Packing the New 12ga Diablo Howdah ?

[freedom475]

There has been a few threads started around the net about the new Diablo howdah pistols. I think they look great. I can't wait to get my hands on mine!

These are Black Powder Muzzleloaders and completely legal.

https://americanguncraft.com/product/diablo-break-open-12-gauge-pistol-black-grips/

I have a Pedersoli howdah 20 gauge, but it is just too big to carry. So I am sure glad to see this little 12 guage being offered.

This little 6" Diablo is going to be very portable and usable. I see their magnet attachment going on my boat and another mounted in the side-by-side for sure!

This thing should destroy a Rattle Snake! Might even get a grouse near the trail with some #4buck. Sure will be interesting to fire a 70cal roundball over the chronograph...This may even qualify as a hog stomper!

Many of you know me, and that I make holsters for a living. So my question for you guys is.. What style of a holster would you like to see available for the Diablo? I think this will be a tidy little package for your hip. They are small enough that a shoulder or chest holster should also work well.

The Diablo does come with a little ramrod, so whatever I do, I will be integrating a way to carry the ramrod and a couple 209primers right on the holster.

Please share your thoughts on this with me.

(And please, if you are not interested in the Diablo'...Please don't litter my thread with negativity.)

Thanks guys.
Wes

[jaguarxk120]

They suggest 1/2 ounce of shot--- wonder how it will shoot with the
Lyman sabot slug 525 grains and about 90 grains ffg or fffg.

[lar45]

WoW, that looks like toooo much fun :)
From the first look at it, I thought it might be a regular 12ga pistol instead of a muzzle loader. It still looks like it will be a blast to shoot.
I would think that a chest or bandoleer holster that could be tied down to a 4 wheeler might be a good option.

Wes built me a holster for my 70 cal Pinfire Howdah several years ago and it turned out great. I've got some old pictures around here someplace.

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[freedom475]

Thanks Lar45... Sure had a good time getting to fire your old Pin-Fire Howdah all those years ago with John Linebaugh. Wow how time flies!

[Bigslug]

Considering that the primary purpose of a howdah pistol was to keep yourself from being eaten by a large cat. . .

Your non-shooting hand (let's just call it the left one to keep this simple) is probably going to be busy fending the cat off of you - either by itself or with the barrel of an empty long gun. You are probably going to be starting the fight with your left side more or less forward toward the attack.

I lean toward a front-of-body cross draw for a couple reasons: first, from that relative position, it requires less movement once clear of the holster to fire a close-contact shot when compared to a muzzle-down, strong side draw (watch the Doc Holliday / Johnny Ringo fight at the end of Tombstone); second, if you ARE lucky enough to have both hands available in that starting position, you're fairly quick into something like a Weaver stance; third, if you find yourself dealing with a leopard trying to disembowel or castrate you with his windmilling back claws, this puts a large chunk of iron on your belt (as well as maybe your right hand reaching for it) to slow that action down.

Then again, the advantage to a standard hip location is that it's back out of the way of the attack.

Failing any of that, you should ask your elephant what they find most comfortable to wear.;)

[Earlwb]

They suggest 1/2 ounce of shot--- wonder how it will shoot with the
Lyman sabot slug 525 grains and about 90 grains ffg or fffg.

Well, it would likely shoot OK, but a lot of black powder would be wasted as it gets blown out of those short barrels. 65 to 75 grains is the typical black powder load for a 12 gauge shotgun. But those have long barrels.
My flintlock 69 caliber pirate pistol, does really well with the .69 caliber mini-balls that weigh 750 grains. it is a handful with just 40 to 50 grains of black powder when shooting.
This double barrel shotgun pistol does look great and I bet it is a hoot to shoot too. Even today it would make for a formidable self defense gun. I would want to find some 12 gauge mini-balls to fit it. Maybe 850 grains for their weight.
Come to think of it my .690" mini balls would work in this too. Awesome.
I think I have to get one of these monster handguns. It would go good with my .69 caliber musket and flintlock pistol.

[Earlwb]

Considering that the primary purpose of a howdah pistol was to keep yourself from being eaten by a large cat.



I would have loved to get one of those original Howdah pistols in .577 cartridge format or that monster revolver they used to make to shoot the .577 cartridge too. But I probably could not afford one.

