Mike,

Thanks for your comments. Yes, things are still very draconian regarding handguns over here! Loads of aggro/form filling but us old diehards keep slogging on no matter how much they try to kill our sport and enjoyment. Perhaps one day the handgun ban will be lifted - funny how gun crime has rocketed by 300% since all the LAW ABIDING licensed owners handed in their guns isn't it? For the moment, I have to be content with just owning this fine old RIC without shooting it. I can have a Colt/Adams BP revolver on FAC to shoot but I have done that/got the video/t-shirt etc but my passion is in cartridge revolvers. SHOULD THE BAN BE LIFTED, I will of course shoot it - I have Swiss 2f and Pyrodex CTG but perhaps I should load it with something else? Original load was 13gr BP and a 220gr head - what would you put in it? I also own a very nice Colt New Service in .455 (not quite as nice as the RIC with about 90% finish) and I am applying for permission to buy a nice Mark 1 Webley .455 Service revolver which is a J. Blanch marked commercial and very nice. Can't shoot any of them of course - bit like owning a Ferrari but not the ignition key! It sucks but it's my way of hedging my bets because if the ban is lifted the prices on these will rocket....

Cheers

Garry.