The Pietta 1862 Spiller & Burr percussion revolver

[@humansvd3269]

The 36 caliber is very accurate and easy to use. I went for a Griswold pietta and I live in Macon and near Griswoldville. I kinda wish they made one in 44.

[@Deer_Slayer5937]

Pietta makes 44 griswolds but the originals were strictly 36 sadly

[@humansvd3269]

@Remy-de8kl I got the 36 cal version. It wasn't easy to find it but I got one.

[@W.Edwardovich]

I’ve heard of guys metal detecting around the old griswoldville site and find old revolver parts. I’m near Savannah, and that has been very tempting

[@Gunsmith-4570]

Very well produced video, I have always been intrigued with the Spiller and Burr. Good shooting by the way!

[@johnzx6r]

Thank you so much!

[@soylentgreen7074]

They just made a new batch finally. First since pre-covid. I picked one up and has 2024 manufacturer date on it. I have an older ‘defarbed’ one as well I got used. The Lemat is coming back next.

[@johnzx6r]

Yes, I have been seeing these pop up at various online retailers lately. Good news!

[@blackpowderfirearmenthusia3194]

Love this revolver. Great video thank you.

[@johnzx6r]

Thank you - it is a nice revolver!

[@rcooper3178]

Thanks for the great videos. As I write this the Spiller & Burr is once again available.

[@johnzx6r]

Yes, I have heard that - anyone who wants one better get it while you can!

[@ALConfederate]

Dixie Gun Works has them. I just ordered mine from there. Really looking forward to seeing how it shoots.

[@kidhammer2567]

Thanks!😃

[@fredjacobsen5025]

Thank you.

[@daveyjoweaver6282]

A Lovely and historical gun! Thanks for sharing your first shots! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania

[@johnzx6r]

Thank you for watching!

[@pappaeddie1]

I purchased my first of 3 at a pawn shop in Charleston SC shoots great.

[@MrWillBison]

I am impressed with your shooting ability.

[@johnzx6r]

Thank you.

[@lawson9102]

Nice groups

[@johnzx6r]

Thanks - I was holding pretty good that day!

[@BlackPowderRookie]

I been looking for two years now, gave up and added a 1851 navy to my collection yesterday.

[@johnzx6r]

Certainly can't go wrong with an 1851. Everyone needs at least one in their collection. Over on one of the black powder forums someone posted that they contacted Pietta, and according to him they told him that they will be doing a run of the Spiller & Burrs later in the year. I'm cautiously optimistic. I guess we will just have to wait and see if they really do.

[@BlackPowderRookie]

@@johnzx6r Then I am going to make sure I have the money put aside for it. I like to have one, because they are really unique in the design since it is based on the Whitney.

[@wadegrant7465]

Been trying to get one of these for awhile now.

[@GovtWatchdog]

Yeah, people love this gun. I have no idea why Pietta won’t crank them out.

[@johnzx6r]

Seems like those people that have them tend to hang onto them - used ones don't even tend to come up for sale very often!

[@markfair7648]

You aim for his belt and you hit him in the chest. It run great I thought. Doesn't look bad with the brass frame. It group well.

[@johnzx6r]

I have read that is how they used to do it, back in the day, to aim for the belt buckle. Almost all of the percussion revolvers I have hit high - some by quite a bit!

[@villev8844]

One of my friends has one like this, I didn't even recognize it at first and afterwards I found out what model it was. I haven't seen any of these for sale.

[@mro9466]

I want the same gun, in inox, in 44 🤩 Come on Pietta

[@richardcormier4561]

The old rule of thumb was to aim for the crouch and you could hit your adversary in the chest

[@kidhammer2567]

I, too, am impressed with the tight groups your revolver produced. I'm not surprised with the height of your grouping as that seems to be about the standard. I'm curious to learn from you how you arrived at your powder charge you are utilizing for this pistol. I'm not challenging your recipe, just curious about it. As always, I truly appreciate your style and content of your videos for I learn much or fine conformation from what you share with us. Respectfully yours, Colonel Montana Kid Hammer SASS 6476-Patron in Alaska

[@johnzx6r]

Thank you for the kind words. This was my first time shooting this revolver, and with .36 caliber revolvers I like to start off with a fairly low powder charge. Sometimes it works OK, sometimes it doesn't. Just so happens that this revolver seems to like it! So with revolvers I usually start off with a charge weight that is about half the revolver caliber. So with a .36 that would be 18 grains of powder, and with a .44 that would be 22 grains, though I often even go to 25 grains to start because most .44's will handle that easily. Hope this helps! John