[lar45]

I saw an incredible pair of.577x2.5" howdahs at a gun show in Cody several years ago. If I remember correctly, they were $25k each.
I would jump all over a modern double pistol in 50-70.

[GL49]

This double barrel shotgun pistol does look great and I bet it is a hoot to shoot too. Even today it would make for a formidable self defense gun. I would want to find some 12 gauge mini-balls to fit it. Maybe 850 grains for their weight.
Come to think of it my .690" mini balls would work in this too. Awesome.

Anybody tried something like this? I'd probably have to get one if this seems reasonable.

[Earlwb]

Anybody tried something like this? I'd probably have to get one if this seems reasonable.

I have fired the 69 caliber 750 grain miniballs out of my flintlock pistol. I use a old Lyman mold I bought ages ago. it sure does use up a lot of lead quickly when casting them. I used 40 to 50 grains of black powder behind the bullets. If I remember right the bullets had a muzzle velocity of around 600 fps or so. The accuracy wasn't all that bad, as you could hit a man sized target out to 15 yards or so. I will know for sure after I get the double barreled pistol to try it out. This double barrel pistol does have a shorter barrel length though. Being a close in type of gun, maybe 00 or 000 buckshot might be better. Or buck and ball like they used in the old days.

On second thought maybe the 69 caliber miniballs won't work. 69 caliber is more like 16 gauge (14 gauge), .72-.73 caliber is more like 12 gauge. I won't know for sure until I get a pistol.

[lar45]

I have a 70 cal Pinfire double pistol that is about the same size. I shoot Lee 1oz 12 ga slugs in it with 50-60 gns of Swiss FFg, and it's not too bad to handle.
Here are some pics
http://www.lsstuff.com/howdah/pics/howda/70cal-01.jpg

http://www.lsstuff.com/howdah/pics/howda/70cal-02.jpg

http://www.lsstuff.com/howdah/pics/howda/70cal-03.jpg

And Wes made the holster for it.

[RED BEAR]

Now that pin fire is pretty slick. I would love to have one that fires cartridges. Nk real use just neat.

[white eagle]

Wow looks terrific Wes
bet it will scare down a two legged varmint
no problem
should work well from your elephant basket as well
way cool have fun

[lar45]

I asked Wes for a grommet of some kind on the bottom. Something that could be used to tie it down to the howdah(The Elephant Basket). So he suggested a piece of raw hide, I told him to have at it. I think this part turned out pretty slick also.
http://www.lsstuff.com/howdah/pics/howda/70cal-06.jpg

[freedom475]

I have a new Diablo in hand!!! It came nicely boxed and packaged. And wrapped in a nice cloth bag.

This little devil makes you giggle when you hold it!..LOL If you like making blackpowder smoke as much as me... you will probably need one of these.

No shooting review yet...This is an early production model that doesn't belong to me. So I'm just getting patterns together for holster making right now. But I wanted to share some of the un-boxing pictures with you folks. I can't wait to get out and do some shooting with mine!

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=238713&d=1553715166
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=238711&d=1553715128
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=238716&d=1553715204
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=238714&d=1553715185

[Ramjet-SS]

I just ordered one of these. You guys are really bad influences. I already have bunch of 72 caliber round balls and fiber wads. This looks like it will allot of fun. Holster? Cross draw is what I think would be best then if you wanted to use chest rig you could. This is going to be fun fun fun.

[freedom475]

I'm not sure when they will be shipping our Diablo orders..but getting to handle this one is sure encouraging.

I have a mould made...now I just need to work up a classy way to add a little ramrod and a few caps (209shotgun) to the holster outfit.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=238739&d=1553729690

[Ramjet-SS]

Looking forward to your work and will asking for the price because you are really taking this to the next level. This is going to be fun.

[Earlwb]

Yeah I surmise there are a number of us breathlessly waiting for theirs too.

I also look forward to see what kind of holsters the folks come up with for it.

[Earlwb]

I had just got in my Diablo 12ga hand cannon today. They must have gotten in a lot of orders as I had placed my order way back in March. Yeah it needs a holster for sure. Has anyone come up with something yet?

