Shooting Pietta's 1863 .31 Pocket Revolver

[@ChacoteOutdoorRecreation]

The improvised loading stand was simple genius, I want one of these but I want the bullet mold to go with it, is .31 hard to come by? also did you use a number 11 cap? What would you say the mid range price point on a blued one should be? 15 grains of real 3f but would any substitute black work? Hard to get powder in my neck of the woods without buying enough to defend the Alamo and paying hefty hazmat fees.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Thanks, I got the idea for loading like that from someone on the gun forums. He put out what he was getting for velocity and I had to try it. A .31 bullet mold is easy to come by, mines a Lee .319 double cavity mold, but some people just use buckshot. I was using #10 caps with pyrodex, I can't find real black in my area either. I would say a good price for a blued model would be no more than $275 new. Thanks for watching!

[@ChacoteOutdoorRecreation]

Going to the Bouse hills Az rendezvous this year hoping to score a few cans

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Nice! I'm thinking of calling up some area gun shops in the fall and seeing if they happen to carry some.

[@maxwellihm5373]

#0 buckshot is about .320 give or take .001 and you can by it by the pounds for cheap.

[@ChacoteOutdoorRecreation]

Thank you Maxwell Ihm I am going to do it I think at close range .001 is a tolerance that wont matter, and will give me a little insurance when the next ammo draught happens.

[@DJb-ill219]

Nice and such a little gun sounded Strong

[@blackpowdershooter44]

It packs a punch for sure! Thanks for watching!

[@geffreybolster3780]

Of the 3 balls,- round (48g), light elongated (53g) and the heavy elongated (78g), the light elongated performs the best. At 25y it went through 2 pine boards, bouncing hard of the third. The heavy elongated carries well past 40 yards. Hits hard with mass effect. No real penetration though. I made a really handy and well fitting shoulder holster arrangement for it. Really works well.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Interesting, I would think the light bullet probably did well because it was going at a higher velocity.

[@geffreybolster3780]

You should make a target like I did. It s really fun to see the affect, the penetration, the ball path/tumble/direction and so on.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

I really should.

[@geffreybolster3780]

The light elongated weighs in at 57g.

[@marlinpoppyfield]

Oh yes, I watched you're earlier 31 vid. It was one of the reasons I bought mine. Thanks!

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Cool, that's good to hear. Thanks for watching!

[@geffreybolster3780]

I like my .31s I have a 48 and 49 Colt pocket 4''. I fire cast balls from the Colt molds,- round, light elongated and a heavy elongated. I recently experienced that if the powder wasn t compressed considerably, the power was w a y yyyy less. A curious thing, I also have Colts Police model and Pocket Navy. The Navys lever won t ram as far as the Police lever. The Police was outperforming the Navy. I was confused. Then I noticed what was happening. I also discovered a 1980s article from a gun magazine where the 2 were tested. The tester also pointed this out. So, the next time I go out, I ll put a heavier charge and ram the balls to the same depth ,. Stuff like this.

[@oneshotrand2176]

Good video young man. Looks like you are having some serious fun there. Keep up the good work can"t get enough of the blackpowder revolver videos.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Thank you!

[@donaldlivingston970]

Enjoyed the video. I have the Colt 1849 and have been wanting to get the Remington 1863 but I can't find anyone with them in stock. Like the holster.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Thank you. They are getting harder to find for sure these days, which is too bad since they are a lot of fun to shoot and can be accurate with the right load.

[@garyfoltzer6618]

Thanks for your review! I can't figure out if it's your loading technique, components or the pistols hammer spring that's causing so many failures to fire. I'll wait to see other videos on this gun before I purchase one. My copy of the colt 1849 31cal. , although a little bigger, is as close to 100% reliable as you can get with a cap n ball. I love shooting black powder guns, " pistols and rifles and shotguns ", but only if they work they were supposed to.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

I replaced the stock nipples with Treso aftermarket nipples, and I get a lot less misfires. I made a video showing the difference a while back on the channel, go check it out. Thanks for watching!

[@Tigershark-qy2gq]

I love my J.M. Cooper .31 cal. 4 inch barrel 2nd Philadelphia model.

[@tranders365]

I always enjoy the videos. Keep them coming.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Thanks, will do!

[@dianehuston1721]

Do you have any problems with cap jams and also is there reason why you do use the loading lever. I was thinking about getting on of these pistols. Thank you

[@blackpowdershooter44]

I don't have any problems with cap jams with this gun, and I don't use the loading lever to load the cylinder on the frame, I prefer to take the cylinder off, and load it that way by seating the projectiles with a small brass rod. Thanks for watching!

