CVA Colonial Pistol 45 cal info

[task1]

I just found a CVA 45cal colonial pistol kit in my moms basement I thought was lost years ago, I got it when I was 13 years old, I put it all together fitting, blued it, and finished the stock this week and would love to try it out. I have fff black powder and pyrodex , 440 lead balls, lubed patches and caps, if anyone has advice on how many grains of both FFF black powder and pyrodex to use that would be appreciated. The Manual/instructions are long gone and I've never fired a percussion pistol before. I'd love any advice. Thanks Scott

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[Lesliet]

@Andy54Hawken I bet Andy would know...

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Neat little pistol...
I'd use 15 - 25 grains of 2 or 3 F black powder with the patches and round ball that were mentioned.
Andy

 

[Andy54Hawken]

As far as actual loading advice....

Before loading the pistol....with the pistol pointed in a safe direction , "bust a few caps" , to drive out any oil in the vent and barrel.

What size thickness are your patches...a thicker patch .15 or higher may be difficult to load...
A short starter may be handy here.
Andy

 

[task1]

Thank you for the information. This is what I have to try it out. So is the rs pyrodex not a good thing to use? Id Just like to use it up if it's ok to do so.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Looks like .15 patches....which are a good size...I would still suggest getting a short starter.
If they are still tight....pop a patch in your mouth...spit makes for a great lube with patches.
Oh and get a nipple wrench...that will be handy for cleaning and removing the nipple.

As far as PYRODEX goes....it will work but....
I have found it far more corrosive that actual black powder.
To be honest ...I can't stand the stuff....others however love it.

And remember....its Powder , Patch and Ball , in that order....
If you forget to load powder first...well...we can remove the ball....but it can get tricky.
Andy

 

[task1]

ok I'll just be using the fff black powder. Can't wait to try it out I remember the day i bought it, it was at Jafco in Bellevue i remember i paid $7.99 on clearance i was in 1984 I remember because my Mom was so upset that they sold it to a 13 year old who was not with a adult.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Well I hope you enjoy the pistol...and if you have any questions , please feel free to ask....
Andy

 

[BigDog67]

Just a bit of advice, do not put pre-lubed patches in your mouth, they taste like Scheisse . Pardon my German.

 

[Lesliet]

Of course, BigDog67 meant " They taste like schießen".

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Never been a fan of pre-lubed patches myself.

And yeah they don't taste the greatest , if you pop one in your mouth for spit lube
But ...you will survive....

Olive oil
Bore Butter
CRISCO
Real Mink Oil
CLP
Bear Grease / Deer Tallow
All work well for lube...and you can carry a bit of the above in a tin to add lube to a patch if needed.

My favorites are spit for regular shooting and bear grease / deer tallow for hunting
Andy

 

[BigDog67]

I recently bought a jar of coconut oil to try. It is a solid at temps below 80-85.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

I've used coconut oil...it works good...didn't care for the smell....
As you noted...its best in certain temps...or it just runs all over the place.
Andy

 

[drstrangelove]

Easy inter web download.

 

[task1]

Easy inter web download.

View attachment 805027

Thank you.

 

[Bon Sauvage]

Lamb tallow is my favorite but if I had a steady supply of bear grease I would probably go that route.

 

[BigDog67]

Lamb tallow is my favorite but if I had a steady supply of bear grease I would probably go that route.

Was I supposed to lube my bear? He didn't come with a manual.

 

[Bon Sauvage]

 

[Capn Jack]

Looks like .15 patches....which are a good size...I would still suggest getting a short starter.
If they are still tight....pop a patch in your mouth...spit makes for a great lube with patches.
Oh and get a nipple wrench...that will be handy for cleaning and removing the nipple.

As far as PYRODEX goes....it will work but....
I have found it far more corrosive that actual black powder.
To be honest ...I can't stand the stuff....others however love it.

And remember....its Powder , Patch and Ball , in that order....
If you forget to load powder first...well...we can remove the ball....but it can get tricky.
Andy

Laughing because, I've been there...Done that.

 

[Ura-Ki]

Yea, don't dry ball it, it's never fun!

It's also a rite of passage to any Black Powder enthusiast, so, may as well get that out of the way early on!