The Walker Colt is the official Texas State Handgun

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sat Sep 04, 2021 1:43 pm

https://www.kten.com/story/43949977/its ... te-handgun

I've been thinking about a Walker Colt (reproduction) for years now. More particularly, I would want a cartridge conversion like Gus carried in Lonesome Dove.

Now that it is the Official State Handgun for the State of Texas, why the heck not?

piller · Post by **piller** » Sat Sep 04, 2021 3:35 pm

Sounds pretty reasonable to me. A cartridge conversion one would be fun to shoot.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sat Sep 04, 2021 3:37 pm

Mr. T, I can't believe you haven't ordered it as of yet.

BTW, we'll need a range report, Sir.

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Sat Sep 04, 2021 6:12 pm

Shouldn't it actually be the Paterson? Jack Hayes' rangers used it first. Walker was a member of the rangers.

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Sat Sep 04, 2021 6:23 pm

Hey Scott!

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002236961/

https://www.buffaloarms.com/uberti-walk ... walku.html

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Sep 04, 2021 6:58 pm

(CNN) -- Texas has an official state firearm.

Wait a second... according to the BATFE a cap & ball isn't a "firearm"!

piller · Post by **piller** » Sat Sep 04, 2021 8:25 pm

Patterson may have been used first, but the Walker was designed to the requested wants and needs of the Texas Rangers. It had approximately the power of a typical rifle in its day from each cylinder. Carrying two, and a couple of spare loaded cylinders. Meant that a mounted Ranger had as much firepower as a small rifle platoon for a short time. Lots of the skirmishes were over quickly. The Comanche, and other Natives, had a relatively low birth rate. Losing one or two adult males in each skirmish over a days long running fight could severely damage the tribes chances for long term survival.
In a way, the Walker was one of the first Military Superiority weapons. It was big enough that it was not practical for most normal sized men to carry in a hip holster.

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 7:48 am

Great-great granddad James Wayland served with the First Regiment of Texas Mounted Rifle Volunteers, enlisting in Austin in May of 1846. I have often wondered if he was issued a Walker.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 7:54 am

Makes perfect sense to me.

TraderVic · Post by **TraderVic** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 8:02 am

Scott Tschirhart wrote: ↑Sat Sep 04, 2021 1:43 pm https://www.kten.com/story/43949977/its ... te-handgun

I've been thinking about a Walker Colt (reproduction) for years now. More particularly, I would want a cartridge conversion like Gus carried in Lonesome Dove.

Now that it is the Official State Handgun for the State of Texas, why the heck not?

Scott, are you sure Gus carried a converted Walker Colt ? It doesn't look oversized to me, and Gus carries his revolver in a standard hip holster. Just saying..

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 8:16 am

TraderVic wrote: ↑Sun Sep 05, 2021 8:02 am
Scott Tschirhart wrote: ↑Sat Sep 04, 2021 1:43 pm https://www.kten.com/story/43949977/its ... te-handgun

I've been thinking about a Walker Colt (reproduction) for years now. More particularly, I would want a cartridge conversion like Gus carried in Lonesome Dove.

Now that it is the Official State Handgun for the State of Texas, why the heck not?
Scott, are you sure Gus carried a converted Walker Colt ? It doesn't look oversized to me, and Gus carries his revolver in a standard hip holster. Just saying..

walker.JPG

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 8:28 am

Yes, I am sure it was a cartridge conversion. No nipples and in the scene where he slaps the surly bartender with it, it can clearly be seen that it is a cartridge conversion. The recoil shield is cut on the right side to allow the cartridges to be slipped into and ejected from the cylinder.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 8:34 am

JimT wrote: ↑Sat Sep 04, 2021 6:23 pm Hey Scott!

