CVA Revolver Information Manual

							Revolver
Warranty
Information
You can
shoot it
WARNING
You must read this prior to
construction or shooting.
™ 
						

							Cap ‘n’ Ball Revolvers
Replicas of original revolvers are as faithful to the original designs as pos-
sible.  For this reason, replicas cannot be made with many of the refinements
and features the shooter has come to expect as standard on modern cartridge
firearms.
Each shooter should remember that today, just as in the mid-nineteenth cen-
tury, there is no way to build a revolver to absolve the user of the need to use
good judgement.
When handled properly, a cap’n’ ball revolver is a safe and enjoyable firearm
to shoot.  If abused, harmful consequences can result.  Remember, this cap ‘n’
ball revolver should be treated with the full respect due any firearm.
You should know that the warranty applies only to parts of this product which
have not been altered in any way.  Therefore, it is important that you take the
time to familiarize yourself with each part and its function prior to shooting.
© Copyright, 1981 CVA 
						

							TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. Important Cautions ................................................................................... 2
B. Introduction ............................................................................................... 3
C. Blackpowder & Pyrodex ............................................................................ 4
D. Preparation Before Loading ..................................................................... 7
E. Recommended Blackpowder Charges ...................................................... 9
F.Projectiles ................................................................................................ 10
G. Lubricants ............................................................................................... 10
H. Loading and Shooting of a Cap 'n' Ball Revolver ................................... 11
I. Loading and Shooting the Wells Fargo Revolver .................................. 17
J. Cleaning and Maintenance ..................................................................... 22
K. Ten Commandments of Muzzleloading .................................................. 22
L. Statement of Liability ............................................................................. 23
M. Service ...................................................................................................... 24
N. Limited One Year Warranty ................................................................... 24
O. Ordering Instructions ............................................................................. 26 
						

							A. IMPORTANT CAUTIONS
1. Always wear shatterproof glasses and ear protection.
2. Use blackpowder or Pyrodex only.
3. Never fire a revolver unless the ball is firmly seated against the powder charge.
4. Do not exceed recommended maximum powder charges.
5. Never lean over or point muzzle of barrel toward yourself at any time.
6. Treat a misfire or failure to fire as though the revolver can fire at any moment.
7. Handle a cap ‘n’ ball revolver with same respect due all firearms.
8. Be sure all spectators are completely behind you when shooting.  Flames and cap
bits sometimes exit to side of the gun.
9. Never smoke while loading, shooting or handling blackpowder or Pyrodex.
10. For safety, always leave one chamber empty.  Carry a revolver with the hammer
resting on the uncapped nipple of the unloaded chamber.
11.Always be sure to lubricate the chambers of the loaded cylinder with a suitable
grease to prevent chain-fires.  When aiming a revolver, never place “free” hand in
front of cylinder.  Possible injury could result in the event of a “chain-fire”.
12. If a cylinder with a loaded chamber must be removed, be sure all caps (unfired
and fired) have been removed from the nipples.
13. Do not pour powder directly from a horn or flask.  An excessive amount of powder
could cause an explosion if ignited.
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							CVA revolvers are packed with a special protective oil on them.  This oil will dry
and stiffen, resulting in sticking or seemingly “tight” operation of the new revolver
when it is removed from the box.   To eliminate this effect, break-in your new revolver
by cocking it several times and releasing the hammer with the trigger.  Do this 10-20
times to work in the oil.
NOTE: When pulling the trigger to release the hammer after cocking, do not let the
hammer fall on an unprotected nipple.  Slowly lower the hammer with your thumb as
you would on a modern handgun.  This prevents mushrooming of the nipples and
damage to the hammer face.
Special Instructions for the Colt Walker and Dragoon Models
To avoid damage to the frames of these hefty revolvers caused by heavier loads,
CVA has redesigned the barrel wedge assembly.  It is a good idea to always carry a
spare wedge assembly for these guns, as the new wedge is designed to wear more
rapidly, thus eliminating undue stress on the frame.  To avoid damage, the wedge
should be replaced every 72 shots when loads exceeding 30 grains of FFFg are used.
B. INTRODUCTION TO MUZZLELOADERS
1. This manual contains instructions, cautions and dangers for the safe use of CVA
blackpowder firearms.  They should be FOLLOWED COMPLETELY.
2. When properly handled, the cap ‘n’ ball revolver is safe and enjoyable to use, if you
follow a FEW BASIC RULES.
Replicas of original muzzleloading firearms are as faithful to the original designs
as possible. For this reason, replicas cannot be made with many of the refinements
3 
						

