathanmcghee9355]

Great video, I always suspected the 125-150 yo springs were just giving out. Something else that I feel gets a bad rap is the .38 Colt cartridge. It was pretty popular until the military got ahold of it. I’ve heard the issue ammo was under loaded and suspect some of it is similar to the .30 carbine in Korea: they missed.

[@richardkluesek4301]

Interesting. As well in comparison the .38 Special military load of 130 grain fmj ball at 750 fps is on the lower end of the spectrum compared to cop loads like the FBI SWCHP 158 @ 950 fps.

[@loboheeler]

Yes, the inaccuracy of military handgun shooters is notorious. That is why the .30 Carbine was issued after the failure of the average GI to properly use the M1911. Even that somewhat failed, as the carbine was used beyond it's range capability.

[@richardkluesek4301]

@@loboheeler It was used beyond its capability, preferred as lighter and handier with less recoil than the 30-06 weapons.

[@0neDoomedSpaceMarine]

It's not a powerhouse though I figure it would cut it as a civilian carry gun at the time. I think a big reason for it also is that the specific revolver they used just wasn't the most accurate.

[@0neDoomedSpaceMarine]

@@loboheeler People didn't really start using it past its effective range until Korea, nobody really complained about it in WW2.

[@hoodoo2001]

Unreliability in this case is a relative term. Of course, for reliability I would choose a Webley RIC which I have owned. However, the odds of a 77 breaking at a critical moment would be very low. I think the difficultly of repairing probably was the reason for the reputation. Model T's would break down but were "easy" to fix by laypersons.

[@richardkluesek4301]

General Custer was reputed to have had a Webley RIC.

[@ergbudster3333]

Seems to me like a very smart answer, Mr Hoodoo. It makes good sense.

[@richardkluesek4301]

@@ergbudster3333 It was one of the best to have at the time.

[@chrismc410]

If I must have a Webley, I'd wait about 10 years for the Mark I, the first of the Webley .455 series that would see the British Empire through as early as the first Boer War till the late 1960s when my sidearm of choice took over: the Browning Hi-Power 9x19mm Luger/Parabellum, known as the L9A1 in British service.

[@baker90338]

@@chrismc410 I prefer a s&w model 3 Russian or a short barreled schofield revolver, mainly because it would be possibly chambered in .44-40

[@RogueTS1]

Great video; loved the content and the pistol. We own an 1877 in .38 Colt. Manufactured in 1893, it sports 4.5" barrel, Pearl grips and an engraved Nickel finish. It is in nearly new looking condition.

[@duelist1954]

That' must be a sweet looking gun.

[@jonasnordstrom1169]

Always good to add a bit of knowledge and expertise to all the myths and guesswork out there. Great vid!

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[@howardtaylor9109]

Loved the video and the history. I could understand why gunfighters would choose the 1877 colt and personally, I would like to own one myself. Thanks for another great video.

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I’m glad you liked it.

[@catyear75]

Beautiful revolver ! How I wish Uberti or Pietta would make a reproduction...! Great Video Mr Bellevue !!

[@donnacorrell3527]

Great video, as always. I would love to watch a simular in depth viseo on the Colt 1878.

[@gerryadames8265]

I own a Colt 1878 model in a 44 Cal. Looks similar to yours. I have never shot it in fear of it's age.

[@jlthearcher]

Loved the video. I have asked the same question several times without shedding any light on the subject, so I really appreciate this one.

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I’m glad you liked it.

[@kmcmichael]

Great video, as usual! I knew little about these and was always afraid of their reputation. Kudos for mentioning Jeff Milton, the first of my ilk.

[@duelist1954]

He's one of my favorites.

[@littlelakesidegarage7221]

Thanks for making a video on this firearm it's been one of my favorites for years there's hardly any KZbin content on it I couldn't wait for video like this! I hope to find one in Canada someday...Keep up the good work.

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it

[@blueduck9409]

Glad to see you still at it Mike. Keep on making great videos!