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002236961/

https://www.buffaloarms.com/uberti-walk ... walku.html

Brother Jim,

I was thinking more along these lines:

https://www.kirstkonverter.com/colt-wal ... goons.html

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 8:56 am

Scott Tschirhart wrote: ↑Sun Sep 05, 2021 8:34 am Brother Jim,

I was thinking more along these lines:

https://www.kirstkonverter.com/colt-wal ... goons.html

John Taffin recommends Kirst.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 10:44 am

why does the conversion retain the ram rod? it doesn't look to be lined up with the loading gate.

Nate Kiowa Jones · Post by **Nate Kiowa Jones** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 11:58 am

For those who are Texas State Rifle Association members there will be a article about the Colt Walker comeing out soon written by a friend of mine, retired Texas Ranger Joey Gordon. I don't know if he will use them but I sent him pictures of some of my reproduction showing the progression from the Paterson to the 1860.

piller wrote: ↑Sat Sep 04, 2021 8:25 pm Patterson may have been used first, but the Walker was designed to the requested wants and needs of the Texas Rangers. ................................. It was big enough that it was not practical for most normal sized men to carry in a hip holster.

They were requested by Texas Range Captian Sammy Walker.Hence the Walker name. Big enough to become known as the horse pistols because they were carried in holster on the pommel of the saddles.

Nate Kiowa Jones · Post by **Nate Kiowa Jones** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 12:06 pm

Grizz wrote: ↑Sun Sep 05, 2021 10:44 am why does the conversion retain the ram rod? it doesn't look to be lined up with the loading gate.

I don't know of any complete conversion walks. The Kirst conversion is just the cylinder and recoil plate to replace the CB cylinder.
I'm betting folks that go the conversion route remove the rammer because they are notorious for falling down when fired.

There is a fix for the problem but it does make the rammer hard to use, because it latches in much harder with the fix.

TraderVic · Post by **TraderVic** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 12:10 pm

I agree Gus is carrying a cartridge converted cap&ball revolver, it just doesn't look large enough to be a Colt Walker. Especially the way he handles and carries it. I guess it looks different to me. The Walker is certainly a lot of revolver.

TraderVic · Post by **TraderVic** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 12:11 pm

Now that I look at the close up you provided, you're right !

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 1:20 pm

TraderVic wrote: ↑Sun Sep 05, 2021 12:11 pm Now that I look at the close up you provided, you're right !

Also .. look at the barrel wedge. On the Walker it goes in from the right side. I may be wrong, but I believe the Dragoons and the rest of the later models all had the barrel wedge going in from the left side.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 1:55 pm

Thanks Nate,

I suppose, back in the day, it could be valuable to switch between the cylinders, so the ram would be needed for that.

I sure would like to shoot one for a few days. Before I can't lift it any more!

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 2:41 pm

Grizz wrote: ↑Sun Sep 05, 2021 1:55 pmit could be valuable to switch between the cylinders, so the ram would be needed for that.

Actually on any of the Colt C&B to cartridge conversion the rammer is totally superfluous. On the Remington the rammer holds the cylinder pin, and is still necessary

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 3:15 pm

Griff wrote: ↑Sun Sep 05, 2021 2:41 pm
Grizz wrote: ↑Sun Sep 05, 2021 1:55 pmit could be valuable to switch between the cylinders, so the ram would be needed for that.
Actually on any of the Colt C&B to cartridge conversion the rammer is totally superfluous. On the Remington the rammer holds the cylinder pin, and is still necessary

Thanks Griff. I think I mis-spoke. I was thinking that the ability to convert back to percussion, say after running out of cartridges, would work better if there is a working ram. I get all tongue tied and my fingers reproduce that!

I've shot a percussion rifle, but never a revolver. Nor a flintlock. I'd like to though. I remember the fun of the big cloud of smoke in front of Dad's front loader.

piller · Post by **piller** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 3:37 pm

I have never shot a C&B pistol, either. It is something which should be corrected.

