Modern black powder revolvers are loaded in the same basic way as their historical counterparts. Before loading a firearm, you need to make sure the firearm is clean and in good working order. If everything is correct, it will be safe to load and shoot it.
Part 1 of 4: Prepare the Revolver
Step 1. Remove the revolver
Before loading a revolver, you should remove the manufacturer's preservative or any dirt left over from its manufacture. To do this thoroughly, you will need to disassemble the weapon.
The exact disassembly process will vary by manufacturer, so review the procedure before proceeding
Step 2. Clean it thoroughly
Rub all parts of the disassembled gun with a cotton pad to remove any grease. Dip the gauze in a cleaning solvent or hot soapy water.
- Rub the inside of all cylinder chambers with a cotton pad.
- Lay the drum down so that all the chambers are facing down. This will allow the water or solvent to escape.
- Run a rag soaked in cleaning solvent or hot soapy water through the barrel.
- Run dry rags or gauze through each chamber and through the barrel to finish the cleaning process.
Step 3. Lightly grease the gun when reassembling
When reassembling the revolver, you will need to grease all moving parts and the cylinder pin slots.
- Note that resetting may vary depending on the gun manufacturer. As when disassembling it, you must follow the exact procedure before continuing.
- Use a natural lubricant instead of a petroleum-based one.
- Apply a thin coat of your desired lubricant to all moving parts of the gun. Don't grease the gun as doing so can cause failure.
- You should also lightly grease each bullet that you are going to fire and the opening of each chamber.
Step 4. Verify that the weapon is unloaded
Even if you have just assembled the revolver, it is a good idea to check that the weapon is unloaded before continuing.
At this time you should put on your safety glasses and hearing protection
Step 5. Check the intermediate cocking position
Place the hammer in the intermediate cocking position. Aim the gun at a safe target and pull the trigger.
- The hammer must be stationary. If you can pull the trigger and the hammer falls, the revolver may be damaged and unsafe to use. Don't charge itInstead, get the revolver repaired.
- The intermediate cocking position functions like the "safety" position of the revolver.
Step 6. Insert a cleaning stick into the barrel
Slide a cleaning stick or wooden dowel into the barrel and mark the stem in the muzzle. You need to be sure the chamber is in line with the barrel.
- Take the rod out and place it along the outside of the barrel, lining it up with the mark on the muzzle. The opposite tip should end at the mouthpiece, which is where the breech ends.
- Repeat this step for each of the bedrooms.
- If the rod does not line up correctly with either chamber, there may be an obstruction. Don't charge it, you must remove the obstruction before continuing.
Part 2 of 4: Firing a Drum Cartridge
Step 1. Cock the hammer
If the hammer is not in the middle of the travel, put it in that position.
Point the gun in a safe direction. Don't target yourself or anyone else. Ideally, you should point down
Step 2. Place a capsule on each tip
Snap a capsule onto each tip with the gun pointed downward.
Note that you may need to press down on the capsule to ensure a good fit
Step 3. Fully cock the hammer
Shift the hammer of the pistol to its fully cocked position.
The gun is loaded. Now you can pull the trigger and shoot
Step 4. Fire a capsule
Aim the pistol at an appropriate target and fire each capsule.
- A suitable target for the capsules would be a leaf, blade of grass, or a sheet of paper, placed approximately 30.5 cm (1 foot) apart. The target must move. If not, there may be an obstruction in the barrel. Do not load the weapon until you have cleared the obstruction.
- Firing the primers will clean and dry each chamber.
Step 5. Check the gun
Make sure there are no unexpired capsules on the tips before continuing.
You will also need to remove any failed or fragmented capsules at this point
Part 3 of 4: Loading the Revolver
Step 1. Cock the hammer in half
Shift the revolver hammer to its middle position.
Note that the drum should be able to rotate freely at this point
Step 2. Turn your mouth up
Point the barrel of the pistol towards the sky, keeping the entire pistol upright.
- Keep the right side of the gun facing you.
- Do not place any part of your body on the revolver.
Step 3. Pour a measure of charge into the chamber
Carefully pour a correct measure of black powder charge into the chamber closest to the charge window. Repeat for each chamber.
- Use a single powder meter. Do not pour the powder from a large powder container.
The exact amount of gunpowder can vary depending on the type of weapon.
- For a.36 caliber, use 0.777 grams of gunpowder. Never exceed 1,295 grams.
- For a.44 caliber, use 1,295 grams to 1,814 grams of gunpowder. Never exceed 2,267 grams to 2,591 grams.
Step 4. Place the ball in an opening in the breech
Select the appropriate size of the ball or bullet closest to the breech loading opening.
- The ball should be larger so that it only rests on the top and does not slip through.
- Make sure the ball or bullet has been lightly greased before loading it.
Step 5. Rotate the drum
Rotate the revolver barrel until the ball is under the loading lever plunger.
Step 6. Seat the ball using the loading lever
Disengage the loading lever and use it to firmly press the ball down until it seats securely and firmly in the powder.
- Apply gentle, even pressure when you do this.
- There should be no air between the powder and the ball, but you should not crush the powder when seating the ball.
- Also keep in mind that a tiny chip of lead can be dislodged when doing this. The entrance to the bedroom must be visible. This is a good sign and an indication that the ball is well mounted.
Step 7. Repeat with the remaining chambers
Follow the same steps to load the remaining chambers with a ball or bullet.
It is recommended that you only load five chambers of a six chamber revolver. Keep the hammer resting on the tip of the unloaded chamber to reduce the risk of an accidental shot
Step 8. Apply additional grease
Fill the space above the bullet in each cylinder with vegetable grease or bullet lubricant.
The use of grease can prevent "chain-firing" or accidental secondary discharges
Step 9. Place a percussion capsule in each loaded chamber
Point the pistol down and place a percussion capsule in each loaded chamber. At the end of this step the revolver will be fully loaded.
Make sure the hammer is still in the half cocked position before doing this
Part 4 of 4: Fire the Revolver
Step 1. Fully cock the hammer
Only switch the hammer to the fully cocked position when you are ready to fire.
- If you are not going to fire the revolver immediately, lay it on the empty chamber of the pistol. If you haven't emptied a chamber, then support it on a safety point between two prongs or on a safety pin.
- Note that it is not safe to carry the revolver with the hammer in the half-cocked position over a loaded chamber.
Step 2. Aim and shoot
Aim the gun down at a safe target. Pull the trigger to fire the revolver.
- You should be able to keep shooting until all the chambers are empty.
- Keep track of your shots when you open fire. Make sure all shots are fired before putting the pistol down or reloading it.
Step 3. Wait a minute before reloading
Wait at least a minute before reloading the revolver. By doing so, you allow any remaining spark to burn out.
When the revolver is ready to reload, you can do so by following the same procedure described in the "Loading the revolver" section
- Always handle a pistol as if it were loaded, even when you know it is not. This is one of the most important rules of basic handgun safety and should be followed regardless of the type of weapon you are using.
- Do not point the revolver at yourself or anyone else and make sure everyone around you is behind you when you go to shoot
- Use only black powder for your black powder revolver. Never use smokeless powder as doing so may cause the weapon to explode.
- Do not handle black powder near an open flame
- Always wear shatter proof goggles and hearing protection when firing your pistol
- Never shoot at water or any hard smooth surface. If you do, the bullet may bounce