							and features that are standard on modern cartridge firearms.
Each shooter should remember that now, just as in colonial days, there is no way
to build a muzzleloader that absolves the user from the need to use good judgement
and safety precautions.  When handled properly, a muzzleloader is a safe and enjoy-
able firearm for shooting and hunting.  If abused, harmful consequences can result.
Treat this muzzleloading firearm with the full respect due any firearm.
NOTE: If, after reading these instructions, you have any questions about the safe use
of your CVA firearm, call our Customer Service Department at (770) 449-4687, Mon-
day through Friday, 8:30am - 4:00pm, EST.
CAUTION: If you sell, trade, or give this firearm to any other person, this owner ’s
manual must accompany the firearm.  Replacement books are available free of charge
from CVA.
C. BLACKPOWDER & PYRODEX
Only two types of powder are safe for use in muzzleloading firearms.  The first type is
BLACKPOWDER.  The term “blackpowder” does not refer to any powder that is black
in color.  Many of the smokeless propellants manufactured for modern cartridges or
shotgun shells are also black in color,  but will create extremely dangerous pressures
in muzzleloader barrels.
DANGER: USE OF SMOKELESS POWDERS IN MUZZLELOADERS WILL CRE-
ATE DANGEROUSLY HIGH PRESSURE RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE
FIREARM AND POSSIBLE INJURY TO THE SHOOTER AND/OR BYSTAND-
ERS.
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							Blackpowder is manufactured in four specific
types, or granulations.  When purchasing black-
powder, be certain that it is in the original
manufacturer ’s container and that the granu-
lation is clearly marked on the label.  The four
types of blackpowder, along with the common
usages of each, are identified below:
FG-  (commonly  called Single “F”) The
muzzleloading enthusiast finds little use for this
very coarse blackpowder.  Its use is pretty much
restricted to the large bore (10, 8, 4 gauge) of
yesterday.
FFg- (commonly called Double “F”) This is a very popular powder for the larger rifles
(.45 to .58 caliber).  It is also used for 12, 16, and 20 gauge muzzleloading shotguns.
While it is not considered a pistol powder, it is sometimes used in very large caliber
single-shot pistols.
FFFg- (commonly called Triple “F” Used in all percussion revolvers, most single-shot
pistols, and many of the smaller (under .45 caliber) rifles.  Also used for target loads in
the larger caliber rifles.
FFFFg- (commonly called Four “F”) The finest grade of all currently available
blackpowders,  Four “F” is the best for priming flintlocks.  Due to its limited uses, it is
sometimes hard to obtain.
The second type of powder safe for use in muzzleloading firearms is PYRODEX.
Pyrodex is a propellant designed for use in percussion rifles, pistols and shotguns
5 
						

