"Why cowboys only loaded 5 rounds in their 6-chamber" Topic

…revolvers?

"Standard revolvers typically have 6 slot cylinders. Of course, it is not a rule – different designs allow for different cylinder capacities. However, most of the easily recognizable revolvers have 6 chambers. For example, those used by 19th century cowboys were typically like that. But did you know that it is recommended to load these older revolvers with 6 cartridges only? In fact, even cowboys didn't load them fully.

The problem is that back in the day revolvers had pretty simple trigger mechanisms. They were so-called single action – you had to cock the hammer and then you could pull the trigger. This is why in old movies you see cowboys using one hand to cock the gun and another one to aim and shoot. The striking pin in these revolvers was integrated with the hammer. It was a good and simple design, but it did have a pretty dangerous flaw…"

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Amicalement
Armand

Good idea as many just stuck them in their waistband & not a holster.

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

They only had 5 bullets ????

DANGER THAT ARTICLE CONTAINS INCORRECT INFORMATION. IT IS SO WRONG THAT THE MISTAKES IT CONTAINS CAN LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH.

striking pin right on the cartridge

The author's use of incorrect terminology betrays his ignorance of the mechanism. In both early single and double action revolvers the firing pin rests on the primer. Loading a round under the hammer in either of these types of revolvers can result in an accidental discharge.

We all know this already.
"So I don't blow my own foot off!" – John Wayne

The text reads like the original article was not in English.

The empty chamber was reserved to hold a rolled-up twenty-dollar Greenback to defray the deceased gunfighter's internment on Boot Hill.

This precaution goes back to the older cap and ball revolver too. However, some revolvers had a notch in between two chambers that the hammer could rest in. Allowing the gun to be fully loaded, without the hammer resting on a primer.

In theory, many revolvers could be placed on half cock, which would be safe, but this practice was probably only used if battle was expected.

Or the rapid "fan fire" trick.

I own a 45 (long Colt) Peacemaker (Replica)which I carry holstered on my belt when possible at the range or outside (depending on range rules).
I load 6 rounds, and have fired a lot of ammo through it.
I started by using unloaded draw, with holster carry and fire, until reasonable proficient with the weapon to then repeat loaded, and fire live rounds.

Exerts on Peacemaker from Colt:
Interestingly, the Model 1873 was nothing overtly special in its design, form and function. The heart and soul of the firearm was naturally its six-round, rotating cylinder nestled within a bridged frame. The receiver was solid and contained the major working components to manage the cylinder, trigger and hammer functions. The barrel was fitted ahead with the extractor rod installed underneath. A blade-and-notch sight was standard on early production models. The hammer was clearly visible at the rear of the receiver while the pistol grip was adorned with wood for a relatively comfortable hold. The trigger was set low in the design, protected by an oblong ring. The Colt 45 was characterized in type as a centerfire, single-action revolver, based on both the type of ammunition it fired (black powder centerfire) and the key function of the trigger itself.

In a "single-action" pistol, the trigger only actuated the firing process, forcing the operator to manage the hammer. The hammer was positioned to "cock" the weapon (there as a "half-cock" used for when loading the cylinder chambers and "full-cock" for when ready to fire – reminiscent in scope to the old flintlock pistols preceding percussion-based ones) which also rotated the cylinder to the next available chamber. In the "double-action" revolvers to come, the trigger both cocked and fired the weapon in one smooth action – hence the use of the word "double". While a trigger pull fired the gun, the operator was forced to cock the weapon once again to fire another round. However, users of Colt 45s also found it somewhat effective to "fan" the hammer and let off successive shots as if an automatic weapon, some training and practice involved.

The Colt "Frontier" was developed from the Colt 45 though chambered for use with .44-40 Winchester ammunition, the same cartridges utilized in the equally popular (and historically important) Winchester Model 1873 lever-action rifle. The cross-use of ammunition allowed the user the ability to carry one ammunition supply for his two guns – something of a Godsend when traveling through bandit territory on a coach or on horseback.

