1851 or 1860

detroiter711 · January 24, 2017, 02:41 PM

Just like the title says, 1851 or 1860? What do you prefer and why? Let's keep it traditional and assume that the 1851 has to be in .36 and the 1860 will be in .44 and both will be steel.

Lee44ShooterCnB · January 24, 2017, 02:53 PM

I have them both along and others. Between these two, I like and shoot the 1860 most. I like the look of it and the "feel" in the hand. Easier for shot follow thru. 44 cal.

Jim Watson · January 24, 2017, 03:00 PM

Of the two, 1851.
The long swoopy grip of the 1860 just looks better than it feels TO ME.

Best of both worlds, 1861.

drobs · January 24, 2017, 03:01 PM

Currently 1860 but I plan to add an 1851 or 2.

I think Mike Beliveau Duelist1954 makes good arguments for the 1851 as being a 1st BP revolver. Reading one of his articles in Guns of the Old West pushed me over the edge into buying my 1st open top Pietta Colt - 1860.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiJ8GkTWQxw

Beagle333 · January 24, 2017, 07:14 PM

Really..... you need both. But I do prefer the '60. The lines are just so much more graceful and attractive to me..... and I do love that Army grip.

Hellgate · January 24, 2017, 07:23 PM

Why not an 1861 Navy where you have the sweeping lines of the '60 Army with the handling of the '51 Navy? Or get a bastardized '51 "Navy" in 44 cal where you have the balance of the Navy with the whollop of the Army.

My very first C&B back in 1968 was a '61 Navy and it has served me well for years. When I started out in Cowboy Action in the early/mid 1990s many of our pistol targets were knock downs so I used the LEE 130gr conical with good effect. Later I paired up a couple of '51/44s and never looked back. I also shoot Remingtons, '60 Armies, A Dance, etc. mostly in 44 cal. and 80% of them are steel framed.

Hawg · January 24, 2017, 07:35 PM

I like the 51. I've always had a thing for octagonal barrels and the .36 is no slouch. I like the 60 ok enough but the grip is a little too Bisley like for me to really get into.

Stormson · January 24, 2017, 07:56 PM

If youre on a really tight budget then there is something to be said for the savings in lead and powder for the .36.

That being said... '60 all the way!

Its a more advanced design, especially where on the gun loading is concerned. The .44 is no slouch, even in black powder. And, for ME, it is simply a more elegant weapon then the '51.

Just as there is a REASON the world moved from BP to self contained cartridges, there is likewise a REASON that many moved on to the newer and more advanced 1860 when it became available.

Hey... Whats wrong with one of EACH???

44 Dave · January 24, 2017, 11:20 PM

I have 2 of each, but the '51 is my go to shooter. I love looking down the barrel at the bead sight. I recently got a Pietta '62 Police 5 1/2" barrel that interchanges (after some work) with my Navy barrel.
DSCN5649 (Small).JPG
the casehardened frame doesn't show very well

JACKlangrishe · January 25, 2017, 12:36 AM

I went with the '60 and absolutely love it, but yeah I want a '51 as well. I love the bead sight as Dave 44 mentioned. I might beat up the 60 and get a nice stainless 51 with faux ivory sights for when I dress up.

Anyone make good stainless or nickel '51s and '60s? Hows that "Old Silver" finish working out at Cabela's?

drobs · January 25, 2017, 04:02 AM

I forget I have this fantasy brass frame 51/44 Sheriff. Originally bought it for the short barrel to use on one of my 60's. However, now looking to replace the brass frame with a steel frame. Would like a steel frame that doesn't have the shoulder stock screws.

These things are like Pringles Potato Chips - once you pop, you can't stop.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8147/2...2fae701c_b.jpg
https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7783/2...4e973ffc_b.jpg

January 24, 2017, 02:41 PM	#1
detroiter711 Member Join Date: February 3, 2016 Posts: 21	1851 or 1860 Just like the title says, 1851 or 1860? What do you prefer and why? Let's keep it traditional and assume that the 1851 has to be in .36 and the 1860 will be in .44 and both will be steel.

January 24, 2017, 02:53 PM	#2
Lee44ShooterCnB Member Join Date: May 13, 2015 Location: Ga. Posts: 68	1851 vs 1860 I have them both along and others. Between these two, I like and shoot the 1860 most. I like the look of it and the "feel" in the hand. Easier for shot follow thru. 44 cal.

