Lewis and Clarks travel across country with an Air Rifle

[Bear Paw Jack]

I suspect most of us have known for years that Lewis and Clark brought an air rifle with them as they went across country and back. BUT, what do you know about it and have you ever seen it? It's the Girandoni Air Rifle. This is the story. It's about 8 min and 30 seconds

http://www.network54.com/Forum/451309/thread/1296928404/

 

[gramps]

Thanks BPJ. Very interesting. Makes me wonder why black powder was so popular?
Why do we not have something comparable now? Why only single shot high velocity air guns? In mouse calibers.
gramps

 

[stevemb]

There are larger caliber airguns. BIG bucks. Also face it, we LOVE gunpowder ! Things that make ya go BOOM ! A Phhffttt ! Just doesn't do it for me. Hey..whats that smell ?

 

[Cooperhawk]

Actually they aren't that quiet. I had an airgun, which I sold, that fired a light weight pellet at supersonic velocity. It was just as loud as a .22. :shock:

 

[stevemb]

Yeah, physics, but still, no burnt Unique/2400 smell. Just a fad, won't take off !

 

[Cooperhawk]

Yeah, I sold it. Too much time pumping the darn thing. Easier to just chamber a round. :D

 

[powder smoke]

Pretty cool gun Thanx BPJ

 

[Pierow]

All I have to say about my airguns is don't try to ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ! Otherwise I'll pull out ole' Red Ryder and show you what 325 fps is all about.

Regarding the topic, Lewis and Clark were smart fellas going to the Indians rather than the opposite. They basically held the higher ground by doing so. They made themselves a non-threat to them. One of the basics of self defense no? See potential danger and address or avoid it before it becomes a problem.

Pierow

 

[Number9]

Great video about our history!
Thanks for posting it!

 

[5of7]

Very informative. When I read Undaunted Courage, I wondered the same thing; how did this expedition make it thought so much terrain, peopled by savage Indians, without getting killed.

Now I know. Thanks for the video. 8)

 

[stevemb]

They should'a stopped at Vegas on the way home. Blind stinkin' luck.

 

[Selena]

Since nobody else has asked I will... How did they charge the thing? I mean 800 PSI? Even if CFM was minimal that's still a lot of pressure!

 

[Wyandot Jim]

If you read the Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which is outstanding, you will see how they used it to their advantage. Even though the Indians had rifles this scared the hell out of them.
Sorry I don't remember how it was charged. I don't remember it being a problem.
Jim

 

[Pierow]

It took 1,500 strokes of a bicycle type pump to fully charge the reservoir. It was one of the reasons the weapon was dropped by the Austrian army in the early 19th century. It was fragile as well at least compared to a powder burning gun. Mechanisms of a standard rifle compared to those within the Girandoni would be like comparing a sun dial to a Swiss watch.

Pierow

 

[Mike J]

Dang, It kinda makes me want one-or a more modern version at least. It would be cool from due to not needing gunpowder. All one would need would be a source for lead balls of the appropriate diameter.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Since nobody else has asked I will... How did they charge the thing? I mean 800 PSI? Even if CFM was minimal that's still a lot of pressure!

Hi,

As the man told us: 1500 pumps from a bicycle style pump!

Because of the time and effort required to reach "only" 800 psi, it would most likely have been the relatively simple single stage pump design we still use for bike tires. Today's PCP (pre-charged pneumatic) air rifles run about 3000 psi, and (if the shooter doesn't charge 'em from a tank) use a familiar looking pump. Internally, though, it's a multi-stage design which boosts pressure without too much extra effort. A popular model is seen here: http://www.airgundepot.com/fx-handpump-airforce.html It's rated to 3600 psi--some others go up into the range of 4000-4500 psi.

For those wanting a modern version, today's PCPs are available in .177, possibly .20., .22 and .25 caliber "pellet" styles, plus a .357 that shoots a 175 gr projectile about 800 fps, essentially .38 Spl ballistics equivalent. There may be more calibers--those are the ones I remember off hand. And folks are hunting some pretty big game with those .357 air rifles, too! There are plenty of videos for the curious. These guns are not your Daddy's Red Ryder for sure...

Back to L&C themselves, I'd heard some stories of that air rifle over the years, but this is the first time I've heard of using it for "demos" to make friends and amaze the locals. Pretty good idea!

Rick C

 

[Selena]

Dang, It kinda makes me want one-or a more modern version at least. It would be cool from due to not needing gunpowder. All one would need would be a source for lead balls of the appropriate diameter.

Jump right in...

http://www.extremebigboreairrifles.com/

Don't let the $1500 price tag slow you down though.

 

[dreamer]

It's on display at the NRA museum in Springfield Bass Pro. Saw it last week when I stopped in with my group of high school seniors.

 

[Mike J]

Dang, It kinda makes me want one-or a more modern version at least. It would be cool from due to not needing gunpowder. All one would need would be a source for lead balls of the appropriate diameter.

Jump right in...

http://www.extremebigboreairrifles.com/

Don't let the $1500 price tag slow you down though.

Of course a $1500 price tag slows me down. It is still a neat concept though.

 

[Selena]

Dang, It kinda makes me want one-or a more modern version at least. It would be cool from due to not needing gunpowder. All one would need would be a source for lead balls of the appropriate diameter.

Jump right in...

http://www.extremebigboreairrifles.com/

Don't let the $1500 price tag slow you down though.

Of course a $1500 price tag slows me down. It is still a neat concept though.

No Doubt! I would love to have the 308 but...

 

[Poco Oso]

Great video. Big bore air rifles are very effective. They're not just for paper punching/tin can rolling with the kids. There are some real reasonable priced ones out there. You can fill them with a compressor, portable air tank or bicycle pump. (if you're up for a little work out :wink: )
Here's a pretty good selection of calibers. Some are pretty spendy so be prepared
http://www.airgunwarehouseinc.com/large-bore-caliber-rifles.html

 

[WendyZXZ]

Always interesting to view that air rifle!

 

[Pierow]

The thing is the compressors needed to feed these monsters start at around $650.00 plus all the other attachments and regulators needed. Or you go the scuba tank route, pay for re-fills etc. or, you do the hand-pump thing. Like anything else you pay to play.

Lou Ferrigno is into P.C.P.'s big time (these guns are called pre-charged pneumatics). Every now and then a guy on one of the air gun forums I frequent posts a day of shooting with him.

Pierow

 

[mikewriter]

Dennis Quakenbush makes .50 and possibly larger air rifles that have been used to take American Bison and some African game, as well as feral hogs. On the lower end, of course, a lot of manufacturers (Gamo, Benjamin, etc.) make PCP guns in .22 and .25 that can be pretty effective, and are multiple shot repeaters.

The L&C gun, was amazing!

 

[coach]

The National Firearms Museam is a great way to spend a couple hours if you're ever near Fairfax, VA. I don't recall seeing the L & C air rifle, but lots of other stuff to see.