The Pedersoli Kentucky Flintlock Pistol - .45 Caliber

Taking an older model Pedersoli Kentucky flintlock pistol to the range. This one is in .45 caliber.
Was having some issues with it at first, but after sharpening the flint it started working pretty well!
If you enjoyed this and would like to support me in getting new material to video, you can buy me a pizza here: ko-fi.com/john...

[@jeffs7139]

Very impressed by the lack of flinching when it didn't go off. Most people will flinch in anticipation of the kick. True marksmanship. Your Dad did a fine job on that piece!

[@johnzx6r]

Thank you. It did turn out rather nicely!

[@lisakozlowski4057]

This pistol is a great example why Bowie knives were so popular.

[@johnzx6r]

Ha! So true! When one shot is all you got, you'd better have a plan B!

[@alanpeterson6224]

You have to get your flint adjusted properly. I have one of these , and as long as everything is as it should be, no misfires.@@johnzx6r

[@sled7782]

Pedersoli is such an awesome manufacturer. Your pop did nice work with the kit. I was just gifted the same kit in .50 from my daughter. I can't wait to get started. My last kit was the Lyman Great Plains .50.

[@fordfan3179]

I prime with 4F, close the frizzen and give the left side of the gun a slight bump to ramp the prime up to the touch hole. Works like a charm every time. Knapping and good flints do make a big difference to , lol.

[@jk22222sd]

Love the blackpowder smoke this one puts off!!

[@johnzx6r]

When it goes off, It is pretty spectacular! Nothing in the world like touching off a flintlock pistol!

[@jk22222sd]

@@johnzx6r is this recommended for beginners? I know quite a bit on flintlocks but have never used one before. Looking for a flintlock pistol at some point.

[@johnzx6r]

@@jk22222sd It would be as good a place to start as any. Pedersoli's are usually pretty reliable (as long as you have a good flint!) and are generally pretty accurate. Flintlocks might seem a little intimidating at first but they actually pretty simple and easy to use. Fun stuff!

[@jk22222sd]

@@johnzx6r Sounds good! Thanks, my friend! Reminds me of a pirate pistol, even though this pistol is from much later lol.

[@martinrude7708]

That pretty much looks the same as the kit I assembled maybe 25 years ago..it was a fun shooter. Mine had a pretty light trigger which was just how I like 'em.

[@johnzx6r]

Yeah, my dad built this from a kit a number of years ago. The trigger on this one was a bit heavy, but the more I'm using it the better the trigger is getting.

[@mrsteel250]

I think with these there’s an issue of ignition if you put too much powder in the priming pan, less is more as far as I’m aware and also FFFFg is recommended for priming powder instead of FFFg and for flintlocks it’s not recommended to use any powder substitutes. Hope some of this helps!

[@johnzx6r]

I didn't mention it in the video, but I do use 4F in the pan, and you are right in that less is more when it comes to how much to put in the pan. My issue was completely with the flint. Once I put a sharper edge on that my problems went away.

[@CapnSchep]

What a beautiful firearm ..!

[@johnveglio4433]

And the large sights !!

[@62MountainDew62]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looked like you're using a SAWED flint.. If you are, try using a knapped ENGLISH flint. They work far better, for longer, and are easier to knap. Also, you don't have to clean the frizzen and flint between shots. French amber flints work well too. Both are available at Dixie Gun Works and Track of the Wolf.

[@johnzx6r]

It isn't one of the sawed flints. I believe this has an amber flint in it. It just wasn't quite sharp enough when I started out - but after sharpening it worked fine.

[@franklinAll8735]

Do NOT mess with your sigths just yet. For whatever reason black powder pistols require and like much heavier powder charges than cap and ball revolvers until they start achieving acceptable velocities and energies. 25 grains charge was giving you probably a petiable velocity of about 200-300 fps. This is a reason why your gun was shooting so low. A fellow at poconoshooting checked these gun at chrono suspecting the velocities were the main reason gun shoots so law and here's what he got: 50 Cal Traditions Flintlock Pirate Pistol Stainless Steel 10 inch 50 grain 2F GEOX Black Powder 173 grain, .490 ball 464 ft/s 50 Cal Traditions Flintlock Pirate Pistol Stainless Steel 10 inch 50 grain 2F GEOX Black Powder 316 grain conical 497 ft/s .50 Cal Traditions Flintlock Pirate Pistol Stainless Steel 10 inch 70 grain 3F GEOX Black Powder 316 grain conical 965 ft/s I believe the primitive patching method of sealing is at fault here and you lose a lot of velocity because of that. It seems that the velocity loss at cylinder gap is much less significant than due to poor bore to ball seal. For whatever reason you start seeing significant increase in velocity once you go past 70 grains. Cheers.

