Which Colt to get?

[wittzo]

I'm going to be able to splurge and get a few new guns.
I thought about buying a LeMat, but after reading up on it, I would hate to drop that much money on a wallhanger. I would want to shoot it a lot to justify the expense, but the more I shot it, the more risk I would run breaking it. I can buy two or three other revolvers I'll actually shoot for the price of one unused LeMat.

I have had a Pietta stainless '58 Remington for a couple of years. I plan on getting the short barreled '58 Remington in Stainless (that stuff spoils you). I bought a Uberti Walker a few weeks ago. I've only fired it 12 times. The only problem I have is with it dropping it's load lever.

I want to get another Colt or maybe two. I read that the 1860 Colt Army was the most advanced design of the Colt cap and ball revolvers, it doesn't drop it's load lever(?), but has a smaller charge and has that humpback step up on the front of the cylinder (I want a smooth cylinder, no flutes).

How about the Dragoons? Are Uberti's 2nd and 3rd models the same pistol, but with different trigger guards (the 3rd model is cut for a stock, I'll never use and costs $45 more)? I read that the original 2nd or 3rd model Dragoon didn't drop the loading lever because they had a different design, or am I mis-remembering?

Would I be going wrong in getting the 1860 Colt Army Cabela's has on sale for $199 or paying $100 more for the Uberti version? I really like the square triggerguard on the 2nd Dragoon, but I'll get the 3rd Dragoon if it's a better design, overall.

Basically, if you were buying one or two .44 Colts to fire and enjoy, which models would you get? The Walker was an earlier design, I want to get one from the middle and one of the more advanced later designs. Of course, I can't afford to get one of the genuine Colt repros.

(I'll get a .36 later on, but that discussion is for another time)

 

[Texas Moon]

3rd Dragoon

 

[Ratdog68]

3rd Dragoon and a '61 Navy

 

[Tomahawk674]

I second the '61 navy, best looking cap and ball colt, perhaps followed by the '62 police.

 

[Ratdog68]

I second the '61 navy, best looking cap and ball colt, perhaps followed by the '62 police.

Yup... the '61 is "most sexiful" (to borrow a line from an old Connery/Bond flick)

 

[mykeal]

If you want a strong, reliable gun, get a Ruger Old Army.

Next to that, the '60 Army or any one of the Dragoons will do fine. The differences between the 3 Dragoons is cosmetic (the shape of the cylinder stop holes, the shape of the trigger guard); they are functionally the same gun.

You didn't mention the Rogers & Spencer; the current Euroarms specimen is an excellent gun. Behind the ROA it's my favorite .44.

You're looking for a .44, so I don't understand why the '61 Navy or '62 Police were mentioned. They're very nice looking and shooting guns, but neither comes close to being a .44.

 

[Ratdog68]

If you want a strong, reliable gun, get a Ruger Old Army.

Next to that, the '60 Army or any one of the Dragoons will do fine. The differences between the 3 Dragoons is cosmetic (the shape of the cylinder stop holes, the shape of the trigger guard); they are functionally the same gun.

You didn't mention the Rogers & Spencer; the current Euroarms specimen is an excellent gun. Behind the ROA it's my favorite .44.

You're looking for a .44, so I don't understand why the '61 Navy or '62 Police were mentioned. They're very nice looking and shooting guns, but neither comes close to being a .44.

Probably for the same reason why you tossed in a Ruger Old Army when he was asking specifically about the Colt design? Because you like 'em and thought you'd just "toss it on the table for him to consider" ?

 

[arcticap]

The Dance is an interesting type of Colt that's based on the Dragoon design.
The Dixie reviews of it are very favorable, and the square back trigger guard can be easily replaced with a round one.

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_92_187_189&products_id=883

 

[Fingers McGee]

Basically, if you were buying one or two .44 Colts to fire and enjoy, which models would you get?

A pair of 1860 Armies would be my first choice. Large bore, easier to tote around than Dragoons and they represent the latest in revolving pistol technology of the time.

The 3rd Model Dragoons would be second choice. They have square bolt stops & round triggerguards that make them more reliable than the 1st models and more comfortable (to some peoples thinking) than the 2nd models.

When you go to the .36 caliber, fisrt choice would be the 1861 Navy for the same reason as the 1860 for the .44. It was the latest technology of the time.

FM

 

[Dr.Rob]

I have a '51 Navy *(by Colt Blackpowder) and an 1860 Army (by Cabela's via Pietta). The army model had more room to work with when loading, takes conical bullets easier and has a better feeling grip. The Navy is a tad front heavy for the size of the grip. Both are great pistols, the 1860 is just a tad more refined.

