Looking to get a black powder revolver

Dragline45 · October 31, 2011, 02:40 PM

Lately I have been very interested in getting myself a black powder revolver. Before I buy one I was wondering what some of you could recommend for around $350 in .36 caliber? I'm thinking about getting the Uberti 1851 Navy, what do you all think about that particular model or others?

Doc Hoy · October 31, 2011, 05:14 PM

You would probably do okay with a 51. As an alternative you might want to consider a 58 Reminton in Navy Caliber.

Hawg · October 31, 2011, 07:19 PM

The Remington is probably a better choice for a first timer but the Colt wont be that hard to learn.

Legionnaire · October 31, 2011, 07:24 PM

Any particular reason why you'd like a .36 for your first? Just wondering ...

OutlawJoseyWales · October 31, 2011, 07:37 PM

I got a remmy '58 first then started buying colts.
Of course they are .44's though.

You don't have to spend $350 either.

rdstrain49 · October 31, 2011, 08:39 PM

What Doc said. Plus, I'd add, go with Uberti, they use a dovetail front sight.

Hellgate · October 31, 2011, 10:20 PM

The Uberti (and Euroarms) Remington has a dovetailed front sight but none of the Colts do.

MJN77 · November 1, 2011, 06:08 AM

I have two Uberti 1851s. They are great. They will shoot longer than my remingtons do without binding up due to black powder fouling. Colt type revolvers are not a bad choice for your first BP revolver. They are not hard to learn on. The 51 grip fits the hand better with most people than does the Remington grip. The 51 navy, IMHO, balances better than just about any other BP revolver, and they are very accurate. There is a reason that the 1851 navy was one of the most popular revolvers in the 1800s, even after the big .44s were around. Good luck on your purchase.

Doc Hoy · November 1, 2011, 06:43 AM

I neglected to mention that if you presently shoot cartridge revolvers, you may find the Remington with a shorter barrel is more akin to your experience than the standard barrel.

As regards MJN's comment about binding up, I might add that I went out shooting on Sunday and took along two Remingtons and three Colts. About thirty rounds in I bagen to have trouble getting the Remingtons to release the cylinder pin. I am a pretty clean shooter, load with the cylinder out of the pistol and try to keep the fouling cleaned out and the pin lubricated. Still I had to put one of the Remingtons up before I was finished shooting.

The Colts shot as much as I wanted because as I said, the loading is done with the pistol stripped and wiped each time and with a Colt that generally keeps you going.

Doc Hoy · November 1, 2011, 06:48 AM

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoot...tols-Revolvers

Then drop down to the 1858 Police Model in .36.

It is on sale at 219.00. It has been lower but the prices in back up to the point where you only save fifty bucks.

Doc Hoy · November 1, 2011, 06:53 AM

http://www.taylorsfirearmsstore.com/1858_remington.htm

They have two Ubertis with shorter barrels but both are .44.

I did not look at any brass frame revolvers but since you are willing to go up to 350.00 you might want to focus on steel frames.

Fingers McGee · November 1, 2011, 11:00 AM

What Doc Hoy & Hawg said +1.

BConklin · November 1, 2011, 06:51 PM

hmm....$350 is within striking range of a Ruger Old Army. It's not a .36 and it's not an historic reproduction of any gun - but it's a helluva nice black powder revolver.

I'm just sayin'

Tidewater_Kid · November 1, 2011, 08:20 PM

I couldn't get Doc's link to work, so you might try this one:

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/brows...3Bcat104701680

I have purchased two pistols a '58 Remington and a '60 Colt from Cabela's and I have been happy with both.

You can also try out the conversion cylinders.

TK

Dragline45 · November 1, 2011, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Any particular reason why you'd like a .36 for your first? Just wondering ...

I just figured since I shoot a lot of .38 special and I assume the .36 balls are cheaper than the .44 balls, not to mention less powder. Also I know some .44 magnum revolvers shoot high at close distances, I just figured at a moderate distance for plinking and range fun that the .36 would do me fine.

I am open to suggestions, if some of you prefer .44 to .36 caliber go ahead and tell me why.