[@kidhammer2567]

@@johnzx6r, absolutely, sir, your reply was constructive and informative and I truly appreciate you taking the time to respond to my query. I'm always grateful to folks like you who continue to very graciously educate me, an old-timer, with your knowledge and experience. Much appreciated, Colonel Montana Kid Hammer, SASS 6476-Patron

[@zachcrowl8504]

Hey I know you made the videos on the pietta ace a while ago but I was wondering if you could make a video comparing the standard ball and powder to the conversion cylinder with the chronograph. I would really appreciate it thanks great videos by the way

[@johnzx6r]

That is something I could do. Would you like to see it in the ACE or one of the other revolvers (1860, 1858) ?

[@zachcrowl8504]

@@johnzx6r that would be great and yes I would like to see that test done with the ACE thanks

[@johnzx6r]

@@zachcrowl8504 OK - sounds like fun!

[@zachcrowl8504]

@@johnzx6r great can’t wait to see the video

[@thedoomslayer14]

Thanks for your video(s). So instead of lube after the bullet you prefer using a lube wade inside the chamber ?

[@johnzx6r]

It depends. Sometimes a revolver shoots better one way over the other. You might have to experiment a little to see which way your revolver likes better.

[@thedoomslayer14]

@@johnzx6r Unfortunately in France no way to find your "wonder wads lubed". We only have regular wads. Don't know if it can be imported ?

[@johnzx6r]

@@thedoomslayer14 I don't know if they could be imported. But they are fairly easy to make yourself with some common tools and materials. The Duelist1954 KZbin channel has an older video where he demonstrates how he makes his own wads.kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5ixh4N5Z9ygjassi=3MGX6IrwvLQRArLw

[@craigcook1571]

I may be wrong so don’t take this as fact, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that the gun manufacturers or maybe the military at the time we’re trying to reach a goal of creating their handguns where if you aimed at the belt buckle you would still hit out to about 75yds. What I like about your vids is less talking and more shooting. You seem to have gotten a good shooter with that one

[@johnzx6r]

I've heard the same thing. No idea if it is true or not. I have never seen any actual documentation saying that they were made to hit high for that reason. Not that it isn't possible, but I have never seen any first hand documentation suggesting that. And yes, this one does shoot really well!

[@steelgila]

@@johnzx6r Read same somewhere. Regulated out to 75yds also heard 100yds. They were probably mostly awarded to cavalry for the obvious feasability of use so they were kind of a saddle one-hand carbine of sorts.

[@gregorymulkins2544]

Dixie gun works has them in stock and I just bought a kit from them about a month ago

[@johnzx6r]

yes, they are at least for the time being back in production and available for sale from Dixie, Midway and a few other places.

[@lorenray9479]

No bright blue vermin in my neck o the woods. 😮

[@johnzx6r]

My neck of the woods is thick with 'em.

[@stumckenzie7516]

I got one!!

[@throatpunch4789]

That first shot would of been a bad F-ing day!

[@666toysoldier]

I picked up a cheap Colt .36 replica with a brass frame. The steel cylinder had imprinted on the frame, and wouldn't turn. No brass frames for me.

[@johnzx6r]

Sounds like a previous owner put some HEAVY loads through it!

[@johnndavis7647]

Seem like they all shoot a foot high. Most peple learn where to hold. I just bought one of these used in good condition. I hav3nt shot it yet. For thoseb that dont know, these were never made with iron frames. Only high grade brass.

[@johnzx6r]

In every video I have seen about this revolver, they all seem to shoot notoriously high. Unless you want to mess with the front sight, the only way to deal with it is, as you point out, learn where it hits and adjust accordingly.

[@claudelamoreux8543]

They all shoot high. Aim for the belt buckle.

[@Joe3pops]

Next maybe try it a 50 yards. 🙃

[@johnzx6r]

I will!

[@Tee-ina-Skee-Mask]

just fyi midway is in stock at the moment of this comment (8/15/2024)

[@djpermian5078]

Found a used one on Gunbroker for $285 minimum bid. One day left and no one's bid any higher. Might get away with it!

[@johnzx6r]

That's not a bad price - fingers crossed!

[@djpermian5078]

Lost it haha. Better luck next time.

[@johnzx6r]

@@djpermian5078 Bummer!

[@khester7397]

Brass frames are good for wall hangers . Oh, I really like your videos, and nice shooting BTW. Keep it up!

[@johnzx6r]

Thank you!

[@jackwagonhoedown4114]

Just shoot 15 grains!