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Looking for some info on cap gun supplies and holsters


Larabee

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Hey pards, 

                    I just bought a set of 51' cap guns and venturing into that area and hoping to start shooting them as main match guns sometime in the future. Need to start getting some supplies like balls, wads, caps a cylinder loader, capper etc..... where is the best place to pick these things up and anything else I'll be needing ? And where would i find a set of holsters ? Mine are the 5.5 inch models. Thanks in advance, 

                                     Larabee 

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Cabellas is a good place to start or sportsman warehouse. Depending on where you live. Some top line holster makers have great holsters. I now have 2 sets of mernikle holster rigs that work great for my cap guns or open tops. I started sass with some local holsters and a set from wild west mercantile.

Rafe 

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These are the things I got for my Pietta and Uberti 51's.

 

Leather from Mernickle. I have Uberti 7" and Pietta 5" barrels so I have Slim Jims for the Uberti's and I use my cross draw nitro rig for the Pietta.

http://www.mernickleholsters.com/qc/qc1r1.html

http://www.mernickleholsters.com/CABPCR/ca/ca11r1.html

 

I have replaced all the factory nipples with Slix nipples

http://www.longhunt.com/storelh/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=267

 

I get my wads and a lot of the accessories (powder flask, spouts, wrenches, etc) from Track of the Wolf

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/202/1/OX-WAD-36-W

 

Powder containers from ebay

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/100pcs-2ml-Micro-Centrifuge-Tube-Vial-Clear-Plastic-Vials-Container-Snap-Cap-Ug/202337863252?epid=889930508&hash=item2f1c46c654:g:j50AAOSwzaJX~Hza

 

Spare parts, extra cylinders and barrels from VTI.

http://www.vtigunparts.com/store/shopdisplaycategories.asp?id=108&cat=Pietta

 

Polish Capper

https://www.polishcappers.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Locally Sportsmans Warehouse is the only place I can buy Remington #10 caps.  However, I buy most of mine online as I do most of my lead balls.  I buy powder on sale at Wally World after hunting seasons at closeout prices.  (Shotgun shells take a lot of powder.   I need bargains.)  Several times a year American Pioneer Powder puts case lots of APP on sale.  Watch this Wire for details.  Captain Baylor is usually the source of the information.

 

Welcome to the Darkside!  Try to get a TO who shoots cap guns and knows the difference between a cap-only ignition and a squib.  Some TOs don't understand this.

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This is our own Springfield Slim. He sells round ball sized .380, as well as being a leather maker.  consider him in making your plans.

 

http://www.whyteleatherworks.com/index.html

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Dixie Gun Works, Track of the Wolf, El Paso Saddlery, Powder, Inc.

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Thanks for all the info and links.... all extremely helpful for starting in the Dark side  !!! One of the great things about the wire.... ask and ye shall recieve !!! Thanks again everyone

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1.  Prairie Dawg gave you the link above to Powder Inc.  Call them on the phone and tell them you want one of their "blem" cylinder loaders.  They sell them for $70.00 shipped.  I just got mine a few weeks ago and it makes all the difference in the world.

 

2.  For flasks, stay away from any of the teardrop shaped flasks with the fancy scenes stamped on the sides of them.  They look good but the only way to load powder in them is through the top.  To take the top off you have to remove 3 teeeeniee tiny screws to remove the lid, then you have to try to get those miniscule screws back in.  Guaranteed you'll loose 1 or more every time you do this.  Get the cylindrical brass flasks that either the top or bottom itself screws off.  Much better.

 

3.  Welcome to the Dark Side, Larabee.

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Use the funnel that screws into the spout threads to fill your flask and don't remove those little screws. 

Have two flasks available for loading. 

I use a snail capper and I always carry two. 

Attach a dowel or small blunted antler tip to your main capper so you can seat caps on the nipples. It will always be handy. 

Have a BLAST!

