Colt Walker… Snub Nose

Published on January 10, 2022
Duration: 7:34

This video features a custom snub-nose conversion of a reproduction Colt Walker revolver. The presenter, Dustin from Guns of the West, compares its performance to a standard nine-inch barrel model using chronograph testing. The snub-nose version shows a significant decrease in velocity, indicating a loss of power due to the shortened barrel.

Quick Summary

A custom Colt Walker snub nose revolver, modified from a reproduction, was tested against its standard nine-inch barrel counterpart. Chronograph results showed the snub nose averaged 788.7 fps, while the long barrel averaged 1028 fps, indicating a loss of power due to incomplete powder burn in the shorter barrel.

Chapters

  1. 00:06Introduction: Colt Walker Snub Nose
  2. 00:29Standard Colt Walker Reproduction
  3. 00:48Introducing the Snub Nose Project
  4. 01:23Attaching the Snub Nose Barrel
  5. 02:05Loading Lever Considerations
  6. 02:22Testing Plan: Chronograph
  7. 02:54Firearm Load Details
  8. 03:12Initial Firing & Sight Adjustment
  9. 03:57Snub Nose Chronograph Test
  10. 04:22Misfire and Cap Jam
  11. 05:25Long Barrel Chronograph Test
  12. 06:05Velocity Comparison Results
  13. 06:12Impact of Barrel Length on Power
  14. 06:23Conclusion: Snub Nose Fun
  15. 07:05Final Thoughts and Thanks

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Colt Walker snub nose revolver?

A Colt Walker snub nose revolver is a custom modification of the classic Colt Walker design, featuring a significantly shortened barrel. This conversion, as shown in the video, transforms the large, nine-inch barreled black powder pistol into a more compact, albeit less powerful, firearm.

How does a shorter barrel affect a black powder revolver's performance?

A shorter barrel on a black powder revolver, like the Colt Walker snub nose conversion, reduces its power and velocity. This is because the powder charge has less time and space to burn completely before exiting the barrel, leading to a loss of muzzle energy.

What load was used for the Colt Walker snub nose chronograph test?

For the chronograph testing of the Colt Walker snub nose, the load consisted of 40 grains of Goex Triple Fg black powder, a .454 diameter round ball, Guns of the West bullet lube, and Remington No. 10 caps. This is a standard load for this caliber of black powder revolver.

What was the average velocity difference between the snub nose and long barrel Colt Walker?

The chronograph tests revealed a significant velocity difference. The snub nose Colt Walker averaged 788.7 feet per second, while the standard long barrel version achieved an average of 1028 feet per second, demonstrating a substantial power loss with the shorter barrel.

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