Shooting Colt's 3rd model Dragoon Revolver.mov

In this video we take a look at Colt's 3rd Model Dragoon revolver.

[@TheFirearmEnthusiast]

Mike, sitting here watching your gun videos brings me great comfort despite being painfully ill.
Thanks for all the cool vids.

[@philb8338]

My Uberti 3rd Model would drop the lever with anything over 40 gr FFFg so I needle filed the notch on the barrel mounted catch deeper, deepened the center slot in the catch itself so it would protrude slightly farther forward, then put a stronger spring behind the catch. No more loading lever drops.

[@duelist1954]

Bullets that fit tightly are essential to cap and ball revolvers. Dragoons, with their heavier powder charges, were considered better long range weapons at the time, and continued to be favored by experienced plainsmen after the gyn was replaced by the 1860 Army model.

[@Matzah1982]

I love the power of the colt 3rd model dragoon with the 40 grains of 3f and a 200 grain conical for hunting wild boars and black bears. However the 1860 colt is a much better design and much more easier to carry and handle aswell as being more accurate. With round balls the dragoons tend to like .457 round balls because the chambers are bigger but it makes it easier to seat lee mould 200 grain conical bullets because of it

[@rudysmachine]

I own the same identical revolver. It has taken many wild hogs and white tail deer for us during our Florida hunts. Great gun and accurate, very powerful with 45 gr of 777 and ball or 250 gr conical

[@Harshhaze]

It's a shame the rod is easily dislodged by the recoil. Such an iconic firearm

[@thebenforever]

I was thinking the same thing. Why not just go for the Walker?

[@mattisenberger4042]

Ways to fix it sir.

[@williamoxx9133]

Good to see that the Colt 3rd model Dragoon is still a favorite with some people. I had two 2nd Models back in my Cowboy Action days. I traded them in for an 1873 Colt clone. I recently bought a 3rd model Dragoon along with a Taylors conversion cylinder in .45 Colt. I Haven't got out to shoot it yet. I needed to get the stock cones unscrewed from the cap&ball cylinder so I could replace them with slix shot nipples. Now that is done, I will be able to take it to the range and compare the accuracy between round ball, Lee's .45 Conical, and the Original Colt's 250 grain .45 Colt bullet and Eras Gone .44 Johnson & Dow heeled conical. Time to have fun.

[@rudysmachine]

The 1860 will do fine for White tail deer and wild hogs if the shooter does his part and keeps the shots to 40 yards or less. My hunting buddy uses a Pietta 1860 with 38-40 gr of 3fg 777 and a ball cast from a mix of wheel weight and pure lead, harder cast than lead which provide much more penetration and are very accurate and powerful. His gun clocks over 1100 fps with this load and penetrates even the toughest gristle plate.

[@lisar3006]

I had a ASM Dragoon and I took off those leaf sights too. My cousin machined the barrel on top where the sights were and you could hardly tell where they had been. One of about 30+ Cap & Ball pistols I have had. I am down to three 1860 Army revolvers now. One is Uberti one is Pietta and one is a Belgium colt still new in the box. I am looking at a Uberti 1851 or 61 navy mostly because I been a watching your videos.

[@margaretcox8852]

Hi Mike. Love your videos! Just wanted to let you know that the leaf sights were actually put on some of the originals by Colt for use with the shoulder stock.

[@hoagybob]

I dovetailed a slot (epoxy would work, too) in the loading lever to hold a small round niobium (high strength) magnet which holds the lever snug but not so snug. Good videos here.

[@clutchedbyanangel]

Thanks for this, I just used this video to identify a revolver in another video, which was specifically labeled "IT'S A REVOLVER IDK (SHUT UP, GUN NERDS)"
It was the Navy

[@mnharris10]

Mike, thanks again for the great videos! I dug out my 1860 army after watching some of these blackpowder videos. I bought it from Dixie gunworks when I was seventeen and haven't shot it in a long time but I'll be taking on one of my first woods walks come spring. The only problem is I've gained too much weight to use the belt I bought in high school!

