What are the most affordable big bore antique cartridge revolvers?

TruthTellers · April 14, 2022, 05:29 PM

By big bore I'm talking .41 and up and by antique I mean pre 1900. Asking because Mike Belivue's video today on antique guns for self defense has me thinking and currently the biggest caliber that is affordable would be a .38. No sure how much the Colt 1892's go for now, I remember a few years back they were around 600. Seems anything bigger than .38 and you have to pay thousands to get.

gwpercle · April 14, 2022, 06:16 PM

I live in the state of Louisiana and here the laws that govern true antiques are the same as for modern reproductions of those guns . Over the past few years I have ordered 3 revolvers from Dixie Gun Works . All black powder cap and ball reproductions of :
1851- 36 cal. Navy Colt (Pietta mfg.) $350 . 1862 - 36 cal , Colt Pocket Navy (Uberti mfg.) $420 and a 1858 - 44 cal. , Remington New Model Army (Uberti mfg) $399 .
These are new revolvers made just like the old ones , they use black powder, percussion caps and round lead ball loads ... all loose and not contained in a cartridge .
The UPS man delivered them to my door and they were not subject to going through a FFL transfer .
Now this was in Louisiana ... your state my have different laws ...

Check out all the different cap & ball blackpowder reproductions they have at www.dixiegunworks.com they are also a Hoot to Shoot !
Gary

TruthTellers · April 14, 2022, 06:22 PM

Probably should have specified I was talking about cartridge firing antiques, not percussion.

gwpercle · April 14, 2022, 06:36 PM

Taylor Firearms Pietta 1858 Remington Conversion Cylinder .
Converts cap and ball to 45 Colt cartridge firing ...
It's not considered a firearm ... just a cylinder . $250

www.taylorsfirearms.com

Note ... if you order the 1858 Remington Pietta repro and the Conversion cylinder at the same time from Taylors ... they will fit and time the cylinder to the revolver before shipping at no charge ... that's a good deal , fitting and timing is important on a big bore revolver .
Check out Taylor's ...their cartridge conversion cylinders are good and you keep the cap & ball cylinder in case you want to use it old school .

Clint Eastwood does a fast reload with a pre-loaded conversion cylinder in the big shoot out scene , he removes the empty cylinder and drops in a pre loaded conversion cylinder ...precursor to the "Speed Loader" !
Looked cool in the movie .
Gary

ligonierbill · April 14, 2022, 06:51 PM

See what you can find in .41 Long Colt.

Hawg · April 15, 2022, 07:15 PM

Any brand name in good shape is going to be north of 1000.00. The 1890 Remington will probably be the cheapest.

TruthTellers · April 16, 2022, 12:51 AM

As I think it over, there really is no one perfect gun that could be bought and not cost a lot. So, I think the solution is two guns: a top break in .32 or .38 from Iver or H&R and a .45 Colt conversion in a short barrel 1858 NMA repro. Still gonna cost way more than a grand for both, but you can but the top break, NMA, and conversion cylinder separately over time.

**4V50 Gary** · April 16, 2022, 04:11 PM

Correct answer is a conversion cylinder.

I met a fellow who converted percussion to center-fire before kits were available.

Scorch · April 16, 2022, 06:49 PM

First realize that old guns are fragile and can easily break, and few parts are available to repairthem. Your choice of the Colt 1892 New Army/Navy revolver is a case in point, parts are not available. Also, consider that the 38 Colt is not the same as 38 Special, it is a totally different cartridge and a box of 38 Colt costs several times what 38 Specials cost. Quit trying to sneak around the rules, just buy a good quality firearm for self-defense. I mean. the Colt New Army/Navy wasn't a good gun 130 years ago, and it hasn't gotten any better with age, so why would you trust it?

Jim Watson · April 17, 2022, 09:48 AM

Quote:

By big bore I'm talking .41 and up and by antique I mean pre 1900.

By "antique" the BATF means pre-1899.

A Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action is probably the least expensive name brand revolver that meets that definition.

A second line .32 or .38 would be a LOT cheaper but if an antique, you would be getting into the "rated for smokeless" debate.

