newbie

[jeeperjohn]

Hi, About a month ago I went out with a friend of mine and got to shoot his black powder gun. I think it was a reproduction of a walker colt in 44 cal. All I can say is after years of hunting and target shooting I had more fun than I can remember. And the bug has bitten, I have to get into this sport. I started to do research on the internet and ran across this site. The information here is invaluable. So I was just going to ask if any of you would give a recommendation to a newbie on what would be a good first gun. I am interested in the revolvers. Thanks. John

 

[junkman_01]

Welcome.
I would recommend a steel framed 1860 Colt Army or a steel framed 1858 Remington New Army. 'Army' in these designations refers to the caliber. 'Army' being .44 caliber and 'Navy' being .36 caliber. HTH

 

[jeeperjohn]

Thanks. I was looking at this Tradition 1858 Remington New Army Revolver in stainless steel at Cabelas for $279. My concern is I don't know what quality this revolver made by traditions is.

 

[Pops]

Traditions is an importer/distributor...not a manufacturer.
Traditions revolvers are made by Pietta..
Pietta (Traditions) quality is very good.
Some folks feel Uberti quality is better..
I have 7 'er 8 Pietta revolvers and am very happy with all of them.
Grab up a Pietta, it'll be alright.

 

[denster]

As a newbie. If you decide on the Remington get a Pietta from Cabelas if you want to go with the Colt spend a little extra and get an Uberti. The Piettas can be made nice but will need some TLC you may not have the experience to do.

 

[arcticap]

Both the Cabela's & Traditions Remingtons are made by Pietta so the quality is the same.
The only real difference is that Traditions guns have a 1 year warranty.
It's almost impossible to beat Cabela's prices when they have a sale and they have a no questions asked return policy. If you don't like the gun that they send you for any reason simply return it, and they will even send you a replacement gun if requested.
Most folks are very satisfied with their Pietta Remingtons. There will always be some complaints and defects on a gun by gun basis no matter which model or brand that you buy.
There were some recent reports (about a month ago) that some of the loading lever latch posts of Cabela's Remingtons looked like they were heated & bent at the factory to make the loading lever latch fit.
But Cabela's sells so many guns that it's hard to say if that was only with one batch of guns and if all of those have already been sold off or not.
It bothered some folks but not others.
Otherwise Pietta makes Remington models that provide a high level of customer satisfaction.
There's little risk when it can be easily returned.

 

[jeeperjohn]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the feedback. I am sure you all know how important it is to be able to talk to someone that is impartial when you are going to make a purchase. I am going to get the remington from Cabelas. Thanks again for your help I am sure I will be back with more questions.

 

[Gambit88]

If you got a cabelas near you pick up and play with a colt and remington. I have a 51 navy and a remington, and I like the feel of a colt much better but thats just me and to each his own. Just avoid brass frames.

Gambit

 

[jeeperjohn]

I wish there was a Cabelas near me. That is one neat store. What is your opinions on steel frame or stainless steel. thanks

 

[Gambit88]

As far as I know its just a choice in finish. I could be wrong though. Anyone else know?

Gambit

 

[azyogi]

The stainless ones clean easier, and are less prone to rusting. Worth the extra cost IMHO

 

[NCWanderer]

jeeperjohn

Welcome to the forum. I think you'll like the Remy. I like mine.
One thing I'd like to point out is if you want to be anywhere near period correct you should get the steel frame because I don't think they made any stainless steel guns in the 1800's. If I'm wrong I'm sure someone will correct me shortly.
NC

 

[arcticap]

+1 with azyogi, but the extra cost is a personal choice.

 

[azyogi]

True that inox/rustfrie/stainless alloys did not appear until 1890, and not in enough quanity for use in firearms, production for flatware began about 1915. A good quality nickle finish was popular and correct, though expensive for the period. If it is important for you reenacting, SASS, CAS, etc. get blued or case hardened, or pretend the stainless is a nickle finish. I don't do any of the above but those that do will probably chip in .02 worth.

 

[jeeperjohn]

Thanks guys. As I have been known to be lazy at times it looks like a stainless steel one. Has anybody got any feed back about Bass Pro Shop. they gave this revolver at a pretty good price also plus there is one close by.

 

[robhof]

Even with the stainless b/p isn't something to get lazy with, even the sub powders leave a corrosive residue that will damage the gun if not cleaned. The good news is most clean up with simple soap and water and rinsed with very hot water and dried quickly with a light aplication of the non petroleum lube of choice.

 

[azyogi]

+1 on what robhof said

 

[Chasing Crow]

I have a pietta 1851 colt and the Uberti 1858 Rem. The Umberti is a better gun imho, smoother trigger and tighter lockup. But I believe some say Piettas have gotten better recently, mine is about 10 yr old. Either way one will feel better in your hand. I find the 1851 grip a bit small and at an akward angle. The 1858 is more "open" and feels good in my hand. Welcome and enjoy whichever you decide on. Keep your powder dry!

 

[wobble]

Welcome to the forum.

I'll add my vote for the 1858 Remington. Mine's a Uberti but I understand that Pietta is about as good and maybe a little cheaper.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

As far as preferences go, I really like the looks of the colt style. That said, I think the remmy repros are a bit stronger and slightly easier to take down and clean. They are both fun. I have both. Occasionally, it comes down to whether I want to spend less time cleaning.

 

[SteveInColorado]

I'm an old timer at this. Almost 2 weeks ahead of you . I happen to have both a stainless and blued gun, one given to me by my father in law, and one I got when he passed away. I shot the stainless one first, and I'm glad I did. I was able to see where the fouling was, like in the bottoms of the cylinders, a lot better than I would have been able to with a blued gun. I shot and cleaned it several times before I tried the other one, and it made it easier to know where to look for the crud on the blued one.

Steve.