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The World's most Powerful Pistol – '1847 Walker Revolver'
Am Shooting Journal ^ | 2/22/2017 | E Nestor

Posted on 02/22/2017 6:18:26 AM PST by w1n1

The iconic Colt 1847 Walker Revolver was the game changer of the old west. Ian from Forgotten Weapons takes a look at an authentic Colt 1847 Walker Revolver, perhaps best known today as Clint Eastwood’s weapon in The Outlaw Josey Wales.

Did you know that this massive cap-and-ball revolver was the most powerful revolver until the modern .357 Magnum cartridge was invented? That truth is certainly quite impressive.

At the time, the Colt 1847 Walker Revolver would have been unlike anything ever experienced before. The massive .44 caliber revolver was meant for taking out mounted opponents on horseback, or the horse itself. These revolvers were hard used, broken, and exploded by soldiers untrained to load them correctly. Not many of these old beastly revolvers survive in great condition. See the rest of this 1847 Walker story here.


TOPICS: History; Hobbies; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: 1847walkerrevolver; banglist; revolvers
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1 posted on 02/22/2017 6:18:26 AM PST by w1n1
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To: w1n1
Now that's an interesting post today, good work.

A refreshing break from the GeeWhizTacticool stuff we see so much of everywhere.

2 posted on 02/22/2017 6:23:45 AM PST by OKSooner
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To: w1n1

Who makes a decent reproduction? I like my Pietas, but they are built to a price point. They are excellent for the money but that isn’t auite the same thing.


3 posted on 02/22/2017 6:25:32 AM PST by Freedom4US
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To: w1n1

My vote for that day is the “Horse Pistol”.

69 caliber flintlock with 14 1/2 inch barrel.

http://www.lewis-clark.org/article/2380


4 posted on 02/22/2017 6:28:28 AM PST by mountainlion (Live well for those that did not make it back.)
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To: w1n1

5 posted on 02/22/2017 6:30:01 AM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: w1n1

It was powerful for it’s day. Also a bit heavy and ungainly.

I am not sure it was more powerful than the old .45 Colt but it was close.


6 posted on 02/22/2017 6:32:53 AM PST by yarddog (Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
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To: Freedom4US

Uberti is what you’re looking for!
Colt made Reproduction years ago still pricey and Quality not really great.


7 posted on 02/22/2017 6:35:03 AM PST by Big Red Badger (UNSCANABLE in an IDIOCRACY!)
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To: Freedom4US
Who makes a decent reproduction? I like my Pietas, but they are built to a price point. They are excellent for the money but that isn’t auite the same thing.

Look at Uberti. Not only is their quality better, but they built the weapons used in Clint Eastwood's spaghetti westerns.
8 posted on 02/22/2017 6:37:45 AM PST by farming pharmer (www.sterlingheightsreport.com)
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To: yarddog

The black powder Colt Walker is often regarded as the most powerful commercially manufactured repeating handgun from 1847 until the introduction of the .357 Magnum in 1935, having a muzzle energy nearly exactly the same as a 4-inch-barreled (10 cm) handgun firing a .357 Magnum.[8]


9 posted on 02/22/2017 6:38:12 AM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: central_va

Yes, I know that is what they say.


10 posted on 02/22/2017 6:39:41 AM PST by yarddog (Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
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To: Freedom4US

Uberti makes an excellent recreation, as does Cimmaron.


11 posted on 02/22/2017 6:40:13 AM PST by Afterguard (Deplorable me!)
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To: yarddog

Ever fired one? It’s a hoot!


12 posted on 02/22/2017 6:42:19 AM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: central_va

I have not fired an original but have shot a reproduction. Also a reproduction Colt Dragoon which was a better pistol.


13 posted on 02/22/2017 6:45:28 AM PST by yarddog (Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
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To: w1n1

I have the Uberti 1847 Walker Colt replica.
Fantastic gun, tons of fun and the quality is better than anything Colt ever did on their replicas.


14 posted on 02/22/2017 6:49:42 AM PST by SJSAMPLE
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To: Freedom4US

Uberti, hands down.
They make the full gun and an “in the white” kit.


15 posted on 02/22/2017 6:51:36 AM PST by SJSAMPLE
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To: central_va

I’ve got a pair of 1858 New Army Remington’s and they are smokey, greasy loads of fun! Plus, they are cheap as dirt to shoot, you can get black powder cartridge conversion cylinders for them, and you can still mail order them.


16 posted on 02/22/2017 6:51:38 AM PST by Axenolith (Government blows, and that which governs least, blows least...)
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To: yarddog

One of the originals (of only 1100) sold for $1.5million.

I don’t think anybody is going to fire an original ever again.


17 posted on 02/22/2017 6:52:53 AM PST by SJSAMPLE
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To: Axenolith
If you can get spare cylinders they are like magazines.

In an apocalypse scenario, after the fancy ammo is all gone, black powder weapons will rule the world.

18 posted on 02/22/2017 6:56:11 AM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: w1n1

They’ll take 60 grains if you have the wrist

Quite a charge for a pistol

That’s small game load for a .45 long gun muzzle loader


19 posted on 02/22/2017 6:57:57 AM PST by wardaddy (trump is a great tourniquet but that's all folks.......)
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To: w1n1

I’ve fired both a S&W Model 19 .357 with a 6” barrel and a replica 1859 Remington Army Model. The different is remarkable. The S&W fires with a loud “CRACK” and gives a sudden hard recoil. The 1859 Army Model, OTOH, discharges with more of a “WHOMP” and the recoil is more of a push than a sudden wallop.


20 posted on 02/22/2017 7:01:28 AM PST by libstripper (PRESIDENT)
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