A cap and ball revolver and a cartridge cylinder can be purchased separately but once assembled into a functioning breechloader, you might have a hard time explaining to the judge how it was ok to have along in a prohibited place or by a prohibited person.
But maybe you have another reason to want an "antique."

bladesmith 1 · April 18, 2022, 11:16 AM

Why hasn't anyone mentioned the 45 Colt, or as it's referred to today - 45 long Colt. There were many different manufactures that made handguns chambered for the 45 Colt back then and now.

TruthTellers · April 20, 2022, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bladesmith 1

Why hasn't anyone mentioned the 45 Colt, or as it's referred to today - 45 long Colt. There were many different manufactures that made handguns chambered for the 45 Colt back then and now.

Because an antique .45 Colt would cost a lot.

BillM · April 20, 2022, 11:50 PM

A quality pre 1899 big bore revolver is going to cost some
bucks. Belgium made a pile of revolvers in various 44
calibers--if you can find a solid one they are cheap. Not
something you would want to put hundreds of rounds through,
and definitely a black powder handload situation.

bladesmith 1 · April 21, 2022, 10:58 AM

Thuthteller, maybe you'd try reading my post. I said many manufacturers made pistols for the 45 Colt cartridge. You don't have to shoot a Colt. I just recently bought a 45 Remington " Outlaw " reproduction for well under a grand. Nice case coloring and nice bluing. It's for sale now at my local gun dealer for somewhere around 650 with only about 10 shots through it.

Pathfinder45 · April 21, 2022, 01:37 PM

What?! Only ten rounds and you're done with it? Instant buyer's remorse? There must be more to the story..

Driftwood Johnson · April 21, 2022, 03:01 PM

Howdy

Do you ever actually follow up and buy anything? I see you posting for advice all the time, cannot recall seeing you actually buying anything.

Yup, forget the Colt 1892, it was not a great revolver.

Forget 41 Long Colt too, it has not been manufactured for eons.

The S&W 44 Double Action was mentioned. Here are a couple. The one at the top is a target model with windage adjustable rear sight and target front sight. It left the factory in 1895. The one at the bottom is a standard model that was refinished sometime in the past. The front sight on that one has been replaced with an old coin. It shipped in 1881. Both of these are chambered for 44 Russian which is commercially manufactured today, but I have no idea where you would find any today. This model was also chambered for 44-40, and a very few were chambered for 38-40. I paid $950 for the target model and $795 for the blued one a bunch of years ago. Good luck finding one today.

I DO NOT recommend firing these with Smokeless powder, I only fire them with my Black Powder hand loads.

I bought this EuroArms 44 caliber 1858 Remington way back in 1975. Have no idea what I paid for it back then. About 20 years ago I bought a 45 Colt conversion cylinder for it from Taylors. Probably paid about $180 for the cylinder at the time. I highly recommend Taylors, they fitted the cylinder to my old Remmie FREE OF CHARGE. No idea if they are still doing that.

I just checked Taylors website. You can get a Remington 1858 for $432.05 and a conversion cylinder chambered for 45 Colt for $256.47, which would bring the total to $688.52. DO NOT BUY A BRASS FRAMED 1858, AND MAKE SURE THE CYLINDER IS FOR 45 COLT, NOT 44 COLT.

If they offer to fit the cylinder to the revolver, take them up on it.

TruthTellers · April 23, 2022, 03:25 AM

Driftwood, I made this thread after seeing duelist1954's video on antique revolvers for self defense. He made a big deal about affordability and because the big bores like the top break S&W you have (very nice btw, love that target model) are quite pricey.

The Remington 1875 and 1890 may be an option, I'd have to check prices on those. The European .44's like what was used in the Bulldog revolvers of the day... they may be big bore, but they're not that much better than a .38 S&W topbreak.

I should check to see what they're going for and how the quality is on those.

bladesmith 1 · April 23, 2022, 01:51 PM

Pathfinder, I was getting too many pistols and still wanted some others that tickled my fancy. That, and the gun was too big and heavy [ for me ] to carry. I should have known that before I ordered it seeing how I have a NMA I did a little work on. 3.5" barrel, Birdshead grip, and conversion cylinder. Even that gun is a bit heavy but not too bad. So I pick up a Judge and a Taylors Cattlemen with a 3.5" barrel and Birdshead grip in 357. Boy is it a sweet looking gun. A 1791 holster made for a 3" Judge fits both - the Cattlemen a little tight and the Judge with a couple of inches of barrel sticking out.

