Best handling revolver?

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Quincy12

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What do you think? Not for fast draw, just general balance and feel. This is for target shooting and plinking, nothing more serious. So, 1851, 1860 Army or Ruger or the Colt SAA 1873... Or something else?
 
By all means, any of the above mentioned as long as it has been " goonerized "!!! Lol!


In all seriousness, a '51/'61 Navy is revered as best natural pointing arm ever made. I would agree (with lean towards the '61).

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com
Follow me on Instagram @ goonsgunworks
 
45 Dragoon said:
By all means, any of the above mentioned as long as it has been " goonerized "!!! Lol!


In all seriousness, a '51/'61 Navy is revered as best natural pointing arm ever made. I would agree (with lean towards the '61).

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com
Follow me on Instagram @ goonsgunworks
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+1

I'm a big fan of the '51 Navy. It really does point wonderfully. 45 Dragoon has one of mine right now, in fact. :)
 
My favorite is somewhere in between: I like the 1851 Navy in 44 Caliber. I get the easy pointing of the '51 and less weight to wield but the power of the bigger 44 Army.
 
Hellgate said:
My favorite is somewhere in between: I like the 1851 Navy in 44 Caliber. I get the easy pointing of the '51 and less weight to wield but the power of the bigger 44 Army.
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Ah, those are "interesting" but never existed in the real Old West.
 
Large hands or small? For smaller hands, 1851 Navy.

Mind you, the Remington NMA also sits in the hand well after you get used to it, but for point shooting as opposed to aiming down the sights, I'd go with one of the Colts.
 
I wear 4 x gloves so my hands aren't average , my rugers feel great in my hands , but is have to say the best feeling gun is the Navy .36 they feel so light and natural in moving and pointing
 
Rogers and Spencer. Hands down either of my two out points any of my others in all aspects and I have most of the more popular guns. Accurate, reliable, and more resistant to base pin fouling. Second is ROA., followed by the Remington New Army, the Remington Navy not so much.

However like many things on this forum, highly subjective.:rolleyes:
 
Even though I have small hands I have always liked the grip shape and overall size and balance of the Model 1860 Army.

004_zpsqjo6dopi.jpg
 
1860, hands down.


...and less weight to wield but the power of the bigger 44 Army.
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I wouldn't have expected as much but comparing two late model laser engraved Pietta's, an 1860 and a .44cal 1851, the 1860 is three full ounces heavier.

IMG_7004b.jpg

IMG_5621b.jpg
 
To be fair (and honest) the grips of the S.A.A./ Navy Colt are the smallest grips that get the job done. The plow handle of the '60 is quite comfortable as is the grips of the Dragoons (including the Whitneyville/Walker ). The grips along with the balance and proportions of the Navy ('51/'61) culminate into the quintessential natural S.A. !!

The ROA's grips are even smaller than the Navy/S.A.A. and almost look like an after thought!

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com
Follow me on Instagram @ goonsgunworks
 
My 7.5 inch Ruger Old Armies with Ajax stags feel better in my hands than anything else. They point like a pair of great big 1851s.
 

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Well, these thing being what they are, all them are good for plinking...

The two best for me are my old ROA of 1976 and my 1860 Army I bought the last year...

The Navy 36 is good but the size, the frame and the cylinder are de same weight of a .44" and just only the bores are smaller then making this heavier. To bad...

So IMHO the best are the ROA, the 1860 Army, the 58/63 Remington and my very old Spiller and Burr for the fun, merely the fun...
 
I had a Pietta made Spiller and Burr once.

Once.

The thing was just awful. Very poorly made replica. Made to a price point and then some, in the worst kind of way.
 
I always thought the Colt 1851 was the best pointer until I handled an 1860 Army. Now it's my favorite. I'm more accurate with the ROA but the 1860 balances better for me than any of the others.

Jeff
 
I also prefer shooting my 1860 over my '51. I enjoy both but my 1860 has a better trigger and feels better in my hand.
 
Are you telling me that there is little difference externally between the 1860 Army and the '61 Navy? The Army actually weighs less due to caliber?
 
Good evening, I have large hands and truly enjoy shooting my Saddle Revolvers. For pointability tho', the 1860 Army has it hands down for me. It is a natural pointer and if I can aim my finger at a target, I can hit it with the Army. Mine is with the Goon for upgrades but should be home soon.
regards!
 
Are you telling me that there is little difference externally between the 1860 Army and the '61 Navy? The Army actually weighs less due to caliber?
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The Army is slightly heavier.

With its 8 inch barrel and rebated 44 caliber cylinder, I'll tell you when its fully charged you can definitely feel it riding on your hip while walking through the woods.
 
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Each to their own, best thing is get some where and handle them.
I love the '51 small bead on the octagon barrel better than a blade sight for quick point and shoot. Some people put army grips on their navy or navy grips on an army.
 
Hi Cooldill,

I had a Pietta made Spiller and Burr once.

Once.

The thing was just awful. Very poorly made replica. Made to a price point and then some, in the worst kind of way.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I mean: Pietta 20 years old, the barrel and the frame realigned with an hydraulic press, that's a really funny handgun and I want to tell you something about this: this one is the funniest gun in the world... :D
 
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