In practice, Colt 45 proved itself a reliable and utterly robust weapon in-the-field and despite heavy abuse. Both outlaws and lawmen respected the gun and chose it on these qualities as their primary firearm despite their very different career paths. Even the "common man", sometimes subject to daily gun violence in the West depending on the town or territory, found it wise to keep a trusty sidearm revolver on his person or in the home as standard practice. By the end of the lawless West, the gunman could be regularly found with rifle in hand and a revolver for close-in trouble. The Colt series revolver was, at its core, relatively simple-to-operate and easy to maintain weapon, proving dependable to a high degree and enjoying mass market appeal.

Single Action Army – Base Series Designation
• SAA – Alternative Name; abbreviation of "Single-Action Army".
• New Model Army Metallic Cartridge Revolving Pistol – Offiial US Army Designation.
• Peacemaker – Alternative Name
• Model P – Alternative Name
• M1873 – Alternative Name
• Colt 45 – Alternative Name
• Colt Frontier ("Frontier Six Shooter") – Based on the Model P but chambered for the .44-40 Winchester cartridge for mass-market appeal.
• Colt Bisley – Target Pistol
• Colt Cowboy – Appearing in 1999; modern transfer bar safety installed.
• Storekeeper – Compact form with 3 inch barrel
• Buntline Special – Long form with 12 inch barrel; popularized by Wyatt Earp.

I own and hunt with multiple single action revolvers and unless they have a transfer bar I only load five for the sake of safety.

There's a general problem that developed with percussion weapons, which is written of in some of the contemporary works.

Imagine a percussion musket, fully loaded and primed. A military manual would say that the weapon should be at half-cock. This is "safe", the trigger cannot be pulled, but there's another benefit too --

Some people had the bad habit of taking a loaded and primed weapon, and resting the hammer all the way down: on top of the primer/percussion cap. What's wrong with that? There's nothing restraining the hammer from hitting the cap. A sharp blow to the back of the hammer *might* set off the primer (some of those early primers could be kind of unstable), but that's probably not too likely.

Instead, imagine if something catches the hammer and pulls it back, for example it snags on a twig while going through brush, or catches on something when being passed through a fence. If it's not pulled far enough back to catch on half-cock, when released, the hammer will fall on the cap setting off the primer.

Instead if the weapon was on half-cock, and the hammer was accidentally pulled back, it would simply fall back to the position of half-cock (or perhaps end up on full cock).

In the case of a revolver, the hammer may accidentally be slipped when removing it from the holster (or belt/sash). Why, they didn't leave them on half cock? I'm not really sure. I could see it interfering with some holsters, or maybe it just would get snagged on things and be a nuisance.

(Note: I have an original double action Lefaucheux pinfire, and it lacks a half-cock position, although the single action version has one).

It's real simple guys. There aren't second chances and you can't get the bullet back once fired! Unless going into a Gunfight, ie walking down the street to the OK Corral or immediate action, like Custers troops at Little Big Horn, you kept the 6th chamber under the hammer EMPTY. Too many ways it could accidently fire when doing "normal" day to day activities. And for most activities, usually shooting rattlesnakes or other four legged varmints, 5 rounds were usually more than enough to get the job done! Cheers!

Great info all around, guys!

More good reasons to stick to my LaMat revolver.

There was enough "play" in the mechanism to allow the hammer to strike the primer. Most modern SA revolvers have a transfer bar for greater safety. Some folks say it's the same problem with lever action rifles of the time. I don't keep a round in the chamber for my rifles, but I can "jack" a round into battery fairly quickly. Everything depends upon how safe you need to be.

It's real simple guys. There aren't second chances and you can't get the bullet back once fired! Unless going into a Gunfight … you kept the … chamber under the hammer EMPTY.

There was enough "play" in the mechanism to allow the hammer to strike the primer. … I don't keep a round in the chamber for my rifles, but I can "jack" a round into battery fairly quickly. Everything depends upon how safe you need to be.

As one who experienced emotional trauma associated with Hollywood's now popular "pink mist" at a tender age, due to the scandalously ill-designed trigger and safety mechanisms on Remington's model 700 rifles, I would like to wholly endorse these perspectives.

It's not a hard discipline to follow.
1) Never point it at something you wouldn't want to shoot. Until…
2) Check it yourself to see that it isn't loaded. And then …
3) Always treat it as loaded, even if you are sure it isn't. Because …
4) You never want a gun that's loaded until you are ready to shoot.

-Mark
(aka: Mk 1)