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=248782&d=1569286960

[freedom475]

I had just got in my Diablo 12ga hand cannon today. Yeah it needs a holster for sure. Has anyone come up with something yet?

Yes sir, I am getting some cross-draw holsters made up right now. AGC (https://americanguncraft.com/products/) should have these holsters available by November. Sure is a nice little package for your hip.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=248816&d=1569351930

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=248812&d=1569351553

I got out and did a little testing with mine. It sure is fun to shoot! Since these are muzzleloaders, I opened a thread in " Muzzleloading" for us to post about our load development and trips into the field. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?388512-Diablo-12Bore-Range-amp-Field-Days

[gwpercle]

WOW !!!

That's Impressively Cool !
Now I just have to convince my wife I need it .
Gary

[Hardcast416taylor]

Alright, the big question is what does this `pistol` list for?Robert

[Earlwb]

Alright, the big question is what does this `pistol` list for?Robert

At present US $379 plus S&H, there are some options that may or may not raise the price too.

ref https://americanguncraft.com/product/diablo-break-open-blued-finish-12-gauge-pistol-rosewood-grip/

[tros6t]

248876 I was shooting the recommended 1/2 oz of shot with blackpowder. It's beefy enough to shoot heavy loads but I like the low recoil

[tros6t]

At present US $379 plus S&H, there are some options that may or may not raise the price too.

ref https://americanguncraft.com/product/diablo-break-open-blued-finish-12-gauge-pistol-rosewood-grip/

These things are very well made and well worth the price. There was some delay in them completely it but I like it so much, I'm going for the more expensive stainless version.

[Ramjet-SS]

I will disagree the wait and the excuses send caution to anyone putting their money down on one of these. I will admit when I cancelled my order they did the refund within 36 hours but man o man missing a scheduled shop date by 6-months is inexcusable.

[Earlwb]

I will disagree the wait and the excuses send caution to anyone putting their money down on one of these. I will admit when I cancelled my order they did the refund within 36 hours but man o man missing a scheduled shop date by 6-months is inexcusable.

Considering that some gun makers are several years behind in shipping out orders, I think that the six months isn't really bad. I remember reading about some folks waiting two years, three years, even five years to get a gun that they paid for.

i think that someone mentioned they had bought some new CNC machines, so it probably slowed them down by quite a but until they figured them all out and got the quality back up. So they are likely much faster on getting guns made and shipped now.

[R.FO]

Top Shot Dustin Ellermann Diablo Shooting Review

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https://youtu.be/wUB4apRcsek

[Earlwb]

Nice video, sort of fun to watch. I would have really liked to know what the muzzle velocity was for the loads he was using though. When my back is better I plan to cast up some balls and take mine out to the range and see what it does. I have a LabRadar unit now, so hopefully it will get some decent readings.

[LUBEDUDE]

Thanks for the video. It was fun to watch, but boy am I exhausted. It was like spending 30 minutes with a chipmunk on crack.

[freedom475]

Thanks for the video. It was fun to watch, but boy am I exhausted. It was like spending 30 minutes with a chipmunk on crack.

Now that is funny stuff right there!!:mrgreen:
But in his defense, you start to giggle when you take her out of the box, and it turns into a full-on belly laugh when it goes off!

Been doing some tinkering with the Diablo and I think that I figured out how to make it fully functional as a small game/bird gun. Will post more info in Muzzleloading here..
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?388512-Diablo-12Bore-Range-amp-Field-Days

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=256271&d=1581127890

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

My recommendation would be something reminiscent of Mad Max.

[freedom475]

My recommendation would be something reminiscent of Mad Max.

I made up some cross-draws that work well. I actually carry mine strong side in the x-draw holster more often though. The rear ward cant lets me set in the truck easily while I'm on the trapline and ranch getting gates. It carries a lot higher than Mad Max's because Diablo doesn't have all that length.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=256282&d=1581130954

[jrayborn]

I really like this, but not sure I'd enjoy shooting it.

[Earlwb]

I just got in my crossdraw holster from AGH Friday. It is really nice and fits well. I was going to make one, but leather prices have skyrocketed around here. so I decided it would be better to just buy one instead. I like the cross draw setup too. If I need to, it would work as a anti-car jacker gun like that too.

[snowwolfe]

I wonder why they don't make this gun to handle smokeless 12 gauge loads?

