Muzzleloading therapy

Every once and a while Law Enforcement Technology lets me write about a fun topic. This time I picked something I love to do: Black Powder. I tested a Remington Model 1858 Army from Cabela’s, one of the most well known outfitters in the world. Black powder shooting, often called muzzleloading, is a hobby where practitioners use non-smokeless powder to launch their projectiles downrange. Muzzleloading generally means using separate components; projectile, powder, and priming cap, in order to fire the projectile.

It’s therapeutic. For me, it is very relaxing to enjoy the steady rhythm of loading and firing something that has a historical connection with law enforcement officers of the past. The Remington Model 1858 was popular with post war law enforcement for a short time, despite the fact that it was several dollars more than a Colt. The Remington Model 1858 got its name from the year that Remington purchased the patent rights for the gun. It was manufactured until 1875 and enjoyed a brief popularity with law enforcement. This revolver was probably the most rugged single action in its day. It’s a bit heavier than similar models, mostly because of the full frame design. It was popular for mounted use because of the fact that it could be carried with all six cylinders loaded, due to a notch between the chambers where one could rest the hammer. Not all models had this, but almost every user liked the quick reloads. You see, soldiers would often be issued an extra cylinder with this gun, which one could keep loaded in the pocket.

This Remington Model 1858 was built by Pietta and sold by Cabela’s, as the Model 1858 New Army .44 Caliber Black Powder Revolver with Starter Kit. The Starter Kit, a Cabela’s exclusive, consists of a powder flask and measuring device, straight line capper (a device which dispenses percussion caps), felt wads, a nipple wrench (which removes the nipple protrusions that hold percussion caps) and lead balls. For first-time shooters it is always a good idea to purchase the gun with the kit. This one has everything except powder and caps.

I can’t look at my duty gun and say, “This gun is beautiful,” but I can with this replica. It has a deep blue/black finish over smoothly polished parts. Pulling back the hammer creates a warm clockwork-like sound. The cylinder rotates around its pin with the sound of deliberate craftsmanship.

I took my 1858 New Army revolver to the range for its first test. They come completely oiled down, inside a plastic bag, when shipped. I always bring a couple of towels for shooting this kind of firearm. My 1858 feels heavy in the hand. It’s more like a small rifle though the grip dimensions are those designed to accommodate smaller hands. The front heavy feel from the hexagonal barrel allows the shooter to let it recoil freely, then settle quickly with the almost automatic cocking for the next round. Even though a single action, it can deliver a fast volley of accurate fire. Pick one up and understand why it was coveted for a calvary charge. This is not a mass produced future paperweight. Cabela’s carries a quality product and it instills pride in ownership. Frankly, I can’t believe how inexpensive the gun is, considering the quality.

Shooters have a choice to use black powder or a modern substitute, like Pyrodex. I used both with this gun, but prefer real black powder. Cabela’s includes lubed wads with the kit, which improve shooter safety and keep the gun clean while shooting. Black powder shooting encompasses several different venues. There are historical replicas, which are used for recreational shooting and reenactments, hunting muzzleloaders with modern features like improved ignition and powders, and kits designed for the do-it-yourself crowd. My favorite aspect of the sport is playing with replica guns. There are practical aspects of the sport, too. For example, hunting seasons are generally extended for archery and muzzleloading.

Why the throwback?

I like black powder because it really improves shooting skills and firearm knowledge. In the days of flintlocks, shooters really had only one shot for both subsistence and warfare. They would protect that shot through planning and overlapping means like swords and teamwork. The original design of the Remington 1858 includes a top strap, the metal strap that encloses the cylinder area on the top of a revolver.Other designs had open tops, which were lighter, but not quite as strong. This design also allows for a real rear sight, not a notch cut into the hammer. It is very easy to align the prominent sight post with the rear notch.

Some Civil War era revolvers had brass frames. Brass met the requirements of the design and was more readily available as steel supplies dwindled in the Confederacy. This model from Cabela’s has a steel frame and a brass trigger guard, which is the style I prefer.

I use traditional black powder, the explosive granular kind. There are other options, which include black powder substitutes like Pyrodex, and even pre-measured pellets. The pellets are convenient and reliable for users who want to take the measuring part out of the equation. 

Use powder recommended by the manufacturer. Do not substitute modern smokeless powder for black powder under any circumstances.