[@EricDaMAJ]

The smooth double action trigger pull is key. No funky cocking the hammer with the web of your thumb and index finger on the draw. Just pull and shoot. If you practice enough, guess when it will break? During practice. If by some chance it breaks in a gunfight, it’ll happen after the first couple shots. If you’re good and practiced, chances are the other guy will be dead already. If not, you do the New York reload, which apparently guys like Harding were fully prepared for.

[@bobsradio6025]

Thank you for the interesting and educational video. I used to own a Colt Lightning long ago when CA still allowed guns to be purchased at gun shows. I saw one there and was interested in the strange appearance, so I bought it even though it had a bulge in the barrel about half way down. The person that I later traded it off to was aware of the bulge, so I am certain that he didn't fire it either. When I was a kid I used to watch fast draw contests, where they had 1, 3 & 5 round events In the one round events, the single actions were always the fastest because the hammer could be cocked while the revolver was being drawn from the holster. It ALWAYS took longer to cock the double actions using the trigger. Therefore, "Lightning" is not an appropriate term for a DA.

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[@3ducs]

I don't know about the 1877 but the 1878's barrel is interchangeable with the 1873 barrel.

[@sgtmajtrapp3391]

Outstanding work, very interesting. John W. Hardin carried ONE in .41 Colt.

[@sgtmajtrapp3391]

Mike really like the history of this colt and famous or infamous people who used the revolver

[@williamhoppe4500]

Thank you Mike. I really love the History education that I got from this video as well as all your videos. You are a natural born teacher. I always look forward to your videos.

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it

[@johndilday1846]

Well, Mike, you really outdid yourself with this video. It was wonderful to see a Lightning actually being used. I bet you fired that antique more since you bought than it had been fired in its entire previous life. And that is what guns are made for. Use it and enjoy it. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work. Two thumbs up!

[@A5vibes]

An amazing video. I remember when you came out with the double action comparison. I’ve grown up watching your video when you first started, and even though I like more modern guns now cowboy guns have a special place in my heart. Really appreciate the information and entertainment you’ve given me over the years.

[@duelist1954]

Thank you.

[@banditone00]

This is a great vid! Now you kind of have me wanting one. I enjoy having the “cool” gunfighter gear from different eras. May you and yours have a blessed Christmas!

[@paragonpiper4081]

Once again, an GREAT video. Thanks. Your perspective on the da Colts really was informative and I loved watching that gun being fired.

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I’m glad you liked it.

[@taco1030]

the very first time i saw a 1877 was in tombstone when doc is firing at the window. I was like "there is no way he can fire that fast with one hand" sure enough it was a nickle plated lightning. I never knew that colt made a double action revolver in the west. Im surprised there aren't that many colt 1877 videos let alone them firing. Thanks for giving us this gem of a video

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[@taco1030]

@@duelist1954 There hasn't been a video I haven't liked. I've been watching for years now and have been greatly educated and entertained. I'm a huge fan of the American frontier. I do living history events and it's fascinating to see the evolution of technology. I'm just trying to imagine how much worse it was back then.

[@davefellhoelter1343]

I'll be your "Huckle Berry!" while "I'll shoot" Both of You! Best Darn Movie! just searched it Last Night! Wife has never watched! Val rocked it Hard! about the same as his Doors movie! nailed Both!

[@roberthahn3710]

Great video. I had always heard about THUNDERERS being fragile, and never found one to use so I assumed that the information was correct. Thanks for the better information.

[@duelist1954]

The only way to be sure is to shoot it more…which I’ll gladly do.

[@brian-k3es680]

Great video, Mike. I suspect that Hardin's practice habits were better noted than his gun maintenance habits. Consistent cleaning? Preventive maintenance?

[@duelist1954]

I'm sure he cleaned them well because they are still in great shape, and we know he shot them.

[@061Sunshine]

excellent video i have been following your videos lately love the old west guns and your imput on them im a canadian cowboy action shooter and love my colt 44 specials and 44 colt open tops keep up the great videos my friend really enjoy them

[@061Sunshine]

lol just realized im on my wifes computer my name is wyatt lol

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I’m glad you liked it.

[@garyvanbrocklin9398]

Mike as always great video. Love the historical view point. I would like more history of Colt firearms as you fire all colt guns.

