Beginner looking into antiques

ScoutTheBear

ScoutTheBear

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Im pretty new to firearms and unfortunately missed an opportunity to own any restricted handguns. Im looking to get into antiques to fill that gap. Should I purchase a modern black powder long gun to practice first? What is easier and more practical, percussion revolvers or using a .32 rf reloading kit? Are there other calibers I’m overlooking? Is importing an antique from the US worth it? It seems to me they have better pricing and selection. My realistic use case would probably be shooting under 50 rounds at a time when I go plinking with my lever guns on crown land.

Thanks!
 
ScoutTheBear said:
Im pretty new to firearms and unfortunately missed an opportunity to own any restricted handguns. Im looking to get into antiques to fill that gap. Should I purchase a modern black powder long gun to practice first? What is easier and more practical, percussion revolvers or using a .32 rf reloading kit? Are there other calibers I’m overlooking? Is importing an antique from the US worth it? It seems to me they have better pricing and selection. My realistic use case would probably be shooting under 50 rounds at a time when I go plinking with my lever guns on crown land.

Thanks!
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32 rimfire is fairly easy to reload using 32 colt brass. I have a video up on it on youtube. the 32 rf revolvers can be had for a pretty good price still.
 
cap and ball guns are the cheapest, both for the price of the gun and the ammo since you dont need cases for reloading, also no reloading press, or dies needed and can be shot with the right size shotgun pellet which you can also cast.
 
questionnaire said:
cap and ball guns are the cheapest, both for the price of the gun and the ammo since you dont need cases for reloading, also no reloading press, or dies needed and can be shot with the right size shotgun pellet which you can also cast.
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caps have been really hard to find these days thou, so be sure to look for those before getting one or you may have something nice to look at for a while.
 
1. Antique Black Powder Long Gun options and modern reproductions - recommended caliber 45-70. Remington Rolling Block, Winchester High Wall, Sharps Business Rifle and Springfield Trapdoor , I have all of these only the Springfield is an actual antique, the rest are Italian reproductions by Uberti, Pedersoli and Navy Arms. These are single shot rifles and are a lot of fun you could also consider 1873, 1886 or 1892 Winchester Lever Guns. NOTE: For antique black powder rifles make sure you can examine the bore very closely.

2. Percussion revolvers - I have a pair of .44 cal 1858 Remington New Model Army (Uberti Repro) percussion revolvers they are a lot of fun to shoot , you can still find .41 , .44-40 and .45LC caliber antique revolvers but they do not come cheap. NOTE: Modern reproductions do not qualify for antique exemption.

3. The 1884 Springfield TRapdoor I mentioned in #1 is an antique imported from USA - here's a link to a firm that can look after the whole process for you https://borderview.com/pricing/pricing-for-canada/

Feel free to check out my Youtube channel @blacquepowder I have a variety of videos posted of BP rifles and handguns.

Regards, Retreever
 
dakotamar said:
32 rimfire is fairly easy to reload using 32 colt brass. I have a video up on it on youtube. the 32 rf revolvers can be had for a pretty good price still.
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I’ve seen quite a few affordable .32 rf revolvers and the reloading kits seem straightforward, I’m just worried I’ll hate the spur trigger. Most of these guns seem to be more oriented towards self defense/carrying than target shooting, but perhaps I’m just misinformed.
 
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The .32RF revolvers when originally made varied in quality from junk to first class. The 130 odd years that have passed won't have improved any of them.
The little .32RF revolvers, while shootable with either very expensive fresh ammunition or the .32 kits might be fun to plink with occasionally but aren't really shooters for regular use.

The good centerfire revolvers are very expensive, the no-paper premium being substantial. Prices are inflated far beyond value as collectors' items.
Here is my concern: If the Gov't changes the rules, the value of these pieces is going to collapse. Badly.
 
Re3iever said:
1. Antique Black Powder Long Gun options and modern reproductions - recommended caliber 45-70. Remington Rolling Block, Winchester High Wall, Sharps Business Rifle and Springfield Trapdoor , I have all of these only the Springfield is an actual antique, the rest are Italian reproductions by Uberti, Pedersoli and Navy Arms. These are single shot rifles and are a lot of fun you could also consider 1873, 1886 or 1892 Winchester Lever Guns. NOTE: For antique black powder rifles make sure you can examine the bore very closely.

2. Percussion revolvers - I have a pair of .44 cal 1858 Remington New Model Army (Uberti Repro) percussion revolvers they are a lot of fun to shoot , you can still find .41 , .44-40 and .45LC caliber antique revolvers but they do not come cheap. NOTE: Modern reproductions do not qualify for antique exemption.

