Is the Walker horse pistol liable to explode?

Question

I heard the reason the later Dragoon pistol had a shorter cylinder was because of incidents where the walker had exploded, are modern replicas still in danger of this?
(I mean with a roundball and 60 grains of fffg powder)Thanks for any help!

Answer 1

No, or they wouldn't sell it!

Answer 2

No way. That was a problem faced in the 1840's when the pistol was first introduced. If you bought a reproduction made by Uberti, Navy Arms or another quality manufacturer, you can load those cylinders right up. HOWEVER do not use modern powders until you've done some research. Go with the traditional FFg or FFFg blackpowder NOT pyrodex, has it is hotter. Also DO NOT use compressed loads, that could present a problem. Have fun out there.

Answer 3

NO....This was only an issue and a problem with "Original" Colt Dragoon's & Walker's. Colt Walker reproductions are heavier and designed to handle a maximum load of 60 grains of fffg Black Powder. In all my years as a Gunsmith I have never seen nor have I ever heard of one "exploding" unless a charge larger than 60 grains was used or the cylinder mis-aligned. If you have one and shoot it often, you will find that 50 grains is the most practical load and will give you the most accuracy. NEVER use more than 50 grains of Pyrodex products in ANY Colt Walker 44.....I had a customer come in with an Umberti (Italian) repro that he destroyed by trying to shoot 60 grains of Pyrodex in place of 60 grains of fffg Black Powder......

Answer 4

I was always under the impression that these horse pistols were exploding due to improper timing of the cylinder. I could be wrong here.

Answer 5

You're completely right about the original Walker Colt and the Dragoon.

Modern replicas, however, are far stronger and better manufactured. Follow the maker's guidelines, of course, but don't worry about ruptures as long as you stay within sanity.