Does a cap & ball revolver need to be registered or go thru an FFL.

It does in New Jersey

that would depend on the state. In a lot of states they are not included in the same classification as other handguns and they do not have to be registered or go through an FFL.

Thankfully there are no federal restrictions on them but as the others have pointed out, some states have restrictions on them. Best check with your state laws.

It looks like you are from Michigan -- I can tell you with certainty that it does, I owned one when I was there and needed to register it.

I had to get a permit to buy it, buy it within a specific timeframe (it was mailorder from Cabelas) then take it back in to complete the "safety inspection" ie registration (still burns me they think we are stupid enough to buy that "safety inspection" crap).

In Michigan it is called a pistol permit. You get them from the county sherrifs office.
The local sherrif gun expert in my county asked how you were supposed to get the bullets in my cap and ball pistol.
she could not get it thru her thick head it loaded from the front of the cylinder.
She felt I should send it back to the company.

Al