Legionnaire · November 1, 2011, 08:43 PM

Your reasoning seems sound. I started with .44s because I specifically wanted an 1848 2nd Model Dragoon. After the first, I standardized on .44s because there are more available in .44 than anything else. Colts and Remington clones, and the Ruger Old Army. I also like the hand-filling size of the .44 frames.

But tastes differ. I've not had the pleasure of shooting a .36 yet. Who knows; once I do, I might decide I need to add one (or more) of them to the collection. But for now, I'm quite happy with the .44s.

OutlawJoseyWales · November 1, 2011, 11:45 PM

Dragline, the cost of BP rounds isn't like the difference between .38 and .44 magnum. As far as I can tell .36 and .44 ball is about the same price.

The expense of BP revolvers isn't the balls, it's all the other stuff you are going to need (WANT actually) to make it shoot.
You have to have ball, powder and caps to make it work of course But you have to have a method of measuring the powder and delivery. Some use just a flask, but it goes from there. It's another world really.

I like BP revolvers because they are so archaic, historical and interesting. I enjoyed gathering parts and pieces from various sources, making my own loading stands, making my own "over the ball" lube, finding deals on Ebay...etc. Just fun stuff.

I don't know how much you've read about them, but even cleaning a BP revolver is its very own art form.

OJW

Hellgate · November 1, 2011, 11:52 PM

I like the 44 C&Bs for the main reason that the scorers can better hear the lead strike the steel so fewer false misses are called when they can't see the targets for the smoke. Also I can knock down fallers if they appear (rarely nowadays but earlier in the '90s half the pistol targets were IPSC and the others were big heavy fallers). Besides, the 44s hold more powder for bigger BOOMS!

BConklin · November 2, 2011, 10:19 AM

The price difference at "the world's largest outfitter" for .36 caliber and .44 & .45 caliber balls works out to 2¢ per ball - and you can shoot either with 20 grains of powder. Of course, you can also get quite a bit more into a .44 (or .45 as the case may be....

I own both .44 caliber and .36 caliber Remington 1858's and, though they're fun to shoot - I'd personally rather shoot my stainless steel Ruger Old Army any day of the week. To me, it seems a more robust and higher quality firearm, it fits better in my hand, shoots better and I like the sights a whole lot better on the ROA than on even the target model 44 Remmie I own. The biggest drawback for the ROA, in my mind, is that they don't make the damn thing anymore

Legionnaire · November 2, 2011, 05:19 PM

Quote:

The biggest drawback for the ROA, in my mind, is that they don't make the damn thing anymore.

Yup ... but I got mine! A 7.5" adjustable sight model and a 5.5" fixed sight, both stainless. And I have my eyes open for a blued 7.5" beater, if there is such a thing.

Doc Hoy · November 2, 2011, 06:30 PM

......That both .44 and .36 have their advantages

To me, shooting a .44 is more emotionally rewarding.

But shooting a .36 is more exacting. I am not sure why I feel that way but I do. I think it may have something to do with smaller holes in the target paper.

BTW, a ROA does have a historical prototypte. It is called a ROA.

I know...I know, Shut up, Smart a__ __!

Hawg · November 2, 2011, 07:06 PM

I didn't care anything about a .36 for many, many years until I got one. Now I have three.

shafter · November 2, 2011, 09:31 PM

I started with a Pietta 51. I don't think they are a bad first choice at all. I like the Remingtons alot but the 51 is just right for me.

SIGSHR · November 4, 2011, 02:45 PM

A .36 caliber is roughly the equivalent of a .22 or a 38 Special. Easy on the wallet, the wrist, the hand, the ears. Easier to learn to shoot with.

operatorerror · November 5, 2011, 05:57 PM

Dixie Gun Works has a few Uberti pistols on special.

1861 Navy, .36 cal, $265.00.

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product...oducts_id=1030

1851 Navy, .36 cal., $260.00

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product...oducts_id=1027

All specials.

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/specials.php

I'm new here, let's see if this works.