3. The 1884 Springfield TRapdoor I mentioned in #1 is an antique imported from USA - here's a link to a firm that can look after the whole process for you https://borderview.com/pricing/pricing-for-canada/

Feel free to check out my Youtube channel @blacquepowder I have a variety of videos posted of BP rifles and handguns.

Regards, Retreever
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I’ve been looking at the Pedersoli reproductions for Springfield trapdoor rifles, however due to high price of good reproductions I’ll most likely focus on revolvers for now. I believe the demand will outpace the supply as new shooters are prohibited from owning restricted firearms and pick up antiques in order to practice with a sidearm.
I can also see the current government removing the antique exemption for sidearms entirely and owning one before that happens is a priority for me.

The Uberti Colt SAA guns look fantastic but unless a miracle happens I won’t have the opportunity to own one.
 
I think you would be best advised to start with a flintlock rifle because of the recent dramatic increase in the price of caps. There is a longer learning curve with flintlocks but you would be saving 10 or 12 cents per shot with a flinter. Also I think shooting an antique handgun on crown land is sticking you neck out for lots of hassles. It may be legal but most of the people both recreational and law enforcement will not be very familiar with the law with the additional possibility of the government bringing in further prohibitions on antiques as a result of publicity around people shooting on crown land. I also think 50 shots with a muzzle loader or even a cartridge gun is not very realistic. When I shoot a trail with my flinter, I normally fire 20 to 25 shots over the space of 2 hours or a bit longer. Cartridges go faster but also would involve a lot of loading time beforehand
Over and above that, shooting on crown land has the risk of creating a lot of bad publicity. Here on the Island, we have had people shooting in close proximity to regularly used horse riding trails and about 2 years ago, a person was shot dead hundreds of yards away from people shooting in a clearing in the woods. Publicity like that we do not need

cheers mooncoon
 
I have been doing the antique handgun thing for a only 4 years now but I will share my limited knowledge with you. I looked at the 32 rimfire option as an inexpensive option. The reloadable cases using 22 blanks work but a little sketchy for reliability as you must ensure the cases are aligned correctly for the hammer to fall in the offset position of the blank. Others have used the center drilled out of the 32 case for a 27 caliber ramset blank and this can work depending on how far the hammer reaches in from the rim. I understand this can work using the ramset's own propellent to propel the projectile with care to use the correct strength ramset.

The Percussion option is more attractive as long as the proper nipples, caps, powder can be found. Something that these days can be a challenge. While slow to load the entire experience is the enjoyment.

While the knowledge on the above are from me shooting with friends with these guns I have been doing personally only centerfire handguns. I have owned or still own:
1. Belgian made British Bulldog 450 Adams. It was way too unpleasant to shoot as it had a 2.5" barrel and a grip so small I could only get a finger and a half around the grip.
2. Webley RIC in 450 Adams. It was great but took some time to figure out a load that wouldn't squib in it's 4.5" barrel. Sold for a smaller MP.
3. Webley MP in 450 Adams. It's an excellent little 2.5" barreled gun like the bulldog but with a grip big enough to hold well.
3. Mle French revolver in 8mm French Ordnance. This is a very strong revolver using a relatively weak cartridge.
4. Colt SAA in 38 Special. This is a strong an antique revolver can be. Great all day shooter that should the day come you need parts they are still made.

So if you are to shoot these much at all I would recommend the Mle or the Colt SAA as they are going to go the distance with use. Others that are popular are the hinged action Webleys like the Mk1, Mk2, Mk3 and S&W 44 DA guns. These are good too however somewhat more prone to wear so close inspection is warranted. Especially on Webleys that have been converted to 45 ACP as they might be stressed from factory loads. There are many centerfire antique revolvers to list them all but many are solid guns.

Reloading for centerfire antique handguns is as easy as any other modern caliber. Many folks use black powder but I use carefully selected modern smokeless powder and low loads to avoid the black powder mess. Many shun the use of smokeless powder in antiques but it can be done with caution and common sense.

Cheers
Moe
 
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mooncoon said:
I think you would be best advised to start with a flintlock rifle because of the recent dramatic increase in the price of caps. There is a longer learning curve with flintlocks but you would be saving 10 or 12 cents per shot with a flinter. Also I think shooting an antique handgun on crown land is sticking you neck out for lots of hassles. It may be legal but most of the people both recreational and law enforcement will not be very familiar with the law with the additional possibility of the government bringing in further prohibitions on antiques as a result of publicity around people shooting on crown land. I also think 50 shots with a muzzle loader or even a cartridge gun is not very realistic. When I shoot a trail with my flinter, I normally fire 20 to 25 shots over the space of 2 hours or a bit longer. Cartridges go faster but also would involve a lot of loading time beforehand
Over and above that, shooting on crown land has the risk of creating a lot of bad publicity. Here on the Island, we have had people shooting in close proximity to regularly used horse riding trails and about 2 years ago, a person was shot dead hundreds of yards away from people shooting in a clearing in the woods. Publicity like that we do not need

cheers mooncoon
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I’ve been looking at flintlocks too, I just have some concerns as a left handed shooter with all that powder so close to my face. I’ve seen a few left handed models for sale but they are considerably more difficult to find. I’ve heard too many horror stories about preordering guns to take that risk.