[@duelist1954]

I'll see what I can do.

[@LAT-qk3vj]

I love your videos, love history and love guns. Your videos are very informative and factual! I trust the information. Please keep them coming 👍

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I’m glad you liked it.

[@josephbarnes8000]

Great video with some awesome content. Already waiting on the next one. Got a question. How long do you recommend leaving a traditional style muzzle loader loaded during a hunting season ?

[@duelist1954]

As long as it doesn’t get wet, and you keep the touch hole plugged, you can leave it loaded all season.

[@danpatch4751]

Good video, interesting and informative. I own a 1877 in very good cosmetic shape, great patina also. The action works but is weak, I might try repairing it myself.

[@duelist1954]

I hope you get it going well.

[@jasondyer110]

Love those old guns. Sounds like they got a bad rap. Thanks for the videos. Look forward to them every week

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[@Zoco101]

I'm enjoying the video. At about 8:38 an interesting caliber crops up. 31 caliber! Lol. Maybe you said it to test if we are still paying attention?

[@duelist1954]

Or maybe I'm a doddering old fart...LOL

[@skiphinson8620]

Thank you for that video! I was always interested in the lightening and thunderer from the first time I saw one as a kid. Never have been able to afford one though.

[@spiritualawakenings6251]

One thing I love about this channel is the realism. Not one word about Alec Baldwin or endless repeats of how a SAA works like almost every other channel out there. Keep up the quality content.

[@HNHOUTDOORTV]

Seen an original lightning go through gun shop I was working at and at time knew nothing about it so wish I'd have bought it

[@olskool3967]

Mike i really enjoyed the gunfighter and history info. you have a lot of valuable knowledge of such matters and appreciate it. i would like to hear more history about the gunfighters and old lawmen,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'll try to dish more up.

[@jimvandemoter6961]

I'm with you. I'm also a history nut and Mike's a great source.

[@jimvandemoter6961]

@@duelist1954 Keep 'em coming. I know not everyone's a history nut but there's a bunch of us out here who are.

[@Love_rainy_days]

Thanks Mike for sharing your videos. They are always very interesting and I learn allot from them. Merry Christmas ✝✝and Happy New Year. Cheers ☕☕🧔

[@duelist1954]

Merry Christmas!

[@ttoth7130]

Good info here. I'm surprised I never heard of the Colt 1877 before with so many being sold.

[@duelist1954]

Well, now you know.

[@Lurch4539]

Awesome video and beautiful piece of history. I've been temped with the fantasy birdshead 1873, nice to see the original. Thanks for making such awesome content

[@CeltKnight]

I just came back to re-watch this after watching a full history and mechanical break-down on the 1877 over at C&Rsenal's channel. Once again, sir, excellent and fun information.

[@vivianbenge2331]

Your blend of technical knowledge and historical context in this video is exceptional. Thank you for maintaining my faith in history, as a teacher.

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I appreciate it.

[@jmwnhlhk]

Perfect timing! This gives me something to watch as I workout! Love the videos!

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[@steveauvenshine8190]

Mike, Great episode!! Truly enjoyed the info provided.

[@SuperMarshall2009]

Great video Mike. The Colt DA's are relative bargains for what the original 1873s will bring so if your a collector that has a budget these are kind of nice to shop for. It's interesting that you mention the competition from the Bulldogs. I've read that there were far more Bulldogs and copies out there in use than Colts which is not what you see in Westerns but makes some sense - Maybe you could do a video about the Bulldogs and its copies that were seemingly popular although not reflected in romantic remembrance of the old west.

[@duelist1954]

I'm going to be doing a video on pocket pistols. It will include Bulldogs, but overall, just like today, there were a lot more small, less expensive, revolvers in use than there were full-sized versions like the Colt SAA or the S&W Schofield.

[@overlyobsolete2797]

@@duelist1954 I'd really like to see that, pocket pistols are a focus of my interests in black powder revolvers. Today's video was fantastic, thanks.

[@blueduck9409]

I believe that Custer carried a bulldog into the battle at little big horn. Cant remember if it was George, or one of his brothers that was there that day. Tom? Maybe?

