Quick Remington 1875 question

[Hatchett]

I so far possess an Uberti 1861 Colt replica, a Pietta Remington 1858 replica, and a Colt 1873 Single-Action Army. I notice when cocking the 1861 that it clicks three times, and when I cock the 1858 it clicks only twice, with the action feeling especially "springy" and less authoritative than the Colt replica. I have to say I greatly prefer the feel of the action on the Colt replica.

The action on the 1873, of course, clicks four times, and only improves on the feel of the 1861. I'm considering purchasing an Uberti 1875 Remington replica to round out the collection. I'm wondering how the action on one of these type of replicas compares. How many times does it click, and how does it compare to the 1873 Colt action?

Also, my desired configuration if I get an 1875 is a 7 1/2 inch barreled, nickel plated example in .44-40, since this is the closest they make them to how the original Remingtons were sold. I've located one for sale, but the price is 550, which is slightly more than I want to pay. I've seen others go for as little as 300, but not in the configuration I'm looking for. Should I jump on the $600 one? How hard is it to find one in this configuration, and is the price justified since this configuration is likely the one in the most demand by purists like myself?

 

[Armored farmer]

fwiw,
I have a Uberti '58, and a Pietta '58. The actions are just as you describe. The Uberti feels and sounds better than the Pietta.

 

[BHP FAN]

The hammer tension as adjustable, and seems like it has a shorter throw on cocking the piece as well. it's different, but you get used to it.

 

[BHP FAN]

 

[Hatchett]

Does it have the Colt's same four clicks?

 

[BHP FAN]

Not really, no. which is odd as the parts are quite similar.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

The number of clicks you get when a single action revolver is cocked is dependent on several things. First, and foremost, is the configuration of the hammer. Secondly is when the bolt pops up and strikes the cylinder. Timing can also affect the number of clicks you get and so can the relative strength of the springs.

Both the Colt SAA (and its clones) and the Remington 1875 and 1890 had a 'safety cock' notch on their hammers, as well as a half cock and full cock notch. With these guns, the first click occurs as the sear pops into the 'safety cock' notch on the hammer. Pulling the hammer some more drops the sear into the half cock notch. Next the bolt pops up and strikes the cylinder for the third click. Finally, the hammer goes to full cock and the bolt pops into its locking slot on the hammer simultaneously, producing the fourth click.

The 1858 Remington and the Colt open top C&B style revolvers lack a 'safety cock' notch on their hammers. So you get three clicks. Half Cock, Bolt popping up, and Full Cock. I just verified this on my own Pietta 1860 Colts and one of my 1858 Remingtons.

Whether in fact you get the number of clicks I just mentioned can depend on a few other factors though. The timing can be a bit off so that the bolt pops up at almost the same time as half cock, making a mushy double click. Or the bolt spring may be weak enough that the bolt popping up against the cylinder does not make much noise. In addition, the bolt often pops into its locking slot on the cylinder a tad before the hammer goes to full cock. This will give an extra click if the hammer is cocked slow enough and the shooter listens carefully. My own Second Gen Colt SAAs in fact have five clicks if I cock them slowly enough and listen carefully enough because of this last reason.

Frankly though, I am always amazed at the importance some folks put on the number of clicks their gun makes when they cock it. Yes, it is fun to play around with the gun in the living room and count the clicks, but when I shoot CAS, wearing ear plugs and shooting as fast as I can, I never even hear the clicks.

Buy the gun you want, forget the whole number of clicks thing.

For what it's worth, the 1875 Remington was originally produced in 45 Colt, 44-40 and 44 Remington chamberings, so I don't quite under stand why you think 44-40 is the most authentic. The 1890 model was only produced in 44-40 chambering.