Ouch, don't do this kids

[Whitworth]

My brother came up today to do a bit of shooting with me. He was shooting an 1858 Remington repo and I was shooting an old ASM 3rd Model Dragoon I got a few months back for the first time. Loaded with 40 grains of Goex FFF it roared and belched flame as it should Like new it's a proper 3rd Model with the 2 flip up barrel mounted sight leaves and a really gorgeous walnut grip, until today. I laid the gun down heavily on a fired mangled cap laying on the picnic table and put 2 gouges in the pristine grip. Should've looked before plopping it down . Oh well, could have been worse, could have been my Colt.

 

[billraby]

You seem upset about it for some reason. What would have been worse is to lock it up in a safe and just look at it a couple times a year. Now that it is not pristine anymore you can quit worrying about it and use it like it was meant to be used. Now go put a few marks on the Colt.

 

[leadhoarder]

Yep. The reason the originals have their worn patina is because of things like that. After many more range trips it will start to look right.

 

[necchi]

Oh Darn! It got a mark on the wood from use!!
Heaven forbid!
How could you be so careless?

 

[Whitworth]

Yep. The reason the originals have their worn patina is because of things like that. After many more range trips it will start to look right.

That's the reason I collected military firearms for decades, a new ding was no big deal, looked just like the old ones. Somehow dinging something old and perfect always hurts more. I take good care of my stuff and try not to mark it up, I'm the kinda guy you want to buy stuff from. The Dragoon I probably won't shoot again anyway. I much prefer a .36 Navy for my general shooting pleasure and ringing the Davis Tutt silhouette on my range. YMMV

 

[Mtman725]

If you use them they will get dings and dents, its going to happen.

 

[Whughett]

My brother came up today to do a bit of shooting with me. He was shooting an 1858 Remington repo and I was shooting an old ASM 3rd Model Dragoon I got a few months back for the first time. Loaded with 40 grains of Goex FFF it roared and belched flame as it should Like new it's a proper 3rd Model with the 2 flip up barrel mounted sight leaves and a really gorgeous walnut grip, until today. I laid the gun down heavily on a fired mangled cap laying on the picnic table and put 2 gouges in the pristine grip. Should've looked before plopping it down . Oh well, could have been worse, could have been my Colt.

I’d like to hear about the flip up sights. I didn’t know open top Colts had barrel mounted rear sights. You said Dragoon so I’m just assuming Colts Dragoon. .

 

[Omahkapi'si]

My guns get used. A few marks here and there don’t hurt.

 

[mushka]

Superficial imperfections don't bother me. Dings and scratches just happen and add character to anything they are on. Functioning is what I am concerned with. If it works as it is supposed to I'm good with it.

 

[morehops52]

Yep, just like the first scratch or ding in your new truck. After a while you just accept that more are going to happen unless you make it a garage queen.

 

[ord sgt]

Dents and dings are common. It gives the firearm some character. Wall hangers and safe queens have their place in life, but I prefer having firearms used for their intended purpose. Use them but don't abuse them.

 

[TreeMan]

I know a fella that was into reenacting many years ago. One time he bought a Colt repro. He stripped the blueing, hammered some nails with the butt, and drug it behind his lawnmower on a gravel driveway until he was satisfied he had reached the right amount of abuse to make it look war weary. I grimaced at the thought of it but it was his to do as he pleased.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

Cimarron has their "original finish" that replicates an old firearm. The funny thing is, if it was actually 1847 and you carried a Walker, it would look relatively new, not like this I think.

 

[Whitworth]

I’d like to hear about the flip up sights. I didn’t know open top Colts had barrel mounted rear sights. You said Dragoon so I’m just assuming Colts Dragoon. .

 

[Whughett]

Now that’s just cool as can be. What’s the front sight.? Taller than normal.?

Has the hammer been cropped or altered so you looking over it instead of thru the notch.

 

[billraby]

Spend $5000 on a gun and it is too fancy to shoot. It might lose value. Oh no!!! Spend $50,000 on a car and the first thing you do is take it out in traffic then leave it unattended in a parking lot all day. It loses value very fast no matter how good you take care of it. No big deal. How does this make any sense?

 

[Whitworth]

Now that’s just cool as can be. What’s the front sight.? Taller than normal.?

Has the hammer been cropped or altered so you looking over it instead of thru the notch.

Front sight blade is the same as on a Walker, the hammer is also notched so you can draw down on all 3 sights at the lowest setting. That's the reason I wanted this ASM with barrel sights, it's a proper 3rd Model Dragoon repo. Now to find a Dragoon shoulder stock to make a cool display.

 

[toot]

If you use them they will get dings and dents, its going to happen.

dings are just the norm! p$$p happens.

 

[Whughett]

Front sight blade is the same as on a Walker, the hammer is also notched so you can draw down on all 3 sights at the lowest setting. That's the reason I wanted this ASM with barrel sights, it's a proper 3rd Model Dragoon repo. Now to find a Dragoon shoulder stock to make a cool display.

It’s the term “proper” and barrel mounted sights that pique my interest. Did Colt actually produce such a gun? I’ve had Walker for a decade or so just bought a 1st model Dragoon from these pages last week, thanks BIGSKY RAMBLER, they both hit what I’m shooting at.
I like the concept of the barrel sights but wouldn’t actually have them installed.

BTW shot the Dragoon last week. 48 rounds of a moderate load of 35 grains of 3F. Tried one MAX load which was a 50 grain powder charge of 3F and a 454 round ball it seated just flush with the cylinder mouth. (A length of plastic conduit on the loading lever helped) The loading lever dropped when I fired.

 

[1971fx]

That's the reason I collected military firearms for decades, a new ding was no big deal, looked just like the old ones. Somehow dinging something old and perfect always hurts more. I take good care of my stuff and try not to mark it up, I'm the kinda guy you want to buy stuff from. The Dragoon I probably won't shoot again anyway. I much prefer a .36 Navy for my general shooting pleasure and ringing the Davis Tutt silhouette on my range. YMMV

200 years plus on this Brown Bess check out the worm holes