October 31, 2011, 02:40 PM	#1
Dragline45 Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Posts: 3,513	Looking to get a black powder revolver Lately I have been very interested in getting myself a black powder revolver. Before I buy one I was wondering what some of you could recommend for around $350 in .36 caliber? I'm thinking about getting the Uberti 1851 Navy, what do you all think about that particular model or others?

October 31, 2011, 05:14 PM	#2
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Dragline You would probably do okay with a 51. As an alternative you might want to consider a 58 Reminton in Navy Caliber. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

October 31, 2011, 07:24 PM	#4
Legionnaire Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2000 Location: Central TX Posts: 1,503	Any particular reason why you'd like a .36 for your first? Just wondering ... __________________ Cogito, ergo armatus sum.

October 31, 2011, 08:39 PM	#6
rdstrain49 Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Location: South Central, Iowa Posts: 65	What Doc said. Plus, I'd add, go with Uberti, they use a dovetail front sight. __________________ "Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without your accordion." —Norman Schwartzkopf

October 31, 2011, 10:20 PM	#7
Hellgate Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Orygun Posts: 869	The Uberti (and Euroarms) Remington has a dovetailed front sight but none of the Colts do. __________________ 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)

October 31, 2011, 07:19 PM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	The Remington is probably a better choice for a first timer but the Colt wont be that hard to learn.

October 31, 2011, 07:37 PM	#5
OutlawJoseyWales Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 237	I got a remmy '58 first then started buying colts. Of course they are .44's though. You don't have to spend $350 either.

November 1, 2011, 06:08 AM	#8
MJN77 Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2009 Location: on a hill in West Virginia Posts: 789	I have two Uberti 1851s. They are great. They will shoot longer than my remingtons do without binding up due to black powder fouling. Colt type revolvers are not a bad choice for your first BP revolver. They are not hard to learn on. The 51 grip fits the hand better with most people than does the Remington grip. The 51 navy, IMHO, balances better than just about any other BP revolver, and they are very accurate. There is a reason that the 1851 navy was one of the most popular revolvers in the 1800s, even after the big .44s were around. Good luck on your purchase.

November 1, 2011, 06:43 AM	#9
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Dragline I neglected to mention that if you presently shoot cartridge revolvers, you may find the Remington with a shorter barrel is more akin to your experience than the standard barrel. As regards MJN's comment about binding up, I might add that I went out shooting on Sunday and took along two Remingtons and three Colts. About thirty rounds in I bagen to have trouble getting the Remingtons to release the cylinder pin. I am a pretty clean shooter, load with the cylinder out of the pistol and try to keep the fouling cleaned out and the pin lubricated. Still I had to put one of the Remingtons up before I was finished shooting. The Colts shot as much as I wanted because as I said, the loading is done with the pistol stripped and wiped each time and with a Colt that generally keeps you going. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

November 1, 2011, 06:48 AM	#10
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Here is the Cabela's job http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoot...tols-Revolvers Then drop down to the 1858 Police Model in .36. It is on sale at 219.00. It has been lower but the prices in back up to the point where you only save fifty bucks. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

November 1, 2011, 06:53 AM	#11
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Here is Taylor's for Remingtons http://www.taylorsfirearmsstore.com/1858_remington.htm They have two Ubertis with shorter barrels but both are .44. I did not look at any brass frame revolvers but since you are willing to go up to 350.00 you might want to focus on steel frames. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

November 1, 2011, 11:00 AM	#12
Fingers McGee Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2008 Location: High & Dry in Missouri Ozarks Posts: 2,113	What Doc Hoy & Hawg said +1. __________________ Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee - AKA Man of Many Colts - Alter ego of Diabolical Ken; SASS Regulator 28564-L-TG; Rangemaster and stage writer extraordinaire; Frontiersman, Pistoleer, NRA Endowment Life, NMLRA, SAF, CCRKBA, STORM 327, SV115; Charter member, Central Ozarks Western Shooters Cynic: A blackguard whose faulty vision see things as they are, not as they should be. Ambrose Bierce

November 1, 2011, 06:51 PM	#13
BConklin Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2010 Posts: 136	hmm....$350 is within striking range of a Ruger Old Army. It's not a .36 and it's not an historic reproduction of any gun - but it's a helluva nice black powder revolver. I'm just sayin'

