Remington Rider Double Action question.

[30-30remchester]

Just when you thunk you knew it all something new (or old in this case) comes along. On Gunbroker is a auction for a double action Remington Rider handgun from @1860. This revolver was a large frame, 7 1/2" barreled, handgun very similiar to the civil war 1858 Remingtons. I was unaware of Remington making a double action large frame handgun. Can anyone give a brief history on this revolver? Early Colt double action revolvers were weak and easily broken. The Remington 1858's had an excellent reputation for durability. How dependable were these double action Remingtons? Would appreciate any education I can get.

[RJay]

Not much has been written about them, they only made 5,000 between 1863 and 1973.

[johnbt]

I don't know much about Joseph Rider or the gun you're looking at. I know he had Remington build one or more guns of his design, but I don't know if or when he went to work for Remington. The Rider gun I've always wanted - but not $3k worth of want - is this one, a .32 extra-short, 3" octagonal barrel magazine pistol. Sort of like a deringer with a tube mag.

www.horstheld.com/0-Remington-Rider.html

[James K]

I think RJay meant 1863-1873. They were made only in .36 (percussion) but later ones were converted at the factory to the old .38 Long Rimfire, using the typical two-piece cylinder. Unlike most Colt conversions, Remington left the loading levers intact allowing conversion back. They have a pretty hard DA pull, which might account for the lack of popularity.

Jim

[RJay]

Yep, meant 1873 Also this was a time, that in the U.S., most people considered double action as an answer to a problem that was not asked. Now on the other side of the ocean, the English considered double action the answer to all their prayers