Post by spence on Jul 16, 2022 10:49:19 GMT -7
I posted about my Jackie Brown replica flintlock pistol in another thread, with pictures, and that got me thinking about my experience with it. I got it in the spring of 1998, and it has been a favorite since. I’ve always enjoyed shooting pistols, and it was a pleasure finding out what these guns of our ancestors were all about.
I’ve always thought certain old flintlock pistols have beautiful lines. I don’t think the lines of this pistol quite measure up, but I certainly can’t complain about the handiness or function. It’s a delight.
Pistols are legal for hunting deer here, so I worked up an accurate round ball load and carried it on many deer hunts against possible need for a coup de grâce. I’ve never needed to use it for that.
I’ve never gone after small game carrying only the pistol, but frequently have it in my belt when after squirrels with rifle or smoothbore, I worked up a good short distance, dense shot load. and have taken a couple of squirrels which wandered a bit too close when sitting in wait.
The gun has been an excellent test bed. I’ve developed loads with various combinations of modern components, tow, cedar bark, brown paper, and with FFg and FFFg powder. Powder charges from 25 to 50 grains with both shot and ball are used, depending on the need.
Having the pistol handy when on an outing involving a fire means I’ve caught a spark using the lock many, many times. As an aside, I’ve done this routinely with loaded pistol and various long guns, never plug the vent, just fold the charcloth so as to block it, and have never had the gun fire.
Spence
NB more to follow
I’ve always thought certain old flintlock pistols have beautiful lines. I don’t think the lines of this pistol quite measure up, but I certainly can’t complain about the handiness or function. It’s a delight.
Pistols are legal for hunting deer here, so I worked up an accurate round ball load and carried it on many deer hunts against possible need for a coup de grâce. I’ve never needed to use it for that.
I’ve never gone after small game carrying only the pistol, but frequently have it in my belt when after squirrels with rifle or smoothbore, I worked up a good short distance, dense shot load. and have taken a couple of squirrels which wandered a bit too close when sitting in wait.
The gun has been an excellent test bed. I’ve developed loads with various combinations of modern components, tow, cedar bark, brown paper, and with FFg and FFFg powder. Powder charges from 25 to 50 grains with both shot and ball are used, depending on the need.
Having the pistol handy when on an outing involving a fire means I’ve caught a spark using the lock many, many times. As an aside, I’ve done this routinely with loaded pistol and various long guns, never plug the vent, just fold the charcloth so as to block it, and have never had the gun fire.
Spence
NB more to follow
