1847 Walker - The most powerful military revolver ever issued?

Published on September 6, 2023
Duration: 17:05

The 1847 Colt Walker is examined as a historically significant and powerful military revolver. The review details practical modifications for modern shooting, such as improving the loading lever and using Slix-Shot nipples to prevent cap jams. Ballistic testing confirms its substantial power, with 260-grain conical bullets achieving over 1000 FPS.

Quick Summary

The 1847 Colt Walker was the most powerful military revolver of its time, designed for the Texas Rangers. Common issues like the loading lever dropping under recoil and cap jams can be addressed with modifications such as filing the retention spring and using Slix-Shot nipples.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: 1847 Colt Walker
  2. 01:22Historical Context: Texas Rangers & Mexican-American War
  3. 03:39Modifications for Reliability: Slix-Shot Nipples
  4. 05:04Fixing the Loading Lever
  5. 06:52Projectiles and Powder Charges
  6. 10:46Ballistic Testing Results
  7. 12:54Range Performance & Fouling Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

What made the 1847 Colt Walker so powerful for its time?

The 1847 Colt Walker was considered the most powerful military revolver issued until the advent of the .357 Magnum. Its immense power stemmed from its large .44 caliber, ability to handle significant black powder charges, and the use of heavy conical projectiles.

What common reliability issues did the 1847 Colt Walker have?

Two primary issues were the loading lever dropping under heavy recoil due to recoil forces, and 'cap jams' where spent percussion caps would interfere with cylinder rotation. Modifications are often needed to address these.

What modifications are recommended for the 1847 Colt Walker?

Recommended modifications include replacing factory nipples with Slix-Shot cones to prevent cap jams and filing a flat on the loading lever retention spring to increase its holding power against recoil.

What are the ballistic performance figures for the 1847 Colt Walker?

With 260-grain conical bullets and 50 grains of 3Fg black powder, the Walker averages around 1020 FPS, generating approximately 600 ft-lbs of energy. This demonstrates its significant stopping power for the era.

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