[@toddy2519]

@@duelist1954 Mike, I have an old H&R "American Double Action" in .32 S&W if you would like to use it in that video. It looks and works great! When I got it many years ago (25 years?) at a pawn shop it appeared to have been fired very little...if at all ...until I got ahold of it.

[@duelist1954]

@@toddy2519 Thanks, but I have very similar Hopkins & Allen and Iver Johnson guns from that period.

[@deniskozlowski9370]

Awesome video on one of the lesser known weapons of the frontier era. It would be a cool project for the new Colt. Maybe make a reproduction based on the Cobra line of DA revolvers. It wouldn't be authentic but it would be a safe and more robust copy for shooters. Of course, being Colt it would be expensive as hell.

[@duelist1954]

As we used to say, Everybody wants a product that is good, cheap and fast to market, but in the real world you can only get two of those together.

[@RexApplegate]

And knowing modern colt itd probably be outsourced anyway. If someone ponied up the half million+ in R&D money I'm sure the Italians would do it. I'd pay at least a couple grand for one I could shoot 50,000 rounds of smokeless through without worry. I am thrilled to own an original, it'sthe only revolver I have or want, but it stinks knowing I should rarely even cycle the action.

[@ToreDL87]

As I understand it, the 77 DA's like to be fired in DA only, when you start SA'ing them you break the springs. Hardin backed out probably because he had been there done that, and didnt want to be an outlaw anymore.

[@duelist1954]

I’ve heard that. The only way to find out is to shoot it more in each mode…which I’ll do.

[@jimarcher159]

Very interesting vide, Mike, as expected. Really enjoyed it immensely. Hope you keep them coming. Thanks for sharing.

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[@snapshotscorner5542]

As always a good video from you. I was always curious on this type of revolvers. thank you for giving some answers, but now there is a voice inside me who screams "I need one.!" I love my 1858 bulldog, that I got after watching your videos!

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[@GrampaMikeOC]

This is one of the best, most education videos I've watched in an age! Big single action fan here, but I know so little about the early Colt double actions, except for all the negative stuff we hear. Thanks for this. I'd give it a hundred thumbs up if I could!

[@ronrobertson59]

I been to John Wesley Hardin's grave in El Paso and was surprised how plain it is. John Salman shot Hadin in the back a cowardly act. My Dad had an 1877 in 41 colt one of his few guns we were forbidden to shoot. I really enjoy your history of a firearm videos.

[@franksmodels29]

Great vid love seeing the old guns in action and the background info is great..👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@samgriesbaum6255]

Excellent and informative video, Mike. I have always been fascinated by the early Colt DA revolvers. I bet heel based bullets will perform even better!

[@duelist1954]

We’ll see. I was casting both heel-based and hollow-based bullets today.

[@bobhartman2571]

Thank you. Excellent history tour. That really is a great gun.

[@KH2837]

Ive always wanted one of those but just out of my justified budget range...great video & info! Hope you have great holidays Mike!

[@duelist1954]

Have a Merry Christmas!

[@GaryED44]

Right away Thumbs up. Love the info on the gun fighters, especially JWH I wonder if that guy would qualify as a serial killer today. Great video, Till now i thought the 1877 was junk. Nice to know the truth. thanks Mike!

[@duelist1954]

If he wasn't technically a serial killer, he certainly was a sociopath.

[@samwalker7821]

The Model 1877 DA had a good natural feel in your hand, and when new, being fitted and timed by factory skilled assembler's, was reliable. Many of these guns have been disassembled and played with over the years by nimrods not familiar with it's intricately designed lock work and were improperly or carelessly reassembled. Old springs and dried out oil or grease also add to problems. Most of the bad reputation the early DA's had was due to light primer strikes. A heavy MS would have made a DA pull difficult, especially for a woman. Eventually ammo makers made primers that would work in the early DA revolvers.

[@leegibbs6753]

I have 4 77's and 2 78's for 40 years and have fired them extensively with never a break down. I had to repair two of the 77's and one of the 78's when I bought them. Some of the parts are very complicated and hard to make and I could understand why if you couldn't get replacement parts easily why you would give them a bad rap. Lee Gibbs Pres.ASSRA

[@raychandler2757]

Good intro music. The re enactment of the Wild Bill gunfight is one of my favorite videos. Looking forward to similar work.

