Recomend a revolver?

[wco]

I'm considering my first black powder revolver. Which would you recommend as a good starting point?

I do go to the range fairly regularly but have little black powder experience. I have done some muzzle loading rifle shooting in the past but infrequently.



Thanks

 

[4v50 Gary]

Ruger Old Army. Simply the best black powder revolver ever made.

 

[scrat]

Well i guess thats pretty debatable. For me 1851 Navy then 1860 Army, then Mr. WALKER

 

[fineredmist]

The Rugar Old Army is now discontinued so you might have a problem finding new one but a used one is a good second bet. If you can't find the Rugar then consider a Uberti 1851 Navy (.36 cal) or an Uberti 1860 Army (.44 cal). I have both and they are good firearms and easy to learn to shoot.
There are some big differences in shooting cap and ball and cartridge revolvers and you should talk to a shooter to get more information. They are pleasant to shoot but they have their quirks.

 

[Calibre44]

Yep … the ‘Jury will be out’ on this one.

I’m with Scrat on the 1851 Navy and 1860 Army to start with but I end with ‘Mr Dragoon’

 

[scrat]

Ya well i drink Coke. Taste great

 

[JayC]

I started with a Pietta Remington New Army. It is simpler to take apart, not having the wedge. The solid steel frame (with topstrap) is a plus, as well as the fact that the rear sight does not move when the hammer falls.

I once borrowed a Traditions 1851 "Colt" from a friend, and had a heck of a time removing the wedge. I ended up shearing the wedge spring pin and had to replace the wedge assembly as a result. Also, I had to narrow the first wedge (front-to-back dimension) to allow the cylinder to turn freely. I never shot the gun with the replacement wedge, but wanted to return it in proper condition. I gave him the old wedge too, since it shot fine without a wedge spring.

I am currently shopping for a repro of a Colt to get the "Colt experience," but honestly believe that if I had started with a Colt, I might not have stuck with cap and ball.

Remingtons are much simpler to operate and certainly stronger, in my opinion.

 

[K.A.T.]

First Pistol

Well I have 5 of them. I would start with a Uberti 1858, I would consider a Stainless Model if you think you will stay in the sport. I think the 1858 will be the easiest to start with. The 1858 will shoot low, you can file the front sight down and make it shoot to point of aim. The Colt models on the other hand are going to shoot high, to correct that you have to change the front sight, that is a lot more complicated. Most people leave the sights like they are on the Colts and just aim low.

The Ruger BP revolver is a great pistol, it is just a new invention. I mean, they were not around in the mid 1800's like the other models.

Learn all you can before you start. Safety first, don't be in a hurry, take your time.

 

[sharps59]

euroarms Roger & Spencer. the grip will fit any size hand. and they are accurate.like the remington it has a top strap so unlike a colt they will not have the chance of change point of impact on reassemble. plus a colt has the rear sight on the hammer that in time can wear at the pivot.and change aim point every time you pull it back.:banghead:
I know guys that use them but they have the gun reworked costing a few hundred to do. they put bushing and shims. then have the barrel wedge and aligning pin areas worked.:banghead:

 

[scrat]

OHHHH

WCO welcome to THR.

Also one thing we all failed to do. At the top of the black powder homepage you will find a link called. Black powder essentials. It has a lot of very good information that we have all put together. Its sort of like a reference. Even the experienced shooter will go to the top from time to time.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I currently own an Uberti Colt 1851 Navy, a Ruger Old Army, a Pietta 1858 Remington Army (5.5" barrel) and a Euroarms 1858 Remington Army (8" barrel). I used to own an Uberti 3rd Model Dragoon, and have shot an Uberti Colt 1860 Army. Based on my experience, I'd recommend a Remington 1858 .44, or a Remington Navy in .36.

The Remingtons have better sights than the Colt and are easier to take down, IMO. Based on the Pietta I got from Cabela's about a year and a half ago, that's the brand I'd choose now. Good fit and finish at a reasonable price.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I have a similar array to Dave M., and would give identical advice. The '58 Remingtons in .44 caliber are my favorites, and I've been shooting them for right at thirty years.

I may change my opinion when I get a Walker, but I doubt it.

 

[Calibre44]

Ya well i drink Coke. Taste great

Scrat - that went right 'over my head! ... care to explain?

 

[scrat]

Asking someone what gun to buy is like asking what taste better coke or pepsi. We can talk about it all day long some will like coke some will like pepsi. Some people like red cars some like blue.

The best advice i can give on an unbiased opinion to anyone is this.

1st if you care read the history of the guns. Links like Uberti tell you a little history of the guns from the patterson to the 1873. Including the Remington. Reading the history will also tell you some of the features and benifits of the guns. Which is your next step. Check out the features and benefits of the guns. Then go to a gun shop and handle the guns see what fits good and proper. See if you can see the feature and benefits. After that the choice is yours. However thats the only way your going to find out what is a good revolver for you.

Otherwise I drink Coke Taste Great.

 

[JCT]

My first BP revolver was one noone here brought up yet. An Uberti 1849 pocket .31 ( Colt ). I was new to BP and handguns in general, so I wanted to start with something small. It still ends up being one of my favorites, 4 or 5 guns later. Small, light, easy to load, easy to shoot. Lot's of shots in one pound of BP and decent power with a .320 buckshot and 12 grains of good BP. It's a nice little gun and you could find one used fairly cheap.
My other favorites though, are the Dragoons and the Walker.