November 1, 2011, 08:43 PM	#16
Legionnaire Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2000 Location: Central TX Posts: 1,503	Your reasoning seems sound. I started with .44s because I specifically wanted an 1848 2nd Model Dragoon. After the first, I standardized on .44s because there are more available in .44 than anything else. Colts and Remington clones, and the Ruger Old Army. I also like the hand-filling size of the .44 frames. But tastes differ. I've not had the pleasure of shooting a .36 yet. Who knows; once I do, I might decide I need to add one (or more) of them to the collection. But for now, I'm quite happy with the .44s. __________________ Cogito, ergo armatus sum.

November 1, 2011, 11:45 PM	#17
OutlawJoseyWales Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 237	Dragline, the cost of BP rounds isn't like the difference between .38 and .44 magnum. As far as I can tell .36 and .44 ball is about the same price. The expense of BP revolvers isn't the balls, it's all the other stuff you are going to need (WANT actually) to make it shoot. You have to have ball, powder and caps to make it work of course But you have to have a method of measuring the powder and delivery. Some use just a flask, but it goes from there. It's another world really. I like BP revolvers because they are so archaic, historical and interesting. I enjoyed gathering parts and pieces from various sources, making my own loading stands, making my own "over the ball" lube, finding deals on Ebay...etc. Just fun stuff. I don't know how much you've read about them, but even cleaning a BP revolver is its very own art form. OJW

November 1, 2011, 11:52 PM	#18
Hellgate Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Orygun Posts: 869	I like the 44 C&Bs for the main reason that the scorers can better hear the lead strike the steel so fewer false misses are called when they can't see the targets for the smoke. Also I can knock down fallers if they appear (rarely nowadays but earlier in the '90s half the pistol targets were IPSC and the others were big heavy fallers). Besides, the 44s hold more powder for bigger BOOMS! __________________ 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)

November 2, 2011, 10:19 AM	#19
BConklin Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2010 Posts: 136	The price difference at "the world's largest outfitter" for .36 caliber and .44 & .45 caliber balls works out to 2¢ per ball - and you can shoot either with 20 grains of powder. Of course, you can also get quite a bit more into a .44 (or .45 as the case may be.... I own both .44 caliber and .36 caliber Remington 1858's and, though they're fun to shoot - I'd personally rather shoot my stainless steel Ruger Old Army any day of the week. To me, it seems a more robust and higher quality firearm, it fits better in my hand, shoots better and I like the sights a whole lot better on the ROA than on even the target model 44 Remmie I own. The biggest drawback for the ROA, in my mind, is that they don't make the damn thing anymore

November 2, 2011, 06:30 PM	#21
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	I think....... ......That both .44 and .36 have their advantages To me, shooting a .44 is more emotionally rewarding. But shooting a .36 is more exacting. I am not sure why I feel that way but I do. I think it may have something to do with smaller holes in the target paper. BTW, a ROA does have a historical prototypte. It is called a ROA. I know...I know, Shut up, Smart a__ __! __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

November 2, 2011, 07:06 PM	#22
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I didn't care anything about a .36 for many, many years until I got one. Now I have three.

November 2, 2011, 09:31 PM	#23
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	I started with a Pietta 51. I don't think they are a bad first choice at all. I like the Remingtons alot but the 51 is just right for me.

November 4, 2011, 02:45 PM	#24
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	A .36 caliber is roughly the equivalent of a .22 or a 38 Special. Easy on the wallet, the wrist, the hand, the ears. Easier to learn to shoot with.

November 5, 2011, 05:57 PM	#25
operatorerror Junior Member Join Date: November 5, 2011 Posts: 1	Dixie Gun Works has a few Uberti pistols on special. 1861 Navy, .36 cal, $265.00. http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product...oducts_id=1030 1851 Navy, .36 cal., $260.00 http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product...oducts_id=1027 All specials. http://www.dixiegunworks.com/specials.php I'm new here, let's see if this works. Last edited by operatorerror; November 5, 2011 at 06:02 PM.