Roll Back The Clock

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Ala Dan

Member in memoriam
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Dec 24, 2002
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Greeting's All-

If we could roll back the clock into yesteryear, say
from 1850 forward; but have revolvers that
could be chambered to include todays smokeless
powder caliber's; which caliber would you choose
and why?

I will kick things off, as I would choose the time
tested .44 Remington Magnum for dual
purpose use. You see, if one has an encounter
with man or beast; the .44 magnum should be
sufficient to handle the situation.

I would like to hear some opinions and reasons;
thanks for looking, and as usual all replies are
welcome!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Certainly nothing wrong with the 44 magnum. It is the natural child of the 44 cap and ball.

Though I am partial to the 45 colt loaded up to "Ruger" pressures - makes just a tiny bit bigger hole. But there is essentially no difference given modern brass.

The 1851 & 1860 Colts wouldn't cut it though - would need a design with a top strap like the 1858 Remington or 1873 Colt SAA.

And who's to say that, given better steel and smokeless powder, that Colt wouldn't have built something exactly like a Ruger Vaquero instead of the slightly smaller and weaker SAA ...?


And just think how the Apaches would have loved an AK-47 :D
 
Ahh, if things were different........

What if Col. Colt had embraced the metalic cartridge and/or the DA self cocking system of fire?
Better steels and smokeless powder?
Well, do not thing there would be alot of difference between the 44 Mag and hot loaded 45 Colt. Each would do fine on two or four legged varmits. Especially with heavier bullets now available.
I'd prefer a DA sytem of fire and swing out cylinder for rapid reloading...one in 3 to 4 inches for concealability and a 5 to 6 incher for holster duty.
I could live with a single action revolver, if that was all that was available.
Would like my Winchester to shoot the same ammo.
A Chief's or Detective Special could come in quite handy for the urban sprawl then, as they are now.
Jercamp45
 
You boys are making...

a heck of a lot of sense here. Dan, you & I must be kindred spirits, since we've arrived at the same conclusion on two of the most important questions of life-

Best auto? Sig 220

Best revolver cartridge? .44 magnum

Been a long time since I was down through your neck of the woods, but it sounds like common sense ain't dead there yet.

Take care-
 
Many thanks for the kind word's and thought's, Sarge.

We here in the South still believe that GOD created
man; and Mr. Samuel Colt made 'em equal!

A few things one will notice when visitng our neck of
the woods is the southern hospitality, good old home
style southern cooking, and beautiful southern belles.
And from my signature line, one can tell we take NCAA
Division I football very serious!

Come on down, next chance you get and join the fun!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Well from what I understand the Walker Colt met and exceeded pressures of standard factory .44 magnum loads.
Click to expand...

Not true. Remember, it was loaded with black powder, which can't develop near the pressure of smokeless.

Ballistics of the Colt Walker were a bit more powerful than the black powder .45 Colt.
 
Extra shots

I don't know about the caliber, but I'd have one of the revolvers that has 7 or 8 rounds. :neener: That'd show 'em!

And hollowpoints-lots of hollowpoints.
 
I doubt if the metallurgy would withstand the pressures of a 44 mag. Wasn't the Colt Dragoon was known to kaboom? I don't have any reloading data in front of me, but considering the metallurgy, I'd go with a 45 ACP (with moon clips).
 
Hello Dan, my friend! I would have to agree the .44 Rem Magnum is the finest revo cartridge produced so far. Not sure exactly what you mean by rolling back the clock? Are you saying to chamber the old Colt BP revos for 44 Mag, if the steel were strong enough?
 
I would choose a S&W model 3 top break revolver chambered in modern .45ACP (moonclipped) and .45auto rim. Plenty of power for defense against man without excessive recoil/penetration.

It could be reloaded FAST and the short .45ACP would fit in the short cylinder. What you would end up with would be a fast, accurate, and powerful sidearm.

All that would need to be improved would be the metallurgy. Come to think of it, why don't they make one of these today?
 
If I could roll back the years back when I was young and limber
loose as ashes in the wind, I had no irons in the fire.
I could ride them wild young broncos, the adrenalin come quickly,
and Juanita down at Mona's was my only heart's desire.

"Fifty Years Ago" by Ian Tyson


Sorry, I just couldn't help posting that - it seemed so fitting.
:)
 
Since you are rolling back the clock to include revolvers that CAN FIRE today's smokeless powder cartridges, that would mean a technology improvement. Better steels, better manufacturing tolerances, better designed firearms.

I would choose the 45Colt loaded to modern Ruger pressures. :D

If you are just rolling back the clock to include revolvers that CAN CHAMBER today's smokeless powder cartridges, but not able to handle the pressures, then that would just mean a rash of wildcatters, but no technology improvement.

I would choose the 45Colt loaded to blackpowder pressures. :p
 
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