Black Powder for Peacemaker

[rrengineer]

Recently acquired an 1876 Colt Peacemaker in 45 LC. Of course this is a black powder frame gun. I have no experience with this, so just wondering what can i shoot out of this gun safely? Any sources for black powder cartridges in 45 LC? Is the a Cowboy load that replicates a black powder kind of pressure?

[AR22]

Yes the Cowboy loads are a very light load to replicate the pressures of original BP loads. But I suppose this is not a exact science either as smokeless and BP are really two different powders with different Characteristics.

Assuming your Colt checks out as in good firing condition and is hopefully checked by a knowledgeable Person. Cowboy loads should be fine. You surely do not want to mess up a collectible Firearm or hurt yourself.

Lets see some pics of the Revolver

[edgerly779]

Someone may have triple seven loads for it.

[Jwalt]

You can order black powder cartridges safe for old revolvers. Friends have had good luck with Buffalo Arms Co.


Edited to add:

Goes without saying and no insult intended, but make sure you clean the heck out of that thing if you use real black.

[rrengineer]

Black Powder for Peacemaker

Here's a shot.

[pdaddy]

Thanks for sharing OP! Beautiful weapon. Enjoy!

[pdaddy]

Btw- what is the story? How did you acquire it?...would love to know about it- it beats reading about the very sad times we are experiencing as a nation. Thanks in advance.

[SW1917]

Look into loading cart. with Blackhorn 209(black powder sub) MUCH less chance of rust etc. - clean up with reg Hoppes et al - no need for immediate cleaning.

[kouye]

Hah! I glanced at the title and read it as "Black Powder for Pacemaker"...say what?!

[THBailey]

Ammo:

https://www.buffaloarms.com/45-colt-250-grain-rnfp-black-powder-ammo-box-of-50-amobp45lc

Loading your own:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxIbYOuCjlc

[pitfighter]

Ammo:

https://www.buffaloarms.com/45-colt-250-grain-rnfp-black-powder-ammo-box-of-50-amobp45lc

Loading your own:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxIbYOuCjlc

I have an 1884 Cavalry, and have the same issues - buffalo arms cartridges are the only ones I'd trust - though shooting mine is something I decided not to do after some research.

One of the most common gunsmith fixes for Colt SAA's from the early 20th century was exploded cylinder and top-strap breaks caused by smokeless cartridges being fired in pre-1906 Peacemakers.

Do your own research, its fun - lots of incorrect and potentially expensively bad advice being offered.
Don't shoot BP substitute, this isn't your $125 Italian replica, BP substitute is not safe in pre-1906 Peacemakers, it doesn't work that way.
Again, do research - a cursory search will get you there.

As I mentioned, I bought my BP framed revolver because I thought it might be fun, did a fair amount of research learned a whole lot about pre-1906 Colt metallurgy and their lack thereof, and decided it was a dumb-*** thing to shoot, even with BP loads - was enormously disappointed, but, stupid is as stupid does.

[big red]

Buy a good reproduction and hang this on the wall unless your life literally depends on it. Your buying history not safe shooting. even if the metal was of today's standards after a 100 years it has to weaken and decay making it dangerous to shoot. Good luck.

[rrengineer]

To the one that wanted to know the story of how I acquired this pistol. I have a life long friend that has been a B grade actor and voice over type in Hollywood, California living right under the Hollywood sign. He got the house (that was built in 1914 by a man named James Theodore Curry) from Mr Curry's daughter in a will after she passed in 2003. My friend had been her handyman for three properties in the area since 1971 in exchange for a rent free apartment in one of the buildings. She had no living relatives, so she left him the house in her will. After he took possession of the building he found two store rooms at the bottom level of the 3 story house. In one of the store rooms, in a chest of drawers he found the Colt wrapped in a rag. Mr Curry had brought the gun with him from Nebraska in 1914. According to Colt records it was originally delivered to New York City in October of 1876. It sat in that store room until 2003 when my friend discovered it. As my friend was not into guns, he sold it to me for a very fair price a couple of months ago. It is in surprisingly good condition. The rifling in the barrel is intact and runs the full length of the barrel. Of course all of these 1st gen Colts came form the factory with a 7 1/2" barrel. This one was cut sometime between 1876 and 1914 to a 5 1/2 inch length. You can see in the picture the grips are still in good shape, but the finish is gone. It just looks like a neat old gun.

[rrengineer]

Reproduction Colt

Buy a good reproduction and hang this on the wall unless your life literally depends on it. Your buying history not safe shooting. even if the metal was of today's standards after a 100 years it has to weaken and decay making it dangerous to shoot. Good luck.

I have a 1873 Italian clone that I shoot cowboy loads with. You guys are probably right about not shooting it. Worth more now that with a blown top strap and cylinder.

[pitfighter]

I have a 1873 Italian clone that I shoot cowboy loads with. You guys are probably right about not shooting it. Worth more now that with a blown top strap and cylinder.

100% the wise decision - as I wrote - this was also my conclusive determination after a couple of weeks passive research, lol.

If you absolutely must shoot it, grab some 5-1 blanks and have at it, just clean it afterward, those BP blanks are viciously corrosive.