Getting cap and ball cravings: Need advise

[osallent]

MODERATOR: I just noticed the black powder forum. If you deem it appropriate please move my post to that forum, Thanks

It all started two days ago when I accidentally stumbled into the Uberti website. I've been doing research since and I have a few questions from black powder revolver owners:

1) Is the 1858 Remington really that much easier to use than the 1860 Army?

2) For a beginner to the world of cap and ball revolvers, which should I start with: The Model 1851 Navy, Model 1860 army or Model 1858 Remington?

3) Obviously I know of Uberti since I stumbled into their website while doing a little research on the history of the revolver on Google, but I have no idea how they compare to other companies that make cap and ball replicas. Which companies make good ones and which ones make lemons that I need to watch out for?

[madcratebuilder]

The open top Colts have a few more idiosyncrasies than the 1858 Remingtons. The Italian imports often need tuning of the arbor length and wedge fit. I would start with the 1858 and master loading and cleaning then move on to the open tops. Cap and ball revolvers can be very addictive.:rolleyes:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/madcratebuilder/mycolts0709.jpg

[osallent]

Wow...you have enough of them to equip a whole calvary group. Very beautiful collection.:)

Are all of yours from a specific maker or a mix??

[Rifleman1776]

madcratebuilder gave good advice. The Remmy is more like a modern gun you might already be familiar with.
But, for a guy who reccomends the Remington, he sure has a lot of open tops. And a very fine collection it is.

[arcticap]

I read for a long time before buying any black powder revolvers and decided that the Remington was easier to start with. Generally they seem to have less of a need for home gunsmithing work to be performed on them. The 1858 cylinder pin does get fouled up after fewer shots, but that's easy to deal with and the 1858's really don't suffer from any cap related issues that can jam up their cylinder. Swapping out a cylinder to reload is very easy too.

Which companies make good ones and which ones make lemons that I need to watch out for?

They have all made good and bad ones but many folks are thrilled with their Pietta and would recommend buying one from Cabela's because of their low sale prices and great return/exchange policy. Primarily for that reason Pietta's are the most popular and control a large majority of the U.S. market.
The discontinued Palmetto's might be the least desirable ones.
The 1858's with a steel frame are the most desirable.
An adjustable target sight can be a plus depending on personal preference.

[Rachen]

WOW Madcratebuilder!:D

Nathan Forrest would have LOVED to have you as Master Armorer for his unit. It's missing a Smith/Sharps/Spencer or two, otherwise you have a complete quartermaster's outift.

[shafter]

Just go with whatever looks/feels the best for you. I started with an 1851 Navy and didn't find it difficult at all. It really isn't rocket science to pop the wedge pin out and pull the barrel off.

[AirForceShooter]

1858 Remy for no other reason than that's what I shoot.


AFS

[Bishop Creek]

Up until a few years ago when both Uberti and Pietta (the only current makers of cap and ball revolvers) started manufacturing their cap and ball pistols with CNC machines, the Uberti was probably a better pistol. But now the Pietta’s are quite nice and Cabelas sells the Pietta “1858” Remington for only $200. You really can’t go wrong with it.

Like the poster above I started out some 40 years ago with an 1851 Navy Colt replica and over the years have owned nearly 20 types of cap and ball revolvers, including 2nd and 3rd Generation Colts, Remingtons, the Starr, etc. but in my opinion, the ’58 Remington (actually a copy of the 1863 New Model Army) is the best one for a beginner to get. Easier to load, fire, clean, and they are quite accurate.

The Pietta ’58 Remington usually shoots nice right out of the box, but remember it is an assembled gun, so it won’t handle like a finely hand fitted Colt. But with a little stoning of the internals, you can have a nice accurate piece.

P.S. Stay away from brass framed models, the frames stretch after repeated firing.

[junkman_01]

I have more Colt types than Remingtons, so I recommend a Colt in .44 caliber.

[Ultravox]

There is a guy selling some of each type for cheap in the Buy/Sell/Trade forum.

If I had the dollars I'd snap up the 1860 Army. (I already have an 1858 New Army - love it!)

[Doc Hoy]

for a first revolver, I would stick with the Remington.