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+1 to Lead Monger:

The Colt-pattern flasks are so pretty -- why go with just "utilitarian"

Track of the wolf [https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/70/1/FUNNEL-FL]

funnel-fl_1.jpg

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+1 to many of the great resources and vendors mentioned including Dixie Gun Works, Track of the Wolf, Long Hunter, Bob Mernickle, Springfield Slim (whyte leatherworks), slix shot nipples with Remington #10 caps and dowel to seat them more snugly, and use of the snail capper for your Navy and the funnel for the teardrop flasks. Some other important supplies worth mentioning:

 

Slix-hand extension allows you to load on the gun rather than pulling the cylinder off for your 5.5” Navies, and makes rams on the 7.5” barrels more comfortable too.  

http://www.slixprings.com/loading-handle-C&B-Revolver.html

 

Cleaning frequency (after every shooting session) and products differ from smokeless guns (if you’re not already familiar with black powder shooting), requiring partial disassembly of your cap guns (and periodic full disassembly).  Thus, you’ll also need a kit of related supplies (nipple wrench, soft tipped jeweler’s hammer for the wedge, proper screw drivers (Brownell’s makes a magnetic tip set for Colt’s that works great),anti-seize lube for the nipple threads, non-petroleum based oils (e.g., Ballistol) and more!). A great resource covering all this is Mike Beliveau’s (Duelist1954) YouTube site, with videos on

cleaning and dissembling the Colt percussion revolvers https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2qtMkLGdZA4 

as well as making your own lubed wads https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YgNVPC2wmWI&index=19&list=PLHljRs6NHyZlhvgzIWQYFCu2KqN9jHHMw&t=0s 

and other great tips (e.g., reducing “cap sucking” https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v4gkJaIQPZo&index=71&list=PLHljRs6NHyZlhvgzIWQYFCu2KqN9jHHMw&t=0s  

 

 If you use lubed wads, I’ve found them easy and gratifying to make (yet more supplies, but still way cheaper in the long run).  

 

Finally, I should mention that If you’d like to tune ‘em up, but not DYI, Mike Brackett at Goon’s Gun Works comes highly recommended http://www.goonsgunworks.com/  However, I bought mine already tuned by Longhunter’s http://www.longhunt.com/web/index.php?page=colt-1851-navy-custom-black-powder, and are exceptional, but I’m unsure if LH tunes percussion guns sent to them; you’d have to call. 

 

Best of luck on and welcome to cap & ball shooting!

 

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Look for the cap and ball shooters at your local matches

These shooters are a wealth of knowledge and that they will gladly share with you

I have watched Capt. Baylor load his guns many times . He is very meticulous and willing to answer any questions that you might have.

BUT DON'T ASK ANY QUESTIONS OF ANY ONE UNTIL THEY ARE FINISHED LOADING  AS IT IS VERY EASY TO SCREW THINGS UP

I personally  have rammed two balls into same chamber in a Ruger Old Army when not paying attention or double charged the same

Everyone has to find out what works for them

I wish I have the benefit of this wire when I tried Frontiersman 15 years ago

Even veteran shooters will have problems at the range

Be safe and have fun 

More smoke equals more fun

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A couple of years ago I killed some winter days by making an 1851 Navy video for YouTube.  Maybe it will answer some questions.  Welcome to the madness!

 

 


 

 

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I am beside myself at the wealth of knowledge all these great shooters are bringing to this thread !! What an awesome response and again i am so grateful for all the info and to be a part of CAS and a member of SASS. Thanks again,

                                       Larabee

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I've shot bp hunting rifles all my life, squirrel hunting and deer hunting and shot an old uberti 36 navy until it wore out. Always liked cap guns but wasn't even aware people shot them in cas when i started.... can't wait to get mine, get them slicked up a little and start makin smoke on my practice range then off to real thing !!!

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If you want to tune your cap guns without sending them to a Smith  (highly recommend it) watch Mike Belivues  YouTube video on how to make cap guns user friendly  duelist's den.com then search 1851modification for 1851 navy. Great how to video. Won't make them high zoot  racing guns but they will be a lot smoother.

Rafe 

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Thanks for the info Sarge, I'll definitely pick up the caps and balls from you when you transfer the guns for me. Lead Pumper introduced Pine Ridge Jack to me if I can remember how to get to his place. I need to pick up 3 or 4 lb of powder from him

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