What's the best antique handgun for shooting/taking in the woods?

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appleorangefish

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Hi guys, what's the best antique status handgun that is still shootable to take in the woods? Considering all factors such as availbility, price, cost of ammo, ease of cleaning, etc.

The ones I can think of are:

  • Antique cap and ball revolvers like Colt/Remington Army 44 and Navy 36 (possibly with conversion cylinders for 45 ACP and 38 spl?)
  • Mk I & II webleys shaved to accept 45 ACP/Autorim
  • S&W Model 3 with .44 Russian, reloaded from trimmed .44 special cases and .429 bullets
  • 1873 MAS with a 45 ACP/Autorim conversion
  • Swiss revolvers in 7.5mm that accept 32 SW long (but bulge the cases)
  • .41 Long Colt revolvers (don't know how easy it will be to load these since they're heeled -- is it possible to rechamber/rebarrel these to a more availble calibre?)
  • Getting a weirdo rimfire calibre and reloading with those reuseable offset brass cases

and the unobtanium dreams:
  • Colt M1892 in .38 special
  • Early pattern C96 broomhandle mauser in 7.63 Mauser (i heard there's <10 of these in canada)

Anyone know any others, or what would be the most practical and affordable?
 
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This is a good first post. The Webley Mk1 and 2 in original configuration 455 Mkll are workhorse, ammo and components are avalable. YMMV.
 
Lol this is an odd first post. No introduction or nothin, just trying to get people to complete/compile a list. Little suspect looking, dontcha think?
 
Clotho said:
This is your first post?
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well i've been asking around other places like reddit, found out about you guys figured you might have a better idea

Scotty454 said:
Lol this is an odd first post. No introduction or nothin, just trying to get people to complete/compile a list. Little suspect looking, dontcha think?
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you got me there



9.3 Hunter said:
read up on Antique Status handguns first so you know which calibre are antique status- a few of your's listed are not ....
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Not sure which ones aren't? The bad list according RCMP (https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms/specific-types-firearms) is:

  • .32 Short Colt
  • .32 Long Colt
  • .32 Smith and Wesson
  • .32 Smith and Wesson Long
  • .32-20 Winchester
  • .38 Smith and Wesson
  • .38 Short Colt
  • .38 Long Colt
  • .38-40 Winchester
  • .44-40 Winchester
  • .45 Colt cartridges
 
You guys... lighten up. :rolleyes:

I was faced with this very question a number of years ago. I went Webley MK1** shaved for .45 ACP.
I reload for it, so making accurate loads are a breeze. Jethunter on here makes fantastic projectiles for these guns.

I also have a .41LC, but it’s a great pain in the ass to load for, so it’s become a safe queen.

Good luck with your search.
 
I reload for lots of 41colts
Get yourself a bullet mould and collet crimper from old west bullet moulds
and it's easy to do
If I can do it anyone can
 
When the old Webleys were dumped on the surplus market, they retailed at $9.95, and were a hard sell, because .455 ammunition was hard to find. So, the cylinders were faced off using a lathe, so that .45ACP with clips, or .45AutoRim cartridges would fit.
Problem is that .45ACP ammunition's working pressure is about the same as .455 proof load pressure.
.45AR is less, but was still intended for use in the solid framed M1917 S&W and Colt revolvers.
So, if .45ACP is to be used, it needs to be handloaded to duplicate .455 pressure.
.45AR is probably harder to find than .455 these days.
So, if handloads are needed, or if factory ammunition is to be sourced, conversion to .45ACP doesn't make sense.
Given that it degrades antique collector value, converting one of these revolvers these days is just plain stupid.
The current situation, with antique handguns being usable essentially under the same conditions as a non-restricted firearm happened by chance. It was not the intent of those who drafted the laws and regulations. It was an accident. One which could be easily corrected without legislation. When that happens, the value of altered guns will collapse, relative to ones in original condition.
The asking prices for shootable antique revolvers has gone through the roof. Real dogs now command serious coin as long as they are functional.
 
Justins1877 said:
I was faced with this very question a number of years ago. I went Webley MK1** shaved for .45 ACP.

Good luck with your search.
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ty justins, how are you loading the webley?


tiriaq said:
When the old Webleys were dumped on the surplus market, they retailed at $9.95, and were a hard sell, because .455 ammunition was hard to find. So, the cylinders were faced off using a lathe, so that .45ACP with clips, or .45AutoRim cartridges would fit.
Problem is that .45ACP ammunition's working pressure is about the same as .455 proof load pressure.
.45AR is less, but was still intended for use in the solid framed M1917 S&W and Colt revolvers.
So, if .45ACP is to be used, it needs to be handloaded to duplicate .455 pressure.
Click to expand...
I've heard the 45 ACP bullet size doesn't have great accuracy in webleys either because of the 455 barrel size. So you would have to cast hollow base soft lead bullets, at which point you might as well buy a webley mold and just shoot oriignal webley bullets.

That's why I'm leaning towards something else that can shoot standard size bullets, i don't intend on casting bullets just yet
 
appleorangefish said:
ty justins, how are you loading the webley?



I've heard the 45 ACP bullet size doesn't have great accuracy in webleys either because of the 455 barrel size. So you would have to cast hollow base soft lead bullets, at which point you might as well buy a webley mold and just shoot oriignal webley bullets.

That's why I'm leaning towards something else that can shoot standard size bullets, i don't intend on casting bullets just yet
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My .455 MK VI and Tranter .450 Army shot best with .45 ACP .452 RN. HB 265 gr Webley rds tumbled.
 
for the last two weeks its been non stop phishing.... best wilderness defense... here to join ee...whats the best restricted for camping...

now its this guy wanting to take an antique gun "into the woods" ?

what's he planning in the woods?

obviously he has no RPAL or he wouldn't need an antique ... and i'm sure the authorities wouldn't take lightly to it either

you really want to give this guy advice ?
 
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