My Companion

[Storyteller]

having purchased the NAA .22 Magnum Cap and Ball 'mini-revolver', it has become my common carry.

In my state, this cap and ball device is not classified as a firearm and requires no permit to carry concealed or openly.
I have run close to 50 rounds through it (the starter set) and clean it every 5-9 shots, using Hoppe's #9.
I have CCA #11s as they are all that was available at the time. For propellant, I am using Pyrodex P (FFFG equivalent).
I use Rig's Universal Gun Grease, and am looking for better oil to lubricate the mechanism.

I have found this pistol to be easy to carry, lightweight, comfortable in my hands and accurate to about 25 feet, which is what it is designed for. It can hit 'the broadside of a barn' at 500-1000 ft. It has almost no recoil and easy to cock, aim and fire. I have little to no difficulty gripping the device in a firm manner that does not expose my fingers to danger. Blowback or firing residue is fairly minimal, even with the thicker powder.

My concerns so far include:

• the cylinder 'sticking' sometimes and being very difficult to turn. This was noticed even without caps installed.
  I carefully lowered the hammer when doing these mechanical tests to not damage the nipples, holding my thumb on the hammer and lowering gently. This is not hard and has been done even with live loads in the cylinder to advance chambers due to misfires.
  the rotational 'sticking' has gotten a little better with use, though it does pop up occasionally. Ive not marked my cylinders to denote which one or what chamber this is happening on.


• 
  I have had close to a dozen 'dead fires' already, with the gun simply not firing at all when the trigger is pulled, and this gives me trepidation over the reliability of the device in a circumstance I might need to rely on it properly projecting lead at a target. I have also had one 'bad fire', where the cap went off but did not ignite the powder charge, requiring me to remove the cylinder pin, dig out a cap on a live chamber and reseat a cap in order to fire the round for further cleaning. This is a fairly dangerous thing to have to do.
  


• 
  It is somewhat difficult to swap cylinders, as they fit very tight and the 'quarter cock' position used for this does offer a way to change out the cylinder, it is not a perfect fit and there is sometimes resistance requiring force.
  


• 
  While some of these may be due to using CCA #11 caps, which do seem to work most of the time, I am looking forward to getting actual Remington brand #11s to see if this solves or clears up the problem.
  


• 
  It is somewhat difficult to clean and I am looking for additional brushes, swabs and some dental picks and wire brushes to help here.
  

Having a modern derringer or 'vest pocket revolver' such as this offers a certain peace of mind when making cash withdrawals, or if I am camping in unfamiliar places. It does wonders for scaring off raccoons, which is probably the reason I have fired it most.

I intend to send the device in for Cleaning and Adjustment after 100 rounds, in order to insure everything is in smooth working order and plan to perform basic ballistics tests in the near future using blocks of 2x4 and plywood at different ranges and a chronometer once acquired.

Overall, I am very satisfied with my purchase, though want to further improve the firing supplies I use with it, and I am hoping that after factory servicing any mechanical issues are resolved. Beyond this I intend to pickup the Viridian Laser Sight Grip, if it is compatible with this model and a holster that better fits my attire.

[Rick_Jorgenson]

Welcome to the Forum Storyteller!

I have not ventured into the NAA Black Powder Guns yet but will when one crosses my path. It will be added to the collection herd of NAA's already residing in my gun safe   

So I do appreciate the explanation of issues that have come up. I don't have any answers for you but I'll be watching this thread closely, there are other members here that have BP NAA's that may offer some advise.

Again, Welcome to the asylum Forum! 

[bill_deshivs]

Many states have laws against carrying weapons. Even if muzzle loaders are not considered "firearms," they are still considered "weapons" if you are carrying them for defense/offense. Many people get confused about this.

Why not just get a permit and carry a real gun legally? If your state doesn't issue permits, then I can guarantee carrying a M/L is still illegal.
If you are prohibited from getting a permit (felon,) then I can also pretty much guarantee it's illegal to carry it.

[OLD and GRUMPY]

Welcome. I call mine my little black pain in the ass.  Love her. First there is NO safety!  That first notch is not a safety. If you want to keep your nuts have the hammer down on a EMPTY cylinder when she is in your pocket. ----    "cylinder 'sticking' sometimes" The pin gets dirty very fast. Wipe it every time you reload. And clean the pin hole in the cylinder.Also if the spring loaded ball that holds the pin in place is not all the way seated the cylinder may drag. If you shoot black you know about dirt. Being tiny the dirt factor is times 10 over a Colt open top. For cleaning Hoppe's makes a BP cleaner. If you use a oil based cleaner it will react with the heat and sulpher and make asphalt in the bore and chambers. Oil+sulpher+heat = the stuff we make roads out of. For cleaning at the range I use a 3" .22 swab. No rod. Every reload swab the bore and chambers with a moist swab. Plane water will do if you don't have cleaner. NO OIL.( you can use oil inside and where it does not get that hot.) Swabbing the chambers will make seating the bullet easy. ---- 'Dead fires' . After cleaning the nipples they must be dry. Bone dry. No lube or oil.If you carry it then it stays primed for a long time.   Even a tiny amount will kill the primer. Just use a tiny drop of anti seize (choke tube lube) on the nipple threads. Dry hole dry cone. You can water proof them but that is for latter.   C&B  revolvers can stay primed for years if done right. To powder her I got a flint lock priming flask from Track of the Wolf. Drops 4 to 5 gr 4f. Just right.  https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Search.aspx?search=flint%20priming%20flask    Push, lift, slide. More latter.

