What was your first and how did ya get started????

[Doug]

In 1973 with the bicentennial approaching I thought that I would write an article covering "all" the guns of the Revolution.  At the time all that I knew about blackpowder guns was one shot with a "51 navy sheriffs model and what I had read, but I knew that I liked them.

One day I was talking to a fellow gun enthusiast (modern) and mentioned this desire to write.  He told me of a man who lived in town that might have a muzzleloading rifle I could look at.  I called this man, John, and was immediately invited over to his house, only about a block away from where I was so off I went.  Upon arriving and introductions he showed me several muzzleloading guns one was a "FLINTLOCK" I was in love.  After showing me the guns and answering about a million questions John invited me to go with him his wife and son to a boy scout compere the next day to do a demonstration for the scouts.  Needless to say I jumped at the chance and had a great time, shot my first muzzleloading long gun a Zouave musket and did pretty good with it, I kept hitting eggs and balloons at 25 yards.  On the way home John invited me to go to a muzzleloading match called a "shoot" the next day.  These muzzleloading people seemed to have there own language that I needed to learn.

We went to the shoot and I had a ball again, saw a lot of nice rifles, more than I ever thought existed.  On the way home John offered to sell me the flintlock that I had seen the first day for the exorbitant price of $300.00, I turned and looked at my wife, she was with us and she nodded so I bought that rifle and the rest as they say is history.

[Razor]

My first one is the same one in my signature..
I fergit jus' why I got it ...musta Seemed like a good idea at the time..
got it back in the fall of '71

[bull frog]

I had some experience with cap & ball revolvers but my first long gun was a 1863 .58 musket.  Heavy beast, but fairly accurate. Got it about 1970 or 71.   I parted with it about 1978.  It was given back to me last year by my sister and brother-in-law, what was the chances of that?  Was glad to see it again after all these years.  Still in good shape.  The person I hocked it to never shot it, my sisters family didn't know how so I can safely say I was the last person to shoot it.  My second long gun was the little .36 cal. flint that  Ned spoke of, sweet little gun about the size and weight of a TC Seneca.

[n5lyc]

I in 1984 was in a 3 gun shooting club in Louisiana, and went to the range on an off weekend, and they had a muzzle loader competition going on, and it interested me.

I was going to watch but a guy handed me a t/c hawken 45 and showed me how to load it.  I figured what the hell, it can't be that hard. I paid my $5 to shoot, i had a lot of fun, and did not finish last.

Before the next match (same weekend of the next month) I sold my Ruger M77 and bought a Pedersoli Tryon Rifle with back action lock and casehardened furniture. At that time the price was ($305 shipped)  I shot that thing so much...  It liked 55 gr. of pyrodex P under  a patched .490 ball, and was a tack driver.

Over the course of next 10 years i kept track of over 5,000 balls through that rifle, used in both competition and practice, and sunday afternoon fun.  I replaced the main spring on the lock but other than that, nothing failed.

I sold it when things got tight, I have had other rifles since, from .32 to .58, but always remember that rifle. (they are over $700 now) so i don't think i will be getting another anytime soon.

Ian

[JPShelton]

I had some prior experience with percussion revolvers, but my first muzzleloading rifle was a caplock .50 Lyman GPR that I purchased about 17 years ago. It has been and still remains an accurate, reliable shooter.

-JP

[jeco]

My first black powder rifle is a little .36 cal. That my father Bullfrog got off of Ned. It's not a bad rifle. It's kind of a pain to shoot. For one the stocks been cut down and I have really long arms. Two when I shoot it I have to fire twice for the weapon to actually fire. Other then that I do like it. I plan on getting a .50cal from my father here pretty soon.

[Spitunia]

One day about 1974 there were these two muzzleloaders in a drug store on the east side of Houston. A 45 cap lock Kentucky and a 69 flinter musket. I bought the 45. It shot great. Should have got the other for a meat gun.

[R.M.]

You know jeco, I'd bet that with a bit more of an explanation about what's not happening with your rifle, that we can get it working a lot better for you.
To start with, is the cap going off? Could it be that the cap doesn't fit the nipple properly? Is the nipple peened over a bit from dry-firing?
Is the flash channel perfectly clean? Could there be a buildup of crud somewhere stopping the flash from getting to the powder charge?
I'll bet it's a pretty good gun, and all it needs is a bit of TLC and it'll be up and running.

[jeco]

This is my first BP rifle. My wife bought off my dad for my b-day. It's a lil .36 cal Called a Bobcat from Connecticut Valley Arms. It's a neat lil rifle other then it is really short and I have to cock it twice for it to fire it's a great lil fire arm.

[old salt]

Jeco
it sounds to me like you may using the wrong cap as the dia on caps are not
the same or that the nipple maybe mussroomed. The first drop of the hammer
is probly seating the cap. First I would check the nipple they can be dressed up with point file and emery cloth.
I have found that CVA and Traditions seem to like the Remmington caps

[jeco]

Thanks Old Salt. I'm going to take it back to my dad Bull Frog, And let him tinker with it I haven't bought any caps for it I'm still useing the same caps that Ned had given Bull Frog when He traded for that rifle. I thought it might have been the nipple to but wasn't sure. I'll just have him take it out and fire it himself to see.

[old salt]

Jeco
One thing I have learnt over the years is to carry small rolled up piece of emery tape in my shooting bag.
That way if the nipple seems to be getting tight and does not want to fit right, you can clean it up and go on shooting

[bull frog]

Well the nipple wasn't bad when he got it.  Ned used it without much Trouble as Jeco knows better than to dry fire it I don't think he messed the nipple up any but that leaves the possibility someone else maybe.  I can look at it to see.  I was kind of thinking it would be passed on to one of his kids, it would be a great gun to teach kids to shoot(stock was shortened) cause of length of pull.  It is really way too short for Jeco, he is over 6 foot.  He should be getting a bigger gun soon now that he is hooked.

[jeco]

Not hooked yet pop. And No I'm not dragging fresh road kill home for the hides. I don't care what kinda animals they are.  The Boss says no dead animals. I mean the wife.

[srm970]

mine was a cabelas hawken in .50.  i was the first in my family to own one.  now all the cousins and uncles hunt with them. although only my dad , brother, and one uncle shoot traditionals.  .. and the 3 of us consistantly outshoot the boys with the inlines..  .  we all shoot the cabelas hawken. although my dad replaced his 1 in 48 with a 1  in 32 greenriver or is it green mountain barrel. he doesnt shoot round ball at all..  me i love shooting round balls. 


shawn