2nd gen Colt 1851's. Am I missing something?

If you can find a nice C series 2nd gen for a good price in unfired condition, buy it.

The stampings on the barrel, Patent dates the roll stamping on the cylinder all worth the extra cost.

I went over to the 2nd Generations and have even had a couple of the Signature Series years ago. And NO, I have never regretted paying the extra to get a Colt branded gun. As far as shooting, Ubertis will do the job, and they make some great guns. So I guess it just depends what you won't to see every time you look at it? The Colts do hold their value a lot better. Unless you are really over on current market value, you can shoot the Colt for five years, and still get your money back or maybe even make a little.

Where are you looking? Reserves and the minimum bids are way up on Second Generation and Third Generation Colts. A stainless steel '51 Square back bidding was up to $1,250.00 and still didn't meet the reserve. But if you're finding them at a deceit price grab it. I have a few and love em.

I just bought a Uberti 1851 Navy. I briefly considered a Colt (b/c of the nearly identical price as you say) but went with the slightly cheaper Uberti b/c the collect-ability of used (fired), non-antique percussion guns seems very low.

There are plenty of Colt 1851s out there in the $450 - $500 range

http://www.gunsamerica.com/906442880/Colt-1851-Navy-36-cal-Black-Powder-Revolver-used.htm $449

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/13322355/ Restored Original Current Bid $500


http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=475068548 Current bid $405

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=476000644 Buy it Now $450

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=475399349 Buy it Now $450

How much versus how much (ballpark) and are these final prices? $100 difference seems low to me?

You can pick up a brand new Uberti for $300.00, and Pietta for even cheaper but you're still paying a $200.00 premium for the Colt that's in less than prime condition. Some Colts at that price are pretty beat up.

Are You going to shoot the heck out of it or hang it on the wall. I recently bought a London Navy to shoot and carry, it won't still look new in 10 years.

The Colts I found in about 15M and posted links too are pretty darn nice in the $450 range. I bought an unfired Colt 1851 a few months back - no box or papers for $300. They are not hard to find. I would be hard pressed to pay over $500 unless it was really something unique like a cased set with accessories or commemorative I wanted.

The Stainless 1851 listed in another post is not even in the ball park with the standard guns. They were not that many made and are definitely more sought after.


The auction sites are showing a several listed in the higher cost ranges - but look at what is selling. Just because a seller over inflates the price doesn't mean his gun is getting any bids.

As a rule of thumb, a used (fired) 2nd generation Colt C&B will sell for about half what one in LNIB (Like New/In Box) will, especially if the latter is cased with accessories.

If you're looking for a shooter a used (and therefore discounted) Colt may still be a good buy, but it won't necessarily shoot better then a Uberti. While it will likely cost more then a new Italian replica, it will still be worth what you paid for it, and retain most if not all that value.

So far as a shooter is concerned, the Colt 1851 Navy usually has a small, square-back trigger guard that isn't particularly popular, and the brass backstrap and trigger guard are silver plated - which doesn't stand up well to use. Other then that they're fine.

I suggest that if a shooter is your prime consideration, look at the 1851 Navy "London Model" replicas (made by Uberti and sold by various importers) that have a larger/rounded trigger guard and steel backstrap and trigger guard that is blued.

Uberti no longer makes square back TG

I have owned second generation Colt 1851s, as well as Ubertis and Piettas. The external fit and finish of the Colts was superior and beautiful. The insides of the Colts were just as rough as the Italian guns, and took just as much tinkering to get them ready for cowboy action competition.

I no longer have the Colts. I do have the Ubertis and Piettas.

The external fit and finish of the Colts was superior and beautiful. The insides of the Colts were just as rough as the Italian guns, and took just as much tinkering to get them ready for cowboy action competition.

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I do that also and use my Uberti built 1860 Army for everything and will only under rare conditions take my Colt out. It hasn't happened yet but I'm sending my 1860 Army out to get grips and it will be gone for three weeks right smack in the middle of hunting season. I planned that out well.

But most people bought them back in the 70's and 80's to keep them in their original boxes, never turned or cocked or fired.

I bought these 2nd Generation Colts in the late 70s and early 80s. They have seen their share of both shooting and carry. My first revolvers were C&B and over the years the fondness has grown. About 10 years ago I had Jerry Meacham make the pre-ban elephant ivory grips for them.

PRM, that's one beautiful collection of Colts.

xxxx

Say what you want, my Second Generation Colt 1851 was and still is better than my Italian colts, and it's been shot a lot. I did have Goon's Gunworks do his thing on it and it made it into my best BP revolver. I also have a 2nd Generation 1862 Pocket Navy that is way better than my Uberti 1862 Pocket Police, and it hasn't been Goonerized yet.

Uberti no longer makes square back TG

Uberti no longer makes square back TG

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Yeah, but Pietta does and you can find it at DGW (RH0850) as a Dixie Navy Yank London Model for $250.

NMRevolverGuy said:

And as for comparison, I've been looking at uberti London models for bout 350 after shipping, versus the colt for about 450-500. Some of those claim to be unfired.

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I got a Uberti London for $330 and then action work done @ Long Hunter (that included lengthening the arbor). Now I've got a great 1851 shooter with properly hardened/polished internals and a superb trigger for under $500.

I haven't handled any of the Colts, but my tuned Uberti is right up there with my more expensive single action revolvers and I doubt a stock Colt could compete. Moreover, if you want to go the next step and get reproduction markings stamped onto the gun, you still won't be out that many more $$ and it then it actually look more authentic than the 2nd gen Colts.

The Goon'll fix it!

I'm thinking I'll go with a Uberti, then ship it out to Goon Gun Works

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In terms of getting a shooter - as opposed to a collectable - that would be a wise choice.