[@453421abcdefg12345]

I think your belt must have shrunk, they do over time!

[@molecularalchemy7798]

Really enjoying the back catalog Mike!

[@curly27784]

A felt wad protects the bullet from the heat of the burning powder and can reduce lead fouling with hot loads. Grease on top of the bullet lubes the bullet as it passes down the barrel and will also help reduce lead fouling.

[@duffysullivan2794]

I have a 3rd Dragoon replica, the Colt Signature Series. In all the shooting sessions I've had with it the loading lever has never dropped under recoil. Must have a stronger spring in the latch than the San Marcos, the design is the same.

[@williammccaslin8527]

I have the same an Never had mine drop either, an mine shoots to POA at 25 yd's an shoots 3" groups all day long.

[@normanbraslow7902]

The Signature series are not Colts. Sorry. That's life.

[@453421abcdefg12345]

@@normanbraslow7902 Ha Ha! Neither were the original Walkers, but no one seems to worry about that.

[@normanbraslow7902]

Englishman French Nope. They don't. But collectors are very concerned about the final signature series.

[@duffysullivan2794]

If you are looking for a collector piece then stay away from the Signature Series. I picked up my Dragoon while they were still being manufactured. I had a Peitta 1860 I was shooting that was rattling apart. The wedge was always loose. Piece of junk. Plus it had 'black powder only" stamped on the barrel. For me that was a complete turn off. I wanted a reliable replica of Colts' revolver that I could shoot. This Signature Series Dragoon has been great. Good quality steel, well finished and fitted. All through the years it has stayed tight. Nothing rattles loose, screws don't back out of it, barrel wedge works like it is supposed to, loading lever stays up. And finally for a gun you shoot, it shoots straight! Never throws balls, consistently tight groups. So, it is a fun black powder pistol to own if you are wanting a very good looking, well made replica you can put through its paces.

[@duelist1954]

@sethdesade I haven't tried any of the current production, so I couldn't say.

[@JCP1152P]

I love all you videos Thanks. After watching the loading lever fall, I think I've discovered where the idea for the gas system on the potato digger machine gun may have come from :)

[@vengenaceearly255]

Thank you. I have been loading with 50 grains. But now I am down to 20 round balls of .454. After that... well I have to say I am pretty tired of scrounging, as I know you are by now. As always I really do enjoy your writing and videos.

[@terrysmith8714]

I want one...or 2. Thank
ls again Mike. Keep a stick on the ice.

[@georgefloydspaceshuttlepro1839]

The loading lever is a minor problem unless you're trying to fan the cylinder then it's a big deal

[@tritchie6272]

Do you have any video's on what kind of holsters or how folks from different walks of life in the old west carried their different firearms?

[@aethelstanaegen36]

I see what you mean about a weak loading lever catch! Thanks for another great video!

[@johnruggiero4205]

The dragoon was a beast! In fact, it still is. If 50 or 55 grain shot of black powder. I would have been after an 1851 navy. Seemed to be the best overall until Remington’s new model army/navy

[@exexpat11]

Almost the power of a Walker. 36 would have been more common later on and a good balance of low power and man taker downer (heh heh).

[@wsc31]

The Walker and Dragoon Colts look to have been the first triple action revolvers- Cock, Fire, re-seat Loading Lever, repeat as necessary ;-)

[@gablia2002]

great video,never new how they worked until now...thank you.

[@nilodrallub7812]

I own the Uberti replica , shoot it all the time. It ROCKS ! 40 GRAINS OF GOEX AND A .454 ROUND BALL .

[@SC93-85]

What were the differences between the 3rd model and the 1st & 2nd models of the dragoon’s?? Are they very similar with just minor changes, or were they quite different?

[@BogeyTheBear]

The 1st Model is the most different from the other two because the notches in the cylinder used to lock it in place are simple rectangles with rounded corners, almost oval in shape. The bolt that rises to lock into these notches is round.
The 2nd Model introduced the rectangular notches in the cylinder with scalloped ramps, the sort of notches you see in most revolver cylinders to this day.
The 2nd Model kept the old square-backed trigger guard while the 3rd Model has the rounded trigger guard you see in modern guns. Aside from that, the 2nd and 3rd are essentially the same.