[freedom475]

I really like this, but not sure I'd enjoy shooting it.

Since it's a muzzleloader you can load it as "mild or wild" as you are comfortable with. A heavy powder charge seems to blow the shot pattern out. And a 72cal patched round ball doesn't need to be going very fast to be quite effective. The guys on Youtube are nuts!! hahaha To each his own I guess...


I just got in my crossdraw holster from AGH Friday. It is really nice and fits well. I was going to make one, but leather prices have skyrocketed around here. so I decided it would be better to just buy one instead. I like the cross draw setup too. If I need to, it would work as a anti-car jacker gun like that too.
I hope it serves you well. It did take some effort to get the pattern correct.(and quite a bit of wasted leather)


I wonder why they don't make this gun to handle smokeless 12 gauge loads?
After watching some of those boys on Youtube overload it with Blackpowder and 777...If they were turned loose with a can of smokeless they would surely blow the little howdah into shrapnel in no time!

[Earlwb]

Thanks freedom475, you do really good work.


I wonder why they don't make this gun to handle smokeless 12 gauge loads?

it then becomes a NFA item and you have to go through all the red tape just like if you were buying a machine gun. Otherwise it would be illegal to sell and own one. The antique .577 Howdas can be owned though very expensive.

We did have a gun manufacturer make some muzzle loading rifles that used smokeless propellant. but too many idiots overloaded the guns and blew them up. Then the lawsuits came about too. So they quit making them. with black powder and modern metal alloys you can't really overload a muzzle loader. So the BP muzzle loaders are sort of idiot proof like that.

[lar45]

I wonder why they don't make this gun to handle smokeless 12 gauge loads?

Handguns can't be over 50 cal. The law reads a bore diameter over 1/2".
I would love to have one in 50-70 and have already written the company asking for one.
Maybe if we generated enough interest they would consider it???

Wes, those are some great looking holsters, you do good work.
Wes made the holster for my 70 cal Howdah that is my Avatar pic.
http://www.lsstuff.com/howdah/pics/howda/70cal-01.jpg

http://www.lsstuff.com/howdah/pics/howda/70cal-02.jpg

http://www.lsstuff.com/howdah/pics/howda/70cal-03.jpg

http://www.lsstuff.com/howdah/pics/howda/70cal-04.jpg

http://www.lsstuff.com/howdah/pics/howda/70cal-05.jpg

http://www.lsstuff.com/howdah/pics/howda/70cal-06.jpg

http://www.7xleather.com/home

[lonewolf172]

I would prefer AGCs 12ga muzzle loading Bull-dog or Wrath. Nice 11" barrels, 2 external hammers and double triggers. Too big to carry in a holster but easier to handle and safer when shooting 2 handed.

[Burns666]

There has been a few threads started around the net about the new Diablo howdah pistols. I think they look great. I can't wait to get my hands on mine!

These are Black Powder Muzzleloaders and completely legal.

https://americanguncraft.com/product/diablo-break-open-12-gauge-pistol-black-grips/

I have a Pedersoli howdah 20 gauge, but it is just too big to carry. So I am sure glad to see this little 12 guage being offered.

This little 6" Diablo is going to be very portable and usable. I see their magnet attachment going on my boat and another mounted in the side-by-side for sure!

This thing should destroy a Rattle Snake! Might even get a grouse near the trail with some #4buck. Sure will be interesting to fire a 70cal roundball over the chronograph...This may even qualify as a hog stomper!

Many of you know me, and that I make holsters for a living. So my question for you guys is.. What style of a holster would you like to see available for the Diablo? I think this will be a tidy little package for your hip. They are small enough that a shoulder or chest holster should also work well.

The Diablo does come with a little ramrod, so whatever I do, I will be integrating a way to carry the ramrod and a couple 209primers right on the holster.

Please share your thoughts on this with me.

(And please, if you are not interested in the Diablo'...Please don't litter my thread with negativity.)

Thanks guys.
Wes




I'm interested in custom holster for diablo

[lar45]

http://www.7xleather.com/

He makes a great holster. Highly recommended.

[Fbburns1998]

Hey I registered with this forum just to commission u for a custom cross draw holster for my diablo pistol. How do I get your info?