.36 Cal Remington 1858 ??

[joe4702]

Folks,

Cabelas carries a Remington 1858 Army in .36 cal with a 6.5" barrel
and I am wondering of the 1858 Rem. was ever actually produced
in this caliber and barrel length?

Cabelas calls it a Police Model and I've also seen it referred
to as the Remington New Model Navy.

Thought the smaller caliber and shorter barrel might be better
handling and nicer for just plinking & goofing around, but I'd prefer
if it were at least historically accurate. If not, I'll get the .44.

Thanks for any info.

 

[mainmech48]

Remington made percussion revolvers in both .44 and .36 cal. from the time they obtained the rights to the Beals patent of 1858. I don't believe that Remington actually started manufacturing them until 1860.

The nomenclature used to describe model variations is often incorrect when you compare specs with originals. For instance: Remington-Beals, 1861, and New Model "Navy" revolvers all had barrel lengths of approximately 7.25" and six-shot cylinders as originally manufactured. The "New Model Police" was also .36 cal., but was offered in barrel lengths from 3.5 to 6.5 " and had a five-shot cylinder.

Technically, neither name is historically correct when describing a six-shot .36 revolver with a 6.5" barrel. Unless you're one of those folks who just HAVE to be "Authentic" down to the last piddling detail (like some of the Accouterment Snobs among the Cowboy Costume Show bunch) it matters not at all, IMO.

Yes, Remington DID make revolvers in this caliber and barrel length. For most of us the repros may not be 100% "correct" in all the details, but they're certainly close enough. As far as utility goes, lots of folks find the slightly shorter barrel and lighter caliber make for a handier package in a revolver for plinking and recreational target shooting.

 

[joe4702]

Thanks for the detailed reply.
Very helpful and informative.

I'm not concerned about exacting historical accuracy, but
want a repro with at least some basis in history.
Unlike, for example, the 1851 Navy replicas in .44 cal,
which I'm told never existed in this caliber.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

In case you've never shot a .36 cap & ball gun, you'll be in for a treat if you get one. With a load of about 15 grains of 3Fg powder and a round ball, they recoil about like a .22 pistol with HV ammo, maybe a bit more. Very fun to shoot. I have an Uberti M1851 Navy Colt and would like to get a Remington Navy some day.

 

[joe4702]

I've never fired any caliber BP pistol
What is the recoil of a .44 like with a light (say 20gr) charge?

 

[Dr.Rob]

Neglible. Really there is a higher velocity "crack" from a 36 than a 44, but it realy doesn't kick much at all.

 

[mainmech48]

With full charges (25-30 gr. FFFG or the volumetric equivalent of Pyrodex P) my .44s recoil about like a .38 Spl. in a 4" K frame Smith. A 20 gr. charge would probably be more like a target WC load. A 0.451 - 0.454" lead ball only weighs about 146 gr. and I doubt that full loads would push them more than 850-900 f/s at the muzzle.

I think that you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[joe4702]

Thanks for the info folks. I went ahead and ordered the .36 from Cabelas and accessories from Track of the Wolf. Need to buy some caps and then decide if I want to use real BP or a substitute like 777 and I'll be set.

Interestingly, as I mentioned in a thread about a month ago, Midway won't ship BP guns (or maybe just BP pistols) to CA. Cabelas had no problem with it. You lost a sale Midway!!

 

[joe4702]

Just a follow-up.
I received the Pietta 1858 Remington in .36 from Cabelas.
Definitely like the shorter barrel. The action locks
up tight on all chambers. Trigger pull is not bad.

Some finish issues - the front sight is on slightly crooked,
some rust on the loading plunger and the blueing
has milky streaks in it in places. First two are easily fixed,
the last a bit disappointing, but probably the best
one can expect from a $160 gun these days.

Once I fire it, I guess I'll be able to officially say I'm a BP shooter!