April 14, 2022, 05:29 PM	#1
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,888	What are the most affordable big bore antique cartridge revolvers? By big bore I'm talking .41 and up and by antique I mean pre 1900. Asking because Mike Belivue's video today on antique guns for self defense has me thinking and currently the biggest caliber that is affordable would be a .38. No sure how much the Colt 1892's go for now, I remember a few years back they were around 600. Seems anything bigger than .38 and you have to pay thousands to get. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out." Last edited by TruthTellers; April 14, 2022 at 06:21 PM.

April 14, 2022, 06:16 PM	#2
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,752	I live in the state of Louisiana and here the laws that govern true antiques are the same as for modern reproductions of those guns . Over the past few years I have ordered 3 revolvers from Dixie Gun Works . All black powder cap and ball reproductions of : 1851- 36 cal. Navy Colt (Pietta mfg.) $350 . 1862 - 36 cal , Colt Pocket Navy (Uberti mfg.) $420 and a 1858 - 44 cal. , Remington New Model Army (Uberti mfg) $399 . These are new revolvers made just like the old ones , they use black powder, percussion caps and round lead ball loads ... all loose and not contained in a cartridge . The UPS man delivered them to my door and they were not subject to going through a FFL transfer . Now this was in Louisiana ... your state my have different laws ... Check out all the different cap & ball blackpowder reproductions they have at www.dixiegunworks.com they are also a Hoot to Shoot ! Gary Last edited by gwpercle; April 14, 2022 at 06:23 PM.

April 14, 2022, 06:22 PM	#3
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,888	Probably should have specified I was talking about cartridge firing antiques, not percussion. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

April 14, 2022, 06:36 PM	#4
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,752	Taylor Firearms Pietta 1858 Remington Conversion Cylinder . Converts cap and ball to 45 Colt cartridge firing ... It's not considered a firearm ... just a cylinder . $250 www.taylorsfirearms.com Note ... if you order the 1858 Remington Pietta repro and the Conversion cylinder at the same time from Taylors ... they will fit and time the cylinder to the revolver before shipping at no charge ... that's a good deal , fitting and timing is important on a big bore revolver . Check out Taylor's ...their cartridge conversion cylinders are good and you keep the cap & ball cylinder in case you want to use it old school . Clint Eastwood does a fast reload with a pre-loaded conversion cylinder in the big shoot out scene , he removes the empty cylinder and drops in a pre loaded conversion cylinder ...precursor to the "Speed Loader" ! Looked cool in the movie . Gary Last edited by gwpercle; April 14, 2022 at 06:42 PM.

April 16, 2022, 12:51 AM	#7
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,888	As I think it over, there really is no one perfect gun that could be bought and not cost a lot. So, I think the solution is two guns: a top break in .32 or .38 from Iver or H&R and a .45 Colt conversion in a short barrel 1858 NMA repro. Still gonna cost way more than a grand for both, but you can but the top break, NMA, and conversion cylinder separately over time. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

April 14, 2022, 06:51 PM	#5
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,456	See what you can find in .41 Long Colt.

April 15, 2022, 07:15 PM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	Any brand name in good shape is going to be north of 1000.00. The 1890 Remington will probably be the cheapest.

April 16, 2022, 04:11 PM	#8
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,840	Correct answer is a conversion cylinder. I met a fellow who converted percussion to center-fire before kits were available. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

April 16, 2022, 06:49 PM	#9
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	First realize that old guns are fragile and can easily break, and few parts are available to repairthem. Your choice of the Colt 1892 New Army/Navy revolver is a case in point, parts are not available. Also, consider that the 38 Colt is not the same as 38 Special, it is a totally different cartridge and a box of 38 Colt costs several times what 38 Specials cost. Quit trying to sneak around the rules, just buy a good quality firearm for self-defense. I mean. the Colt New Army/Navy wasn't a good gun 130 years ago, and it hasn't gotten any better with age, so why would you trust it? __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

April 18, 2022, 11:16 AM	#11
bladesmith 1 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2018 Posts: 240	Why hasn't anyone mentioned the 45 Colt, or as it's referred to today - 45 long Colt. There were many different manufactures that made handguns chambered for the 45 Colt back then and now.