[@duelist1954]

I'll see what I can do.

[@jeffw1246]

Always fun watching your stuff. I need some of those clothes. With all my single actions I keep small parts on hand, maybe the shootists back then replaced parts on a regular basis to avoid malfunctioning in time of need, like changing oil in a car. Maybe Hardin made his own snap caps too, just a thought and having shot cap and ball black powder has much less recoil. I could shoot them better than my 1873s with smokeless loads.

[@LewisSkeeter]

Great video. That is such a sexy gun. I so wish Uberti had made a repro with sturdier lockwork.

[@duelist1954]

Stay tuned to the channel...

[@45auto]

@@duelist1954 oh, you are such a tease! I'll be waiting.

[@LewisSkeeter]

@@duelist1954 Thanks for the new video!

[@swedeson6188]

Every gun review you do you make me want that particular, to bad Swedish gun laws dont allow me to by on impulse.. Guess i want to say, Your reviews are really good!! //Patrik - Sweden.

[@jimpelikan457]

Very historically informative. Love your presentations. I also think you attire is period interesting. Keep up the good work. Firearms history and America go hand in hand.

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[@billy56081]

Awesome video Mike, keep em coming.

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[@bigjack101gibbs2]

Thanks Mike,much appreciated .

[@genevisneski7708]

Great Video! Enjoyed the gunfighter history as well as the Colt DA history, I was thinking you would put up a couple playing cards to shoot at then sign them to list on eBay. Nice shooting too, if you went up against me well, I'd be history.

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[@joshuaharris6735]

Great video!!! Just a thought, on using black powder cartridges. With the delicate nature of the internal parts could corrosion be the culprit. I know from cleaning my 1851 navies that a lot of residue makes it into the lock. Could that help in weakening the internals of an 1877.

[@duelist1954]

Maybe, but the 1877 action parts are really well shielded from fouling.

[@thomasmontgomery4607]

For years I have reloaded ,38 long Colt with .38 hollow base 148 grain wadcutters in long Colt Cases with light loads of smokeless powder. I just seat the bullet out of the case about 1/4 inch and you end up with a flat nose .38 long. This has always provided reasonable accuracy in lighting Colts and Colt 1895/96 army and navy Colts. They always expanded well enough to seal the .375 bores. I can no longer find the .38 Short Colt. Discontinued?

[@duelist1954]

I haven't seen loaded .38 Short Colt ammo for decades. The brass is available though. I load my own.

[@johnsaia9739]

Shooting ANY black powder era even with light smokeless loads is asking for trouble given the spike in pressure that smokeless powder has early in the pressure curve. Doing so will ruin the gun and possibly hurt you.

[@thomasmontgomery4607]

@@johnsaia9739 If that was true the big ammo companies would never have loaded .45 Colt , 44/40, 38/40, 32/20, 38 long and short, 32 S&W, ect, ect with smokeless powder. They been shot down range for over 120 years and continue today.

[@joshuawade8319]

Thank you. I've been curious about this gun for a very long time and wanted more information on it.

[@duelist1954]

I'm glad I could help you out.

[@kbjerke]

Always was fascinated by the 1877s... Thanks for the video, Mike! And Merry Christmas!

[@duelist1954]

Merry Christmas to you as well.

[@garyh.7282]

You are destroying my retirement account and I love it . Keep up the Fantastic videos.

[@duelist1954]

Just doing my job...LOL

[@sebastianmartellisr.3587]

I've been partial to the Low-Caliber 1877, I think it was a stable for later Higher Caliber Double Action Revolvers. I still would like to get my hands on a .41 Caliber Double Action just for fun

[@Ohmy1956]

Was interesting to hear the history associated with this firearm. Thanks for sharing

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it

[@midnightsailor1]

Appreciate your making these very informative videos ,I always learn something,usually I learn a lot. I don't find the grips on these as attractive as I do the SA army but more importantly,I wonder how they feel and work and what is their plusses and minus's if any. Maybe it's just the style of the day?

