Choosing antiques

[jethunter]

the 1892 french Lebel revolver is a fun little gun you can pic them up in the US for $500.00 dies can be had from buffalo arms brass can be made from 32-20 buffalo arms sells it bullets can be got from Tallman here on CGN.
But ease of reloading goes to the 455 A Webley RIC can still be had for a reasonable price Lee 455 webley dies are cheep and can be got from wholesale sports or strait from LEE Hornady brass can be bought from Buffalo Arms .
It realy depends on what you mean by reasonable price ?

I'd second the M1892 8mm revolver, probably the best bang for the buck in a usable centrefire cartridge revolver.

There are occasionally some shootable cap and ball revolvers for sale on gunbroker in the US$1000 range. Easy to get components, no dies req'd, and fun to shoot. Better deal than the rimfires i think. Purists will frown on shooting collectables, but I don't see it that way.

 

[tiriaq]

Hmmmmm

I'll do some more looking, but how difficult is it to get antiques out of the states?

Also - some or all 455 webleys can take 45 auto rds when the chamber has been shaved down. Is that as simple as putting a modified cylinder into the gun, or are there specific guns or other modifications that are needed?

Don't you be facing off Webley cylinders to take .45AR or ACP with clips.
First, it pooches the antique value of the revolver.
Second, .45ACP operates at close to proof load pressure for .450/.455/.476.
Third, the bullet is wrong.
Get the proper brass, it can be had, and load appropriate ammuntion.

 

[H Wally]

I'd second the M1892 8mm revolver, probably the best bang for the buck in a usable centrefire cartridge revolver.

There are occasionally some shootable cap and ball revolvers for sale on gunbroker in the US$1000 range. Easy to get components, no dies req'd, and fun to shoot. Better deal than the rimfires i think. Purists will frown on shooting collectables, but I don't see it that way.

Yep - the lebel and webleys seem the most common and affordable of the lot. Just have to decide between them.

Don't you be facing off Webley cylinders to take .45AR or ACP with clips.
First, it pooches the antique value of the revolver.
Second, .45ACP operates at close to proof load pressure for .450/.455/.476.
Third, the bullet is wrong.
Get the proper brass, it can be had, and load appropriate ammuntion.

No worries on me modifying one - no intentions of causing a bubba, just willing to own one if it comes to me
Checking though, even if reloading to lower pressures, what's wrong about the bullet? Is it an issue of diameter, shape, cast vs jacketed, or what?

I wouldn't mind having one in the original chambering, just thought 45 acp would be a LOT easier to find.... could even have the original and a modified cylinder, depending on what ammo I had...

 

[mooncoon]

, what's wrong about the bullet? Is it an issue of diameter, shape, cast vs jacketed, or what?.

If you are going to shoot antiques, you need to have a copy of Cartridges of the World for checking bullet dimensions and cartridge dimensions and for deciding what can be made from something currently produced

cheers mooncoon

 

[tiriaq]

.45ACP bullet is way too small. Jacketed would be a bad idea.
ACP or AR can be loaded with the correct bullets.
I agree, if I found an appropriately priced antique Webley that had been turned for .45, I would grab it.

 

[dingus]

Ya And dont think that Running to the USA your gona always get a great Deal.
Ask Smokepole about GB and buying USA guns.
ive goten a few Clunkers to.
Ya cant Return them your Stuck with em unless your very lucky.

The Best guns i ever bought have been from Other Canadians cept maby my Colt SAA.
But Check out this Perscribed Antique Conehandled Mauser i just bought it in Canada of a great guy easy to deal with at a better price than i woulda Ever got in the USA without any customs headaches. or Taxes.

Took me 5 years to find the right gun this is it! Never gona be for sale this and my SAA are staying together.
Im just saying spending a few Hundered more in Canada can be way less headaches.
I have bought Antique guns off lotsa CGNers never had any problems.

This is my Favorite gun right now!

 

[H Wally]

Sweeeeeeeet god! I can't even begin to wonder what that cost!!!

As for the 45 acp ammo in a webley - I don't have a problem with casting bullets, just wasn't sure what the issue was. I'm mainly interested because brass and dies are easily available for it. Haven't done a lot of digging though, so may be worth my time to just go all out.

Mooncoon - I'll definitely start working on getting cartridges of the world. Seems I'm into blackpowder already, so may as well know about the other stuff I'm going to end up with

 

[john@]

I dont know about being hot, I get the feeling I'm launching grapefruit when I shoot my MkIV. Of course you can pull the bullets and replace the powder with something more smokey, or shoot them off in a modern revolver and keep the brass for reloading.

I would not run the Fiocci MkII .455 webley ammo through an antique revolver.
That stuff is hot. It works well in a 1917 smith but it just may challenge 120+ year old metalurgy.

 

[jethunter]

You can get ready made bullets and brass for the 8mm lebel revolver from Tallmanindustries.ca.