.36 Caliber Pistols

[rodwha]

I often read that an 1851 Colt Navy is the best handling pistol ever. I take it the Uberti is probably closer to the real thing. Is there a big difference between them and the Pietta?

How does the '51 compare to the '61?

I've also often read how the Colt's have an all too common problem with cap jams, and that the Uberti's often have a short arbor.

I don't seem to read much of anything about the 1858 Remington New Model Navy (is that the correct term?). So how do these stack up against the Colt?

I feel the need for an Uberti '62 Pocket Police/Navy, but also feel a full size .36 revolver may be necessary. You guys weren't kidding when you said these things are addictive! I seem to need one or two of each!!!

I would also include other .36 cal revolvers, but I'm not fond of brass frames, and outside of buying from Dixie, I don't see that the others are being made currently (or are they?).

 

[Flash Pan Dan]

The cap jamming issue with Colts can be solved by either bending the arm of the shooting hand at the elbow so that the gun is pointing up when cocking for the next shot or having a Manhattan modification done on it. The latter will cost as much as the pistol is worth. And in my opinion get a ”˜61 Navy. Best looking cap and ball revolver ever made.

 

[rodwha]

Does the '61 share the same grip? It seems I've just heard that it's the '51 with the best grip ever.

 

[Eljay]

These days Pietta and Uberti are very close in quality. Both have some variation from unit to unit so any given one from either maker might be better or worse.

 

[AZbpBurner]

I often read that an 1851 Colt Navy is the best handling pistol ever. I take it the Uberti is probably closer to the real thing. Is there a big difference between them and the Pietta?

How does the '51 compare to the '61?

I've also often read how the Colt's have an all too common problem with cap jams, and that the Uberti's often have a short arbor.

I don't seem to read much of anything about the 1858 Remington New Model Navy (is that the correct term?). So how do these stack up against the Colt?

I feel the need for an Uberti '62 Pocket Police/Navy, but also feel a full size .36 revolver may be necessary. You guys weren't kidding when you said these things are addictive! I seem to need one or two of each!!!

I would also include other .36 cal revolvers, but I'm not fond of brass frames, and outside of buying from Dixie, I don't see that the others are being made currently (or are they?).

I grew up with Dad's 1861 Navy (Uberti), and cleaning & maintenance were my job. Once you become accustomed to the rear sight notch on the hammer, accuracy is surprisingly good.

Fast forward several decades to my first 1858 Remington, in .36 cal. Nobody complains much about them, whether Uberti or Pietta. All of my Remingtons just happen to be Piettas, while all my Colts are Uberti. It wasn't planned that way, but just happened that sale prices, availability and free shipping coincided with the particular model / mfgr.

As for the Remingtons: Whether .36 or .44, they're easier to shoot accurately because of a better defined sight picture, and it's easier to remove the cylinder to load via benchtop loader, if you're so inclined. Disassembly for cleaning is easier, too - fewer screws + reassembly is more straightforward. When I'm in a hurry on a weekend & have evening plans, I take out a Remington or two & maybe the Ruger ROA. I can disassemble, clean and reassemble Remington designs much quicker than I can my Colts.

1851 vs 1861? It's mostly a matter of personal preference. IMO, the 1860 / 61 / 62 style s are the most beautiful Cap & Ball Revolver design ever made. That didn't deter me from getting a 2nd model Dragoon - everyone should have one, for the noise, accuracy and just because its' easier to handle than a Walker.

If I had to be rid of all but 2 of my C&B revolvers, it would be a toss up between one of my Remingtons or the Ruger ROA, and, of course the Dragoon is a keeper.

Dixie is a great reference website, but best deals can be found at Cabelas or Midway & sometimes even Jedediah Starr, and others. Prices often change weekly, and backorders don't take much time to restock & ship. Keep in mind that on-line retailers sometimes charge tax to your purchase & often you can pay a little more for a gun, yet save money thru a retailer (Midway comes to mind) who doesn't charge tax.) Both Midway & Cabelas often have coupon codes for free shipping, so it pays to look around before making your final on-line purchase decision.