[@alanspring8462]

Your intro is so good before I even watched the rest of the video I had to comment ❤️ so here I go I am going to watch the rest and more comments❤️

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Thanks for watching!

[@nunorodrigues320]

This was a really fun video. That shaving cream explosion was awesome

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Thanks! The shaving cream really put out a good show.

[@nunorodrigues320]

What do you think was the reason for the misfires? A weak spring maybe? How hard is it to pull the hammer to cock it?

[@blackpowdershooter44]

The stock nipples aren't that great, I ordered some better quality ones.

[@nunorodrigues320]

Good luck with the new nipples, man. The gun is more fun when it goes bang everytime. Hope to see more videos of the tiny 31

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Agreed. I will see how these knew ones do.

[@Drpermer]

Very nice video! I'm itching to get one of these! One thing though, whenever I get just a cap detonation, I always take my premeasured wooden rod and make sure no projectile is in the barrel. I'm really forgetful, and afraid one of these times that I will seat a ball on a chamber empty of powder, lodge it, and blow the barrel up with the next round.

[@charliesierra6919]

I've got this also in nickel and it has decent power for its size. I use wads instead of the lube though. I also have a blued model that I converted with a cylinder to .32 S&W ammo. Great vid and nice shootin'!

[@blackpowdershooter44]

How is the nickel plating holding up on yours? As you can see, it's not fairing so well on mine, lol.

[@charliesierra6919]

@@blackpowdershooter44 I've fired it quite a bit and so far haven't had any flake off. Just lucky maybe. The blued one with the conversion cylinder is a lot of fun to shoot too. Keep your powder dry!

[@blackpowdershooter44]

@@charliesierra6919 Okay, good to hear that not every nickel model has the same finish issues. Thanks for watching!

[@marlinpoppyfield]

I have the steel frame 31 Remington. Its such a tiny gun but I love it. Loading it to the max, like you do, it hits at least as hard as a similar length 22.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

I agree, it can pack a punch.

[@necessaryevilzero1885]

Check out the chrono numbers I have posted above. I actually exceeded .22lr energy with Triple 7.

[@jamesvolo7948]

Thank You for the number. @@necessaryevilzero1885

[@xander4301]

Can you load it exactly like that with pyrodex P? Fill up the cylinder all the way up and jam it down with a ball?

[@kmorris180]

Definitely a good video. Thanks for posting it.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Thanks for watching!

[@crumply5959]

Does the pietta pocket remington have a weak hammer spring? It seems like the hammer barely has enough authority to set off a percussion cap. The colt pockets do occasionally have this issue but definitely way less than the remington. I am weighing my options because i want to buy a pocket percussion revolver but am on the fence of buying either a remington or colt. Some advice would help thanks.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

I replaced the nipples on this Remington with Treso nipples, and the misfires occur much less frequently; I don't think they were due to a weak hammer spring. The Colt pockets really suck caps, but again if you replace the nipples it shouldn't be too much of an issue. The Colt can hold a bit more powder than the Remington, on the flipside the Remington is smaller overall than the Colt. Both accurate but shoot high. Hope this helps

[@crumply5959]

@@blackpowdershooter44 thanks i think im going to buy a remington pocket because its smaller and can be carried easier. I know tresco nipples are made of brass while slixshot is made of steel and has a bigger flash hole. Which one would u recommend?

[@blackpowdershooter44]

@@crumply5959 Slix shot if they make a model for a .31 Pietta Remington pistol

[@NachoBuster390]

Not sure were ive heard this but could you use lard for the chambers sealing?

[@blackpowdershooter44]

As long as it doesn't have any salt in it, sure.

[@brianthwaites2397]

Nice video, shame about all the misfires. Do you think it is time for a new mainspring?

[@blackpowdershooter44]

I have since replaced the stock nipples with some Treso nipples, and it has been doing better so far. Thanks for watching!

[@cameronl212]

For the .32 s&w conversion what ammo would you use magtech ?

[@blackpowdershooter44]

That I don't know for sure, but I do know that 32 S&W conversions need ammo that does not exceed 750 FPS, and the bullets must be lead instead of jacketed rounds.

[@cameronl212]

@@blackpowdershooter44 ok thank you

[@lokichoki_]

I know its an old video to be commenting on but why specifically lambs Tallow, im curious the difference in lets say beef tallow

[@blackpowdershooter44]

As long as Beef tallow doesn't have any sodium in it, I would say it would be fine. The melting point may be different as well, but I don't know for sure. Thanks for watching!