[@neonpike]

i,m amazed that a firearm goes into production and is sold with such a fault as the loading lever catch . great video...entertaining and educational .

[@yearight1205]

Funny, I literally just bought an Armi San Marco Dragoon 2nd edition on Monday from the gun shop (used). Wasn't sure much about the Armi San Marco brand, since I'm fairly new to black powder guns, and to date I'd only really heard about Uberti, Pietta and Cimarron. But if you own an Armi San Marco Revolver, I feel better.

[@wittzo]

I've not had any problems with my load lever dropping, but I've been using 2F in the Walker and the Dragoon. Uberti might have used a stronger spring or I haven't broken it in good enough. :) Of course, the lever drops on nearly every shot in the Walker.

[@Velocispic]

Love your videos, very informative. Keep it up!

[@kevinmencer3782]

"Why, by God girl, that's a Colt's Dragoon! You're no bigger 'n a corn nubbin. What're you doing with all this pistol?"
"It belonged to my father, he carried it bravely in the war, and I intend to kill Tom Chaney with it if the law fails to do so."
"Well, this'll sure get the job done if you can find a fence post to rest it on while you take aim."

[@kevinmarkham6385]

Nice. I like my walkers. They’re hand cannons. But they’re heavy. They get a lot of compliments though. I might get a pair of Dragoons though cause they’re smaller but not as small as the 1860 army

[@BuildProne]

i plan on picking up a walker but swapping the lever with the 3rd model dragoon lever cause I like the latch style more of the 3rd dragoon but the larger size of the walker more. and ill throw some slip x nipples in there too cause they rock

[@loupanella9632]

I always wanted one but they where hard to find. I find it to be a beautiful piece of hardware. Looks like the only drawback you have shooting it was the loading lever dropping.

[@jeepsblackpowderandlights4305]

You can stop the lever from dropping if you tighten the screws for it tight.. the lever wont move then.. then when you reload losen the screw slightly so the lever can be used again.. its rather easy to figure this out.. not sure why no one else has mentioned it lol

[@duelist1954]

@wronghandshooter It will probably be sometime in December

[@mattisenberger4042]

I know, that you know, that wad and lube was not used in the 1800's for cap and ball revolvers. Even Sam Colt wrote instructions.

[@Jobe-13]

Jeez, the release is so powerful that you literally only see a puff of smoke when you shoot it 😂

[@ps2hacker]

The problem with the Uberti replicas of the 1847 model Colt's is that they just aren't made as well as the hand fitted originals were. One of the biggest issues with them is that the edges of the striking surface of the hammers are left too sharp, and you really need to take a small file, or an Emory board, or even just sand paper, and round off the corners of the hammer face a bit. The sharp corners bite into the soft metal of the caps when they fire, and cause them to stick to the hammer just enough that when you cock it again, the hammer will lift the busted cap off the nipple, and drop it into your action. That's really inconvenient. Just smooth off the edges of the hammer, and it will quit doing that. The originals never did that.

[@michaelhayes7471]

Well pay the 100 grand an get what up want

[@charlescalvert8647]

IF you have the loading lever issue it can be fixed, and the spring replaced. Some may not want to interfere with this mechanism. I've also used ultra thin picture hanging wire twisted around the lever and barrel. Its easily popped once done shooting.

[@exexpat11]

If I was a buyer in the 1840's-50's I'd have been a tad upset about that loading lever always falling down. Wonder how many went to the watch repair guy or gunsmith to be repaired to fix the issue.

[@johnnyfedpost1776]

I wonder if putting a stronger spring in the latch mechanism would help keep the the lever in place

[@WORRO]

Very good video Brother, thanks for sharing, Thumbs-up ~John

[@russelllamb7549]

Beautiful gun. Thank you very much for the upload. I always wondered how to load that kind of firearm. A few Questions...do you need to lubricate the the wad that you put in over the chamber? Also, did that capper exist back in the years that gun was in its prime? And finally, did the gun only fire the .44 balls or was there different shape of .44 slugs that you could load into it?

