Selling the Remington NMA in favor of Colt

I concur. The 1858 grip is too small for my mitts. I much prefer the 1860; in fact, I haven't taken the 1858 out of the safe in years.

That's not too uncommon.
When Cabela's stores were fully stocked, it was easier to check out the different models in person.
But now days that's almost impossible.
If buying from an online vendor, try to make sure that they will accept a return if the gun is still in new condition so the grip ergonomics can be checked.

The backstrap of the grip of the Pietta Remington used to have a different shape until maybe 5 -6 years ago when they changed it from having more of a tail at the bottom.
And Dixie does sell a Pietta Remington with a slightly larger grip or grip frame.

If a person shoots with two hands then they can probably find a way to adapt to it.
There's always the possibility of making custom shaped grip panels if someone were inclined.
Or there's other models with similar 1858 characteristics such as the Ruger Old Army, the Rogers & Spencer and the 1862 Spiller & Burr .36.

Did you find that the 1858 grip was too small which caused you to hit your middle finger joint?
Did the gun feel too front heavy due to a lack of grip support?
Every model has some advantages and disadvantages, their grips are only one of them.

If someone designed an improved replacement grip it would have a lot of potential for success.

It sounds like you would prefer a longer and maybe overall larger grip.
It's possible to design one that could encase the grip frame and provide more support, but it would probably require wood working skills and some trial & error.
Most folks just want an original style gun.

Cap and ball revolvers are nice to have in pairs.
The US Dragoons carried cap and ball revolvers in pairs. So did the Texas Rangers.

Orion8472 said:

Again, the issue is the metal portion.....the upper part where the trigger goes into the frame. I'll have to get a picture and post it. I don't think I'm describing it very well.

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I'm not doubting you.
It's just that the shape of a grip aligns the hand and trigger finger.
When the shape of the grip is changed, then it can change the position and alignment of the hand and trigger finger.
I recall one poster wanted to remove the trigger guard altogether.
Other folks may only want to remove a portion of it.
Every hand has a different proportion and different size fingers.
Most folks don't want to experiment because it's a lot of trial & error.
But some grip experts can figure out if your hand is too high, too low, too close, or too far back, and can build a grip with proper dimensions and more support.
It's not easy and may not be perfect either.
But sometimes improvements can be made, and other times they can't or aren't worth pursuing.

The grip doesn’t fit me well either. My hands love the 1860 Army’s grip also the Super Blackhawk, Bisley, (both kinds) and to a lesser extent, the SAA.

If you get along with the bisley you’re likely compatible with the 1860. (The original and only New Model Army) the Colt Bisley is different, a bit on the small side but I cut my eye teeth on a .32-20 Bisley long ago and in the small bores it’s pretty nice.

You can easily space out your fingers and their relationship with the TG on a Remington simply by curling your pinky under the butt and moving the other two fingers down and apart a little if you are so inclined.

I'm with you on this one. I've owned exactly 2 Remington revolvers, and I sold them both. Nothing about them feels right in my hand. It's not a reflection of the gun, they are obviously well made and many, many people love them. I'm just not one of them. They feel clunky and ungainly to me. The exact opposite of how a Colt feels. Of course it's all subjective though.

The different Remington repro makers have slightly different grip / frame sizes. For example, my Euroarms (Armi San Paolo) has a noticeably smaller grip than my Uberti. I'm not sure where the Pietta fits on this scale. So, the different brands give you a latitude to choose from.

As a general design, I much prefer the Remington to the Colt.

The Colt patterns are just more comfortable, better handling sixguns.

I like the feel of the Colt patterns but my Remington NMA Piettas are the most accurate cap guns I have.

Sure does make one who hasn’t handled a Colt wonder…

@Zulch Shoot your NMA before you shoot either of your Colts.

AlexanderA said:

For example, my Euroarms (Armi San Paolo) has a noticeably smaller grip than my Uberti. I'm not sure where the Pietta fits on this scale.

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Piettas are bigger (and if you will, "clunkier") than ASP or ASM. Also heavier. The grips and frame are physically larger as well. I much prefer the ASP over Pietta, personally.

Howdy

No question there is less space between the rear of the trigger guard and the grip on the 1858 Remington than on a Colt Single Action Army.

This is my Remmie that I bought brand-spanky new in 1975. Currently it has a cartridge conversion cylinder chambered for 45 Colt in it.






The Colt SAA grip is identical to the grip of the 1851 Navy Cap & Ball model. The grip of the 1860 Army Cap & Ball model was about 1/4" longer than the grip of the 1851 Navy model. When Colt designed the cartridge model in 1873 they went back to the shorter grip of the 1851 Navy model.






This is a Pietta replica of the 1860 Army Cap & Ball Colt with the longer grip.






Getting back to the Remington grip, I find that my middle finger gets whacked by the trigger guard when I fire full house Black Powder 45 Colt ammo in it. For that reason, I usually fire 45 Schofield ammo from my Remington; with less powder capacity 45 Schofield does not generate enough recoil to whack my finger. I have no problem firing full house 45 Colt Black Powder ammo in a Colt with the extra 1/4" or so of space between the back of the trigger guard and the grip.



Regarding the Bisley grip made by Uberti, vs Ruger, they are not the same.

This is an actual Colt Bisley model. The grip shape of the Bisley models made by Uberti is identical to this. Notice how far forward the front of the grip sweeps.






This is Ruger's interpretation of the Bisley grip. Shaped completely different.

I started shooting NMAs around 1973 in competition down at Friendship and have never had a problem with the grips and have owned over 15 of them. I'm 6'4" at 275 and my hands are fairly large. As Cap Kirk said, just curl your little finger under the grip. I do the same on many of my modern pistols. Guess it just comes second nature after doing it so many years. I've never noticed the recoil.

rodwha said:

Sure does make one who hasn’t handled a Colt wonder…

@Zulch Shoot your NMA before you shoot either of your Colts.

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Thanks rodwha

Orion8472 said:

Just wish it were as easy to get the dang cylinders out of the Colt like you can the Remington. I'll definitely give them props for that design! I really like the way they look. Just not how "bent" my trigger finger has to be when it is comfortably in my hand.

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Why is getting the cylinder out easier of concern? Just curious.

I've had both, sold the Remingtons and kept the Colts. Nothing feels better in the hand than a Colt grip to me, and the NMA's are front-heavy for my liking. Just my opinion, though.

Mac