Not too worried about preparing/reloading cases in advance, I need to drive 80km at least before I can even get to a legal spot to discharge firearms safely, it’s a whole day trip for me and I only get a chance to go maybe once or twice a month. Less rounds down range with a muzzle loader makes sense though.

I’m quite worried about target shooters reputation on crown land. Most “ranges” look like film sets from apocalypse movies and are directly off of the main FSR. I always take my Jeep to the very end of the further logging roads and hike into the cut block, very rare to see anyone out there. The garbage is going to get more spots banned…
 
Moe said:
I have been doing the antique handgun thing for a only 4 years now but I will share my limited knowledge with you. I looked at the 32 rimfire option as an inexpensive option. The reloadable cases using 22 blanks work but a little sketchy for reliability as you must ensure the cases are aligned correctly for the hammer to fall in the offset position of the blank. Others have used the center drilled out of the 32 case for a 27 caliber ramset blank and this can work depending on how far the hammer reaches in from the rim. I understand this can work using the ramset's own propellent to propel the projectile with care to use the correct strength ramset.

The Percussion option is more attractive as long as the proper nipples, caps, powder can be found. Something that these days can be a challenge. While slow to load the entire experience is the enjoyment.

While the knowledge on the above are from me shooting with friends with these guns I have been doing personally only centerfire handguns. I have owned or still own:
1. Belgian made British Bulldog 450 Adams. It was way too unpleasant to shoot as it had a 2.5" barrel and a grip so small I could only get a finger and a half around the grip.
2. Webley RIC in 450 Adams. It was great but took some time to figure out a load that wouldn't squib in it's 4.5" barrel. Sold for a smaller MP.
3. Webley MP in 450 Adams. It's an excellent little 2.5" barreled gun like the bulldog but with a grip big enough to hold well.
3. Mle French revolver in 8mm French Ordnance. This is a very strong revolver using a relatively weak cartridge.
4. Colt SAA in 38 Special. This is a strong an antique revolver can be. Great all day shooter that should the day come you need parts they are still made.

So if you are to shoot these much at all I would recommend the Mle or the Colt SAA as they are going to go the distance with use. Others that are popular are the hinged action Webleys like the Mk1, Mk2, Mk3 and S&W 44 DA guns. These are good too however somewhat more prone to wear so close inspection is warranted. Especially on Webleys that have been converted to 45 ACP as they might be stressed from factory loads. There are many centerfire antique revolvers to list them all but many are solid guns.

Reloading for centerfire antique handguns is as easy as any other modern caliber. Many folks use black powder but I use carefully selected modern smokeless powder and low loads to avoid the black powder mess. Many shun the use of smokeless powder in antiques but it can be done with caution and common sense.

Cheers
Moe
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Appreciate the advice,

I would love a colt SAA but they seem to be quite a bit more rare. The hinge action revolvers are more common but command a price tag I’m not quite comfortable spending on my first handgun. I could get a .32 rf and decent percussion cap revolver for less than the previously mentioned guns in poor condition. Would you say this is a buy once cry once type of situation or do you appreciate the variety of owning multiple guns?

Thanks
 
ScoutTheBear said:
Appreciate the advice,

I would love a colt SAA but they seem to be quite a bit more rare. The hinge action revolvers are more common but command a price tag I’m not quite comfortable spending on my first handgun. I could get a .32 rf and decent percussion cap revolver for less than the previously mentioned guns in poor condition. Would you say this is a buy once cry once type of situation or do you appreciate the variety of owning multiple guns?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I can say this end of the hobby has a definite buy once cry once element to it. If you spend a small investment in a 32 say $600-$1200 you will be happy. If you want to move on to something higher you really have no risk to your investment on the 32 as the value of antiques only goes up. I think If there is something you really want for an antique then just get it. Anything else will leave you feeling short of your desired gun. If you want a hinge action Webley then plop down the $4k and be happy. Want a Colt Single Action then eat the painful $10k and be done with it. You risk nothing. The resale will never go down unless you wreck it or mess with it. If you just want a cool little 32 then for a $1K investment you are in the game.

Cheers
Moe
 
ScoutTheBear said:
I’ve seen quite a few affordable .32 rf revolvers and the reloading kits seem straightforward, I’m just worried I’ll hate the spur trigger. Most of these guns seem to be more oriented towards self defense/carrying than target shooting, but perhaps I’m just misinformed.
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This word could change your life...

NEEDLEFIRE!
 
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