Colt’s 3rd Model Dragoon

Published on March 15, 2021
Duration: 10:35

This video provides a detailed look at Uberti's reproduction of Colt's Third Model Dragoon revolver. It covers the historical context and improvements over the Walker model, including specific design features like the rounded trigger guard and improved cylinder stops. The guide offers a step-by-step process for loading with both round balls and larger bullets, along with recommendations for powder charges and lubrication, and demonstrates its performance at 25 yards.

Quick Summary

The Colt's Third Model Dragoon, a reproduction by Uberti, improves upon the Colt Walker with a shorter barrel and enhanced features like a rounded trigger guard and better cylinder stops. Loading involves adding powder, seating projectiles, ramming them down, applying lubricant, and capping the nipples. Remington No. 10 caps and a beeswax/lamb tallow lube are recommended for optimal performance.

Chapters

  1. 00:04Introduction and Setting
  2. 00:28Introducing Uberti's Colt's Third Model Dragoon
  3. 00:51Historical Context: Dragoon vs. Walker
  4. 01:19Third Model Dragoon Features
  5. 01:50Barrel and Cylinder Dimensions
  6. 02:14Shoulder Stock Compatibility
  7. 02:37Loading Procedure: Round Ball
  8. 03:43Bullet Lube Application
  9. 04:10Percussion Cap Installation
  10. 04:34Shooting Performance: Round Ball
  11. 06:20Round Ball Group Analysis
  12. 06:33Loading Procedure: Dragoon Bullet
  13. 07:12Shooting Performance: Dragoon Bullet
  14. 08:31Dragoon Bullet Group Analysis
  15. 08:43Final Thoughts and Narrative Scene
  16. 10:09Conclusion and Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key improvements of the Colt's Third Model Dragoon over the Colt Walker?

The Colt's Third Model Dragoon features a shorter 7.5-inch barrel compared to the Walker's 9 inches, and a slightly smaller cylinder capacity. It also incorporates a rounded trigger guard, improved cylinder stops, a flat leaf spring for the lock mechanism, and a latch on the loading lever to mitigate recoil issues.

How do you properly load a Colt's Third Model Dragoon reproduction with black powder?

Load by bringing the hammer to half-cock, adding powder (e.g., 40 grains) to a chamber, seating a projectile (like a .454 round ball) over the powder, and ramming it down with the loading lever. Repeat for all chambers, then add lubricant and percussion caps.

What type of percussion caps and lubricant are recommended for cap and ball revolvers?

Remington No. 10 percussion caps are recommended for Colt-style cap and ball revolvers. For lubrication, a 50/50 mixture of beeswax and lamb tallow is suggested to keep fouling soft, improve accuracy, and extend firing intervals.

What were the shooting results with different loads for the Colt's Third Model Dragoon?

With 40 grains of powder and round balls, groups were wide and the firearm shot high. Using 30 grains of powder with larger Colt Dragoon bullets resulted in significantly tighter groups, indicating a better load combination for accuracy.

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