If you designed a percussion revolver...

[Adui]

If'n I was to design a revolver for my custom use it would be pattered after the 61 navy steel frame. It would however shoot a 490 or 495 round ball so I could use the same ammo I use in my Hawken. I suppose this would require it be no more than 5 shot but that's OK too..

 

[nkbj]

Once upon a time I knew a fellow in Alabama that machined his own. It was stainless, duplicating a Remington 1858 with modifications, .410 caliber with a lengthened cylinder (guessing about 2 1/2 to 3 inches long), 12" smooth bore octagonal barrel. Absolutely beautiful workmanship.

For myself, can't help but think that a solid frame using .53 round ball would just sell like hot cakes.

Meanwhile I'm not done developing loads for the 1858 converted to .41.

 

[cynthialee]

I'd want an attachable butt stock of course.

After hearing a few speak I'd think a .485 so it can chamber the .490 round balls. 4 or 5 shot, probably would prefer a 4 shot to make it a tad smaller.
Although I'd prefer the Colt style, I think a heavy steel frame Remington style will handle the heavy charges better.
Thinking it has to be able to chamber at least 50-60 grains of powder.
7" barrel. Maybe a 12" barrel instead...? Would work good with the buttstock attachment.

I do think something that can chamber the T/C Maxi-Hunter 275 grain .50 would be pretty powerful. Would need to be chamfered and .495 in the chambers, so you could seat the bullets nice and snug.

Another thought that comes to mind is no loading lever to cut down on weight and use a loading stand.

 

[Bon Sauvage]

Something the size and shape of a ROA but in 40 caliber.

A fast twist to shoot conicals and grips the size and shape of an 1860 Army.

Non-adjustable sights factory set to 25 yards and blued steel please.

 

[FishDFly]

You did not define what the pistol is to be used for, have to define the parameters of the pistol.

Solid frame, no Colts.

I am not a proponent of hunting with pistols, thus large calibers are out.

For line work, smaller is better.

Chris Haygerman would take a Ruger ROA and totally re-work the pistol. He would tune the action and trigger pull, best workmanship I have seen. He replaces the factory front and rear sights.

He sleeves the cylinder to 36 Cal to shoot a .360 ball.

He replaced the barrel and installed a Shilen 9MM barrel.

There will be no more, as he cannot work any more.

Best revolver I have seen and a proven winner.

If I were to design a revolver, it would be tricked out ROA to be loaded off a loading stand and no loading lever.

 

[G.smith]

Hell Yes. .53 I am a buyer for that one.

 

[jaxenro]

A pair if Colt 1862 Police models in high grade stainless steel with 3", 4.5" and 6" barrels, belted and fluted cylinders (2 each), and regular and birdshead grips for each all cased in one mahogany box lined with baize with accessories

 

[crockett]

Okay, fun city. It would be 44 caliber. It would have a Remington type top strap. The cylinder would be just a little longer to hold more powder and to accommodate conical bullets. The loading port would need to be large enough for the conicals. I don't know how you could engineer it BUT WE'RE TALKING IDEAL- I would have some type of a shrouded ramrod with a stop. This isn't totally crazy because there actually are shrouded screwdrivers. So you put in the powder charge, a wad if desired and then the conical. One problem with conicals is runout- the thing gets twisted out of line while being rammed. The shroud slides over the conical for perfect alignment and then the ram pushes the projectile into the chamber. Voila- no run out. There is a stop on the ram lever so all conicals are seated at the exact same depth.
Then theoretically at least- great accuracy.

 

[Mike M.]

Depends on what I wanted it for.

For MLAIC or N-SSA match shooting, I'd want a .36 Remington repro made to FWB standards.

Unlimited? Start with a S&W K or L-frame revolver, with a cylinder that can be pulled off the crane for reloading.

 

[wicket]

Electronic ignition to get around the periodic cap shortages.

 

[FishDFly]

"I'd want a .36 Remington repro made to FWB standards."

What are FWB standards?????

 

[cynthialee]

you know...with todays tech one could build one of them old flintlock revolvers and make it a highly functional item.
They weren't able to get things as exact like our tech can and there were issues with those guns that could be worked out with more exact measurements.

 

[FishDFly]

I have never seen a flintlock revolver, would like to see a photo of one.

 

[nkbj]

startpage is a good friend...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elisha_Collier#/media/File:Elisha-collier-flintlock-revolver.jpg

 

[FishDFly]

Thanks, very interesting pistol.

 

[Golfswithwolves]

My design would be the same as a Colt 1851 or 1861 Navy, as I think that these are about as good as it gets.

 

[john gill]

Something like a Remington Police model in .44 cal with a 4" barrel would be pretty cool too.

The loading lever would be too short.

 

[john gill]

Weeeeeell, I'd design

1. a solid frame revolver based loosely on the Remington New Model Army of 1858.

2. made of all-stainless steel.

3. with coil springs.

4. maximum chamber volume of around 40gr of FFFg.

5. quick-change cylinder via a simple locking bolt.

6. heavy enough to use as a club.

7. barrel options of 5.5 and 7.5 inches long.

8. hexagon-ended nipples so that you could use a regular small-size wrench if you lost the dedicated nipple key - with nipples in s/s as well.

Oh, wait a minute, didn't somebody already make something a lot like this? And then, for some unaccountable reason, stop production a few years ago?

tac

Are you referring to the ROA? That did NOT have a quick change cylinder - not like the 1858 does. And i think ruger stopped making it in 2008 because it did not have a transfer bar. The ROA was NOT a replica so they couldn't use that excuse for leaving out the TB.

 

[john gill]

Agree with others. A longer cylinder to accomodation 60 grain loads. And 48 caliber so it can use .490 round balls. 5 shot so it weighs less.

60 grains?? Wouldn't the gun have to weigh about 5 pounds then? Otherwise the recoil would shake the balls loose and tie up the action.

 

[john gill]

I think the 1858 is near ideal as is. I'd like slightly longer chambers; maybe a 1/4 inch more. And if it has fixed sights, they have to be modern. The rounded post up front and groove in the top strap at the rear is not very good.