I want to get an old west replica pistol. Advice please

[johnt671]

I'm going to a couple of gun shows next week hoping to find a nice used black powder pistol, either cap and ball or one with a cartridge conversion.

I know a little bit about Uberti replicas but know nothing about other good brands that are out there. I'm torn between a cartridge or a cap and ball and would like opinions on both. I was at a show a few weeks ago when the bug struck again, as I've wanted one of these since I was young. A dealer at that show had two cap and ball pistols, one that looked like pictures of a 1851? Colt navy in nice shape for $240, and a similar pistol to that for $260. I handled both, and they had a nice solid feeling. Since I didn't know anything about that type of pistol I didn't buy, but I really liked the look of the (I think) Navy Colt.

any info you can share would be great.

 

[Hang-Fire Hank]

HUGE DIFFERENCE

Well, John, a Cap 'n Ball shooter and a cartridge revolver are two different worlds. With the former, you'll be involved in a powder flask/round balls/percussion caps/nipple wrench (for cleaning)/over-chamber wads, and black powder (or BP non-corrosive substitute). With a Colt Model 1873 (or Italian copy), you can choose from a variety of Old West calibers, although 44-40 & 45 LC are the most popular. Instead of loading the cap 'n ball at the range, you'll load those cartridges at home BEFORE going to your shoot.

C&B is by far the least expensive of the two choices. Start with one of those & move on one or 2 years later to a cartridge gun. I was a percussion shooter for many years (rifle & pistol).

The Colt Model 1851 Navy copy is quite popular, I think 'cause of the octagonal barrel. At least that's what attracted me. They'll be chambered for .36 calibre. The 1860 Army is a .44 calibre. Just keep in mind, NEITHER should be loaded with smokeless powder!

Find a pal who has experience with C&B revolvers. You'll eliminate some of the trial 'n errors.

Good Luck, Hank M.

 

[raljr1]

I have an Uberti Cattleman in 45 colt...well made, inexpensive, and fun to shoot...I have passed on black powder revolvers because of the simplicity of cartridge guns

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[JayFramer]

Get a RUGER WRANGLER:

 

[austintexas]

Years ago I was into BP. As time went by, I shot them less and less. A lot of bother to load and clean up. I picked up a '51 cartridge conversion in 38 S&W. finally sold the all but a Pocket Police because it was a really neat looking and a real Remington 1858 because it was cheap and clean enough to shoot. Finally went to all cartridge guns to shoot and BP to look at.
SWCA 892

 

[OldSarge21]

Remington 1858 cap and ball with a 45lc conversion cylinder from midway

 

[JayFramer]

Years ago I was into BP. As time went by, I shot them less and less. A lot of bother to load and clean up. I picked up a '51 cartridge conversion in 38 S&W. finally sold the all but a Pocket Police because it was a really neat looking and a real Remington 1858 because it was cheap and clean enough to shoot. Finally went to all cartridge guns to shoot and BP to look at.
SWCA 892

+1

The black powder handguns are frankly a chore to shoot and a pain in the neck to clean, which you must do, as they’ll rust out from one missed cleaning.

Avoid the balls and caps revolvers and pick up a RUGER WRANGLER .22 revolver. It has a country western feel and look to it and shoots a cheap shell (rimfire).

 

[RobertJ.]

pick up a RUGER WRANGLER .22 revolver. It has a country western feel and look to it and shoots a cheap shell (rimfire).

It might be a great gun, but he did specify a replica.

I think a copy of a Colt cap & ball with a cartridge conversion, set up to shoot .38 Special, would be just the ticket. For me, anyway. YMMV.

 

[JayFramer]

It might be a great gun, but he did specify a replica.

I think a copy of a Colt cap & ball with a cartridge conversion, set up to shoot .38 Special, would be just the ticket. For me, anyway. YMMV.

I believe Umberto makes a 1851 cartridge conversion in .38 S&W SPC CTG.

Would make a good choice. Cheap to shoot. Could be used for fighting with a Gold Dots loaded. Umberto makes a nice gun.

