Hey All,
Just something I've been thinking about lately is the effectiveness of BP pistols in self defence both on two legged and four legged attackers. Obviously smokeless cartriges have more power and modern automatics have more capacity but BP pistols were used for a long time for personal defence with deadly results. I've tried to find ballistics charts for a variety of BP pistol loads but the only one I can find any info on is around cap and ball revolvers in .44 cal. According to the info I saw the .44 cap n' ball has ballistic performance similar to a .38 special with a standard load. Forensic articals on wounds from the same pistol place it on level with the .45 acp. I wonder about the many smaller percussion pistols so common during the 19th century. I have a New Orleans Ace in .45. Max load is around 20 grains. It makes a hell of a boom but I have no clue about velocity or foot pounds pressure. I am also interested in getting the Snake Eyes and Twister pistol from Classic Arms but I would like them to have some practical use and not just be a pricy pea shooter. Opinions? Let me know what you think.
Just something I've been thinking about lately is the effectiveness of BP pistols in self defence both on two legged and four legged attackers. Obviously smokeless cartriges have more power and modern automatics have more capacity but BP pistols were used for a long time for personal defence with deadly results. I've tried to find ballistics charts for a variety of BP pistol loads but the only one I can find any info on is around cap and ball revolvers in .44 cal. According to the info I saw the .44 cap n' ball has ballistic performance similar to a .38 special with a standard load. Forensic articals on wounds from the same pistol place it on level with the .45 acp. I wonder about the many smaller percussion pistols so common during the 19th century. I have a New Orleans Ace in .45. Max load is around 20 grains. It makes a hell of a boom but I have no clue about velocity or foot pounds pressure. I am also interested in getting the Snake Eyes and Twister pistol from Classic Arms but I would like them to have some practical use and not just be a pricy pea shooter. Opinions? Let me know what you think.