[@duelist1954]

A Dragoon with conical bullets rather than balls will give the best long range accuracy. Conicals should be lubed. As far as diameter goes, you are constrained by the chamber diameter, which is actually a bit smaller than the bore diameter. The bullets will slug up to fill the bore, providing they are cast from softlead.

[@sugarbluedriftwood8643]

5:00 22,000 - 9,300 does not equate to “more than twice as many Walkers” went to the public.

[@vardellsfolly5200]

I adore this model.

[@icecub3296]

Mike, if you read this. It's actualy impossible for french shooters to find a TED CASH CAPPERs in France. Only available in US but most of the sellers are not shipping to France. Help us ! And keep on sharing videos ! Thanks

[@sandy4570]

My 3rd model Uberti made Dragoon has the same problem. The powder charge more than 45 grain will drop the ramrod during recoil

[@duelist1954]

@wittzo No. They never caught my interest enough to buy.

[@Gunsforfreedom]

Mine does it with 50 grain loads, however, with 40 grain loads its fine. Mine is a 2nd model Dragoon from Uberti.

[@buickkkkkk1]

The leaf sights were aimed so high they were a danger two passing aircraft …. lol

[@michaelhenneman5600]

That's one beefy gun!!

[@sergeantbigmac]

Because in these types of videos that can be accessed by virtually anyone, including children and people who live outside the US (who might not have the same gun rights as us) what is shown can be very impressionable! If you make a habit of always practicing safe gun habits, then it will become rote and there will be much likely you will have a negligent discharge. Plus, someone practicing safe gun handling in a video makes that person out to be more intelligent than those who don't, simply put

[@johnjohnon8767]

4

[@duelist1954]

I've never checked the capacity. I load both with 40 grains of powder

[@CumberlandCaporal]

Are cappers historically accurate? Just wondering.

[@monarchist1838]

yes, but they were not very common

[@duelist1954]

@satorres82 Wads cost about a nickel a shot. That's about it, really.

[@JdFord30005000]

Never seen the loading lever fall like that before....... hahahaha

[@alanhope1190]

Wonder why it had the leaf sight on the barrel when it isn’t cut for a shoulder stock.

[@Hellwolf501]

BY GOLY THATS A COLTS DRAGOON! WHAT IN GODS NAME ARE YOU DOING WITH ALL THIS PISTOL?!!

[@Ghstwn]

Looks like a rubber band around the loading lever is basically mandatory before firing if you don't want to be resetting it after each shot. Seems like a simple temporary solution outside of modification. I understand the Walker was even worse for this issue.

[@bluescatreimer]

I just added Uberti 3rd Model Dragoon to my collection. Great gun.

[@trsgringo]

Does a capper work in the right side recoil shield cut with yours?

[@bluescatreimer]

@@trsgringo Yes, I have a Uberti.

[@trsgringo]

@@bluescatreimer do you have the military or civilian version?

[@bluescatreimer]

@@trsgringo Civilian model.

[@trsgringo]

@@bluescatreimer That is strange. I have two 2nd Model Dragoons by Uberti that I bought from Dixie Gun Works last winter and the cut on the right side recoil shield is not deep enough to allow a Ted Cash snail capper to put a cap on the nipple. I wonder if mine were improperly machined in this location?

[@ValMartinIreland]

Any good tool maker should be able to make a better catch on the loading lever. It just needs a longed spur on the barrel and a Navy like spring loaded clip

[@skylarkane3216]

I want this to be my first older model colt I already have 2 fully custom iron sighted 1911 and they're awesome I also want a Sig p226

[@schizzultz]

My 3rd model Dragoon has never dropped the loading lever. Maybe once it's more worn out.. Strange

[@kirkmccool2477]

Would it be possible to epoxy a rare earth magnet to the top of the loading lever to maybe stop the annoying unlatching?

[@steveroush4147]

Hey Mike, are all the models designated “ Navy” .36 cal.