[@d.paldani7378]

Hi there! Thanks for the video, great shooting! Just a thought isn't it better to lubricate the bullets before loading them into the chambers?

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Since it is a lead ball ammo, no as there is no groove in the bullet for the lubricant. If using a conical one can lubricate the bullet before loading. Thanks for watching!

[@mohamedshwesh221]

i own one of these revolvers its soo cutteee and very fun and its just aesthetic

[@MrHrKaidoOjamaaVKJV]

How do you feel of the power factors of the Pocket Remington 31 caliber with a hot load for stopping Coyotes?

[@blackpowdershooter44]

I wouldn't trust it for stopping a Coyote personally, I probably would opt for a larger caliber

[@MrHrKaidoOjamaaVKJV]

@@blackpowdershooter44 Over all I concour with your accessment. I think at minimum a 36 caliber 1862 Pocket Police/ Navy.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I love black powder!

[@clatechilders856]

What do you think was causing so many misfires? Too light of hammer spring? Bad caps? Dirty nipples? I am considering purchasing one of these and I’m just curious. Thanks

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Combination of lighter hammer strike and worn stock nipples. Replaced the nipples with treso's since then and it runs much better

[@guillaumelefrancois5255]

This is hard loading ! How many times did you dobe it like this ? Never got troubles ? Wich powder is it ? Thx for answering if you do 😎

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Never have any issues loading off the gun. Probably pyrodex powder. Thanks for watching

[@guillaumelefrancois5255]

@@blackpowdershooter44 thanks for answering... What if you made a lightning (probably not the good word, I'm not so good at English) by choking metal vs metal ? Did it apen? Maybe do nothing ? Your powder is PNF2 standard black powder for pistols?

[@COLE-vu9gt]

I want to know where you got your holster for this gun?

[@MrAmoney416]

I'm considering one of the steel framed versions as my first black powder gun. Could you load birdshot in this like the percussion derringers or would that cause damage to the barrel / other parts? Might have saw something similar on you channel but I'm like a day and a half into research on the black powder world

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Sure, I don't see why not. As long as it is lead, not steel shot. I haven't found it to be very effective though to be honest because of the rifled barrels

[@A.Chp-Schweppes]

I wouldn't advise birdshot in a rifled barrel due to the "donut" effect, all the shots will be spread around the aimed point, would be ineffective on the target and dangerous for bystanders (in real scenario)

[@deandeann1541]

@@A.Chp-Schweppes Still good for snake so long as it is less than 7 yards.

[@glockerbob]

Very cool. That little booger will shoot. Cool thing about it is..... No powder measure needed, just fill it up and shoot!

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Exactly! Simple and effective. Thanks for watching!

[@grizzlytabaccy]

Now what are your thoughts on a colt 1849 pocket?

[@blackpowdershooter44]

I haven't shot one, but I have held a Uberti made one and it was a very nice gun.

[@grizzlytabaccy]

@@blackpowdershooter44 I've got a uberti 1849 pocket on the way I really appreciated your video to give me an idea on how much power a 31 cal has..keep up the vids you got my sub brother!

[@johnwbpshooting7985]

Could you please repeat here the detailed composition of the lubricant that you are using?

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Gatefeo #1 recipe; 2 parts lamb tallow, 2 parts canning paraffin, 1 parts bees wax. Thanks for watching!

[@johnwbpshooting7985]

@@blackpowdershooter44 Thank's for answer. :-) Btw: Good movies you are making.

[@BOHEMIANHUNTINGCLUB]

That was pretty cool with that shaving cream! Cool deal!

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Thanks! I agree, that shaving cream was cool.

[@joycehoppe2582]

Fun video. Thanks.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Glad you liked it, thanks!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I've got one of these little guys. I really like it! OOOO Buck shot (I think.....maybe OOO buck) is 32 caliber. Perfect for these, and one bag go's a long ways!

[@blackpowdershooter44]

I may try that, probably cheaper than casting .319s myself.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I bought a five bound bag years ago and still have a lot left. I cast my own fpr most things, but this makes more sense for this one.

[@Leverguns50]

Thank you for sharing

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@jamesvolo7948]

Check the cap size. Thirty years of BP shooting says that it makes a difference.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

The caps fit snug on the nipples. I ordered some treso nipples, we will see if those make a difference. Thanks for watching!

[@Jak-it]

Kicking myself for not getting the nickle plate with black grips but couldn't force my hand to pay 40p bucks for such a small piece originally wanted brass frame to match new model army sheriff but wanted to hot load it a bit can't wait for it to come

[@blackpowdershooter44]

They are cool little guns, you will like it!