 

[jeffrefrig]

The Uberti catalog of SAA revolver clones is a real good place to look for a cartridge revolver, and they are pretty good quality replicas. There are other brands, but I can only speak for the Uberti. I have a very cool-looking Cattleman, .45 Colt, very nice quality gun IMO. Can't help with cap & ball or black powder. (If there is a can of gunpowder in my house near me, I KNOW bad things will happen!) Many folks love the BP & C&B guns, so good luck. I only suggested looking at a Uberti catalog because you can see what's available. Other brands are available and prices are all over the place. It would be nice to get a picture of what you choose

 

[Texas Star]

I think you should start by reading about the originals from Colt and Remington.

Stay with known Italian brands noted for good quality. I'd limit my search to Uberti and Pietta. I think Jay is mistaken: there is no "Umberto" brand, to my knowledge. I think he means Aldo Uberti. That firm has the best rep in C&B guns.

 

[butchkent]

Cimarrons are the best of the cloned. Authentic and fun to shoot.

 

[StrawHat]

For years I enjoyed shooting Uberti copies of the Colt 1860 and 1861. Then, I stumbled on these, the ASM version of the Richards conversion of the 1860 to 44 Colt. What a pair! They are no longer made but Uberti makes a copy of the Richards and Mason conversion and also the 1871 Open Top. Unfortunately these are built on a slightly larger frame to accommodate the 45 Colt instead of the 44 Colt.

Kevin

 

[serger]

I have a Pietta 1858 Remington with a Krist Pale Rider R58KP 45A
5 shot Cylinder in 45ACP. I started to go with a 45 Colt Cylinder
but the price of ammunition made me go with the same feed as
my 1911's.

As far as a comparison to the Uberti 1858, they are the Chevy's
and Fords of the replica firearms companies. Both work fine and
last a long time.

 

[merl67]

Remington 1858 cap and ball with a 45lc conversion cylinder from midway

What he said x10. I had one made by CVA that was as accurate as any modern revolver. and you should be able to find one for around $200 get the steel frame army model avoid the navy brass frame ones. In my hands the Remingtion 1858 balances in the hand better than the Colt open top 44's.

 

[Kiwi cop]

I would check out the Uberti 1871 Navy .38 Open top revolver. A modern replica of the black powder conversions. It seems to be what the OP{ is wanting and you can shoot it with modern .38 Special ammunition or load up some black powder rounds for all of the smoke and smell.

Army Conversion, Navy Conversion, and Open Top | Uberti

I have handled a couple of these guns and wish I had been in a position to buy them at the time as they re very scarce in this country.

 

[moralem]

I would take a look at the 2nd gen Colt 1860 army......

 

[eveled]

Not a replica, but worth mentioning. The Ruger old army is a real nice modern cap and ball revolver. For centerfire cartridges? Skip the conversion cylinders buy a Blackhawk or Vaquero. For rimfire? Everyone should have a Single six or a Bearcat.
Again I know you asked for a replica. But these are guns that are great shooters and parts are readily available

 

[BearBio]

For authenticity, I would look at Uberti/Cimarron. I shot SASS (Cowboy action) with Cimarron Artillery Models in 45 Colt==authentic to grip markings and stamps. Very little tuning (I put in Wolff Brothers springs was all).

FYI: The artillery models were 1895 refurbishments of the original issue 1873 Colt's issued to the Army that were worn. If I remember right, they were issued to "secondary" troops but some were issued to the Rough Riders, as well.

I LOVE shooting BP and have taken deer with BP rifles but it is a pain. Wild Bill Hickok trusted BP more than cartridges of his time but he pulled his loads each night and reloaded his pistols.

 

[jmace57]

I got my first revolver - an 1851 Navy replica when I was 14 in 1971. They are an absolute hoot to shoot. Big flame and clouds of smoke.

But, as others have mentioned, it is a lot of work to shoot 24 or 30 rounds. And, as they mentioned too, you HAVE to clean them after shooting. I took this one (along with other cartridge guns) to a range a year or two ago, and when I started laying out all of the paraphernalia to start shooting, I just changed my mind and didn't shoot it. I haven't shot it in close to 30 years.

Maybe after I retire, and time isn't quite as precious, I'll start shooting it again.

I had Ruger Vaqueros in .357 and 45LC and enjoyed them both.