1860 Army to flute or not ?

[Pukka Sahib]

Kicking around the idea of acquiring another 1860 in .44,, probably by Uberti. I see advertised the model with "full, fluted cylinder". Looks cool. Of course, there's a little less metal, so it'll be a little lighter, and that's good - but what about the margin of safety ? Less metal surrounding the chamber also means, well, not as "safe". Is that, in this case a trivial matter, and I have nothing to be concerned about ? Thoughts and comments are welcomed. Thanks.

 

[Eutycus]

To each his own, but I think the unfluted cylinder has the more handsome lines of the two. But then we aren't talking about looks are we?

 

[ord sgt]

If you are wanting to use excessive powder charges in each chamber (think Colt Dragoon , 45 grains FFFg) , then the fluted cylinder is not the better choice. But for reasonable powder charges, the fluted cylinder should be fine.

 

[Whitworth]

I think the flutes were dropped due to cylinder failures, but that was with 19th century steel. I wouldn't worry.

 

[Dickydalton]

I have a fluted Dragoon:

 

[Dickydalton]

And an 1860:

 

[sourdough]

Kicking around the idea of acquiring another 1860 in .44,, probably by Uberti. I see advertised the model with "full, fluted cylinder". Looks cool. Of course, there's a little less metal, so it'll be a little lighter, and that's good - but what about the margin of safety ? Less metal surrounding the chamber also means, well, not as "safe". Is that, in this case a trivial matter, and I have nothing to be concerned about ? Thoughts and comments are welcomed. Thanks.

With the steel used in this day and age I would not worry a bit about it. Back in the day, Colt wanted to create a .44 caliber firearm based upon the 1851 frame to reduce the weight of the OMA Dragoon and the 1860 Army was born. It had a full fluted cylinder but the original cylinder was bored .44 back to the rear of the cylinder. Proof tests showed that it would blow up around the stop slot area, so Colt decided to reconfigure the cylinder.

And an 1860:View attachment 75601

That appears to be a 2nd Gen Confederate Commemorative? Very nice looking revolver!

 

[Dickydalton]

With the steel used in this day and age I would not worry a bit about it. Back in the day, Colt wanted to create a .44 caliber firearm based upon the 1851 frame to reduce the weight of the OMA Dragoon and the 1860 Army was born. It had a full fluted cylinder but the original cylinder was bored .44 back to the rear of the cylinder. Proof tests showed that it would blow up around the stop slot area, so Colt decided to reconfigure the cylinder.




That appears to be a 2nd Gen Confederate Commemorative? Very nice looking revolver!

No, they're both 3rd Gen Signature Series Colts. The 1860 is a US Calvary commemorative.

 

[JohnnieT]

I have always liked to looks of the fluted cylinder personally. As far as safety, I think it would be fine with reasonable loads.

 

[hawkeye2]

I'll guarantee it's proofed to the same pressure as the regular cylinder.

 

[Desperate Lee]

I dont know, to me the full flute looks kinda off. Like I said, to me. The half flute like all my modern Smiths and Rugers is what I am use to and like. With modern steels and moderate loads, a full flute should be just fine. I bet they, no flute and full flute, are proofed the same, SAFE.
DL

 

[Pukka Sahib]

Great responses. Thanks.

 

[Lippy984]

Another option, if you already have a Uberti 1860, you can always get a spare cylinder that’s fluted...whenever they’re back in stock like everything else

 

[sourdough]

Another option, if you already have a Uberti 1860, you can always get a spare cylinder that’s fluted...whenever they’re back in stock like everything else

The Uberti full-fluted cylinder I purchased new in 2018 from VTI will also fit an Armi San Marco 1860 Army .44 (date code BD/1994).

Regards,

Jim