Loading is especially easy for this revolver. After inspecting the gun, one pours powder directly into the chamber while the cylinder is attached to the gun. The powder flask that came in the kit dispensed 30 grains of FFFg powder. FFFg refers to the size of the granule of the powder. The fewer the “F’s” in the name, the larger the grain. Shoulder fired rifles often use FFg powder, pistols generally use FFFg powder. Smaller pistols and flintlocks that need a priming powder use FFFFg. Once the powder is in the chamber, the shooter places a ball over the charge. The ball will be snug enough that it shaves a little lead when it is forced over the charge. There is a lever device under the barrel of every revolver that forces the ball into the chamber. The ball should be pushed firmly on the powder, compressing the charge—any space in the chamber creates a dangerous condition. The safest way to load is to load one chamber at a time. I generally add powder and ball in all chambers, then inspect before adding the percussion caps.

When a black powder revolver fires there is a potential for the flames from the cylinder to ignite the adjacent cylinders, creating a severe hazard. This is called a “chain fire.” The potential for this happening is relatively low, and simple precautions will prevent it. The first precaution is to load cleanly. That is, don’t spill any powder on the outside of the cylinder. The second precaution is to cover the cylinder with grease or patches after loading.

I used Crisco (yes, the cooking kind) until I discovered pre-lubed wads, like the ones found in the Cabela’s kit. I still have Crisco in my “possibles” bag. Shooters just cover the end of the cylinder (the part where the ball goes from cylinder to barrel) with grease to prevent flames from entering the unfired cylinders. Cabela’s carries pre-lubed patches, which are placed over each loaded cylinder. This is the easiest and safest way to go.

The last step in shooting a percussion revolver is to add the percussion cap. This is a small cup that is placed over the nipple on the cylinder. The nipple is the tiny opening in the rear of the cylinder that holds the percussion cap. The hammer hits the percussion cap, which causes a small explosion that the nipple focuses into the chamber to ignite the powder. 

The rear sight and solid construction of this gun makes all the difference in its performance. The first time I loaded it up I stepped back seven yards and fired six shots. The gun printed exactly where the sights were placed.

I can easily fire a standard qualification with this revolver, printing groups that rival my own duty gun. It does take a bit longer during reloading sequences. (All right, it takes a lot longer.)

Most people are surprised how accurate and effective black powder revolvers are at short ranges. They were not designed to launch modern projectiles, but this .44 caliber gun can generally fire a 138-grain soft lead ball between 600 to 900 fps or so, depending on the load. That’s a bit shy of the performance of a .38 special. I could shoot this gun a little more accurately than my .38 special, out to about 10 yards.

With the kit, there’s not much else a shooter needs except a steady supply of lead balls, caps and powder. None of these items are particularly expensive. The kit runs $319.99 MSRP at Cabela’s. This means that a shooter can get out and have some moderately priced plinking fun that adds an extra dimension t the sport.

The Model 1858 appeared in Gone With the Wind and Lonesome Dove. For a brief time, it was part of our westward expansion and the building years of our country. William F. Cody’s Model 1858 sits in the Remington Museum, with the following note on display: “This old Remington Revolver I carried and used for many years in Indian wars and buffalo killing. And it never failed me.”

When shooting it, I connect with the firearm’s history. My limited knowledge of black powder has been called upon a couple of times—both times to determine if a seized gun was loaded. 

For the record, most penal codes do not deem a black powder firearm “loaded” for the purposes of prosecution unless there is powder and a projectile present and the firearm has a percussion cap present. 

There are a few other things that officers should know when muzzleloader firearms are part of their investigation. First, people are erroneously under the impression that soaking or wetting a loaded firearm will render it incapable of shooting, and therefore safe. While this could be a temporary measure, it is not a permanent solution. Black powder is manufactured wet so it can be handled. Once it is dry, it is completely restored. The wisest course of action is to call someone who is familiar with muzzleloading and have them inspect the firearm.

Black powder residue on a gun is hydrophilic. This means it attracts water, which actually traps it against the steel, causing pitting. Failure to clean a gun after a range session can shorten its career. Cleaned, it will last forever, as evidenced by the number of shootable guns built in the 1860’s.

Cabela’s carries Hornady’s One Shot Muzzleloader Cleaner and Multi Lube. Some of my friends use this product and it is excellent for preventing corrosion. This product is best used when cleaning between matches. For a thorough end-of-day cleaning, I use hot soapy water. I take the grips off, then toss the gun into a full bucket. Yes, black powder guns work best when scrubbed clean, followed by liberal amounts of oil. Use the Hornady’s One Shot for this.

Black powder is a lifelong hobby. Most of us will shoot a bit, put it up for a while, and return after a time to shoot some more. It is the perfect companion for a lazy afternoon.  ■

Lindsey Bertomen is a retired police officer and retired military small arms trainer. He teaches criminal justice at Hartnell College in Salinas, Calif. and welcomes comments at [email protected].