Walker or Dragoon?

[Cowhide Cliff]

If I do go with the walker could I shoot it for a while before fixing the arbor and fine tuning without damaging it? I’d like to pick one up but I’d probably have to wait a little while to dump another 200 into it.
Now I’m looking at that whitneyville too. I’m sure I will add the dragoon and now that to the collection down the road. I’m just starting out with these revolvers but I’m already addicted!

Yes you could in my opinion. The Walker is a hoot of fun.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I have them both, you buy them for the history. The Dragoon is much better balanced and feels better in the hand, and you can buy the one cut for the shoulder stock.

 

[Captain*kirk]

The half pound extra the Walker sports makes a big difference after a while. I find that the loading lever will drop every now and then regardless of which gun...Walker or Dragoon...you are shooting, if you load more than 45 grains. Goon is 'The Man' when it comes to fixing the short arbors on Ubertis...and he did a very nice job working my Walker loading lever so it doesn't drop near as easy.

 

[DocCharlie]

The half pound extra the Walker sports make a big difference after a while. I find that the loading lever will drop every now and then regardless of which gun...Walker or Dragoon...you are shooting, if you load more than 45 grains. Goon is The Man when it comes to fixing the short arbors on Ubertis...and he did a very nice job working my Walker loading lever so it doesn't drop near as easy.

Awesome thank you!!! I’m really leaning towards that Walker! Just looks big and fun. I will probably get it and let it sit as is for a few months before I can send it out to get finished.

 

[Captain*kirk]

Awesome thank you!!! I’m really leaning towards that Walker! Just looks big and fun. I will probably get it and let it sit as is for a few months before I can send it out to get finished.

JMO, but I wouldn't worry about shooting it some before sending it out, if COVID restrictions are relaxed enough that you can hit the range. Besides, how are you gonna know if it's 'better' afterwards?

 

[DocCharlie]

JMO, but I wouldn't worry about shooting it some before sending it out, if COVID restrictions are relaxed enough that you can hit the range. Besides, how are you gonna know if it's 'better' afterwards?

Good point!

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

I recently heard it claimed that the Desert Eagle was the most ungainly handgun to wield ever made, and I thought this guys never held a Walker.
That said, it's still a work of art and a must have.
Everyone's going to want to check that out that Walker at the range.

 

[CraigC]

The Walker is comfy in the hand, the Desert Eagle ain't but at least it's a lot shorter.

 

[TheOutlawKid]

I would pick Dragoon hands down. Im not a fan of them larger horse guns and i really dislike the walkers mainspring set up. So id say dragoon all the way.

 

[vintovka]

Both are fun to look at but very heavy (and often resold for that reason)

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

It's all what you get used to, I've carried mine on long hikes, size or weight never bothered me.

 

[vintovka]

Sold at least a dozen over the years all never stayed with original buyers. Me either. Add a shoulder stock and might be interested.

 

[expat_alaska]

Add a shoulder stock and might be interested.

Good luck with that. I have never seen a Walker that had the recoil shields cut-for-stock, nor that had an aperture cut in the butt of the backstrap for the shoulder stock J-hook. Colt did not market his Type 3 shoulder stock until 1859-1860, and those were only for the 1851-1861 Navy, the 1860 Army, and the 1848 Dragoon 3rd Model.

Regards,

Jim

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Cutting the recoil shield and backstrap would be the easy part.

 

[derek45]

If you're interested in the history of it, maybe the Walker.

If you plan on shooting it a lot, the Dragoon.

GET BOTH is always the correct answer

 

[expat_alaska]

Cutting the recoil shield and backstrap would be the easy part.

Fitting and finding a basically non-existent Dragoon shoulder stock to the Walker grip frame would be the hard part.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Fitting and finding a basically non-existent Dragoon shoulder stock to the Walker grip frame would be the hard part.

I'm sure there are plenty of folks out there who could build there own, but not likely for the average Joe.
Guys who build those gorgeous Kentucky (and others) rifles for example.
Custom stock makers, etc.
I think I could do a half respectable hack job if I was retired and had all the time in the world to play around with such things.

 

[45 Dragoon]

Well, I would obviously go with a DraGOON (which is where "Goon" comes from . . . now ya know . . . ) and the preferred Dragoon would be the Whitneyville . . . the "Dragoon between the Dragoons" . . .
It is the closest to the Walker - most importantly retaining the Walker grip . . . that elegant "lady's leg" grip . . .
Of course mine are cartridge guns (never been shot with bp except at the proof house) so with the Kirst gated conversion the bolt was changed to the rectangular style to match the locking notches in the conversion cyl. They are just as much fun (maybe more?) as cartridge guns as they ever would be!! They are my favorites . . .

Mike