Outdoor Recreation

Bah-woom! A bright 18-inch-long flame leapt from the muzzle of my old rifle. Then dense white smoke billowed up in front of me, hung there in the air, and hid my target. I quickly took a couple of steps to the side, squinting in the bright sunlight, and saw a puff of dust explode on a far-off boulder. Right on target at 600 yards! I was a black-powder shooter from then on.Finding a shootable old black-powder pistol or rifle was a chore those many years ago. I scoured the used shooting sports stores and antique markets looking for guns in good condition and which I could afford. Then I took my finds to a gunsmith for whatever repairs were needed.

Locating the few necessary accessories to shoot them followed the same route; it took lots of time and patience.

But, when all were safe to fire, what fun I had learning the characteristics the personality of each gun as I coaxed it into improved performances amid the smoke and smell black-powder shooters love.

Through the years, I've had some adventures of my own with my old Army revolver, an 1863 model Remington. It was produced about the time of the Civil War. What its past was I never knew.

But I do recall it brought in the meat for me and my crew in the wilds of central Alaska when our supplies failed to arrive. On military pistol ranges in Colorado and Germany, its characteristic rolling boom sounded out in marked contrast to the sharp cracks made by the Army .45s.

It was on my hip in its shiny black military holster one day when I was charged with the security of the post. Crossing the parade ground, I passed our regimental commander, who eyed that long slim holster and demanded, "Bowman, is that a regulation sidearm?"

"Yes, sir," I answered crisply without breaking stride or telling him just how long ago it had been authorized.

That revolver rode with me for years in the northern Rockies where meeting a grizzly bear face-to-face was likely to happen (it did), and it gave me some comfort knowing that if I had to use it (I didn't), in addition to lead poisoning, the old cap and ball thunderbolt would singe ol' grizzly's eyelashes, and I mightescape its wrath in the confusion of fire and smoke.

BLACK POWDER SHOOTING IS NO FLASH IN THE PAN

Black powder has been around as long as firearms have been in existence. (Smokeless powder appeared in the 1890s.) The history of American firearms and of the Western frontier is mostly writ-ten in the reek and billow of black powder; so are all our wars until this century. What a splendid way to be in touch with our past.

The warning cry of the Minutemen in 1776, "Keep your powder dry," takes on real meaning as you shoulder a flintlock and strike out afoot in the morning mist. You know just how mountain men felt as you clutch your big-bore plains rifle.

Then there were the great old pistols. From the old single-shot horse pistols Gen. George Washington carried on his saddle to the California gold miners' favorite, the Colt Navy percussion, to the Western soldiers' big caliber .44 Colt and Remington revolvers and on to the cowboys' and lawmen's Colt "Peacemaker," the feel, the blast, and the smoke of our history is in your hands.

Times have changed since I scrounged up my old black-powder shooters. It's the best of all possible worlds now; copies of all the old-timers are available from a number of manufacturers.

Made of modern steel and with current technology, these reproductions are better in every way: safer, more accurate, and just as sleek and beautiful as the originals.

Daniel Boone couldn't have asked for a better long rifle than you can buy or build yourself, and the boys in Blue and Gray would gladly have given you their Civil War arms for yours and thrown in a week's rations to boot.

Today, powder has been improved, accessories abound, and information is available and up-to-date. There also are special black-powder hunting seasons in many states and shooting matches held nearly everywhere, outdoors, of course, where an ever-so-light breeze will blow away the smoke.

Now, some cautions: it's safer not to fire an old original; it's not worth the risk. Put it in a holster or hang it on a wall. Get information. Do some reading and talking with black-powder shooters before you make a selection. Then purchase a reproduction and have it checked for safety.

Finally, treat all old guns and reproductions with all the caution and respect you'd give to modern firearms.

It's probably just folklore and I doubt if most shooters would admit it but I'll pass on to you this tip for what it's worth: somehow these modern reproductions shoot better when you are wearing homespun or buckskin, like the old-timers wore. I know mine seem to. MAuthor's Note: For additional information, start with gun dealers in your area that feature black-powder arms. Most stock reproductions or they can direct you to suppliers and manufacturers. Check your local shooting range for information about black-powder clubs and organizations. Or you can phone the Competitions Division of the National Rifle Association, (202) 828-6178.