Educate me on black powder please.

[fabiodriven]

So I'm looking to buy a black powder gun. I can no longer own anything but "primitive arms" (story for another day), so I need a gun that requires no licensing. I do not know the first thing about black powder guns. The weapon's intended use is for home protection. I looked real quick on Cabela's website, and I saw 6 shot black powder revolvers from about $180 and up. I don't need anything really nice or fancy, as long as fires that's all I really care. I figure I'll bring it to the range to get used to using it, but after that it'll pretty much be collecting dust unless needed.

So what's a good, cheap gun?

If I leave it loaded, how long is the shot "safe" to store? In other words, does the shot "go bad" or expire after time?

This may be more of a local question, but what are the laws on carrying or transporting these weapons where there is no license required? I figure I'll keep it low-key when transporting it obviously, but I wonder if I could just carry it on me when in transport? Obviously not planning on carrying this weapon every day.

Thank you all.

[El Camexican]

http://www.chuckhawks.com/leave_muzzleloader_loaded.htm

My Dad uses this stuff to get a few more pounds of venison into his freezers. It does not store well. I've never fired one, but I'm guessing if you want home protection you'd be better off with a Taser,a baseball bat or better yet a big azz dog..

[fabiodriven]

http://www.chuckhawks.com/leave_muzzleloader_loaded.htm

My Dad uses this stuff to get a few more pounds of venison into his freezers. It does not store well. I've never fired one, but I'm guessing if you want home protection you'd be better off with a Taser,a baseball bat or better yet a big azz dog..

No tazers, I have a bat, no fawking dogs. I'm getting a black powder gun.

I may be over-reacting a little bit, but the scrappers around here are getting hungry. They get curious and they get bold.

That link was extremely helpful, thank you Mexinadian.

[cochran]

I was just having a conversation with one of my clients(a truck driver) the other day about carrying black powder pistols through state lines.
I worked for Cabela's in the late 90s at one of their first retail stores. I sold firearms of all types during that time. I would sell countless black powder handguns to truck drivers. They then would order a kit that would essentially make the pistol able to fire cartridges. They could store this modified pistol in their rigs without a license or permit to purchase/carry. I am not up to date on the laws but I would think but found this thread online.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=456949
From what I am reading/remembering as long as the frame is not modified then it would not fall under any laws that would qualify it as a modern pistol.

[cochran]

For home protection and without the ability to buy an actual modern day pistol buy a black powder and get the conversion.

[Gearheadtom]

After reading this I pictured someone telling a bugular to hold on a minute while they loaded an old muzzle loading musket...

[hoosierlogger]

It depends on the humidity level in your home as to how long the powder will remain good. The last thing you want to do is pull the gun up on an intruder and it not go off. Id recommend unloading and reloading it at least once a week if you are going to keep it lying around.

A lot of times you can get used black powder pistols pretty cheap. People buy them thinking they will shoot them a bunch and rarely take them out a second time. Probably due to the laziness of today's people, as well as the guns being more work to clean.

[Scootertrash]

I would be very careful with the conversion and check your local laws. The gun laws I saw for your state, well, they suck (No offense intended). You need a license to transport a gun?? Unless I'm misunderstanding what I read??

I would think that if you "convert" your black powder pistol with a cylinder to fire a modern cartridge, it is no longer a primitive firearm.

As far as storing it for an extended period, as hoosier said humidity has a lot to do with how long the powder will be effective. Along with that, if you are seriously considering using a weapon for self defense you should practice with it so you become effective and efficient with it. Practice sessions would empty the pistol and allow you practice and fresh rounds.

[sblt500r]

you need one of these.

i have flintlocks, well my father did. been around them all my life, but only shot 1. my father built the one below, still have one. all i know is you don't need a license to have flintlock black powder guns, but you need a license to buy black powder. so you can't hunt without a license because you need powder to shoot. my buddy hunts primitive arms and was trying to get me to go, what he told me. so if your going to load your own loads you need a license to do it.

[ctk]

fabiodriven, this sounds like a a good question for tom gresham... guntalk.com He has a radio program that is aired on sunday around 3pm.

[hondawasaki]

you need one of these.

i have flintlocks, well my father did. been around them all my life, but only shot 1. my father built the one below, still have one. all i know is you don't need a license to have flintlock black powder guns, but you need a license to buy black powder. so you can't hunt without a license because you need powder to shoot. my buddy hunts primitive arms and was trying to get me to go, what he told me. so if your going to load your own loads you need a license to do it.

that thing is SIIIIIICK!!!

[El Camexican]

How about one of these babies Flab? I'll bet you could really frick someone up if you connected with it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpAJOPzKK-M

[remsandpets]

First off, sorry to hear about your past with not being able to own a modern firearm. That just means a PFA, mental issue, or fellon. Regardless of reason. In MY opinion, stick to a nonleathal means of self-defence. Why push the issue with the law. Again, sorry but that is my opinion.

[fabiodriven]

I would be very careful with the conversion and check your local laws. The gun laws I saw for your state, well, they suck (No offense intended). You need a license to transport a gun?? Unless I'm misunderstanding what I read??

I spoke to the local detective in charge of firearms two days ago and he said primitive firearms are OK.

You are correct about the gun laws here. You do need a license and the laws are very strict.

First off, sorry to hear about your past with not being able to own a modern firearm. That just means a PFA, mental issue, or fellon. Regardless of reason. In MY opinion, stick to a nonleathal means of self-defence. Why push the issue with the law. Again, sorry but that is my opinion.

What is a PFA?

Mental issues, yes. I am 70% disabled for PTSD after a tour with the army in Iraq in '03.

Felon, yes. Due to the local police not doing their job. Without telling the whole story, they were called by my party due to trespassers on my property the night I lost my license to carry. They drove by 3 times without stopping and the disturbance continued after they left. I dealt with the issue myself and I live with the consequences. In a state where they don't want you to own guns in the first place you can have your license yanked very easily.

Shawn, that gun is absolutely amazing and your father must have had some serious skills. I hope that weapon stays in your family for a long time.

[remsandpets]

PFA= protection from abuse. And I'm not judging anyone. I did not want to offend either. Everyone makes mistakes, especially those in authority thinking they are acting in the public good.
But I digress, black powder is corossive, it should not be left in the bore or chamber of firearms. It will rust surfaces it is in contact with and once fired, must be cleaned. And it is not just a wipe thru like smokeless modern powder. It turns into a semi gummy mess. Btw, I hunt with black powder wepons. Flintlock .50 Cal primitive rifle.