TraderVic · Post by **TraderVic** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 3:57 pm

I've sure given thought to owning and shooting a cap & ball revolver over many years, but either didn't have the extra coin or got distracted with other gun projects.
I've hunted with a 54 cal Great Plains Rifle for almost 40 years, so I am familiar with black powder.......and cleaning up after shooting

Ray · Post by **Ray** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 4:41 pm

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Ray · Post by **Ray** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 6:26 pm

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JimT · Post by **JimT** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 7:45 pm

I love the power of that big ole sixgun!

Ray · Post by **Ray** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 8:38 pm

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kaschi · Post by **kaschi** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 9:54 pm

From what I understand, the loading lever on the Walker falls during recoil and that was supposedly rectified with the Dragoon series. Although people have said they those loading levers also drop under recoil. Too bad Colt didn't come up with a better holder. I've had an 1860 Army in the past and it never fell so that system seems to work. Not sure if the 1860 uses the same retainer as the Dragoon or not.

Ray · Post by **Ray** » Sun Sep 05, 2021 10:20 pm

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Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 7:41 am

problem is Ray, where do we get period correct rubber tape?

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 9:11 am

For those wanting to try percussion revolvers I have a safety warning.

Once you try it you will find yourself suffering from another variant of shooting addiction. There is no vaccine and you will never fully recover.

Post by **Old Savage** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 9:20 am

Well, except for the clean up.

Post by **Old Savage** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 9:48 am

I suppose this is the modern follow on of the idea; interesting to me because I have a couple.

https://youtu.be/P5bwrb8FjWM

Nate Kiowa Jones · Post by **Nate Kiowa Jones** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 9:51 am

kaschi wrote: ↑Sun Sep 05, 2021 9:54 pm From what I understand, the loading lever on the Walker falls during recoil and that was supposedly rectified with the Dragoon series. Although people have said they those loading levers also drop under recoil. Too bad Colt didn't come up with a better holder. I've had an 1860 Army in the past and it never fell so that system seems to work. Not sure if the 1860 uses the same retainer as the Dragoon or not.

But, they did. There only about 1100 of the walkers made. Then came the Draggoons. They addressed the rammer latch and burst cylinders too.

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 2:44 pm

Old Savage wrote: ↑Mon Sep 06, 2021 9:20 am Well, except for the clean up.

I have an old dishwasher in the garage. Wish it were big enough for rifle barrels. It cleans and dries handguns with no muss or fuss.

kaschi · Post by **kaschi** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 9:57 pm

@ Ray: yeah in today's shooting with a Walker for casual fun and playing Old West, it's not a big deal if the lever falls and there are definitely quick fixes. If I owned and shot one, I've thought about the idea of using a rubber band to hold it up. Now, let's go back to the mid 1800s where a guy would have been using one to save his bacon while being shot at! Guaranteed they were cursing every time the lever dropped. Or do you think otherwise?

@ Steve: I mentioned the fact that Dragoons added the latch to address the Walker problem (the part of my post you highlighted). When I wrote "too bad Colt didn't come up with a better holder", I mean better than THE one they designed for the Dragoon. As mentioned I've heard people say and have watched youtube videos of people shooting Dragoons where the levers of them fell occasionally while firing. I've never had a chance to see or handle a Dragoon in person so I cannot say whether its latch is the same or different as found on an 1860 Army. I used to shoot an Army and never had the lever drop while firing. IF the the latch is the same on the Dragoon as on the 1860, and it falls during firing, it must have to do with stouter loads in the Dragoon. IF the latches are designed differently, then the style designed for the 1860 must be the better one or they would not have changed it from what was on the Dragoon.

The thought of owning a 3rd Model Dragoon has always interested me. Now I feel like I need to get one!

Ray · Post by **Ray** » Tue Sep 07, 2021 4:38 am

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marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Tue Sep 07, 2021 9:38 am

Scott Tschirhart wrote: ↑Sun Sep 05, 2021 8:28 am Yes, I am sure it was a cartridge conversion. No nipples and in the scene where he slaps the surly bartender with it, it can clearly be seen that it is a cartridge conversion. The recoil shield is cut on the right side to allow the cartridges to be slipped into and ejected from the cylinder.

