Westlake

[angusb1]

I was at the range today and the guy on the next firing point to me had a Westlake muzzle loading pistol.

What a lovely piece of kit!

I've read about them whilst browsing around info on muzzle loaders after I got one last year, but never seen one until today. I think that will definitely be something I save for.

The pistols with the brackets and long barrels just don't appeal to me for some reason, but I've had loads of fun with my £50 Uberti Remington 1858, and the Westlake looks like an even nicer way to shoot pistols.

 

[Hornet 6]

So did they start building these firearms after the motorcycle racing days ?

Neil.

 

[Smellydog]

So did they start building these firearms after the motorcycle racing days ?

Neil.

Is that relevant somehow?

 

[Smellydog]

I saw a flying squirrel on Friday.

 

[Hornet 6]

Is that relevant somehow?

It is, if it is the same Westlake engineering as built and raced motorcycles back in the day.

Neil.

 

[angusb1]

It is, if it is the same Westlake engineering as built and raced motorcycles back in the day.

Neil.

I don't think it was the same company. Westlake pistols are made by Alan Westlake and his daughter, I couldn't find any reference to an Alan Westlake involving the motorbikes. I'm not an expert, this is just what I read on the internet.

 

[Smellydog]

It is, if it is the same Westlake engineering as built and raced motorcycles back in the day.

Neil.

You mean relative. It's not, if indeed a link exists, relevant to a firearm!

 

[Smellydog]

I was at the range today and the guy on the next firing point to me had a Westlake muzzle loading pistol.

What a lovely piece of kit!

I've read about them whilst browsing around info on muzzle loaders after I got one last year, but never seen one until today. I think that will definitely be something I save for.

The pistols with the brackets and long barrels just don't appeal to me for some reason, but I've had loads of fun with my £50 Uberti Remington 1858, and the Westlake looks like an even nicer way to shoot pistols.

If I remember correctly they use a 209 primer. Is that correct?

 

[angusb1]

If I remember correctly they use a 209 primer. Is that correct?

That is correct:


"The Revolver is designed to use a 148 grain soft lead Bullet of .357” Diameter, propelled by large grain slow burning powder such as Green Dot, Unique, Herco or Blue Dot. Ignited by a 209 Shotgun primer."

Westlake Engineering - Products

 

[Smellydog]

That is correct:


"The Revolver is designed to use a 148 grain soft lead Bullet of .357” Diameter, propelled by large grain slow burning powder such as Green Dot, Unique, Herco or Blue Dot. Ignited by a 209 Shotgun primer."

Westlake Engineering - Products

They seal the breech from potentially higher pressure than black powder.

I remember plod not very happy about them when they appeared. I think the HO gave them some stick!

 

[angusb1]

They seal the breech from potentially higher pressure than black powder.

I remember plod not very happy about them when they appeared. I think the HO gave them some stick!

From reading the Westlake site it seems the authorities have given them a really hard time.

 

[Laurie]

A couple (at least) members of one of my rifle clubs have them. It really is a lovely thing. It's so long since breechloading handguns were banned, it's now very strange to see (and hear) a 38 nitro-powder revolver being fired.

 

[angusb1]

I think the price of them new is pretty reasonable too, having seen one close up it's a really well engineered pistol.

 

[Laurie]

A review of the Westlake Alfa by Vince Bottomley:

THE WESTLAKE ALFA REVOLVER

 

[sy247]

I've got a Westlake Taurus .357

I like it but the tolerances are very fine and I have to ultrasonically clean the cylinder and measure the primers with calipers otherwise it can lock up.

 

[Vince1968]

Westlake .357 muzzle loading revolver , I use 3.2 grains of Herco , 125 grain lead wadcutter , 209 shotgun primer

 

[angusb1]

I've got a Westlake Taurus .357

I like it but the tolerances are very fine and I have to ultrasonically clean the cylinder and measure the primers with calipers otherwise it can lock up.

How does it shoot? What kind of distances do you shoot it at?

 

[Vince1968]

6 “ barrel is more accurate in my experience, I shoot at 25 yards indoors or outside, I got a press to seat all six bullets at once and I use speedloaders for the powder

 

[sy247]

How does it shoot? What kind of distances do you shoot it at?

I shoot it on an indoor range at 17 yards. It shoots well. I'm using 3 grains of Herco.

 

[Jelen]

I'm presuming an FAC is needed as they're not antique?