Centaure Colt 1860

[llanerosolitario]

I' m satisfied with the accuracy of my Belgian Centaure revolver.  I still think, however, that it can slightly be improved with a wider trigger, and a faster hammer, using a stiffer mainspring and/or a lightened hammer and minor changes in the load.

The group was achieved one hand held, standing, from 25 meters, 454 ball over 22 grains of FFFg Swiss powder and no fillers or wads,  with ball sitting on the powder and grease over the chambers.

The thin trigger, typical in Colts, makes accuracy more difficult, as it multiplies finger mistakes.





Pd: Patched impacts by unknown shooter probably using a 9mm parabellum pistol...I employed a used target that I found in the range and there was a 9mm match the morning before. Not a very skilled  shooter, by the way.

[LonesomePigeon]

Very nice gun and group! I have 2 Centaure's but they didn't shoot like that. I have them at a gunsmith now. May I ask what serial number range yours is? Mine are 4xxx and 9xxx. What brand/size caps are you using? I tried Remington 10 & 11 and CCI 10 & 11 and none really fit right.

[Long Johns Wolf]

llanerosolitario: if you are interested in the story of the Centaures aka licensed Belgian Colt 1860s visit www.1960nma.org.
Long Johns Wolf

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[llanerosolitario]

Thanks for the link. My revolver SN is 7XXX.

I have obtained far more accuracy by avoiding fillers like corn weed or wads. Just seating the ball over the bullet made a significant change for better in the groups.

I use  RWS caps. 10,75 size...I pinch them a little and fit ok. The outside diameter is around 4,4 mm.

[Long Johns Wolf]

llanerosolitario: some time in the 7XXX S/N range the Liège Proof house changed their proof testing procedures.
Would you care to share with me by PM the S/N, the proof marks on the left side of the barrel lug, the digits on the breech side of the cylinder and the number of rifling grooves in the barrel, please.
I would like to add this data of your pistol to the Centaure data bank. Off course, without reference to you.
Thanks you.
Long Johns Wolf 

[LonesomePigeon]

Ok 7xxx, thank you.

[llanerosolitario]

llanerosolitario: some time in the 7XXX S/N range the Liège Proof house changed their proof testing procedures.
Would you care to share with me by PM the S/N, the proof marks on the left side of the barrel lug, the digits on the breech side of the cylinder and the number of rifling grooves in the barrel, please.
I would like to add this data of your pistol to the Centaure data bank. Off course, without reference to you.
Thanks you.
Long Johns Wolf 

I'll do it as soon as possible, thanks.

[Lefty Dude]

A fine looking piece indeed !!!!