First BP Revolver

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david58

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I have shot BP for a number of years, and have long coveted a revolver, well, for fun.

At the same time, I want a pistol that is historically accurate, well made, and will hit what I point it at.

I don't have an unlimited budget, but don't have to consider cost first, either.

And I think I prefer a revolver with a backstrap, rather than the earlier Colt styles.

I respect the wisdom of the folks here, and look forward to my new pistol!
 
I would consider the Uberti Remington then. People go back and forth on whether they like the Pietta or Uberti better but the one difference between the two is on the Uberti you get a dovetailed front site on even their basic models. To get an adjustable site on a Pietta Remington you have to buy one of their 'target' or 'shooters' models.

http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/hand...1858-new-army/pietta-1858-remington-8-44.html

http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/hand...backstrap-brass-trigger-guard-model-107a.html

Check under each of the tabs 'Additional Info' for front sight comparison.
 
Im assuming that you mean TOPstrap, not backstrap?

Either way, seems to me that the Uberti Remington will fir the bill nicely. They are a touch more expensive then Pietta, but the smaller grip frame is more historic. The Remmi is a great place to start regardless, and I love my Pietta colt and my first was a Pietta remington 5.5 inch, I really wish I had started out with that from Uberti instead. The Uberti Remington also should have a dovetailed front sight that would be really nice for zeroing in.

I like Ford cars and Chevy trucks (when I cant get my hands on a dodge that is!) and it seems to be shaping up that same way with my BP revolvers... Uberti Remingtons and Pietta colts. But thats just MY preferences... Whatever you choose is probably NOT going to be your last anyway, as this is one addictive sport LOL!
 
Notice the height of the front sight on the Taylor's link.

There are many earlier New Model Armies on the used gun sites that have much shorter ones.

They shoot HIGH.

If you opt for a used one to save money, go with one with a tall sight.
 
I have to agree with Stormson on everything.

I have a Pietta Remington (Christmas sale was huge), though wanted the Uberti. My Pietta needed a fair bit of work to operate well enough and still shoots a little low and to the left. I can file the front site to fix low but I can't adjust for left without creating a dovetail and installing an Uberti front sight.

Pietta has grossly undersized chambers (mine were 0.446") that were reamed. The loading port (window) doesn't allow much else other than a ball. I had to open mine up to use bullets.

Now were you talking about a Colt model I may well choose a Pietta over an Uberti.

But if you can find one at a decent price I'd opt for a Ruger Old Army.
 
rodwha, he said he wanted historically accurate so that rules out the Ruger Old Army, although they are said to be an excellent gun.
 
My first BP revolver was a Pietta Remington New Model Army .44 followed some years later by a Colt Model 1860 Army 3rd. Gen. Both have been great revolvers and either one would make for a fine choice for your first revolver.
 
Back to the OP...

Sounds like you want a Remington. At present, I'd rate the normally available repros in the following order:
1. Pedersoli
2. Pietta Shooter's Model
3. Pietta normal model
4. Uberti.

The last two are more or less a wash. The first two are significantly better quality, but it's reflected in the price.
 
Why would you rate the standard model Pietta over the Uberti?

"And hit where I point at" is the criteria and the standard Uberti Remington can be fine tuned where the standard Pietta cannot.
 
Ruger Old Army if you can find one at a decent price. If not, then I'd go with a replica of the Remington, preferably steel frame.
 
I'd certainly rate the Uberti over the standard Pietta Remington NMA. I don't read of anything needing to be done to an Uberti.

Their chambers run 0.450" whereas Pietta's run 0.446" with both having a groove diameter of 0.452". I had mine reamed to 0.449" and chamfered.

The Pietta needed the hammer nose filed to fit the safety notches properly.

The fit of the grip needed attention as to fit to frame, and the stain, to me, was horrendous. It's oversized compared to the original, and a bit big for me, though some may appreciate that. I sanded mine to fit the frame and me better and refinished it.

My Pietta shoots a few inches to the left. If I had an Uberti I could tap the front sight a little to get it shooting straighter.

The hand and bolt had sharp edges that needed smoothing.

The frame at the loading port isn't proper leaving it only capable of loading a ball. I had to open mine to accept even my short (0.400") 170 grn bullet.

I've also read that the front sight and loading lever catch have been known to fall out.
 
As an owner of Remington, Colt and Ruger Old Armies, I have to also add my vote for an ROA, if you find one at a good price, maybe not historically accurate, they are CAS legal and vaguely resemble the Remington, your stated preference. Pros; American made, built on the Blackhawk old model frame and with a Blackhawk barrel, they are bar none the strongest revolvers out there. I do enjoy shooting my clones, both Colt and Remington, the ones I keep coming back to is the ROA's. Correction on strongest, Tingle made a 45mag revolver, but very few before he quit production so they cost more than I can afford when they come up for auction.
 
"At the same time, I want a pistol that is historically accurate, well made, and will hit what I point it at.'

Historically accurate. The ROA is NOT historically accurate.
 
I've been using a pair of Uberti NMA's for 8 years now for a combination of cowboy action and fun target shooting. The guns have held up superbly and shoot decently accurately. I've not taken the time to find the right load and possible filler amount for optimum accuracy. I really should though because I generally get something around a 6 to 7 inch group when shooting at 25 yards. And my old guy eyes and nerves normally allow me to achieve closer to 4 inches on a regular day and down around 3 inches on a good day. So I think there's more to be had with testing than I'm getting just with 30gns of 3f and a ball pushed deeply down to seat against the powder.
 
I've got two Pietta's I bought about 2003 for CAS, I know I've shot probably about close to 1000 rounds thru both in competition and practice and still no problems, with either. I did do an action job on both as they were really rough when I first got them, now they are both just as smooth as silk. They are very accurate using 27 grains of 3F Goex black powder, in front of a Wonder Wad, a CCI number 11 percussion cap, and home cast roundballs. Off hand at 25 yards I'm quite capable of 3" groups. Now I just occasionally take them out and shoot them.
 
you will be getting more then one .. I bought a used CVS colt 44 navy .. brass frame .. not much but it got me going back 23 years ago . Buy what you like & do not cheep out.
 
The best of the reproduction B/P handguns is the Roger & Spencer. This is the revolver Ruger used as a model when engineering the Old Army. It like the OA is a .457 caliber. The Euroarms discontinued target is a fine shooter. Pedersoli makes a high end R & S for the U.S. B/P Olympic revolver.
This is my R & S Target fired at 25 yards.
 

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The best of the reproduction B/P handguns is the Roger & Spencer. This is the revolver Ruger used as a model when engineering the Old Army. It like the OA is a .457 caliber. The Euroarms discontinued target is a fine shooter. Pedersoli makes a high end R & S for the U.S. B/P Olympic revolver.
This is my R & S Target fired at 25 yards.


I don't really see the resemblance in my ROA. It looks much more like the Remington New Model Army if you ask me.

%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i64.tinypic.com/ravors.jpg%5B/IMG%5D
 
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OK that is a typical response. Please read Bill Ruger's book about his company. The ROA was Bill's favorite. He explains in his book how the engineers used the Roger & Spencer as a model for the ROA. The concept of forcing a larger bullet into the much smaller chamber. The R&S and the ROA use .457 slug elongated in a .452 chamber to allow higher pressures without gas cut. Check the R &S loading lever latch it works. The expanded chamber mouths etc. These are engineering changes not cosmetics.:)
 
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