[OLD and GRUMPY]

The eye drop bottle is full of Crisco to grease over the bullet.

[OLD and GRUMPY]

How our little pain in the ass works.  http://trac-r.com/c&b/pdf/CutawayChamberView.pdf

[Storyteller]

Many states have laws against carrying weapons. Even if muzzle loaders are not considered "firearms," they are still considered "weapons" if you are carrying them for defense/offense. Many people get confused about this.

Why not just get a permit and carry a real gun legally? If your state doesn't issue permits, then I can guarantee carrying a M/L is still illegal.
If you are prohibited from getting a permit (felon,) then I can also pretty much guarantee it's illegal to carry it.

I spoke with my county sheriff about it.
As long as its not in a Sensitive Zone, like a school or post office, its fine.

[top dog]

Storyteller,
Welcome to the forum. The Companion is a nice first choice for a mini but I would suggest that for carrying purposes,you purchase another mini that handle 22lr or Magnum.

The ballistics of the BP loads out of the Companion are not really that impressive.

Besides,you need a reason to pick up yet another mini. Folks here will tell you that they tend to  "multiply"

                                                                                                                   Top Dog

[Gnigma]

I have a few black powder revolvers, including a .31 "pocket" Remington. With my bear paw hands, it's about the smallest BP gun I want to shoot--- or clean. They are a PITA to clean. They are LOTS of fun to shoot, though.

[OLD and GRUMPY]

Gingma-  Welcome to the forum. Good to see more "smokers". Try to get to your 15 posts so we can see your pictures! We need pictures for coffee time. Random pics!

[OLD and GRUMPY]

Super Companion and Walker 1847.

[top dog]

Storyteller,
Welcome to the forum. I too would recomend a Black Widow in 22 mag for carrying purposes.

Using Hoppes #9 in my opinion is not a good idea. It was not designed for BP.  There are plenty of products out there designed for BP cleaning..

O&G,
Nice dog!!  I presume he/she pretty much runs the house??

                                                                                    Top Dog

[Uncle_Lee]

Many states have laws against carrying weapons. Even if muzzle loaders are not considered "firearms," they are still considered "weapons" if you are carrying them for defense/offense. Many people get confused about this.

Why not just get a permit and carry a real gun legally? If your state doesn't issue permits, then I can guarantee carrying a M/L is still illegal.
If you are prohibited from getting a permit (felon,) then I can also pretty much guarantee it's illegal to carry it.

Unless your last name is Biden.

[Uncle_Lee]

Welcome Storyteller, you have just found a nice home.
Good folks here.
Pictures, pictures, we love pictures.

[OLD and GRUMPY]

O&G,
Nice dog!!  I presume he/she pretty much runs the house??

                                                                                    Top Dog

She is now 90lb. Her boyfriend is 100lb. They live in a small house with 5 humans. You may have seen her on the news last winter when the super market in Crestline CA collapsed in the snow. She lives up the hill from it. All seven were trapped in the house for several weeks. They would hike the mile in head high snow to the market to get food for the old farts who were running out. She has her own back pack and can pull a cart. Her boyfriend is blind so can't help. They were in the market the day before it collapsed.

[top dog]

O&G,
Wow! That is really something!!!!

                                                 Top Dog

[Gnigma]

Once you clean and dry the cylinder, and after loading it, you can 'seal' the caps with clear nail polish. That will waterproof that end of the cylinder, and keep the caps from backing off and binding. So, with the front greased and the rear sealed, a black powder gun becomes more reliable, especially if you're going to carry it. I've never had a misfire for a BP gun prepped that way (Knock on wood.). I used to pack a BP .44 Navy when I hunted, and it kept the powder dry even in the rain. You do need to make sure it's clean and dry. I also use a cleaning wire for welding tips to make sure the nipples are clear after cleaning the cylinder, then rinse in boiling water for a few minutes.Let it dry, and by the time it's cool enough to handle, everything will have evaporated.

[OLD and GRUMPY]

Any trace of oil on or in the nipple can kill the cap. Must be dry. Bone dry. FTF has always been oil related. Companions cylinder is stainless. No need to oil it inside or out. Oil can kill the powder also. Let the nips rust. They are cheep to replace. I use the nail polish also. Only lube on the cylinder is a TINY drop of anti seize on the nip threads and a BP lube on the cylinder pin. NOTHING IN OR ON CHAMBER OR NIPS.