Actually, if you can swing it, you might want to go to Cabela's and spring for the Remington as well as the 1860 Colt. Both are an outstanding deal at 200.00 and you never know when they might end the sale.

If you start with the Remington, sooner or later you are going to want the Colt. Might as well gettem both now.

[Hawg]

I'd go with the 58 Remington for a first gun because it is a little easier to learn.

I'd prefer a steel frame but a brass frame wont stretch if you use light loads. Cabela's has the best deal going for Pietta. Euroarms still makes the 58 Remington and Rogers and Spencer.

[bedbugbilly]

I'd start with the Remington as well . . . you'll probably encounter less problems that can occur with an open top in regards to the arbor, wedge, etc. - my favorite is the "51 Navy but owning both open top models and Remmies . . . I'd still stick with the Remmie. You'll be hooked the first time you fire it and trust me . . . you'll want other models as well! Good luck to you in whatever model you choose . . shoot safe and have fun! :)

Madcratebuilder . . . what else can be said but that you are a very, very sick man . . . your addiction appears to be getting worse .. . . there may not be any hope left for you . . . . but then . . . some of the rest of us are "hopeless" as well so I guess we are all in good company?? :D:):p One the serious side . . . that's one nice "family" of revolvers you have . . .. very nice indeed!

[Noz]

Try before you buy. They don't feel nor act the same for everyone. I started with Remingtons and now would not own one.

[ClemBert]

My first 1858 was Uberti made. It's very very nice. My first BP revolver was a Ruger Old Army. For a beginner and for the price you can NOT go wrong with a Pietta made 1858 for $199 at Cabelas. Don't buy a brass framed revolver as your first...you'll regret it later when you want to maximize the smoke-n-boom factor. :D

[kameron454ci]

lots of people say 58 for a first gun but now that i have a 58 rem and a 51 colt I like the colt better for bp. and use the rem for my 45colt smokeless loads. the colt is easy to clean because you can remove the barrel from the gun

[c.robertson]

But if you want a really FUN FUN FUN gun, get a Pedersoli Howdah 20ga double barrel pistol.
I shoot 99% round ball, but you can just shove about anything down the barrel with about any 2F powder charge that you can take the recoil, and blast away.
WHAT JOY!!

OH! I also have 3 ROA, and 4 '58 Remingtons and no 2 alike.

[osallent]

It turned out to be a Pietta 1851 Colt Navy :D:cool:

Just picked it up this afternoon.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z248/osall001/bfe8a489.jpg

[ClemBert]

Daggumit....I told you not to get a brasser! ;)

Oh well, welcome to the dark side anyway! :cool:

[Bishop Creek]

Looks like the first one I bought back in 1969.

[ZVP]

Ithink that you will find the Uberti guns better finished than the Piettias but that's not to say the piettias are low quality. I own both and I have found the Piettia '58 Remingtons to be trouble free and very accurate shooters! I own both a 8" and a 5 1/2".
Brass framed revolvers are weaker than steel but you can still load to say 20 grains of FFF and still have the revolver last forever. Just do not overload a brass frame or you will stretch it and the cylinder gap will get out of tolerance. TYhis causes "spitting" and is dangerous.
A brass frame operats more smoothly than a steel frame because of the natural slickness of the brass . They operate very smooth.
A good starter pistol is a Traqditions '58 remington with a "starter Kit" of accesories that you need anyhow. The price is only around $25 more thn a plain revolver.
Once you get one style aqnd Caliber you will want othersw, they're addicting! I just wanted one and suddenly bought 4 within 2 months. It happens...
You will be amazed at the possible accuracy of BP revolvers, I swear I shoot cloverleafs with my Brass Colt '51 clone!
ZVP

[Doc Hoy]

Another one is hooked.

[madcratebuilder]

Welcome to the dark side.

The Italians have gotten much better at quality control and most product is GTG these days. The older C&B revolvers more often than not required gunsmith skills.

My Colt photo is the made in the USA revolvers, 2nd and 3rd gen with three High Standards. Some day I well drag the imports out for a group shot, probably twice again as many. Got to do my part to keep the economy going. Armalite and Noveske recently named new CNC machines after me:rolleyes:

[Hawg]

Armalite and Noveske recently named new CNC machines after me


I wouldn't be a bit surprised.