1860 Army

[sunbear209]

Hi,
I am looking to purchase an 1860 Army revolver soon and I have done as much research as I can on the internet, as far as brands. Can you tell me what you feel is the best made 1860 Army and why. I have been looking at the Uberti, Cimarron, and have tracked down a few Colt Signature models. I like the charcoal finish, but it is not that important to me. I have also read that the fluted cylinder Uberti's shoot better than the regular cylinder Uberti's. I have no idea why this may be the case, but I read it.
Also, if you could tell me what load works best for you and if you cast your own round balls, what is the best mould to get.
Thank you very much.

 

[nkbj]

My two cents...
Everybody makes bow-wows and cats meows.
Buy from a business that will let you send back serious bow-wows.

 

[Kadmos]

I picked up (held, not bought) a Cimarron in the "original" finish, and have got to say it was probably the nicest BP repro handgun I have ever held.

Loved the look, the feel, and the action

It seems to be as close as you can get to the original, without getting an original.

Pricy, but now when I pick up most of the other repros they just don't feel as nice

 

[fitter]

Cimarrons are nade by Uberti, which, to me are the best. Check out Texas Jacks, where I bought my 1860. Great shooter.

 

[Jimbo453]

I have two 60 Armys Both shoot well and I havnt had many problems with either outside of having to change the nipples on both revolvers the fit and finish is a little better on the Cimarron Uberti but the Petta shoots just as well and some beleive it looks more like a Colt made in 1860 would have looked like and at half the cost so I guess you need to decide what you want In the pic the petta is on top and the Uberti on the bottom

 

[Kadmos]

Cimarrons are nade by Uberti, which, to me are the best. Check out Texas Jacks, where I bought my 1860. Great shooter.

Yeah, I've heard that. To me though, that cimarron was really a step ahead.

In my mind for the main 3 its

1. Cimmarron
2. Uberti


4. Peitta

 

[David Teague]

Uberti will build different grades of guns for a customer.

Cimmarron pays for the extra shop time for fit and finish. The Old Allen Arms did the same.

Texas Jack sells both standard Uberti's and Cimmarron revolvers.

I've owned both "brands" and have had good luck with both.

Cheers,

David

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Take a look at The Possible Shop. I have purchased from there and have had good service. The Uberti revolvers aren't marked all over with stampings. The fit and finish is very nice. I am pleased with the Ubertis I purchased.

Depending on the brand you purchase, the revolver will or should come with a recommended ball size and powder charge. That is if you buy it new.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Hi! I'm the guy on this forum that recommended that anyone considering accuracy in a Colt 1860 Army purchase the Charcoal-finish fluted -cylinder Uberti! So far nobody has said anything about how their guns actually shoot...I wonder why that is? Could it be that they're collectors and not shooters?

In my experience shooting bp hand guns, there simply isn't anything else that even comes close to the accuracy of this specimen. Two other friends of mine also have them. We three are involved in the NRA Qualification Matches at our local BP club. The Course of Fire is 13 shots at 25 yards and 13 shots at 50 yards, and the best 10 shots on each target count for score. We three are going for the Distinguished Expert rating, so we need an aggregate of 165x200 MINIMUM, with half of the shots from half a football field away! This COF really separates the men from the boys, or in this case the collector/plinkers from the serious target shooters. This isn't meant as a put-down, I just wanted to relay our combined experiences.

I wouldn't care if the thing looked like a polished turd--It has already put 2 shots out of 5 through the X-ring of a B-19 target at 50 yards, using the mandatory strong-hand only shooting technique required in our Matches. The timing and lock-up on this model is the best that Uberti has ever created. At 50 yards distance, it's easier to find the black with the fluted-cylinder Uberti than any of the single-shot target pistols that the three of us own!

As to load recommendation: 27 grains 3Fg Goex, a pre-lubed wonder-wad, and a .454 Hornady ball.

The three of us are using these Out-of-the-Box, that's how well made they are!


Dave

 

[mykeal]

I own 4: 1 Pietta, 1 Euroarms and 2 FAUL (Belgian Centaures).

The Belgians are significantly better made in fit and finish, although neither of the other two is poorly made. I believe the Belgians are also much closer to the originals than the Pietta, and the Euroarms is in between.

I do not own a Uberti 1860 Army, but I do have several other designs made by Uberti and only one lacks quality. My single example of a Cimarron gun is used and not a reliable sample for discussion of quality.

My Colt Signature Dragoon is a superbly finished gun.

Regarding accuracy: I cannot comment on Uberti's 1860 accuracy, obviously. The FAULs are better in my hand than either the Euroarms, which is quite good, or the Pietta, which is mediocre at best. Both FAULs will compete with my carry gun.

I do not believe the claim that the fluted cylinder shoots better than a non-fluted cylinder, but I haven't tested it for myself, so I'm only skeptical.

If you can find a FAUL, it will be a very worthwhile investment. A Colt 2nd or 3rd Gen would also be desirable. Lacking either of those, the Uberti would be a good choice, perhaps in Cimarron colors.

 

[madcratebuilder]

First, any manufacturer can have a revolver get past QC that should not have.

The best quality 1860 Army I have owned is the Colt 2nd gen. Cost is a draw back, if you an find a shooter for a reasonable price that would be one way to go.

The Belgium made Centennial “1960” New Model Armies” have excellent ordinance grade steel, are very close to the originals. Most are well used and may need some smithing to get up to snuff. Their prices are approaching that of the 3rd gen Colts.

The 3rd gen "Signature Series" Colts are very good revolvers, price may be an issue.

I have owned one Uberti 1860 and was not impressed, see first paragraph.

I have shot several Pietta 1860's and liked them, great bang for the buck.

A fluted cylinder well not make any difference in accuracy all things being equal.

I own two fluted Colt 2nd gens and three unfluted 2nd and 3rd gens, plus a Centennial (Belgium).

Here's some info on the Centennials.
http://www.1960nma.org/

YMMV

 

[mykeal]

Just for clarification, the FAUL I mentioned is the same gun as the Belgian Cenature 1960 NMA that madcratebuilder suggested. They are fine guns.

 

[Rock Island]

Uberti would be my pick, I bought one from Dixie about ten years back and I am able to hit a 4" .22 cal rifle target with it at 75 yards shooting a .454 round ball with 30 grains of FFFG black powder and a wonder wad. With most handguns I can't hit the side of a barn, but with this one it just works for me, and I have never done anything to it other than cleaning.

 

[Greenmtnboy]

Twenty years ago there was a very noticeable difference between Pietta and Uberti. I think it is not so much so today. When I decided to clear out a few C&B revolvers the 1860 Pietta is one I chose to keep. It will hold a 2" group at 25 yards from rest, both as a C&B and also with the Kirst Konverter in .45 Colt so long as I stick to bullets of 200 grains or less. Longer .45 Colt bullets won't stabilize in the roundball twist.

Oops, I hadn't noticed that GMTB had logged on from my computer, this is a CoyoteJoe post.

 

[sunbear209]

Well,
I went with an Uberti 1860 Army and it is GREAT! Thank you for all the input. It has a small amount of creep before the hammer falls, but it drops at 2 1/4 lbs! Shoots very good groups at 25 yards and have had no misfires or mechanical issues. I love the look and feel of the longer 1860 grip. I can't wait to put more lead down range. Thank you for the information and the great photos!
Chris

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Enjoy your new revolver! :thumbsup:

Dave