Reeder Custom Guns - For those that are not aware of it ...

the 1847 Colt Walker is the Official Handgun of Texas.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed a resolution forwarded to his desk by the Texas lawmakers that makes the original 1847 Colt Walker the official handgun of the Lone Star State.

The measure, HCR 15, was filed last December by state Rep. Ben Leman, R-Andersonville, and unanimously passed the House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism before sailing through the legislature as a whole. Abbott signed it Saturday, promising that, "I'll be signing more gun laws real soon."

A hulking 4.5-pound 44-caliber revolver, the Walker was so-named after famed Texas Ranger Capt. Samuel Walker, and only about 1,100 of the handguns were manufactured by Eli Whitney for Colt. Some 1,000 were sent to Texas and 100 made for the commercial market. The gun was a collaboration between Walker and Colt, based on the latter's earlier .36-caliber Paterson design, a five-shot revolver that weighed only half of what the Model 1847 would.

HCR 15 found that:

The original 1847 Colt Walker pistol was historically crucial to the early survival of the great State of Texas.

The original 1847 Colt Walker pistol was an essential tool in the defeat of the Mexican army during the Mexican-American War to reclaim Texas, the 28th state of the Union.

The co-inventor of the original 1847 Colt Walker pistol, Samuel Walker, was a captain in the Texas Rangers, the first state police agency in the country.

The original 1847 Colt Walker pistol was America's first pistol to hold six rounds, otherwise known as a "six-shooter."

The original 1847 Colt Walker pistol is still the most powerful black powder pistol in existence.

There is more info in this article if you're interested.

https://huntinglife.com/the-1847-colt-walker-the-official-handgun-of-texas/

Oh they had some bullets back then a little later but topped out around 200 grs. BP needs some barrel to burn powder, I think the Walker is about 9” plus maybe a 4” cylinder so 13” of burn time. The full power loads are normally super Sonic (Over 1050 fps) and you can tell easily by the sound. Be careful with less than full loads though. BP cannot tolerate an “air-gap” or radical pressure can manifest! Even with a light load. You have to use wadding or fillers. The rammer might not reach for a light load. FWIW.

It is a ponderous beast weighing just under 5 lbs. , about the same as a hunting G2 with scope! The 150 gr. ball running 1200-1300 is pretty serious, .357 Magnum territory, given almost 175 yrs. old tech. Add modern 777 powder by Hodgdon and you gain 150-200 fps!

The term “Dragoon” was a British class of Calvary who specialized at fighting from horseback with swords and firearms. Units were issued a brace of large hefty handguns that mounted in a special holster over the pommel of the saddle, one on each side. The Walkers were used in this manner (12-shots!) as were the later “Dragoon” 1st, 2nd, 3rd variation Colts. Only little smaller than the Walkers, maybe 15%, and shot a 50 rather than 60 gr. Charge. Most Military Colts were designed for use with a buttstock that could be attached for more precise aiming and effective range. Even up to the later 1860’s.

It’s common to refer to these large handguns as Dragoons, or Horse Pistols in reference to their intended use. It is an accepted and correct term. IMO

, 2nd Model Dragoon. Even Colt dropped it from that model on the 3rd variations. It's not one of my favored features either in .44 Magnum. Admittedly it looks racy. Longer grip than the SAA it whacks my knuckle sometime as it rotates in the hand in recoil.

WAS DUMB; WANTED IT TO BE CALLED THE DRAGOON.

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for self defense. On a daily basis, what model would you select. They are classified as non-firearms, not sure what law enforcement thinks of it, but prosecutor's hands are federally tied.

When we were kids our parents would not let us walk about the woods with "real" handguns. So we acquired some 1858 Remington .44's. Thanks to Val Forgett, bless his soul. The 8" barrels were ok from the backs of our ponies, motorcycles, or walking, but sitting was not comfortable. Too long. I found the handling very favorable and light and lively. I never really had issues with spent caps binding, to a notable degree, as the Colt fanatics claimed. I'm a bit fond of the Remington. I see they market a 5.5" "sheriff model", that might be a very nice piece. However I really fancy the 5-shot 1862 Police Colt with fluted cylinder. The slightly larger 1861 6-shot is in the hunt too.

It's small, easy to hide, and has plenty of punch for close range encounters. And if they are close enough you get to set them on fire as an added bonus!

For my own casual fun. Namely the 1849 Pocket, 1862, 1861 Sheriff, a good Remington and I had a special Dragoon once. Maybe like to duplicate it. No FFL hassles either. That’s nice. Almost forgot, a special 1860 would be nice too. Half the cost of most domestic revolvers these days.

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.31 caliber ... pretty anemic but no one wants to be shot with it up close.

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I think of it as a very dirty and painful .25 (by modern standards).

How about an 1858 Ace?

https://taylorsfirearms.com/hand-guns/blackpowder-revolvers/1858-the-ace.html

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99.99% RELIABLE

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with a 5.5 would I would figure very handy. I want one. I like the more sexy shaped Colt's and that Pocket Police is one I really want. I have a line on one (2nd. Gen. Colt) that I just have not gotten the guy down to my price. We have had great sport dickering.

I can see the true utility of a man having a brace of handguns back in the day, what comparative firepower 10-12 shots.

Is still a second gun.

My Clements .50 ROA

My ipad won’t post photos here or i would show Gary’s version of that.
What projectiles do you use?

That is beautiful! Where do Iget one like it?

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Going to go .475 this time. The 50 Cal (51 really) shoots .530 round balls really well. I haven’t cast any of the REAL projectiles yet.

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