 

[Riot Earp]

Remington (My recommendation for a beginner)
-Very strong
-Easy to remove cylinder
-Arguably the simplest to use
-Historically accurate
-Binds quickly from powder fouling
-Grip shape less than perfect

Various Colts
-Best feel in the hand
-Natural pointers
-Historically accurate
-Can be difficult to disassemble/re-assemble
-Wedge will eventually wear out

Rogers & Spencer
-Grip shape works for most people
-Very strong
-Perfect balance
-(Sort of) historically accurate
-Removing loading lever can be challenging (screw must line up)

Ruger
-Best steel
-Most durable
-Not historically accurate
-Poor balance

 

[wco]

Thanks

Thanks for the welcome and all of the good advice. This info, as well as the great stuff in the "black powder essentials" thread and the rest of the forum should help in my search and research.

Thanks again.

 

[mykeal]

The man asked what bp revolver was

...a good starting point...

Starting point.
As in, the first one to buy and the one to use learning the sport.
Not the only one he'll ever buy, not the one voted most likely to solve global warming...

scrat had the most useful bit of advice: read the BP Essentials sticky and go try some out.

Beyond that, I'm sure we could all agree that any one of the following, in no particular order, would be

...a good starting point...

:
1851 Colt Navy
1858 Remington New Army
1860 Colt Army
1863 Rogers & Spencer
1973 Ruger Old Army

I'm not saying they're the BEST starting point, or the best bp gun, or anything like that. Just

...a good starting point...

 

[Voodoochile]

I agree with mykeal, all the revolvers mentioned are fine weapons to learn & enjoy the sport of Black Powder shooting & I would go along with his recomendations in that order.

1851 Colt Navy = very easy to point & shoot, & ballanced very well.
1858 Remington New Army = Very strong design, accurate & relatively easy to maintain.
1860 Colt Army = similar to the 51 Navy in function & feel except the grip is a little large for small hands.
1863 Rogers & Spencer = Never owned one but have shot one & they are IMHO close to being the best of both worlds in strength accuracy feel & pointability.
1973 Ruger Old Army = a fine modern C&B weapon that shoots quite well & is very easy to maintain.

 

[Fiveshooter]

Get What Ya Want :0)

Ruger
-Best steel....Yep!!
-Most durable....Yep!!
-Not historically accurate....Of course not.....It's an "original" LOL
-Poor balance....The 5.5" fixed sight model has great balance. The 7.5" models are a bit front heavy but then again you ever held a Walker?

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger_OldArmy5_1-2.htm

http://photos.imageevent.com/fiveshooter/gunpictures/websize/Old Army Brace.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/fiveshooter/gunpictures/websize/Old Armys 1.JPG

http://photos.imageevent.com/fiveshooter/gunpictures/websize/Old Armys 2.JPG

http://photos.imageevent.com/fiveshooter/ccgoa/websize/25 YDS. Mt Baldy Bullet.JPG

http://www.gunblast.com/Cumpston_ClementsFugett.htm

"Ruger Old Army. Simply the best black powder revolver ever made."
Very well put Gary. I agree totally with this statement.

My first C&B revolver was a Ruger Old Army. I now have 7 of them. If my first had been anything less I may have well given up on C&B revolvers. I have a few reproduction Remingtons and Colts as well. All of my replicas are Italian made and of soft steel. I wish an American manufacture would start making reproductions with good steel and better quality. I know it would be more expensive but I would buy them anyway. The Italian reproductions are still a great deal of fun.
I would have a hard time buying an Italian reproduction without looking it over myself because quality can run from "non shootable" as they come out of the box to pretty darned good. I have owned exaples of both.

It can be addictive either way you go

 

[Calibre44]

Otherwise I drink Coke Taste Great.

Ah right ... traditional bottle or can?

 

[scrat]

hahahahahah


Can poured in a glass with ice.

Sometimes i would ad a tad of vanilla extract. been doing that even before it was put in a can.

 

[bennadatto]

I asked the same question when I was getting involved with BP shooting. The advice I was given was largely in support of the 1858 Remington. However, my heart already belonged to the 1851 Navy, so that's what I got.

I absolutely LOVE it!! It looks, feels, and shoots great! I am glad I made the decision to go Navy!

Maybe ignorance is bliss and the 58 Remingtons are easier to deal with, but since I don't know the difference, I love my Navy!

Get what you really want, from a reputable vendor, and I really don't think you can make a "bad" decision.

 

[sundance44s]

My vote goes to the 1858 Remington as a first cap and ball pistol...there will be plenty of time for buying Colt open tops after you`ve learned how to shoot the Remington ...it is by far the easyest to learn on and there is alot to learn .....and then when you think you`ve got all you need ...there is always the Colt Walker , to spice up your life.

 

[Capt. Willard]

I have both styles but have to say the colt feels like a natural and looks great too..engraved cylinder scene etc....I'm definately a colt man but like my Remmies too!
I also find the Colt easier to clean because one can remove the entire barrel assembly.