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Firing BB/CB caps in antique revolvers

dorsey
I have several antique "suicide special" revolvers made by Iver Johnson and S&W chambered in .22 rimfire. They are from the black powder era of the 1880's, but I think that a BB cap with no powder or a CB cap with a small amount of smokeless powder would not be a problem. However, I've always been admonished to never fire smokeless ammo in a black powder gun, so I'm reluctant to try.

Does anyone have any experience with this? I didn't pay a lot for the guns, but they are in excellent mechanical condition with little external wear and clean chambers and bores.

Thanks for any information you can provide.
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • Bert H.
    Interesting question... personally, I would think a BB Cap would be safe enough, but I have never tried it.
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  • joel_black
    I have used both in firearms designed for black powder with no bad effects. A BB cap can even be used in a Flobert that essentially has no fixed breech block but simply relies on its forward momentum.
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  • countryfarmer
    I think that you would be safe in doing so as they are very low pressure loads. Of course, it's all fun and games til someone puts an eye out. [;)]
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  • dorsey
    Thanks to all. I did a little research before posting and refreshed my knowledge of the history of the "lowly" .22. I pretty confident that I won't lose my other eye (seriously) in the attempt.
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  • 32 Magnum
    Try the Aguila Colibri and/or Super Colibri - I've used both in antique H&R 22s to test function.
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  • beantownshootah
    I agree with Bert.

    Obviously, you do so at your own risk, but personally I wouldn't have a problem trying a primer-only round.

    The guns may be old, but there are still made of steel and were designed to fire actual bullets. Pressures from primer-only type rounds (like the Aguila colibri) are very low. I can't imagine they'd be dangerous here.

    I definitely would NEVER try to fire a modern .22LR from one of these older guns, because I think you really could blow the gun up.

    But just as a matter of consideration, people do get away with firing .22 shorts and such from converted starter pistols or cheap zip guns made from car antennas or copper tubing. I'd like to think that even in the 19th century Smith revolvers were built tougher than $1 zip guns!
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  • dorsey
    I tried a high-speed .22 long rifle in one of the guns and found that if I trim the nose of the bullet just a little bit, the cylinder will rotate. Do you think that would be safe?

    Just kidding! Gun stores are few and far between in NJ, but I should be able to find BB caps at the PA gun shows.
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  • 32 Magnum
    dorsey,
    First Weekend in Dec. (5th & 6th) - gun show at the Allentown PA Fairgrounds, AgriPlex (aka AgHall) - two large vendors of ammo always set-up at the far end (from entrance) of the old section of the building sell a large variety of .22s, as well as other ammo. Give that a try.
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  • dorsey
    The Allentown show is one of those I've been attending since the early 70's, and I actually became a member of the Forks of the Delaware three years ago. I know the dealers that you're talking about, but I had thought they sold mostly center-fire ammunition.

    Getting off-topic here: For anyone else within driving distance, I highly recommend that show. It's not at all child-friendly and some of the dealers are old curmudgeons (putting it politely), but it's difficult to beat the wide variety of weapons and accouterments offered for sale. It's not just a "gun" show. Each show also offers interesting and educational displays. As a bonus, if you go on a Saturday, the Farmer's Market across the parking lot is open. Just do me a favor and don't buy the last shoo-fly pie.
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  • 32 Magnum
    I'm a member also. The dealer on the right, nearest to the men's room, has a good assortment of .22s. I've worked that show with a couple dealer friends and I have to agree that some of the vendors are a bit more than cranky at times.
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  • beantownshootah
    quote:Originally posted by dorsey
    I tried a high-speed .22 long rifle in one of the guns and found that if I trim the nose of the bullet just a little bit, the cylinder will rotate. Do you think that would be safe?


    Sure. . .its safe to rotate the cylinder. [;)]

    Just don't pull the trigger. . .or drop the gun. . .or leave it lying around for anyone else to pull the trigger
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