 

[scrat]

dont know kinda like them all for different reasons. The WALKER well it pretty much tells everyone who is the BOSS at the range. The 51's in the .44 are so awesome. my 51 will outshoot all of my other guns. just fantastic naturally aims where you want it. Same time though love my 1860 army. either way your choice.

 

[Curator]

The Dragoons will drop the loading lever too if not modified slightly. The 3rd Dragoon is a more powerful and more accurate revolver then the 1860 Army in part beacuse it is "beefier" in wedge and wedge mortice in the barrel. The 1860 Army .44 stresses the .36 caliber Navy frame to the limit and ends up with a lot of barrel movement as the 140 grain ball slams into the lightly braced barrel. The 1860 Army does have a larger grip frame and fits a big hand better but the Dragoon is a real handful. I have both but if I am shooting at 50 yards or any kind of game the Dragoon is first choice. The handling charactoristics of the 1860 Army does have some allure and it may be sexier. Kinda like making a choise between a V8 Camero and a V10 Dodge Ram

 

[wittzo]

Thanks everybody. I looked at the Rogers and Spencer, was going to ask about it so I could have a wider assortment than Remington and Colt. I was also thinking about getting a Ruger NMA, too. They're probably the best cap and ball revolvers that are ever going to be made.

The Dance & Brothers looks good, I like the squareback triggerguard, authenticity's not that important.

And thanks for the input on the .36's, I will get one or two, probably a Remington and a Colt variant each.

Now I just have to wait for the check to come in so I can start putting various web sites to work..
How about good sources with good prices, or is Dixie the only source for the Dance & Brothers and Rogers and Spencers and the Dragoons?

 

[TomADC]

Walker everything else is wishfull thinking

 

[mykeal]

You might try S&S Firearms. I know they carry Euroarms, which is the Rogers & Spencer replica manufacturer.

 

[Fingers McGee]

Try Buffalo Arms. They carry all the Colt & Remington varieties as does Cimarron.

The hammer on the R&S is a lot taller than the Colt or Remington repros. If you don't have long thumbs, the R&S is not an easy gun to shoot.

FM

 

[MCgunner]

I've always thought the 1860 Army was the best lookin'. I'm on my second navy, though, for some reason.

 

[Al LaVodka]

Army is most useful and handfilling. The little later navy is the most elegant.
IMO
Al

 

[wittzo]

Later on, i'll fill in the gaps, but I'm be getting a Dance and Brothers by Pietta and a Spencer and Rogers by Euroarms. It looks ahead of it's time.

I looked at S&S firearms and downloaded their catalog, they don't have the S&R revolver listed in their 2010 catalog, but I'll give them a call/email when I'm ready to buy, just to make sure.

I'll probably get an 1860 Army and a Navy. If I win the lottery, I'll get a LeMat. If I'm lucky, I'll get a stainless Ruger, but $500? That's close to my upper limit.

I still want to get a 5-1/2" Remington in Stainless because they look neat and they're on sale. I've already got two extra cylinders that will fit it.

 

[mykeal]

It's Rogers & Spencer and it's on page 71 near the bottom.

 

[Afy]

Walker is the must have Colt. I have the 1860 as well, but the Walker is a lot more fun to shoot.

 

[wittzo]

I hadn't woke up good yet...I even got the name backwards, no wonder I couldn't find it in the catalog. Hopefully I'll hear from my lawyer soon (for a change ) so I can give S&S a call. The $100 difference between the two is the engraving. Don't care about that, but I'll ask if they have any of the target versions in stock.

I mentioned I already have a Walker, I wanted to get another Colt variant for when I don't want to use 60 grains of powder.

 

[messerist]

Mykeal stole my thunder. Ditto on his picks. Buffalo Arms sells Ubertis imported by Cimarron. I have three that I bought from them over the past few years and they are top notch. Another favorite of mine is the Uberti Leech and Rigdon. It is available from Dixie, Taylor's, Buffalo Arms....just about anyone who carries Ubertis. I think it resembles a .36 cal. Dragoon. The major difference btw it and a 1851 Navy is the round barrel which is similar to the Dragoon barrel. Sorta it's little brother.

 

[Tommygunn]

Why does that Leech & Rigdon have the Colt engraving on the cylinder?
I have a Uberti L&R I got circa 92, has a plain cylinder like the originals.

 

[messerist]

I had the same question after I received the revolver. It seems fellers that have an older L&R have the plain cylinder while the newer ones are roll engraved with the naval battle scene found on 1851s. I have never found out why. My guess is that Uberti is just popping navy cylinders on the L&R. Dixie has plain cylinders but you have to call and specify what you want.