[@faelwolf1177]

Yes. The modern .44 cal. "Navy" replicas you see today did not exist historically.

[@rdewitt007]

Is their a way to order a stronger loading leaver spring for the dragoon to prevent the loading lever drop that occurs when firing 45-50 grain loads ?

[@wronghandshooter]

Mike love all the old cowboy gun videos. When are you doing the video on the Springfield trapdoor

[@nomadpi1]

I've taken GUNS of the OLD WEST magazine for years. It's an interesting magazine (with a few criticisms). I love the weapon descriptions, the tests and Dennis Adler's costume pictures. The clothing articles (hats, vests, trousers) were interesting. My critiques of the magazine include the persistent repeating report of the history of Samuel Colf's business. That poor horse's skeleton has no flesh left to beat off it. Now, Will Dabbs' articles are replacing Mr. Adlers, which is alright, but I do criticize Mr. Dabb's shoddy attempts at period costumes; he's fooling no one. I've tried to attend the END of TRAIL once in NM but arriving the day before it started was useless. No vendors present; my thoughts were to be able to shop clothing and handle some weapons to see what fits my hand. Nothing but a long walk from and to the parking area (back from the false fronted bldgs). I'm presently in the North Texas area. near Red River, I've never found or heard of a SASS group here. Hence, I've never purchased a Old West weapon.

[@AndieBlack13]

I shot a replica Walker for a whole day, dont need no stinking measure for the charge, best guess will do, neither did we use lube, wads or whatever. You could see the differing charge levels by the height of the balls in the cylinder. Keeping one cylinder empty is non-sense silly safety-crats rearing their ugly heads....just be careful. We ran so much powder thru that Walker we had little fizzes of burning errant powder all over the gun towards the end of the day.

[@wittzo]

Do you have a 1st or 2nd Model? I skipped over them because i thought they would be superfluous. The square triggerguard on the Walker is also very uncomfortable to me.

[@johnjohnon8767]

From what I learned is that the main spring in the 1st and 2nd models is more complicated then the simple one on the 3rd. Which became standard from then on

[@BogeyTheBear]

Uberti makes all three Dragoon models today using the leaf spring arrangement (Colt switched to leaf springs with the 2nd Pattern). Only the Walker and Whitneyville Dragoon have a V-spring in Uberti's line these days.

[@loknlode]

Mike, I love your series on the Colt's; Which current manufacturer do you prefer? Uberti or Pietta? Thanks!

[@opalprestonshirley1700]

Hate the smell of burning rubber lol. That's what figured. Thanks.

[@Pectabyte]

I love the aesthetics and design of this gun. Is there anything like the Dragoon that fires more modern ammunition?

[@CaptainBogroll]

If you see Hickok45's Colt Dragoon video you will see he is using an uberti, and the rammer does not fall when he shoots it

[@trsgringo]

I find that with the Uberti 2nd model Dragoon that the cut in the right side recoil shield is too shallow, such that you can not get a capper in behind the nipple to cap it. Anyone else have that problem? You can get a capper behind the nipple through the hammer slot however.

[@tomslongguns443]

Never had the latch fall on a dragoon , must be a bad flaw on that one

[@opalprestonshirley1700]

Great video. Is there any good method of preventing the leaver from falling due to the recoil? Thanks for the demo.

[@WilliamHorsley1962]

Solder a small clip to arm to hold it to barrel. Doesn't have to be a big wide clip that would interfere with sight. Just a small blued strip of spring metal or whatever it's called. It seems that the shape of the barrel lends itself to holding a clip securely. Of course I have no clue on the subject but it seems like something a man like you could make and make it look presentable. Oh Midway USA has a pieatta Remington sheriffs model with a grip that looks similar your 1858 Bulldog snub nose revolver. $375. What do you think about shortening the barrel down to 3 inches. Do you think it would be a waste of money . I have the Remington Ace but the gun feels unbalanced and heavy. I suppose it would be the same thing if I cut the barrel down on the midway USA gun I'm speaking of tho the frame looks smaller then the Ace and I believe it is in 44 caliber

[@YiYaEmperor]

9:02 oh that looks somehow familiar... 9:22 wait what?... 9:35 :O ... didn't expected that - only knew revolvers from movies... ya know like with "shells" (don't know if you say that in english) loaded from "behind" XD

[@TheFirearmEnthusiast]

Did the cylinder latch open on original Colts or is this only common on replicas?