							found to be in good shooting condition by a competent gunsmith.  Pyrodex relates
closely to blackpowder on a volume to volume basis, not the weight of the charge.  In
other words, a scoop type measure set to dispense 100 grains of blackpowder will dis-
pense roughly 80 grains of Pyrodex (Pyrodex is bulkier).  This lighter charge weight of
Pyrodex will fill the measure and provide a charge which is ballistically similar to 100
grains of blackpowder of the appropriate granulation.  Used in this manner, Pyrodex
will yield approximately the same velocities and pressures as blackpowder.  Pyrodex is
currently available in three granulations.  These types and their uses are listed below:
PYRODEX RS (rifle & shotgun) Designed for use in all calibers of percussion
muzzleloading rifles and shotguns.
PYRODEX P (pistol powder) Designed for use in percussion muzzleloading pistols
and cap & ball revolvers. Also used in small caliber rifles.
PYRODEX CTG (cartridge powder) Designed for use in blackpowder cartridges. This
powder is not suited for use in muzzleloading firearms.
WEIGHT COMPARISON CHART OF EQUAL VOLUMES OF
BLACKPOWDER AND  PYRODEX
Blackpowder Pyrodex Blackpowder Pyrodex
10 gr. 8 gr. 70 gr. 56 gr.
20 gr. 16 gr. 80 gr. 64 gr.
30 gr. 24 gr. 90 gr. 72 gr.
40 gr. 32 gr. 100 gr. 80 gr.
50 gr. 40 gr. 110 gr. 88 gr.
60 gr. 48 gr. 120 gr. 96 gr.
6 
						

							DANGER: BLACKPOWDER, PYRODEX OR ANY OTHER POWDER IS DANGER-
OUS AND HIGHLY EXPLOSIVE.  EXTREME CARE IS REQUIRED WHEN USING
A FLASK FILLED WITH POWDER.  IT IS POSSIBLE POWDER MAY SPILL OR
LEAK FROM THE FLASK AS THE FLASK IS NOT AIR TIGHT.  DO NOT USE OR
STORE WHERE FLAME OR SPARKS COULD IGNITE ANY POWDER IN THE
FLASK OR WHERE POWDER SPILLAGE OR LEAKAGE COULD IGNITE.
CAUTION: NEVER SMOKE WHILE LOADING, SHOOTING OR HANDLING
BLACKPOWDER OR PYRODEX.  ALWAYS FOLLOW MANUFACTURER’S SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS AS LISTED ON THE POWDER CONTAINER.
DANGER: MIXING DIFFERENT GRANULATIONS OF POWDER, OR MIXING
SMOKELESS AND BLACKPOWDER OR PYRODEX (DUPLEX LOADS) IS NOT
RECOMMENDED AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE FIREARM OR POS-
SIBLE INJURY THE SHOOTER AND/OR BYSTANDERS.
D. PREPARATION BEFORE
LOADING
NOTE: The revolver should be cleaned
prior to loading to remove the factory ap-
plied preservative.
1.  “Colt”-style revolver disassembly (See
Figure 1):
a. Remove the wedge, located just for-
ward of the cylinder by tapping it
through the slot from the right side
FrameWedgeLoading
Lever Barrel Cylinder
Hammer Half Cock
Position
Full Cock
Position
Colt Style Revolver
7Figure 1 
						

							of the barrel.  (left side for Colt Walker.)
b. Place the hammer in the half-cock
position (first audible “click”).
c. Rotate the cylinder, so that the load-
ing lever, when lowered, will hit the
area BETWEEN the cylinder cham-
bers.  This allows the loading lever
to help in removal of the barrel from
the frame and cylinder pin.
d. Remove the cylinder from the fame.
2. “Remington”-style revolver disassem-
bly (See Figure 2):
a.Partially lower loading lever so
plunger does not enter cylinder
chamber.
b. Pull out the T-shaped cylinder pin.
c. Place the hammer in the half-cock position (first audible “click”).  Cylinder will
rotate out of the frame.
3. Clean the interior of all cylinder chambers using a cotton swab dipped in a clean-
ing solvent.
4. Place the cylinder so that the chambers face down for easy draining.
5. Run a cleaning patch, soaked with solvent through the barrel.
6. Run clean, dry swabs and patches into the chambers and through the barrel to
thoroughly clean and dry these areas.
8
Figure 2
Remington Style Revolver
Full Cock
PositionHalf Cock
PositionCylinder
Barrel
Loading
Lever
FramePlungerCylinder
Pin