[@kikofr1866]

He is lethal

[@kiko-hf2zw]

Hello i want to know if caps n11 is good for the remington pocket 1863 can i shoot with

[@blackpowdershooter44]

They will be loose, #10's are best.

[@grendelgrendelsson5493]

I like your loading stand, I think I'll make one. My twin daughters, who are 12, shoot with me but the only pistols I can buy them in England are long barreled pistols; Google them, they're hideous!! They like the .31 Colt and now they've seen your Remington they'll probably want one of them too!

[@blackpowdershooter44]

The .31 Remington is a great gun, low recoil and can pack a punch, they will like it!

[@grendelgrendelsson5493]

Cheers mate!

[@montanamountainmen6104]

Cool vid bud, like the new look you know the facial hair.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Thanks, we'll see how long it lasts lol!

[@xander4301]

Can i load it like that with pyrodex P??

[@bosstube9046]

I sir am your first view it was quite satisfying

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Congrats, lol! Thanks for stopping by!

[@bosstube9046]

blackpowdershooter 44 it was my pleasure

[@silverstackergrandmarosero6983]

good video

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Thanks!

[@justinprather4760]

You should get and test an 1851 navy yank pepperbox.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

I should... I'll keep an eye out for sales on them. Thanks for watching!

[@mtslyh]

Looks like a fun day. I like the gopro footage. With as much as that little revolver fails to fire on the first strike, I think I'd take a wood dowel and push a little harder on the caps to firmly seat them on the nipples before putting the cylinder back on the gun. You could do this fairly safely by flipping the cylinder over and putting it back on the nail to make sure it doesn't tip if it goes off. Keep your feet out from under it though... :)

[@blackpowdershooter44]

I was pushing down on the caps with the hammer before shooting, I'm thinking about upgrading the nipples to some Treso's. Thanks for watching!

[@castinlead3997]

That's a good idea, it looks like your nipples are getting a bit worn down. Good video, shaving cream was cool.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

I ended up ordering some Treso's, we'll see how those do.

[@castinlead3997]

That's a good choice, I also like slixshot but I don't think they make them for the 31 pocket. I have Tresno's on a .36 51 Navy and they work great.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Ok great, that's good to hear.

[@drobs7279]

Looks like fun!

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Thanks, it is a fun gun to shoot.

[@ColeSands-i7y]

Nice revolver

[@kikofr1866]

He is lethal ? 31cal ?

[@Aymanborkof]

Yes 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@apachurraleproduccion9490]

Well, that killed all the Mosquitos : )

[@MrHrKaidoOjamaaVKJV]

Excellent well done creative video. That friendly Owl is cool. He/ She sounds like he is giving some motivation! I realy like how you show the potential of these little pocket 31 caliber revolvers. Based upon your tests, I feel that as the 31 Pocket revolvers are loaded with powder and Round Ball, a person could if needed very well effectively dispatch native American snakes,and other small nusense animals including raccoons. What do you feel?

[@blackpowdershooter44]

I feel the same way, the .31 should be able to dispatch rodents and snakes very well. Thanks for watching!

[@Project1312]

Fantastic, great to see another upload from you. Have a great week. ~ P1312

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for stopping by!

[@geffreybolster3780]

I m doin a lot of commenting here. The misfires reminds me of just how iffy these pistols can be. In a movie called 'The Homesman'? a man gives his '51 Navy (that he loaded with paper cartridges) to a woman and said '...you got 4 good rounds there...' Nice accurate representation in a movie. When I go out ranging the realm here, where I live, I always have 2 of them with me. In case one jams/misfires or whatever. Iusually back up a holster pistol with one of the pockets.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

I have since replaced the stock nipples with Treso's, but I haven't tried them out yet.

[@geffreybolster3780]

I have 5 different caps for all my pistols. It r e a l l y makes a difference with correct fitting caps. I tested the .31 with various size caps. Cap jams were nearly zero with the caps that fit properly.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Updated video with replacement nipples; the result was a lot less misfires: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWSspYt7l7-KqM0

[@36surferjoe]

10 grains is recomended

[@alane.azevedo4625]

I'm copying your design for the loading platform. Lol

[@edcaron3715]

It's best to pinch your caps slightly so that they will fit more snuggly on the nipples, never hurry with the loading process.