[@johnzx6r]

Good info. I am new to these single shot pistols, so I'm still learning what powder charges and the like are appropriate. But yeah, I wasn't going to mess with the sights until I have a better understanding of how this pistol perfoms.

[@OutnBacker]

@@johnzx6r I have a near exact pistol that I bought new in about 1979. Says "KENTUCKIAN" but nothing else as far as manufacturer. I can't rememeber, but it may be a Euroarms when they were good. Fit and quality is superb, but the frizzen is now worn soft. With 34grns 3F it pushes a .430 ball at .38 Special velocities of 900fps. using .015 linen patches. If I use the Chinese immitation ticking at .012", they go about 830fps. But that cloth is hard as heck to load.

[@Gunsforfreedom]

The frustration is real lol

[@johnzx6r]

When a flintlock is working properly, they can be a lot of fun. When they are not working properly, you just want to throw them against a tree or something!

[@markgoostree6334]

I'm here in Nov. Have you tried to file that front sight? I was wondering how much had to come off to get the group moved to get POI to the POA. It is a good looking pistol and it grouped well. Once you make the adjustments, you'll be a happy camper.... or shooter. I hope you've found the answer by now.

[@johnzx6r]

Not yet. I have been busy with other projects. I think a lot is going to have to come off of it to get it ti where I want it to be, though.

[@TaylorsAuthenticTraditions]

​@@johnzx6rSiyo! Checkin in to see if you had gotten that front site filed down and if so how much had to come off to get s consistent group on target?

[@johnzx6r]

I ended up replacing the front sight entirely. It's probably a good 1/4 inch shorter that the original. I think the sight was originally meant for a rifle, but it looks OK on the pistol. It shoots where I want it to, now, which is the important thing!

[@couerleroi1]

Good vid

[@leeboss4152]

The trigger pull on mine is horrendously heavy . The manual says there is a way to adjust it

[@johnzx6r]

Mine was pretty bad at first, but the more I've used it, it's started to smooth out. I don't have a manual for mine - I didn't know it can be adjusted.

[@leeboss4152]

@@johnzx6r as soon as i have time to learn how I’ll let you know

[@johnzx6r]

@@leeboss4152 Sounds good.

[@Slyassassin34]

I really want to get the Kentucky traditions pistol it looks really fun and a good deal for 200 bucks

[@johnzx6r]

The Traditions looks like a good pistol. I kinda want to get my hands on one to compare with the Pedersoli.

[@johnzx6r]

@@JRB781 I've seen those, and have been tempted. Maybe one of these days I'll pick one up.

[@LeMecMoustachu]

If the gun doesn't fire it either poor quality powder (maybe wet) or a used Flint. But you certainly know that lol

[@ronaldkennedy2401]

flintlock to cap and ball was probably a bigger improvement than cap and ball to cartridge(even discounting the multiple shots).off topic,midway has a couple pedersoli 1858s left for under $1000.i dont really need another nma but is that gun something special to spend that much money on?

[@johnzx6r]

From what I understand, the Pedersoli NMA is specifically geared towards competitive shooters. They have tighter tolerances than the typical Pietta or Uberti. I've never handled one, and I'm sure they are very good revolvers, but I think most people would be served just as well with a Pietta or Uberti. I have gotten very good accuracy with either, with a slight nudge maybe going to the Uberti Remingtons I have.

[@ledart]

The replica has two cocking. I feel like half cocking.

[@skswig1]

The hammer looks like it is dragging

[@robgoose8126]

Lock bolts are probably too tight.

[@paulreins2332]

Sup John, I want one of those hahaha

[@johnzx6r]

You should get one 😁

[@著超難問チャンネル著]

Aren't you not becoming a full cook?

[@johnzx6r]

Yes, it is at full cock.

[@spiritualawakenings6251]

My flintlocks always work best in the rain.

[@johnzx6r]

Lucky. Mine don't seem to fare as well!

[@spiritualawakenings6251]

@@johnzx6r Uhhh that was sarcasm

[@acratone8300]

I spent my half of the $1200 covid stimulus check on a Kentucky pistol.

[@johnzx6r]

Well, I can think of worse things to spend it on!

[@markusbollig8]

Vielleicht sollte er mit der Pistole werfen. Zum Schießen taugt sie wohl weniger. Vor allem dann, wenn man die braucht. 😮

[@stevenharrington9174]

Creepy dude...

[@mikekean8344]

It's just the humidity.