Had the money, saw the sale....

.36 cal. concealable revolver issued to Wells Fargo agents and such. I've never fired one so I don't have any practical experience concerning its accuracy or how well the separate loading device works.

Looks cool in the photo, how do you load it? Is the "separate brass loading tool" just a ramrod?

I just got mine this past Friday. The gun was really in need of cleaning when I unpacked it. It still had the heavy packing oil on the frame but powdery deposits in a couple of the cylinders. I'm thinking they have been sitting around for a few years, that's why they are on sale. The barrel wedge was a bugger to get out, the retaining lip on the wedge was too high and the spring to push it down was stronger than my 1851 Navy. So now there are a couple small dings in that area. The loading tool is just a brass ramrod that slides down a hole in the frame where normally a loading lever would do it's thing.

Other than the dry corrosion and stubborn wedge the gun seems to be well made. I haven't had a chance to shoot yet but I think it will be fun. Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to get out back with it. I smashed my right thumb in a log splitting tragedy this past weekend and couldn't cock the gun right now anyway.

DaveJ

Colt originally made a small number of them, but production was limited because they weren't all that popular at the time. They are a little difficult to load because of the lack of an effective rammer, and you may find that this hassle limits your desire to shoot it. On the other hand they are neat looking and apparently the price was right.

Use this forum's search feature and you will find all kinds of information on loading and care of cap & ball revolvers in general, and some on the conventional 1862 Police Model.

Before you buy that loading tool be sure it will work with the smaller 1862 sized cylinder. They are a popular accessory with some that shoot at ranges with a bench, and I know they are made for the popular Army and Navy models, but I'm not so sure otherwise.

Well crap. That's too cool looking. Now I want one.....

I want to read your shooting report but that little thing is just cool!

I'm still sort of confused as to the method of using the ramrod. The big flat thing
on the end looks like it was designed to push against something. So, do you push the
whole mess against a wall or something? Like grasp the grip in a normal shooting
position and shove the brass rod into whatever until the ball is seated?

Very interesting.

The ballistics have got to be el-stinko but I'm sure it would make a bad guy el-dead-o

Damn it! I clicked the link!

aww, now I'm catching it!

You shot that crazy short thing yet?

I was in Austin on business this week and stood there in Cabelas looking at the little thing for a good while trying to decide whether to buy it or not. Thought I'd wait to hear how you like it.

Let us know how it shoots!

It's sure a cute looking thing.

Yeah, its certainly nicer looking than on their web site. I almost bought one of those last week but went with a brass remmie instead. Mabye next time:banghead:

Powder, wad, ball and cover them it with bullet lub to keep all the rounds from discharging at one time when one is fired and to prevent moisture from entereing. Then the percussion cap.

It's from here for the mini's but applies
http://www.naaminis.com/naacbow.html

Third_Rail said:

Okay, here are the pictures... one question, though - the manual says it should be fired with 9 grains of FFFG powder. That seems REALLY light. I'm going to need fillers (wads or the like), yes?

The grips are better than I thought they'd be.

Click to expand...

Here's mine.... I found loading the cap and ball to be a bother, so I Konverted mine to 38 special with a Kirst Konverter. It's now one of my favorites.

Hm. That's actually a snubby 1861 from the looks of it. A full sized 1862 with 6.5" barrel weighs only 25.6 oz. (a 2.25" barreled SP-101 weighs 25.5 oz., for comparison). Also, the actual 1862s have a rebated cylinder (like the 1860 Army) since they use .31 cal frames. Though for $150, I guess you can't complain.

Just saw this post...

I bought a snubnose 1860 .44 from Cabela's a few weeks ago. I haven't fired it yet, but I am definately in love!

I was able to locate a period correct holster for it too. It seems that during the Civil War, the US Navy used a "frog" for their revolvers, which left the barrel exposed. It just happens to be the perfect length for a snubby Colt.

Check out the pics- it should fit the .36 1862 nicely too. Dixie Gun Works sells there for less than $20 bucks; I got mine cheap off eBay.


John

Tell me! Bought a pair of both! (.36 and .44) Funny thing, .44s come with cut outs for shoulder stock, guess i need one now!