[@marcroche9324]

at 5:10 you had a squib load (FTF), yet you proceeded to the next round. yikes! Nice gun though.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Held it pointed downrange for a few seconds and nothing happened, so its ok to go to next round. I replaced the nipples about a year ago and it's been misfiring a lot less thankfully. Thanks for watchin'

[@marcroche9324]

Unless I misunderstand what I see on this video, -you proceeded to fire the next round {without verifying} a clear barrel . Very dangerous! -Be well.

[@targetaps]

Good call out. It wasn't a squib though. Just a failure to ignite the powder. He did what he should and held to see if powder would ignite. Probably a clogged nipple.

[@chrisegur9432]

It's not to be annoying or politicly correct, I hate that, but the improvised loading stand is totaly insane in my opinion...A fire sparklet can come easily when you use metal against metal like that !!! The black powder and the bullet can easily hit you then...Please don't encourage other to do that, it's a crime...

[@blackpowdershooter44]

I understand your concern, but the loading tool is made out of brass, and brass on lead isn't going to spark. Thanks for the concern though. Thanks for watching

[@chrisegur9432]

@@blackpowdershooter44 ​ @BlackPowderShooter 44 thanks for your answer.My english is not perfect but you understood me anyway.Carry on about videos etc

Yo man just seat the caps with a capper you won't get a misfire. You know that

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Those nipples were showing some wear, so I replaced them with some Tresos and they work better

@@blackpowdershooter44 I know what you mean I had to drill out a nipple on a traditions Derringer it was made very badly would not fire until I did that.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

I've got a derringer that acts up like that also. Don't remember if I have ever tried changing the nipple though.

[@geffreybolster3780]

Curious how folks label these .31s as nothing to take serious. Comparring the performance to , , nothing but a weak novelty. I have discovered this to be , , not the case!!! I just returned from a shoot. Colt Signature 4'' 1849 with a 57g light elongated with 16g, a 78g heavy elongated with 11g. firing at 25, 35 and 50 yds. Aim point 10'' low at 25, 15 at 35 and 30 at 50yds. Both balls went c o m p l e t e l y through a fir 2'' board, hitting hard into the dirt behind. Average group 8 inches. Btw, I also fired two round balls at 50yds. With 16g. They didn t go through the board. The elongateds with their flat bases and pointed nose perform signifigantly better. It is very clear that a g r e a t performance difference occurs depending upon the amount of powder compression. Best is when the compression stops b e f o r e the rammer reaches its stop, and the tip of the ball is just below (almost flush) with the chamber enterance.

[@geffreybolster3780]

I tested the Pocket Navy in the same manner. Light, medium and heavy elongated balls charged and seated properly. I was amazed as to how powerful it was!!! These thing perform very much better with the right size elongated balls. You responded to one of my posts about velocity , . As it is, even though the elongated is heavier and travelling slower due to this, as well as a lesser charge, in certain situations, the mass makes up for the lesser charge/velocity.

[@geffreybolster3780]

The elongateds fired from the .31 at 50yd went through a fir 2 x 4 where the round balls didn t. The heavier mass makes a h u g e difference after a distance of travel. Not that this pistol is made for 50+yd shots. I studied this stuff a lot, both historical accounts as well as my own experience. The round ball performs not as well as light and heavy elongated balls (light and heavy conical bullets).

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Interesting results, thanks for sharing!

[@blackpowdershooter44]

What are the elongated bullets that you use?

[@geffreybolster3780]

I Have three different Colt molds (Colt Authentic, Signature and one from DGW). All are brass. One is sprue cutterless. The sprueless (Signature) mold cast a 57g, the Colt Authentic casts a 67g and the DGW casts a 78g. The 78g is a beast! Long and heavy. Even with its light powder charge , ,. B a d ! Thing is a k i l l e r .

[@zackedwards7803]

I waa waitng for it to blow up in your hand with a chain fire.. wayyy to much powder only use 10 grains the lube was sloppy and you didnt seat the caps properly.. but thanks for making vid! Thats also a awesome little holster!!

[@shelbydaugherty8352]

Join your local militia read your kjv bible and God bless you

[@doomsayer7937]

Great video. I just never mess with one that small. Not worth the effort.

[@blackpowdershooter44]

It is actually pretty fun to shoot, even though it's a small one. Thanks for watching!

[@nowayjay2122]

Uberti's pocket Remingtons are crap, their pocket Colts are even worse. They both require lots of work and aftermarket parts to be reliable.

[@JanNowak-s2w]

These misfires are annoying, is it really THIS BAD or it`s You doing something wrong?

[@blackpowdershooter44]

Replaced nipples 3-4 yrs ago and put up an updated video showing the updates. It was much more user friendly that time around