[@RickDelmonico]

Strange; the loading lever latch is 1st or 2nd model.

[@SanitysVoid]

Where can these be had on the net? There is a walker at the local store but I don't like the loading piston thing falling out after a shot.

[@duelist1954]

Dixie Gun Works

[@patduss174]

Any replica manufacturers that make a dragoon that doesn't have the loose ramming rod problem ?

[@vengenaceearly255]

Is it true that this gun hold 10 grains less powder than (my recently purchased) Walker ?

[@WildGaston]

He says "now this is a colt, not an uberti"

[@generalpatton8468]

American legends.

[@colljo7]

Mike, I enjoy learning from the way you do things.....UCKENPUCKY on all the "SAFETY SALLYS" and ALL the "WHINERS" that cry about how you do things!!!!!!!!!! Thank You for your vids......

[@INeverMetAGunIDidntLike]

Do you know of any original Dragoons that were converted to brass cartridges back in the day?

[@duelist1954]

Yes. According to R. Bruce McDowell's book, "A Study of Colt Conversions and Other Percussion Revolvers" there were no factory conversions of Dragoon revolvers. But there are a number of known examples from private gunsmiths.

[@INeverMetAGunIDidntLike]

@@duelist1954 Thank you. I tried doing a search on the old google but the results always came back with the modern conversion cylinders for today's reproduction Dragoons. Safe shoot'n and thanks for your all of your time and effort that you put into your videos. P.S. Tell Evil Roy I said "Hi" along with "FILL YOUR HANDS YOU SON-OF-A-#####!"".

[@itsfantastic19]

i have the exact gun, but i do not live in USA , i live in North Cyprus and i dont know how this gun got here could you tell me how much money it costs ? i can tell its not a replica because i have searched its serial number and its authentic

[@Stephen-uz8dm]

That's cool that it made it to the Mediterranean

[@crazyfvck]

+itsfantastic19 That's quite interesting :) Who knows how it arrived there.. There used to be less restrictions regarding transfer of firearms between different countries, so it would have been very easy for someone to bring it there in a suitcase, etc. A good place to check the average value is to look for other originals for sale on Gunbroker.com.. That will give you a good idea what it might be worth. For a more accurate value, you could also contact firearms museums here in the U.S., and talk to them about it.

[@russelllamb7549]

itsfantastic19
DO NOT SELL IT!!!!!! If you have that gun with an authentic serial number on it, that is an antique you have. If you are going to sell it, make sure the buyer is a responsible gun collector, or historical item collector that will take very good care of it. This gun is a major part of history.

[@steveroush4147]

Hey Mike... can see your 1911... is that ivory grips, or do you have pearl handle grips... lol 😂 your not originally from New Orleans are you ? 😂

[@U.S.SlaveOfficial]

always learn something

[@cheddarchip1013]

Do these guns only have 1 safety pin, and if so why does Uberti make them this way?

[@BogeyTheBear]

There are six safety pins on the Uberti reproductions, so you can set the hammer between any two chambers.

[@drmachinewerke1]

Can the third model dragoon be converted to the 1851 loading lever catch.

[@theferryman8549]

Probably, if you have the know how

[@nmop5942]

What size ball can I use for the 3rd dragoon?

[@duelist1954]

.454"

[@alexsacco776]

Could you have used 1860 army paper cartridges in a dragoon?

[@duelist1954]

Alex Sacco Sure.

[@WildGaston]

I believe his is made by colt. He got it in like the 70s i think.

[@rogersmicharl]

what do you think of colt signature series 3rd.model dragoon revolvers .

[@duelist1954]

Excellent quality. They command a premium price because there is a collector's market for them.

[@johnjohnon8767]

@@duelist1954 2nd gen 62