January 24, 2017, 03:01 PM	#4
drobs Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2015 Location: South Central MO / Africa Posts: 1,111	Currently 1860 but I plan to add an 1851 or 2. I think Mike Beliveau Duelist1954 makes good arguments for the 1851 as being a 1st BP revolver. Reading one of his articles in Guns of the Old West pushed me over the edge into buying my 1st open top Pietta Colt - 1860. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiJ8GkTWQxw __________________ NRA Life Member Last edited by drobs; January 24, 2017 at 03:10 PM.

January 24, 2017, 07:14 PM	#5
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	Really..... you need both. But I do prefer the '60. The lines are just so much more graceful and attractive to me..... and I do love that Army grip. __________________ . . . Have a Colt and a smile.

January 24, 2017, 07:23 PM	#6
Hellgate Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Orygun Posts: 869	Why not an 1861 Navy where you have the sweeping lines of the '60 Army with the handling of the '51 Navy? Or get a bastardized '51 "Navy" in 44 cal where you have the balance of the Navy with the whollop of the Army. My very first C&B back in 1968 was a '61 Navy and it has served me well for years. When I started out in Cowboy Action in the early/mid 1990s many of our pistol targets were knock downs so I used the LEE 130gr conical with good effect. Later I paired up a couple of '51/44s and never looked back. I also shoot Remingtons, '60 Armies, A Dance, etc. mostly in 44 cal. and 80% of them are steel framed. __________________ With over 15 perCUSSIN' revolvers, I've been called the Imelda Marcos of cap & ball. SASS#3302 (Life), SASS Regulator, NRA (Life), Dirty Gamey Bastards #129 Wolverton Mtn. Peacekeepers (WA), former Orygun Cowboy (Ranger, Posse from Hell)

January 24, 2017, 03:00 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,532	Of the two, 1851. The long swoopy grip of the 1860 just looks better than it feels TO ME. Best of both worlds, 1861.

January 24, 2017, 07:35 PM	#7
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I like the 51. I've always had a thing for octagonal barrels and the .36 is no slouch. I like the 60 ok enough but the grip is a little too Bisley like for me to really get into.

January 24, 2017, 07:56 PM	#8
Stormson Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2014 Location: Mountains of SouthWest VA. Posts: 193	If youre on a really tight budget then there is something to be said for the savings in lead and powder for the .36. That being said... '60 all the way! Its a more advanced design, especially where on the gun loading is concerned. The .44 is no slouch, even in black powder. And, for ME, it is simply a more elegant weapon then the '51. Just as there is a REASON the world moved from BP to self contained cartridges, there is likewise a REASON that many moved on to the newer and more advanced 1860 when it became available. Hey... Whats wrong with one of EACH???

January 24, 2017, 11:20 PM	#9
44 Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2013 Posts: 584	I have 2 of each, but the '51 is my go to shooter. I love looking down the barrel at the bead sight. I recently got a Pietta '62 Police 5 1/2" barrel that interchanges (after some work) with my Navy barrel. DSCN5649 (Small).JPG the casehardened frame doesn't show very well Last edited by 44 Dave; January 24, 2017 at 11:47 PM.

January 25, 2017, 12:36 AM	#10
JACKlangrishe Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2016 Posts: 114	I went with the '60 and absolutely love it, but yeah I want a '51 as well. I love the bead sight as Dave 44 mentioned. I might beat up the 60 and get a nice stainless 51 with faux ivory sights for when I dress up. Anyone make good stainless or nickel '51s and '60s? Hows that "Old Silver" finish working out at Cabela's?

January 25, 2017, 04:02 AM	#11
drobs Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2015 Location: South Central MO / Africa Posts: 1,111	I forget I have this fantasy brass frame 51/44 Sheriff. Originally bought it for the short barrel to use on one of my 60's. However, now looking to replace the brass frame with a steel frame. Would like a steel frame that doesn't have the shoulder stock screws. These things are like Pringles Potato Chips - once you pop, you can't stop. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8147/2...2fae701c_b.jpg https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7783/2...4e973ffc_b.jpg __________________ NRA Life Member

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