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Pick the better Cap & Ball revolver


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I’m writing a “Guns of the Old West” column about which cap and ball revolver is better, Remington’s New Model Army, or the Colt 1860 Army model. So I’d like to conduct an informal poll to use in the column. If you’re a cap and ball shooter please let me know what you think.

 

1. Which revolver is better:

a. Colt 1860 Army

b. Remington New Model Army

 

2. Why do you prefer it? (optional)

 

2. Do you own both revolvers?

a. Yes

b. No

 

 

Thanks for your help.

 

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Hi Mike:

1860 Colt Army.

It points more naturally

The Remmie beats up the middle finger on my shooting hand because of the grip/triggerguard space/geometry

The Remmie has a tendency to foul out and the cylinder begins to bind before the end of the shooting string

 

Yes, I own many many Colt 1860s, both repros and real Colts.

I also own 3 Remmies, (2 repros and 1 original).

 

Love yer work!

--Dawg

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The only ones I have shot are Uberti remingtons.I have small hands and the hammers are turned down and They are slicked.I shoot gunfighter with them.They feel good in my hand and shoot very well.I have handled other just don't like the looks of the open tops and love my 58s.

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1860s for me!

 

Grips and frame fit my hands better and they point and shoot better for me.

 

I started with 1858s and still own one that is permanently converted to cartridge. cool little barbecue gun.

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Yep, The 1860. Much better fit to my hands (Gunfighter)

 

The Remingtons bark the middle finger real hard.

 

From a mechanical stand point, the Remington Hand Spring is really the pitts.

 

Coffinmaker

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I like the Colt, I like it even better with the Navy grips (There has to be a reason that Colt went with the navy size grip for the Single Action Army). As others have said, the Colts point very naturally.

 

Yes, I own both.

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Hi Mike:

1860 Colt Army.

It points more naturally

The Remmie beats up the ring finger on my shooting hand because of the grip/triggerguard space/geometry

The Remmie has a tendency to foul out and the cylinder begins to bind before the end of the shooting string

 

Yes, I own many many Colt 1860s, both repros and real Colts.

I also own 3 Remmies, (2 repros and 1 original).

 

Love yer work!

--Dawg

 

Ditto

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Hi Mike

The 1860 Army is my favorite

I think the 1858 is more reliable but the grip is way too small for me, The 1860 while a little more touchy mechanically has a much better grip by far and points better, The Remington's loading lever seems weak I remove the cylinders and load them on a powder Inc. cyl. loader, The 1860's ratcheting loading lever works great and I load their cylinders in the gun.

Yes I own

Uberti 1860's

Uberti 1858's

Pietta 1851's(44's)

 

Willy B'

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Actually Colt went with the Navy size grip frame for their new '60 Army model revolver but the US Govt specified it as one of their changes. Those first 1860 Colts that were submitted for testing also had seven and one half inch barls.

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I own both types (all are repros) and I agree with what most have said so far.... The 1860 points more naturally for me over the '58.

 

Love your articles Mike.... :)

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1860 Colt Army - only C&B's I own at this point

 

I started with Remingtons didn't like the way they handled and the trigger guard bruised the middle finger on my shooting hand, so they are long gone.

 

The Colts point more naturally which is good since the sights are minimal

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1. Which revolver is better:

 

b. Remington New Model Army

 

2. Why do you prefer it? Stays in alignment when buffaloing bad guys.

 

2. Do you own both revolvers?

 

b. No only Colt: 1851 , 1911, Trooper Mark 3, Mustang Plus 3

 

 

 

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Howdy ;

I like the Colt way better for SASS shooting , better grip shape / easier to cock, I find the Remmie wacks my finger...

But favorite grip is the Navy ...

 

The Remmie works Ok for slow deliberate target type work.

 

I no longer own any 1860s ,,, but own some 1851s also some Open-Tops with both Navy and Army Grips (only one with army grips)

 

Only one 1858 Remmie Left , very accurate ...

 

The Colt style guns just point better when in a hurry and are far easier to cock one handed...

 

 

Jabez Cowboy

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To be competitive and reliable are the two most important things.

 

On both I replaced the factory nipples. To be more competitive I went to 5 1/2" barrel lengths. I use wonder wads soaked in 50/50 bees wax and crisco. That way I can shot 6 stages with no binding or fouling. On both the hammers are to high for dualist speed cocking.

 

The Colt takes much more work to get it to be reliable and stay that way. And yes the grip is better suited for most.

 

I shot 1858 Remmies for 8 years in the Frontiersman Category. Why, they were more dependable and easier to take apart if needed.Some smoothing and spring work for the hammer and checking cylinder to barrel clearances was thats needed. I could shoot hem for 6 stages with no effort towards cleaning them.

 

And while not asked, I ultimately went to Ruger Old Armies with 5 1/2" barrels. They are tanks and never ever have to worry about cap jam's, breaking,or fouling.

Ike

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I don't think it is matter of what is better....It's which one fits your and works for you...The 1851/1860 with Army grips in my choice...It just fits better in the hand...After that you do what you need to do to keep them working...Like the rest I have all of them...Most likely to many...

 

Texas Lizard

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1860 Army for me. Much better fit, natural point, better balance, and better sight picture for me. Classic look too. Love the 1851 Navies too.

 

The 1858 does get points for ease of cylinder swap though.

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Mike:

I don't know if yer keeping track of this, but..............All my 1860 Colts wear Navy grips.

--Dawg

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Mike:

I don't know if yer keeping track of this, but..............All my 1860 Colts wear Navy grips.

--Dawg

 

ahh.... I suppose good to point out. My 1860s have army grips which personally I prefer.

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I have Pietta 1860 and 1858s

 

Both slicked up by the best gunsmiths.

 

My favorite is the 1860 because the cocking/firing sequence is accomplished without changing my grip

 

On the 1858 I have to separate the palm from the grip to complete the cocking stroke.

 

I will search for a gunsmith to modify the 1858 hammers and short stroke the actions to solve that problem.

 

AR

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1. 1858 Remington's

2. Large hands shooting duelist. Large front sight. They point naturally for me.

3. Yes. 1851's, 1860's, 1858's, Walker's. Dragoon's.

 

4. Sold everything else. Shooting the Remington's that are smooth as silk.

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What, no love for the 51's?

That would be my choice but if I have to choose between the 2 mentioned I'd say the 1860 hands down!

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