When do you NOT shoot a percussion revolver?

I like to watch Pawn Stars and I know a lot of the show if not most or all of it is somewhat staged.

Every gun they get, they have to shoot it. This includes the old percussion revolvers like the Civil War era Navy revolvers.

I admittedly cringe every time I watch them doing this but I don't know if that is warranted or not. They haven't had one blow up yet.

I've always read/heard/been told that you do not fire a real period revolver. Perhaps this is due to value more than risk of safety, I don't know. I've also done the usual web search and have yet to find a video of them actually firing a real period piece. All are reproductions.

So what are the opinions out there? How do you know when one is safe to shoot and when not safe to shoot and would you shoot an original even if deemed safe, especially if it were yours, not some guy at the range that is shooting his.

I'm just on your train of though, I wouldn't risk a period gun. I'd not likely shoot one older than 1880s with certain exceptions both ways...

If everything was mechanically sound I'd shoot it. With that said I'd keep charges an round count low no need to wear it out. The way I see it the firearm doesn't know it's old.

There really isn't any reason to shoot them because of all the repros available. But that being said I wouldn't be afraid to shoot them. But a rare or high value pistol I see no reason to fire. So just because you can doesn't mean you should.


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If I can`t shoot it, I don`t want it. The wayI look at it is, someone somewhere in time shot it, so if it`s in good condition & function the way it should, then shoot it. Just like WarPig said, "it doesn`t know how old it is".

Dang, y'all won't like it if i get around to shooting the LeMat! Needs a selector spring and locking bolt repair, first.

There was a recent thread that compared the shooting results of original Remington and Colt revolvers. (Haven't been able to find it. May have been in a forum other than this one. European fellow, IIRC.)

Found the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7A_w9-QXtg

Ahhh, the LeMAT.... Now that's an "Assult weapon"...:thup:

It's just that if "I" shot one of these early weapons, something would surely "bust"...then I'd be hosed...once again.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

It's just that if "I" shot one of these early weapons, something would surely "bust"...then I'd be hosed...once again.

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That would be my concern. I'd wonder if the steel were as sound as the more modern arms and if just looking at it is enough to tell. Everyone I've seen looks a little rough, including the Navy revolver in the video. The grey color looks unusual to me.