There was a similar question a  few days ago in the General Unisystem section, so you may want to a look there.

 You mentioned in your post a cap and ball revolver. If your character is using an older revovler, like a Colt Navy, that is ball and cap, reloading in combat is not really an option. With a cap and ball revolver, your looking at least 30 seconds (6 turns) to load a single chamber and that's under good conditions. Best just to carry two pistols.

That being said, If your character is using a classic Peacemaker, he's using metal cartridges. That will speed things up a bit. However, the Peacemaker had a fixed cylinder. In other words, it does not "swing out" like a modern revolver cylinder. To fully reload a fixed cylinder revolver (like a Peacemaker) with metal cartridges, you must do the following:

 1. Put revolver hammer in the half cocked position
 
 2.You have to open the cylinder cover 

 3. Each chamber has be emptied individually, using a small rod built into the weapon.You use the rod to eject the spent cartridge and then you insert a new one. Rotate cylinder to next chamber. To fully empty and load the weapon, you must do this six times.

 4. Close the cylinder cover.

 5. Fully $@+% or uncock the hammer.

I'd would say 15 seconds (3 Turns) to completely reload. That's assuming your bullets are easily reached (It takes me longer than that to load mine on the range). And you would most likely double or triple that length of time if you're on horseback or under fire.

Also, the Peacemaker does not have a safety. Many folks carrying a loaded weapon would leave the hammer on an empty chamber, to prevent the weapon form firing by accident. This, of course, only leaves you with five shots before you must reload.



"Everyone's always in favor of saving Hitler's brain. But when you put it in the body of a great white shark, ooohh! Suddenly you've gone too far!" - Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth
Last Edited By: tvsbruce Sep 7 10 8:33 AM. Edited 2 times.