Which one Which one

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Tallyman541

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My brother just got me into black powder guns and he decieded it was time for me to think about getting one. I am pretty fond of the 1858 remington but I am just looking for any others that might be a good first gun. I want to make sure I would be able to use the kind of gun I would get before I get it. There is no sence in getting something you would only use once a year. So I am looking for something that is versitial and nice and easy to shoot.:D
 
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The Remington is a great first gun in my opinion. I suggest a target model myself, I have one and the sights are far better than the original fixed ones. The downfall to this gun is the cylinder pin can fowl up real fast and needs to be cleaned every few cylinders full.

Here is the gun I got:
Pietta 1858 Target

And here is a review I wrote on it:
Pietta 1858 Target

Another gun that you might be interested in is the 1851 Colt Navy. There are a few things to know about it though. It handles very well and points great. The gun shoots high, and the design can allow a spent cap to fall in the works if you are not careful. It can shoot more cylinders than the 1858 without binding up from fowling.

Here is the 1851:
1851 Navy
 
Here are three suggestions that won't see you far wrong.

1) Euroarms or Pedersoli version of the Rogers & Spencer .44 Army Revolver. The original was built for the American Civil War c.1865 but was delivered too late for active service. It's a fine design and doesn't suffer from fouling of the cylinder arbour as the Remington does.
52web.jpg ​

2) Ruger Old Army .45. Of modern day design and built like a tank. Adjustable sights and very accurate - though not cheap! Very popular among BP shooters. Made in blued steel or stainless steel. Choose according to your taste but the stainless versions are more resistant to corrosion.
72b.jpg ​

3) Another version of the Ruger Old Army, this one is polished stainless steel with a shorter 51/2" barrel and fixed sights. Nicely balanced and fun to shoot but not as easy to shoot as accurately as the adjustable sight version above.
6b.jpg ​

All of the above are not cheap but in my opinion are worth the money, will give trouble free service and last you a lifetime if looked after properly.

Good luck with your choice,

Tight Wad :)
 
Thanks for the ideas but I am kinda trying to stay within the $150-$220 range as far as that goes but you know how that goes. What do you think a good price for the 1858 remington would be? Is anybody selling one?
 
The two I suggested is at or under 200 (not including S/H). The 1858 Target goes for $199.99 and the Navy is $169.99. If you want a normal 1858 it would cost $179.99. All the prices I quoted are from Cabelas and are for Pietta brand guns.

EDIT: Off topic a bit, Tallyman I believe that your quote was from Larry the Cable Guy, not Jeff Foxworthy. I heard him say it on their tour. 'Course maybe Foxworthy said it too!
 
My friend got a starter kit with his, I never did because I liked being able to choose, ect. I thought the starter kit wasn't very good, but it will get you started. It comes with 30 lead balls, non-swagged so they will have a spree on them. The powder flask does not come with a nice valve on it, it has a pop off cap. The nipple wrench was decent, no complaints with it. Comes with a capper, and a powder measure too which both are decent made. My biggest beef with it was the cheap powder flask. Oh almost forgot, the capper really doesn't work well with the Remingtons because of the way the cylinder is made, but you can still use it.

If you have never shot BP before it would be alright, or if you wanted to dive in quickly, but I am sure that if you got it, you would switch a few things later on.
 
Hi Tallyman...


You're right, T-Man, that $124 model is about as basic and inexpensive as you will find "new". However - many will advise against getting a BP gun with the brass frame, especially in .44. They are not reputed to hold up very well and, FWIW, the 1851 Navy was designed as a .36 caliber.
If you think the 1851 is what you want I, personally, would suggest (at Cabela's) the "Civilian" model. More money but I'd spend it.

HTH
 
RUGER OLD ARMY, ABSOLUTELY

I realize you're trying to save some money, so go to www.gunsamerica.com, and see about a used, stainless Old Army. It's in a totally different league than any Italian replica. It is based on the Blackhawk/Super Blackhawk. The main problem with the Italian guns is that the lockwork parts are prone to breakage. Timing problems are not uncommon either.

The Ruger is also made of high-quality, modern steel. The Italian guns are made of softer steel, for some reason. Maybe it's historically more correct. The Ruger is a MUCH stronger, much more practical gun. Also, if you ever decide to get a .45 Colt cartridge conversion cylinder, the Ruger will handle any ammo you want to use, including .45 Colt +P, which would cause an Italian gun to disintegrate.

IMO, it's better to spend a few extra bucks now, rather than having to send the gun out and pay for repairs later. Rugers are a lot easier to live with. :)
 
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It all depends on what you're looking for. Historically, the (expensive) Ruger Old Army goes all the way back to 1972. Alot has happened since then... he he
Get a Pietta 1851 in .36 caliber for some fun historically accurate shooting, or a Pietta 1860 in .44 for some fun historically accurate shooting with a little more punch. Get an Uberti Remington .44 (also true to history) for some fun shooting with a little less mechanical trouble (but the groove-less cylinder pin is prone to crap build-up). Get a Colt Signature Series anything for some great trouble-free shooting (plus beauty, balance and history) but at a much higher cost, comparable to the Ruger. Be prepared to do some gunsmithing on the Piettas and Ubertis - just some minor stuff (anything major, send it back - the new ones are warranteed for a year). Get a brass framer and beef it up ala Rifle's "washer fix" (it's in the archives somewhere) or just use smaller black powder loads. Buy more than one revolver and rotate them like a batting order (less wear on each gun).
"Variety is the spice of life".
 
Hi, Pohill

Pohill is right about those Signature Series (third generation) Colts. They are gorgeous. Also, the Colt second generation guns made in the '70s and early '80s. Gunsamerica is a good place to find them. However, if you go with a used Old Army, you'll pay a lot less. I see them there for around $300 pretty often.

Let us know what you get, and good luck with it. :)
 
Sundance44s

If your trying to cut cost as low as possible i`d suggest the brass frame 1858 Remington // cheap at Cabelas ..and a lot stronger built then the colt navy .
 
Rugers

Not to be a highjacker, but...everytime I go into my toy store in Maine I look at the Rugers. They have several for $310 - $320, and they look great. But, is there a way to tell when a certain Ruger was made? Were there any "bad years" for the Rugers? I have a good idea on how to judge a used Colt/Remington, but not a Ruger. Any ideas, 'cause I do want one.
 
Rugers er all purdymuch the same !

Howdy,

That's a good price fer a ROA.

Don't worry just buy it and order some spare nipples.

You'll be all set.:cool:

Slim
 
Rugers

I've never heard of any chronic problems with Rugers, at all. Hold your head high, and buy with confidense. :D
 
Tallyman,

I own one of the Cabelas 1851 round barrel .44s with brass frame. It is a very accurate shooter. The hand(the part that advances the cylinder) was so close to the cylinder pin that it bound up easily. I took out the hand and filed and sanded and steel wooled it and then put it back in and haven't had a problem with it since. If your new to cap and ball revolvers or don't plan on shooting heavy loads on a frequent basis than brass frame guns are perfectly OK. You probably won't be handing them down to your grandchildren but that heirloom thing is up to you. Besides, if you realy get hooked on revolvers and want to shoot cowboy action you can always buy a steel framed gun later. Even they are a deal compaired to most modern cartridge revolvers. Don't balk at the brass frame guns based on others' opinions. There is nothing wrong with living within ones means.

Don
 
I think I'll have to wait...

I am a little strapped for cash and a couple years too young to buy these little beautys, but I will keep this in mind for later years. :D
 
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