No doubt it was a cartridge conversion, but I think what he meant was is it a conversion of a Walker or other Colt? I don't believe it's a Walker converted to cartridge. More likely a smaller frame Colt conversion I think.

Post by **AmBraCol** » Tue Sep 07, 2021 10:58 am

piller wrote: ↑Sun Sep 05, 2021 3:37 pm I have never shot a C&B pistol, either. It is something which should be corrected.

You, sir, should repent. You've neglected one of the rites of passage long enough.

Post by **AmBraCol** » Tue Sep 07, 2021 11:02 am

According to this page, Duvall carried both a Walker AND an 1860 in Lonesome Dove. I've never seen the series so assume it would depend on what episode it was.

http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Robert_Duvall

TraderVic · Post by **TraderVic** » Tue Sep 07, 2021 12:05 pm

AmBraCol wrote: ↑Tue Sep 07, 2021 11:02 am According to this page, Duvall carried both a Walker AND an 1860 in Lonesome Dove. I've never seen the series so assume it would depend on what episode it was.

http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Robert_Duvall

Since Lonesome Dove is among my favorites, I will be scrutinizing Gus's revolvers next time around. I typically watch it once every year, during winter.

Nate Kiowa Jones · Post by **Nate Kiowa Jones** » Tue Sep 07, 2021 3:44 pm

kaschi wrote: ↑Mon Sep 06, 2021 9:57 pm @ Ray: yeah in today's shooting with a Walker for casual fun and playing Old West, it's not a big deal if the lever falls and there are definitely quick fixes. If I owned and shot one, I've thought about the idea of using a rubber band to hold it up. Now, let's go back to the mid 1800s where a guy would have been using one to save his bacon while being shot at! Guaranteed they were cursing every time the lever dropped. Or do you think otherwise?

@ Steve: I mentioned the fact that Dragoons added the latch to address the Walker problem (the part of my post you highlighted). When I wrote "too bad Colt didn't come up with a better holder", I mean better than THE one they designed for the Dragoon. As mentioned I've heard people say and have watched youtube videos of people shooting Dragoons where the levers of them fell occasionally while firing. I've never had a chance to see or handle a Dragoon in person so I cannot say whether its latch is the same or different as found on an 1860 Army. I used to shoot an Army and never had the lever drop while firing. IF the the latch is the same on the Dragoon as on the 1860, and it falls during firing, it must have to do with stouter loads in the Dragoon. IF the latches are designed differently, then the style designed for the 1860 must be the better one or they would not have changed it from what was on the Dragoon.

The thought of owning a 3rd Model Dragoon has always interested me. Now I feel like I need to get one!

The 1st and 2nd latches were different than the Walker. They were better but not as good as the 51 or 60. But they finally got it right with the 3rd. It's more like the 1860.

There's a fix for the Walker. I have two of them. I'll try to get some pics of how I fixed it.

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Tue Sep 07, 2021 4:04 pm

marlinman93 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 07, 2021 9:38 am I don't believe it's a Walker converted to cartridge. More likely a smaller frame Colt conversion I think.

That is possible.
But
It has the Walker loading lever and latch
The cylinder is quite long for a smaller framed gun
The barrel wedge comes in from the right side like the Walkers, not the left like the later Dragoons

If I were to guess it's an Italian replica that has had the recoil shield milled out for cartridges and a cylinder made for blanks .. a movie gun. I base that on nothing but my own w.a.g.

Ray · Post by **Ray** » Tue Sep 07, 2021 6:34 pm

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Post by **AmBraCol** » Tue Sep 07, 2021 7:00 pm

$30,000 FLOOR PRICE + Buyers premium!!??!!?!?!?! And it's been rode hard and put up wet by the look of it.

kaschi · Post by **kaschi** » Thu Sep 09, 2021 10:18 pm

Thank you for the clarification on all the different styles of latches, Steve. Much appreciated!