open top

salvadore · January 3, 2012, 02:18 AM

I'm guessing this has been addressed before, however, Anyone have any experience with open top catridge guns? I may pick up a richardson or 1872 or etc. in the near future and am curious how they hold up. I know everyone will have an opinion, but am really interested in folks that have had actual experiences with said shooters.

Tanker6 · January 3, 2012, 01:58 PM

I shoot a pair of '51 Open Top Conversions for SASS in .38 special. They are sold by Taylors and Co. and manufactured by Uberti.

So far, I've put approximately 1200 rounds through each pistol. They have required some gunsmithing to repair wear to the hand and/or cam/bolt assemblies. My gunsmith says that the material used in these parts appears to be softer than he'd like which caused the wear.

They are very sweet shooting pistols, however, so I wouldn't let that be a poor reflection upon the pistols. SASS is hard on equipment. Perhaps that is why many cowboys shoot Rugers -- they're built more stoutly and withstand the punishment better. Still, I like my Open Tops and don't really want to shoot another pistol.

I funny comment by my gunsmith should be included in this -- "If they'd been a perfect design, then we'd have never gotten the Peacemaker."

Montenegrin · January 3, 2012, 02:10 PM

They hold on very well.I had an 1851 Colt ''Man With no Name'' conversion.Fired over 1000 loads of standard .38 special and about 200 of p+,then sold it.Shoots great,don't worry because it's open top.

Newton24b · January 3, 2012, 08:11 PM

question on the gunsmithing angle,

everything ive read says that the internals for the 18511861 and the peacemaker are all supposed to be the same, so why not try to use modern made uberti/pietta peacemaker internals for your open tops?

JT-AR-MG42 · January 3, 2012, 10:39 PM

Mine is the lower cost Traditions. At the time I bought it, they were the only ones who made what I wanted - large caliber with a navy grip.
It has has over 1,000 rds. of .44 Colt through it.

I shoot 4.5 grs. of 231 over a 30/1 RCBS 200gr. FN. So far, so good.

JT

Tanker6 · January 6, 2012, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newton24b

everything ive read says that the internals for the 18511861 and the peacemaker are all supposed to be the same, so why not try to use modern made uberti/pietta peacemaker internals for your open tops?

I think that this "assumes" that the modern ubert/pietta parts are superior. I'm not convinced, based upon my experience.

January 3, 2012, 02:18 AM	#1
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	open top I'm guessing this has been addressed before, however, Anyone have any experience with open top catridge guns? I may pick up a richardson or 1872 or etc. in the near future and am curious how they hold up. I know everyone will have an opinion, but am really interested in folks that have had actual experiences with said shooters.

January 3, 2012, 01:58 PM	#2
Tanker6 Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 193	I shoot a pair of '51 Open Top Conversions for SASS in .38 special. They are sold by Taylors and Co. and manufactured by Uberti. So far, I've put approximately 1200 rounds through each pistol. They have required some gunsmithing to repair wear to the hand and/or cam/bolt assemblies. My gunsmith says that the material used in these parts appears to be softer than he'd like which caused the wear. They are very sweet shooting pistols, however, so I wouldn't let that be a poor reflection upon the pistols. SASS is hard on equipment. Perhaps that is why many cowboys shoot Rugers -- they're built more stoutly and withstand the punishment better. Still, I like my Open Tops and don't really want to shoot another pistol. I funny comment by my gunsmith should be included in this -- "If they'd been a perfect design, then we'd have never gotten the Peacemaker."

January 3, 2012, 02:10 PM	#3
Montenegrin Junior Member Join Date: September 11, 2011 Posts: 1	They hold on very well.I had an 1851 Colt ''Man With no Name'' conversion.Fired over 1000 loads of standard .38 special and about 200 of p+,then sold it.Shoots great,don't worry because it's open top.

January 3, 2012, 08:11 PM	#4
Newton24b Junior member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Posts: 974	question on the gunsmithing angle, everything ive read says that the internals for the 18511861 and the peacemaker are all supposed to be the same, so why not try to use modern made uberti/pietta peacemaker internals for your open tops?

January 3, 2012, 10:39 PM	#5
JT-AR-MG42 Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Posts: 558	Mine is the lower cost Traditions. At the time I bought it, they were the only ones who made what I wanted - large caliber with a navy grip. It has has over 1,000 rds. of .44 Colt through it. I shoot 4.5 grs. of 231 over a 30/1 RCBS 200gr. FN. So far, so good. JT