Dimensions of Pedersoli Kentucky vs. Lym. Plains Pistol

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

I have a Lyman's Plains pistol in .54 which I am happy with the power and accuracy.

However, my hands are not large enough to reach the hammer and pull it back to full-cock. I have to use my left hand to cock it, or readjust my grip after cocking the gun.

Is the geometry of the Pedersoli Kentucky such that it might solve this problem?

Or am I just too used to single-action revolvers, and using two hands is/was just the way it is done with muzzleloader pistols?

 

[FishDFly]

I have a Lyman's Plains pistol in .54 which I am happy with the power and accuracy.

However, my hands are not large enough to reach the hammer and pull it back to full-cock. I have to use my left hand to cock it, or readjust my grip after cocking the gun.

Is the geometry of the Pedersoli Kentucky such that it might solve this problem?

Or am I just too used to single-action revolvers, and using two hands is/was just the way it is done with muzzleloader pistols?

The preferred method is to pickup the pistol/revolver with your left hand, place it in your right hand and grasp firmly. Cock the pistol/revolver with your left hand without moving your right hand from the grip.

That is the recommended way.

 

[Brokenlaig]

Single shot pistols are just not designed to be cocked with one hand-it just wasn't something thought about back then. On many it is simply physically impossible to do so. By and large, pistols of the day were an expensive rarity, generally belonging to gentlemen for dueling, or soldiers for fighting from horseback-the Kentucky and other non dueling or military pistols were not common items (which explains the popularity of the Tomahawk and Rifleman's knife). Some of the single shot "Kentucky" and "Trapper" style pistols are abysmally laid out- a poorly shaped handle (I refuse to call it a grip) that gives no stability, coupled with a center of gravity far forward, making for an awkward balancing act (I'm looking at you, CVA/Traditions) while trying to hold the sights on target while pulling the trigger. Others, like the Pedersoli, get it right, and some of the Dueling pistol reproductions are amazing to hold and hang on the target effortlessly.
But, no, NONE of them cock easily with the hand holding them.

 

[robert1]

First thing I noticed when I got my Pedersoli pistol, was when I picked it up, the barrel just kind of naturally was pointed up due to the grip shape. And it just feels right to hold and aim one handed too, maybe because it's muzzle heavy.