[@duelist1954]

Surprisingly the feel pretty good, and they seem to work well in the hand, even during rapid fire

[@rapidrrobert4333]

Thanks again Mike

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[@dmanx500]

I've always preferred the look of these compared to the SAA, also that Remington prototype you showed looks very, very nice.

[@duelist1954]

They are sweet looking little guns.

[@blackhawk65589]

It was a step up from the Starr at least. Also I noticed with the birdshead grip, it would rock upward on the last 2 shots for you. Nice shooting though

[@normansleesman6006]

Enjoyed your video very much....just the right mix of history and gun knowledge.

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[@CeltKnight]

I have been fascinated with the 1877 ever since I did a report on the development of 19th Century Colt revolvers ... in 9th grade (my how times have changed, eh?). Excellent information as always!

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[@johnt.chambers4204]

Another great video, Mike. I would love to have one. All the reproductions out there are just scaled down SAA. As far as I know, nobody makes a double action replica.

[@jerseyred9554]

Great episode Mike I myself have always liked the Thunderer

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! They're neat guns.

[@robertkoonce8365]

I've got several cap&ball revolvers. Of them, 1 is a birds head gripped model. It has quickly become my favorite.

[@dwightehowell8179]

Harden had done 20 years in the pen...Harden didn't want to go back. Not afraid of the man. Afraid of the pen.

[@independentthinker8930]

Love the history along with the gun!! Good job!

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it

[@peacemakerdan4818]

Hi Mike, thank you for mentioning us British fans in your latest video, we love you duelist1954 Keep on shooting!

[@duelist1954]

I'm glad I was able to tie you guys into the story.

[@85waspnest]

A very interesting, well presented video. I hope you'll make more with similar content.

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[@gregoblv5561]

Great video, Mike. I would love to have one of those to shoot at the range and think about how it was back in the day. You are very correct about how fast it shoots compared to a SAA. I still like my Uberti but this would make a great back up. Question: you said it was a 38 Colt, but as I remember there was a Short and Long version of the Colt 38. You commented that you used 38 Long cases for the reloads. Are the cases for the Short and Long still available or can you cut down 38 Spl to reload. I would think that they would be too small for the .375 bullets. Would 38 SW work in it? I think the Short Colt was the same or made from it. I almost bought a SW in SW 38 and I did some checking and those cases and ammo is still available, but not in black powder where I found it. Thanks for your time.

[@duelist1954]

Really it is like .45 Colt. There really isn’t a long and a short designation. But there are two different case lengths, 0.88” for heal based bullets, and 1.03” for hollow based bullets. With heel-based bullets, less of the bullet length is inside the case, so the OAL is the same for both.

[@1972glm]

Thank you for doing this video! There are almost no videos of a 1877 firing double action on youtube, only one or two others. So that's great. But to go into the seemingly paradoxical notion that the 1877 is a crap gun that breaks but many knowledgeable gunfighters used and liked them.I look forward to future videos using this Colt and see how it does longevity wise. Maybe if you find a "gunsmith special" 1877 for cheap we can see just how it works on the inside.

[@duelist1954]

I would like to…prices have gotten nuts lately.

[@lesterlesoine9225]

Looking pretty sharp mike. Really enjoyed all the history that you packed in the vlog. Wishing you a blessed Christmas to you and your family

[@duelist1954]

Merry Christmas to you as well.

[@marcussamson7640]

I had one growing up dad foud it in a basement it was converted to 22 LR. and I had no idea it was broken but the half cock was broken and it was DA only one day loading it the hammer slipped and it went off lucky nothing was hurt but my pride so I traded it on a ruger Blackhawk 45 acp colt convertible

[@leeadams5941]

One of the folks I would most like to have a beer with, I could listen to him all day.

[@tomfavre669]

Very interesting video. You do a GREAT JOB. Please continue to bring these out for us. Thanks

[@duelist1954]

Thanks!

[@williammccaslin8527]

I think this was a great vid myself, really good historical background on the pistols in my book. Thx for the vid

[@duelist1954]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.