TC patriot 45 Good/Bad?

I shoot a couple Lyman Plains pistols(.50 and .54) and a 45 old army.Is the patriot worth the money they ask for them? I see 300-450 these days.Do they shoot really well or just like any other single shot.

Yes, as long as it has been taken of.
They were the best from the Era of Modern Factory built muzzleloaders.
Period,Correct....Absolutely not, but if you want a quality American made pistol....the Patriot is it.

If you've got Lyman Plains,, then the Patriot is not going to be a gainer.
No, I don't think they're worth what they're asking for them,, I do think it would be nice to have one after all it's basically a limited production T/C Pistol,
But they have become a novelty for collectors.

I've owned one for about 15 years and believe it is one of the all time best mass produced target pistols.
It will preform right along with my Yazel custom match pistols and they're some of the best ever made.
All of them are more accurate than I will ever be.

They are good guns, but I balk at the current prices. Always had trouble getting past the hump projection...but that's personal. They seem to do theri best work with a 30 grain FFFg load.

I, too, have owned a few Patriot pistols (.36 & .45), and thought them of excellent quality.

However, if you're looking to buy one, you should be aware that just like the other downsized lock/stock/barrel T/C's (Seneca/Cherokee), they are susceptible to cracking the stock with a heavy load - something not exactly unknown to be present in a few used Patriots I've seen F/S.

I have a few pistols, including a Patriot 45. Mine "had" never been fired, but had a rusty spot on the barrel. Also had some handling dings, which added up to a shooter, for sure.

AS all the TC's from that time period, they are well made. The adjustable sights make them excellent for target or hunting.

I paid $200. for mine, but well worth it , even with the rusty place on the barrel.

I can't speak for the Lyman, but the Patriot is a quality built pistol and so is the ROA.

My "dream" pistol would be a scaled up Patriot, with a maple stock. Maybe a tiny bit larger, with a 50 cal bore.

in exceptional condition 300 bucks is not bad but, I wouldn't give more than that even if I wanted one real bad.

one recommendation for ya, DON'T use a loadin' stand to load it. that right angle grip is prone enough to breakin'/ crackin' without puttin' any extra stress on it.

my opinions & yer welcome to'em.

I have two, nice pistols,the only thing is the set trigger set up is opposite of all others. Good shooting pistols!
Nit Wit

The Patriot is highly sought after and desired. Good pistol. Probably one of the best factory made single shot pistols ever made.

A few years ago, I was at the Va. State championship. I think they call them the Commonwealth Games. Anyway, the Patriot pistol, was very popular and winning everything.

Also saw a couple women shooting the Cherokee. One of the women, claimed to bought it from some guy, that didn't want to sell it....but I guess money talks.

The patriot was except for the stock weakness, a fair made pistol. The barrel was like other TC guns, simply not the best for PRB. The front sight post was a little too wide, and while it balanced far better than the Traditions Trapper, the double set triggers were a bit clumsy to use. I acquired one after I already had a target pistol with a single set trigger. Even though the barrel was a rifle cut off, that pistol shot far better than the Patriot. It had the Patriot lock and breech tang and breech plug, but a different (very crude) stock. I shot several five shot groups at 25 yds that could be covered with a quarter. The Patriot has a crappy sight radius. The rear sight on a target pistol should be over the breech, not a third of the way up the barrel. The Patriot has the thin build and nice lines for balance. You could do better putting a L&R replacement lock on a traditions kentucky pistol and adding a single set trigger.

being an inveterate cheapskate, i just cannot bring myself to drop that kind of money on a pistol (heck, i winced at spending that on a fountain pen that i'd been wanting for all of my adult life).
having said that, remember that all pricing is an expression of market forces as relative to the individual's perception of value: what one willing buyer and one willing seller agree is a fair price. so if it's worth it to you, by all means go for it... i owned one once, and deeply regret letting it go. they are very well made pistols which will provide a lifetime of happy use (the stock cracking problem notwithstanding).

so, if it's in budget, grab one up and
Make Good Smoke

If you want something really special and traditional, put your money toward a LePage. You won't regret it.

Good post! I completely agree about the sight radius.
The stocks can easily be reinforced with a butt rod and glass bedding.
I have always thought the rear fire set triggers was a good idea and really like mine.
I prefer close couple set triggers though and some single sets.

Thank you for all the replies. I was aware about breaking the pistols at the wrist from loading on a stand. I load my Plains pistols wedged against my hip. I shoot them in the field so I load from the bag.
I think I'm going to pass on it and be happy with my pair of plains pistols.

Since you've got a history with your own pistols and if you can do really well with them, I'd say stay with what you've got. There's always the option of changing rear sights to something adjustable that mimics, at least, original sights. Unless you intend to compete at various ranges I'd say find the most accurate load and adjust your current sights to that! :thumbsup:

How long were they produced and what years?

They began the Patriot and the Seneca line in 1972 and quit all in 1997 following the factory fire the year before that destroyed all their tooling.

I think there is about three ways, that the stocks are at risk of breaking. One loading in a stand, two over-tightening the lock screw, and last loading stout loads.

I've shot my for years, with no problems, but I avoid the risks.