Does anyone carry a Black Powder weapon?

[nraynes]

What is your guys opinion on carrying black powder for a personal defence weapon?
I have a remake of an 1860 navy colt revolver 6 shot .44 cal. percussion cap, and I wanted opinions on carrying it. I'm a fairly good shot at it (don't want to toot my own horn) and am comfortable carrying it but I want to know what you guys think.

How many of you (if any) carry BP or know someone who does?

[Fisck]

One problem with carrying an old style black powder firearm like that is you need to unload, clean, and reload it every morning. I’ve never had any experience with them (although I’m thinking buying one later this year), but if you do much research about the old west and in particular the lawmen of the time. There are several stories about how they practiced every morning because they had to unload (which is why they fired them), clean, and reload. This is apparently because moisture gets into the unsealed chambers contaminating the black powder, causing the charge to shrink and possibly lose contact with the firing cap. Along with the simple fact that moisture makes it much or dificult to ignite.

That’s what I’ve read. I am not an expert nor claim to be. (ok I "CLAIM" to be an expert at a lot of things but not this) I would be willing to "guess" that one day wouldn’t be that much of an issue, but each following day would make it worse.

[Mountaingoat61]

I would have to ask why. With all the hand guns out there, BP just doesn't seem to be an option. Doesn't make sense to me. But to each is own, I guess. It's all a matter of personal preference.

[bob16066]

I don't think it's a good idea. Modern Premium Self Defense Ammunition has made great advances in the last few years or so.

I wouldn't want to give that up.

How stable is modern Black Powder? Can it be relied on two weeks or two months after you load it? If it's humid out the day you load: will that moisture ruin the powder enough to cause a misfire when you can least afford it?

With Modern Premium Self Defense Ammunition I load my .45 and carry it for 6 Months (or more) in the wind, rain, and heat and cold until I buy new ammunition. No worries. I know it will work and I'll have reliable expansion if I need it.

[nraynes]

About why, I just love my BP gun. I find it fun, and relaxing to shoot. I also am quite able to shoot it and hit what I am aiming at. I know how reliable they are and all that but I have heard about people carrying them and honestly just wanted opinions on carrying one.

[fudo]

Carrying a BP CCW - a very bad idea.

[Saltcreek]

As a person who carried as a job for decades, I can tell you there is a big difference in shooting for "fun" and shooting to stay alive. From experience, ANY gun you carry is not big enough when bullets are coming towards you. I love percussion too, and they can be loaded waterproof if done right. There are many stories of percussion Colts found 50-75 years after loading that went off and still killed someone. In the old west most guys, good and bad wasted no time switching to faster loading and waterproof cartridge guns. (Yes I know Wild Bill stuck with his Navies but he got killed.) They were to busy staying alive to have fun. Have fun with targets and bunny rabbits. Don't have "fun" with your own life or that of your loved ones. Also, being shot at is NOT relaxing, you will be puckerd at both ends. It is easy to hit the target when it's not shooting back, you don't have tunnel vision, and adrenalin is not gushing through your body. Death is not a game.

[ElSombreroNegro]

Just my own two cents:

I have the 1858 colt replica, and feel the same as you do, it is a great gun to shoot, and has an awesome track record. (Dispute that with facts, someone.)

I have mine as an easy access vehicle gun for the times when I am seated and it is more difficult to get at my IWB gun.

As to the stability and consistency of shots from BP, I live in Iowa, and go from hot and humid to freezing...
My pistol has been loaded with the same charge for as long as 7 months in those conditions, and when taken to the range to discharge, has never failed to do so.
The only big precaution I take is to be sure that I seal the cylinder with grease and that keeps out the moisture.

Just be sure to never use petroleum oils or cleaners with it, that is a major contributor to any problems folks find with these guns.
Treat them the same as you would a cast iron skillet (proper seasoning with natural oils and greases, like bore butter) and it will last just as long.

[RJT CCW]

Sir if you feel comfortable carrying your Black Powder gun for self-defense, more power to you. Black Powder guns were used for self defense for many, many decades.

Are they the most efficient firearm, no. Are they the easiest to conceal, no. But they are certainly better then a rock in a self-defense situation.

Like any firearm, maintain the gun in optimal condition so that when you need it, the gun will be there for you.

Let us know how it goes.

[Naybor]

I have used and shot BP revolvers for many moons in my younger days, but never relied on one for SD / HD.

Main reason is the propensity of black powder to draw moisture. The biggest buck I have ever had in my sights almost laughed at me when my Kentucky Rifle just went "pop" as the cap went off, and nothing else happened. I had loaded with a fresh load and cap that morning and due to a misting rain, the powder was ruined. Better to lose a buck than to have a gun that won't shoot when a BG is determined to take your life.

IMHO, have fun with your black powder weapons ~ just don't rely on them for the very serious job of self-defense.