You know how you load a muzzle loaded musket? You know. Pouring in Gunpowder, then using a rod to cram the bullet down the barrel? Well that's what you got to do to each individual cylinder of a blackpowder revolver. So it's basically impossible to reload a revolver under combat conditions (hence, coming to a fight with over a half dozen six guns).
I have no idea where he's coming from in saying that black powder revolvers had no recoil problems though. Maybe he's refering to black powder not kicking as hard due to not exploding as cleanly/fast.
Kamen Runner is right, quick reloading was the primary factor in the development of metallic catridges. However it also allowed firearms to operate at much higher pressures. Whereas previous repeating firearms required a revolver or “stripper clip” mechanism of multiple chambers machined close to one another, a metallic cartridge firearm only requires one chamber due to the ability for the rifle to self-load manually or automatically. This means the chamber walls can be much thicker, and with the use of locking mechanisms, can open easily while still maintaining all the pressure. The brass case essentially is just a carrier for the bullet, primer and powder and its expansion from expanding gases of the smokeless powder releases the bullet. As the brass expands it is stopped by the chamber walls and the bolt face. This ensures the brass case maintains it’s form until pressures decrease (when the bullet leaves the barrel) and the case is extracted by the bolt.
You know how you load a muzzle loaded musket? You know. Pouring in Gunpowder, then using a rod to cram the bullet down the barrel? Well that's what you got to do to each individual cylinder of a blackpowder revolver. So it's basically impossible to reload a revolver under combat conditions (hence, coming to a fight with over a half dozen six guns).
I have no idea where he's coming from in saying that black powder revolvers had no recoil problems though. Maybe he's refering to black powder not kicking as hard due to not exploding as cleanly/fast.
It’s based on experience and validated with a little physics intuition (black powders burn rate only affects recoil through brisance explained below. Black powder does NOT burn cleanly. It is extremely corrosive due to the sulfur and potassium nitrate used in its composition. Very moisture sensitive. Black powder firearms are the reason “keep your powder dry” came around.). Look at it this way. Copper jacketing didn’t really come out until well past the mine bullet picked up use. At this period standard loads consisted of a cast lead ball. That means no copper jacket. When the BP firearm is fired the ball will travel down the barrel retaining most of the expanding gases (except for those that escape through the cylinder gap) until it exits the barrel. Lead is softer than copper so it stands to reason the lead ball moves down the barrel with less pressure than the copper (after all, the rifling needs to engage the surface of the projectile). Any handloader knows that velocity is related to internal pressures (generally as pressures go up, velocity goes up). However the metallurgy at the time was not very good, coupled with the brisance of black powder (relative to modern smokeless) and the inherent gap of a cap and ball revolver means you have to restrict your loads much lower than current with modern firearms. Again velocity is related to pressure, so when pressure goes down velocity goes down. Compare an equal weight caliber of a modern firearm (124 grains 9mm to the 140 grain 44 caliber ball used in the 1858) you will see that the 1858 has little to no recoil. Same weight but less velocity going out the barrel. Newtons 3rd law for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Assuming no mechanical recoil dampening device is used, the 1858 at its much lower velocities (900 some FPS compared to 1200+FPS for the 9mm) and heavier weight (remember force= MASS(acceleration) so heavier guns will “push” back against the recoil by inertia more than lighter guns) will recoil much less than say a glock 26,17, or 19. If you doubt me, pickup one of these in a reproduction online. Its BP so in the US no registration is required and ships to your door generally for less than $300. They are quite fun. I really don’t know why someone removed my comment. Anyone who owns this firearm or shoots black powder in general knows it isn’t exactly a kicker. Edit: Ah, realized the user said 1851, but again the same concepts still apply. Little to no recoil. Assuming Nao has a decent grip on the firearm and closes her eyes from the burning powder she should be fine firing that way (although it would look kinda silly)
