4 ms·

We do still have some handguns, such as single-shot flintlocks, muzzle-loading revolvers of 1850s design, and some modern handguns which have been extended with

We do still have some handguns, such as single-shot flintlocks, muzzle-loading revolvers of 1850s design, and some modern handguns which have been extended with long barrels and counterweights to make them >= 60cm in length (IIRC). I think that these aren't very common at all compared with shortguns and rifles though. From what I've heard, when modern handguns were banned some shooters switched to modern reproductions of the mid-19th century models only to find that they didn't much like the cleaning (black powder makes a lot of mess), fiddling and slow loading that goes along with these guns. https://www.henrykrank.com/guns/muzzle-loading-guns/ https://www.henrykrank.com/guns/muzzle-loading-guns/

User23 4y ago
> From what I've heard, when modern handguns were banned some shooters switched to modern reproductions of the mid-19th century models only to find that they didn't much like the cleaning (black powder makes a lot of mess), fiddling and slow loading that goes along with these guns. One cleans black powder firearms with regular old soap and water, which is really interesting to me. I hear some people even just put them in the dishwasher! A practiced shooter can load faster than you'd think, but using a powder horn and the plunger is still considerably slower than loading a cartridge revolver with a speed-loader or by hand. It is possible to make paper cartridges with pre-measured powder charges that can just be dropped in and then plunged. In that case it's almost as fast as loading brass cartridges one at a time, which is still considerably slower than modern alternatives. This is why American cowboys would carry at least two revolvers for a total of 10 rounds, or 12 if they were feeling brave. The reason why 10 is that there were no firing pin safeties, so if you got banged hard and there was a round in the top chamber it could accidentally discharge. As an aside, in the USA a 19th century design muzzle loader isn't even legally a firearm under federal law. You can buy one on eBay and have it mailed straight to your door. I don't know if any of the states have restrictions, but so far as I know black powder firearms aren't really used for any kind of criminal activity except maybe poaching.
- gvurrdon 4y ago
  Cleaning is indeed quite easy and could indeed be done with a bit of hot water and soap. It can take a while, though. I've heard that about the sale of these guns in the US. Presumably there's not much demand given the prevalence of better modern designs. Over here, an original antique revolver of that period could also be posted directly to a purchaser who could hold it without a licence, as long as they weren't a known criminal. If the owner wanted to fire it they would need a licence. I am reminded that there are a small number of modern revolvers using smokeless powder that have been converted to a loading mechanism resembling that of the mid-19th century. These are also legal here. http://www.westlakeengineering.com/products/ http://www.westlakeengineering.com/products/
- jgbmlg 4y ago
  Before the 19th Century, black powder was so incompletely combustible that firearms, despite allowing a huge amount of windage (the difference between the diameters of the barrel and the ball), would become too fouled to load after as few as 4 shots. That's why smoothbores were used long after the rifle was invented. During battles, soldiers peed down the barrel and used their ramrods to clean them.

User23 4y ago

> From what I've heard, when modern handguns were banned some shooters switched to modern reproductions of the mid-19th century models only to find that they didn't much like the cleaning (black powder makes a lot of mess), fiddling and slow loading that goes along with these guns. One cleans black powder firearms with regular old soap and water, which is really interesting to me. I hear some people even just put them in the dishwasher! A practiced shooter can load faster than you'd think, but using a powder horn and the plunger is still considerably slower than loading a cartridge revolver with a speed-loader or by hand. It is possible to make paper cartridges with pre-measured powder charges that can just be dropped in and then plunged. In that case it's almost as fast as loading brass cartridges one at a time, which is still considerably slower than modern alternatives. This is why American cowboys would carry at least two revolvers for a total of 10 rounds, or 12 if they were feeling brave. The reason why 10 is that there were no firing pin safeties, so if you got banged hard and there was a round in the top chamber it could accidentally discharge. As an aside, in the USA a 19th century design muzzle loader isn't even legally a firearm under federal law. You can buy one on eBay and have it mailed straight to your door. I don't know if any of the states have restrictions, but so far as I know black powder firearms aren't really used for any kind of criminal activity except maybe poaching.

gvurrdon 4y ago
Cleaning is indeed quite easy and could indeed be done with a bit of hot water and soap. It can take a while, though. I've heard that about the sale of these guns in the US. Presumably there's not much demand given the prevalence of better modern designs. Over here, an original antique revolver of that period could also be posted directly to a purchaser who could hold it without a licence, as long as they weren't a known criminal. If the owner wanted to fire it they would need a licence. I am reminded that there are a small number of modern revolvers using smokeless powder that have been converted to a loading mechanism resembling that of the mid-19th century. These are also legal here. http://www.westlakeengineering.com/products/ http://www.westlakeengineering.com/products/
jgbmlg 4y ago
Before the 19th Century, black powder was so incompletely combustible that firearms, despite allowing a huge amount of windage (the difference between the diameters of the barrel and the ball), would become too fouled to load after as few as 4 shots. That's why smoothbores were used long after the rifle was invented. During battles, soldiers peed down the barrel and used their ramrods to clean them.