Recommend a BP Revolver

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Getting a BP revolver

So, you're attracted enough to a percussion revolver to start thinking about the value of the purchase and not the concept. Hold on to your cash a minute and revisit the zen of your course. There are two directions to go, well, three if you're in a position to spend without limits.

Here's the thought piece and some narrow logic -

Are you getting it to shoot?

Are you going to shoot it a lot?

And are your expectations of performance quite high?

Yes to all three? - Ruger Old Army - buy a solid used one. $200 -$300.

You'll be glad you did. If it doesn't work out for you, you'll get your money out of it and you'll know what you want. If it does work out for you, you'll spend your time shooting it, hitting your targets, killing them if that's your pleasure, and it won't ever break. Not for you, not for your great-grandchildren. Abuse can break an Old Army, but use won't.

Getting it to look like a period piece?

Getting it for social purposes?

Getting it to go "boom" now and then?

Buy a good used Uberti Remington '58 - $150 - $200

Good work, good steel, good looks, and they break less often - as a rule -than other Italian replicas. And you'll get 75 - 90% of your money out of it if it doesn't make you smile.

If the sky's the limit and your purchase has to meet all the criteria except killing anything bigger than a bunny, Uberti sells a Maximum Match and Hege sells the A/W FWB History #2. They are both as accurate and well made as a Ruger, but they only have fixed sights. The advantage is that the Max Match is built as a '58 Remington replica and the Hege gun is made to be like a Rogers & Spencer. The U will set you back about a grand, the Hege about $1500. Neither ever leaves its original owner, so getting a used one is a pipe dream. So if you've got more money than judgement, ...

Are we prejudiced? Yes. Our stuff has to work and none of our customers are in the Forbes registry. Our choice is Ruger.

Regards,

Wisent
Classicballistx.com

P.S. If you do opt for a Ruger and you do find the urge compelling you to make it perfect for you and your shooting, get back to us. We make stuff that takes an Old Army down that road, and we stay close to some folks who do the same.
 
I kinda want a 58 remington 5.5", more compact than my ROA and splits the difference with my .31 pocket Remington model. However, if I didn't have a Ruger Old Army, that would be number one on the list, best shooting BP revolver hands down, no competition even comes close. I'd like to find another stainless one. Mine got stolen and I found a blued one to replace it with.
 
I plan to go to Bass Pro today to handle all of the revolvers. I want to handle them all to see which if any specific one jumps out at me with the the best weight, balance and pointability. I have to say that I have my favorites but those don't always end up being what we expected.
 
My choice is either an 1851 Navy or an 1861 Navy. They just point better than any other one I have used. The ROAs don't do it for me because they aren't historical enough and that is one criteria that is important. I bought an 1851 cartridge conversion in .38 special because it just fits my hands. Great guns.
 
Man, I drove nearly 50 miles from my door to the Bass Pros store. I was expecting to see and handle all the different BP revolvers they had on their website. When I got there they only had one - a Remington at $379 (I don't know the model) in their case and a Traditions Colt 1851 in a kit at $249. I was really disappointed with what they had in the store. On a positive note, while I as talking with the salesman regarding the Remmington, another gentleman nearby got into the conversation. Turns out this guy is a BP competition shooter. We had a nice long (1 hr) conversation about BP, and he offered to send me some mini-balls which he casts as well as the name of people who shoot ML's in my area. He is part of the www.n-ssa.com community and used to belong to the NMLRA.

So the trip to Bass Pro's wasn't a complete waist of time after all.

Mac

By the way, were can I find a used Ruger Old Army in the $200 - $300 range?
 
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Mac, hopefully you just picked the wrong time of the year. After Christmas it takes a couple of months for some outfits to restock. Don't give up. If all fails take Friday off and take a road trip to Union City Tenn. The home of Dixie Gun Works. It's in the western part of the state not around the corner but you'll be assured of a wide stock of guns to look at and handle.
 
If you really have patience wait until Spring and come on up to southwestern Indiana for the Friendship National shoot. Guaranteed that you'll get a snoot full of sulfur and more muzzleloading than you can imagine.
Click to expand...
Unless they moved Friendship, it's southeastern Indiana

:D
 
Hey Pancho...

What are the dates for that shoot/rendezvous at Friendship, Injunanna ?

That sounds like some chicanery you may need an accomp... er... Spiritual Advisor for. Might even be able to get an assist from Redneck and Dwave for that one !

:cool:
 
Though not a traditional pistol, the Ruger Old Army is hard to beat.
Though recently dis-continued, ROA's can be found on the used gun market.
It's a very rugged and super accurate pistol.
Zeke
 
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