April 20, 2022, 11:50 PM	#13
BillM Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Amity Oregon Posts: 791	A quality pre 1899 big bore revolver is going to cost some bucks. Belgium made a pile of revolvers in various 44 calibers--if you can find a solid one they are cheap. Not something you would want to put hundreds of rounds through, and definitely a black powder handload situation.

April 21, 2022, 10:58 AM	#14
bladesmith 1 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2018 Posts: 240	Thuthteller, maybe you'd try reading my post. I said many manufacturers made pistols for the 45 Colt cartridge. You don't have to shoot a Colt. I just recently bought a 45 Remington " Outlaw " reproduction for well under a grand. Nice case coloring and nice bluing. It's for sale now at my local gun dealer for somewhere around 650 with only about 10 shots through it. Last edited by bladesmith 1; April 21, 2022 at 11:23 AM.

April 21, 2022, 01:37 PM	#15
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	What?! Only ten rounds and you're done with it? Instant buyer's remorse? There must be more to the story..

April 21, 2022, 03:01 PM	#16
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	Howdy Do you ever actually follow up and buy anything? I see you posting for advice all the time, cannot recall seeing you actually buying anything. Yup, forget the Colt 1892, it was not a great revolver. Forget 41 Long Colt too, it has not been manufactured for eons. The S&W 44 Double Action was mentioned. Here are a couple. The one at the top is a target model with windage adjustable rear sight and target front sight. It left the factory in 1895. The one at the bottom is a standard model that was refinished sometime in the past. The front sight on that one has been replaced with an old coin. It shipped in 1881. Both of these are chambered for 44 Russian which is commercially manufactured today, but I have no idea where you would find any today. This model was also chambered for 44-40, and a very few were chambered for 38-40. I paid $950 for the target model and $795 for the blued one a bunch of years ago. Good luck finding one today. I DO NOT recommend firing these with Smokeless powder, I only fire them with my Black Powder hand loads. I bought this EuroArms 44 caliber 1858 Remington way back in 1975. Have no idea what I paid for it back then. About 20 years ago I bought a 45 Colt conversion cylinder for it from Taylors. Probably paid about $180 for the cylinder at the time. I highly recommend Taylors, they fitted the cylinder to my old Remmie FREE OF CHARGE. No idea if they are still doing that. I just checked Taylors website. You can get a Remington 1858 for $432.05 and a conversion cylinder chambered for 45 Colt for $256.47, which would bring the total to $688.52. DO NOT BUY A BRASS FRAMED 1858, AND MAKE SURE THE CYLINDER IS FOR 45 COLT, NOT 44 COLT. If they offer to fit the cylinder to the revolver, take them up on it.

April 23, 2022, 03:25 AM	#17
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,888	Driftwood, I made this thread after seeing duelist1954's video on antique revolvers for self defense. He made a big deal about affordability and because the big bores like the top break S&W you have (very nice btw, love that target model) are quite pricey. The Remington 1875 and 1890 may be an option, I'd have to check prices on those. The European .44's like what was used in the Bulldog revolvers of the day... they may be big bore, but they're not that much better than a .38 S&W topbreak. I should check to see what they're going for and how the quality is on those. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

April 23, 2022, 01:51 PM	#18
bladesmith 1 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2018 Posts: 240	Pathfinder, I was getting too many pistols and still wanted some others that tickled my fancy. That, and the gun was too big and heavy [ for me ] to carry. I should have known that before I ordered it seeing how I have a NMA I did a little work on. 3.5" barrel, Birdshead grip, and conversion cylinder. Even that gun is a bit heavy but not too bad. So I pick up a Judge and a Taylors Cattlemen with a 3.5" barrel and Birdshead grip in 357. Boy is it a sweet looking gun. A 1791 holster made for a 3" Judge fits both - the Cattlemen a little tight and the Judge with a couple of inches of barrel sticking out.