Shooting an Original Colt 1849 Pocket

My original Colt 1849 Pocket pistol was a ton of fun to shoot and performed very well - especially considering it's 171 years old! I couldn't tell while videoing, but, when watching, it appears I hit the steel plate every time (maybe one miss). My plan was to replace the cones, tune things up with new parts, and make this old gun a real shooter. After filming this video, the question in my mind was "why?' I would have to drill out the cones to remove them, maybe damage the hammer while replacing the hand, and alter or replace the barrel wedge. That's almost an atrocity to this piece to history. I'm going to celebrate its craftsmanship, style, and historical value and maybe shoot it now and then with friends who appreciate things like this. I hope you enjoy the video.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

That original Colt 1849 pocket pistol is still a fine little shooter after all of these years.....Thanks my friend...... Old F-4 II Pilot Shoe🇺🇸

[@dorisjohnson8857]

It is possible to stretch the hand a little by laying it flat on its side on an anvil and placing the smooth end of an appropriately size dill bit across the middle of the hand and tapping with a hammer to just create slight indentations on either side Can measure its length before and after and when it has grown a few thousands reassemble and check its function. Repeat as necessary. Love your posts and welcome to Arizona Doris.

[@sasquatch885]

That’s shooting great! You’ve motivated me to get my Uberti copy out of the safe. Something interesting happened to me a few days ago at the range. Shooting my .44 Dragoon. First time shooting it. I was putting a cap on and it detonated. Conical hit the ground a few feet in front of me. I’ve been shooting these guns for 40 years and never seen that happen. Shot a few more cylinders with no problems.

[@bluescatreimer]

Glad to see you back Doc!

[@ricktaylor5744]

Thank you for sharing your fine old revolver ,that is beautiful country that you are in right now, keep them coming.

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

Good to see you back I hope your relocation went well

[@jamesgarland4990]

FINALLY another video. We missed you!

[@dphillips4351]

It’s been awhile Doc we missed your post!😊

[@453421abcdefg12345]

That is really good Todd! To keep all of those shots on the plate with different weight bullets is really good going, you will find that if you cock it faster the cylinder will index enough for the bolt to drop in, until it gets fouled up that is. A very nice quiet range with no assault troops practicing must be a huge change for you! Hope you have all your unpacking completed, some of mine has still to be done after 15 years! Chris B.

[@freddiemansky7102]

thanks for all your work great video!

[@rezlogan4787]

I had a chance to shoot my Uberti copy of the 1849 recently. The mainspring is very light, so I’ve needed to add a washer behind it to increase the hammer force. All in all, if I could make this gun run RELIABLY, it would be an enjoyable piece to shoot.

[@TheHappy2cu]

Thanks for the video. These are always fun.

[@KarlHeckman]

Dr. Todd, nice to see you. Not sure where you are shooting but you must have gone up the mountain from Tucson. There is some great quail hunting in the small town of Patagonia to your southeast. A crowd of Montanans show up every December to seek the wily Mearns quail. Maybe I'll see you there. Karl from Livingston, MT

[@elenas4878]

great! I own an 1863 and shoots great!

[@robmarchion6708]

Thanks for all the informational videos, I've enjoyed all I've seen. What I missed is why the move from Bozeman to Arizona?

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

I never thought I'd leave Montana. But the job offer was too good to turn down in Arizona. Thanks for watching, Todd

[@kirkboswell2575]

😊 Love the pun 👍

[@doranmaxwell1755]

I have an Uberti version that I nickel plated except for the color case frame and loading lever. I think it looks great. As you point out the originals were silver plated grip frames which I can also do but the nickel looks pretty good. Accuracy is.... well... about like my Colt vest pocket 25 auto. which is about head size groups at 15 feet. One thing I did was go to .330 balls. and yeah those little guns and the modern repros do not have a wedge with a spring loaded catch. I shoot pyrodex which is maybe what? 10% more potent? opinions vary. I make paper cartridge's for the little gun using thin cig papers and a drilled hunk of teflon. I use school kid glue and so far no problems. The tiny little rammer is plenty good to seat the 330 balls (#00 buck)

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

I'm doing well with .320 round ball. But I like your 00 buck idea. I'll try that! Thanks for commenting, Todd

[@doranmaxwell1755]

@@frontierwesternheritage1356 If... you find the .330 ball is a bit large (I was lucky and my gun had bore/cyl about the same size) then might I suggest.... Balistic Products #0 buck that is very good stuff and is almost exactly .320 probly get a lifetime supply for like $30

[@ronrobertson59]

I have a colt question you may be able to answer. The 2nd generation colt 1851 Navy's what is the serial number range. Does 94969 to 94778 seem high even for a 3rd generation. I was offered one for sale but something is off about it.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Ron, it's good to be cautious. I'll try to look up the serial numbers if I can. But the telltale sign is the Sam Colt signature down the backstrap of the grip on the 3rd generation called the "signature series". The lack of a signature would indicate a 2nd generation. Not that the backstrap couldn't be replaced, but the reward for such a switch is so miniscule I don't see it being a big concern. Thanks for commenting, Todd

[@BigRooster616]

Easy fix you don't need to replace the Paw just stretch it a little bit. Take it back apart take a prick punch on each side and prick a spot stretch the Paw

[@pelewads]

Just came across your channel. I gave you a thumbs up. But I really would have appreciated some history. Or maybe an anecdote. You're doing the old west theme. Without explaining the history. From my perspective, kind of a bummer. I mean, anybody can shoot a gun.....