Traditions .44 1858 Remington New Army???

[tango2echo]

Looked at one of these in the Bass Pro today. It was stainless with walnut grips and 7.5" barrel. ($399) Did not appear to be as well made as the Ruger Old Army. I have been loooking for a ROA, but having trouble locating one. How does this Traditions model compare? Also, what are your thoughts on the .44 compared to the .45? Also, how does the Uberti compare?

Thanks,

T2E

 

[mykeal]

Traditions doesn't build revolvers, they import them for sale in the US. Traditions imports both Uberti and Pietta made guns; I believe the Remington is made by Pietta.

The Ruger Old Army is, in my opinion, the finest black powder revolver ever made. It's rugged, accurate and reliable. Traditions/Pietta is a very good gun but not up to the Ruger standard. Uberti's version is very comparable to the Pietta; some consider it to be just a bit better, however.

The .44/.45 caliber confusion is simply nomenclature. Both Uberti and Pietta Remingtons are considered .44 caliber guns and they shoot a .454 or .451 round ball. The Ruger shoots a .457 round ball and is also considered a .44 caliber gun; Ruger's .45 cal designation is simply a different name. You can shoot .457 balls in the Remington, and .454 balls in the Ruger if you wish.

 

[mikez 4 bores]

Go with the Ruger. I have both, with 1858 rem you might get a good shooter but I have had three and none of them were that great on the target unless you are shooting really lite loads. The metal parts on the 1858 are fairly weak I dropped one on a carpeted floor and hammer broke off but the stainless one might be a little different and stronger. The Ruger is hands down the king of that class of black powder revolvers. Cocking the Ruger is smooth and crisp unless it is dirty. Cocking the 1858 out on a day of shooting will lead to thumb blisters, and unless you get the target model the sights suck.The Ruger will take heavier loads and do it with more accuracy . You can get one on gun broker .com right now and get it new in the box or used for about the same price or a little more as that 1858 rem and have it sent to your door. If it was the rem or the colt cap & ball I would take the rem but compared to Ruger you will be much happier with the Ruger over all . Good luck with the one you choose.

 

[Voodoochile]

Like mykeal said, Traditions does not produce any of their firearms but get them from Pietta mostly, Pietta & Uberti's copy of the 1858 Remington NMA is a very good revolver but they are not built to the tanks that the Ruger ROA can be & they are not capable of shooting the heavy powder charges that the Rugers could either but mostly due to the lack of cylinder length instead of strength.

I have 2 Pietta '58 NMA's & 1 Uberti & they all shoot very well for me with charges up to 40gr. of FFFG Goex & a .457 Ball or up to 35gr. FFFG Goex & a .456 220gr. Lee Cast Conical & although those are not the most accurate loads they are quite capable of producing decent groups with that heavy of a load.

If you can find one, I would get the Ruger because they are the toughest C&B Revolver out there but a Remington copy would serve you quite nicely too if given the chance.

 

[madcratebuilder]

The ROA is about twice the money and easily twice the revolver. With adjustable sights it is the most accurate c&b I own. It's about the same size as the 1858's I own, it's more than 6oz heavier.
The reproductions are close to the originals in appearance if that is of concern. The ROA is more modern looking, the top strap and sights are definitely Ruger. Either way you go you're going to have fun.

 

[messerist]

ROA V.S. Uberti/Pietta

I worked for a huge outdoor retailer(begins with Cab). I was assigned to the Archery-Blackpowder department. At the time we carried both the ROA and the Pietta line of black powder revolvers. The only Ubertis were the pocket dragoon and the venerable Walker. In the four years I worked there I only sold one ROA. Of course it was not because of the quality, it was the price. The fellow I sold the ROA to is an acquaintance of mine and to this day he thanks me for selling him the Ruger. I have shot it as well as my battery of a Pietta and two Ubertis and I wish that I had bought a ROA when I was eligible for the employee discount(kicking myself hard). If you can find one and have the money a ROA is definitely worth it! If you don't want to spend the money a Uberti would be my second choice but a Pietta is a close third.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

I do what I did, if the price is right get that Stainless at Basspro...keep lookin' for the Ruger and get it too. It took me 9 remingtons in the safe before I got an Blued ROA, then a .45 Colt conversion for it. ad jus' grabbed up another ROA in stainless w/ adj. sights 3 days ago at a local Gun Shop.
That's what I done and even bein' a Diehard Remington shooter/collector, I had to have at least two ROAs...they are tanks and I do like um alot.

SG

1978 SS ROA w/ R&D .45 Colt Conversion

Old Remington "Rusty"

'58 E.N. Santa Barbara Rem

 

[Voodoochile]

SG when I grow up I wana be just like you

This is my present favorite Remington copy my 1.2 year old Pietta NMA w/ 5.5" barrel shooting the 220gr. .456 Lee conicals & 35gr. FFFG charge, the ranges are marked on the target.

Here is my Uberti Millenium '58 & my Pietta '58 with the 5.5" barrel.