 

[Zonie]

The Colt 1861 is basically a Colt 1851 with a streamlined barrel and a creeping loading lever.

The "1862 Pocket Navy" is basically the same as the "1862 Police" model but used a loading lever similar to the 1851 Colt and the older guns octagon barrel in place of the Police pistols streamlined barrel and creeping loading lever.
Both were based on the Colt 1849 Pocket Revolver frame with a rebated cylinder for their .36 caliber bores and both are 5 shot pistols.

For a while the Italians were producing replicas of the Colt Roots 1855 revolver.
This steel framed sidehammer revolver is a very small interesting pistol but the originals were very undependable and the Italian versions copied this undependability so well that the pistols are basically useless for doing anything but looking at them.

The Whitney is another steel framed .36 caliber revolver that has been reproduced.
It is a closed top frame pistol somewhat like the Remington. It uses a different (and weaker) loading than the Remington.
This is the revolver that Spiller & Burr copied with their Confederate brass framed pistol.


Yes, Remington made a New Model Navy in .36 caliber. From 1863 thru 1878 Remington made a slightly smaller version of the New Model Army.

Unfortunatly, the Italians did not reduce the size of their reproduction of this gun and chose to use the larger .44 frame with a .36 caliber barrel and cylinder.

 

[AZbpBurner]

The Colt 1861 is basically a Colt 1851 with a streamlined barrel and a creeping loading lever.

The "1862 Pocket Navy" is basically the same as the "1862 Police" model but used a loading lever similar to the 1851 Colt and the older guns octagon barrel in place of the Police pistols streamlined barrel and creeping loading lever.
Both were based on the Colt 1849 Pocket Revolver frame with a rebated cylinder for their .36 caliber bores and both are 5 shot pistols.

For a while the Italians were producing replicas of the Colt Roots 1855 revolver.
This steel framed sidehammer revolver is a very small interesting pistol but the originals were very undependable and the Italian versions copied this undependability so well that the pistols are basically useless for doing anything but looking at them.

The Whitney is another steel framed .36 caliber revolver that has been reproduced.
It is a closed top frame pistol somewhat like the Remington. It uses a different (and weaker) loading than the Remington.
This is the revolver that Spiller & Burr copied with their Confederate brass framed pistol.


Yes, Remington made a New Model Navy in .36 caliber. From 1863 thru 1878 Remington made a slightly smaller version of the New Model Army.

Unfortunatly, the Italians did not reduce the size of their reproduction of this gun and chose to use the larger .44 frame with a .36 caliber barrel and cylinder.

For a smaller frame .36, don't discount the 1862 Colt New Model Police: Uberti's is a correctly scaled down size & styled 5 round version of the 1861 Navy, while Pietta's is also 5 shot, but uses the larger / non authentically sized frame.

 

[Zonie]

I didn't think I had discounted the Colt 1862 Police pistol (which I think is the most beautiful of all of Colts revolvers).

I guess it's fortunate that my 1862 Police is a Uberti. :grin: I can't imagine that gun with a large frame on it.

Speaking of the Police and the 1862 Pocket, because they both used the 1849 .31 caliber frame and grip if I were to have one objection to them it would be the small grip and the very light weight of the guns combine to make accurate target shooting difficult for me.

 

[rodwha]

The only thing I'd have against Pietta would be the amount of writing on it. It's an eyesore. Were I to get a Remington I'd go with an Uberti since I read the grip is smaller (I have small hands).

I've read that Uberti may be slightly better in quality and finish, but that the difference is negligible.

Were I to buy a Colt (other than a '62) I'd likely be more inclined to get a Pietta as I haven't read much bad about them, whereas the Uberti's seem to suffer from a short arbor.

As I'm not a machinist, nor do I have proper tools, I don't want to need to work on a pistol to get it to function well. And I need an Uberti '62 Pocket very badly! Guess I'll have to find someone locally who works on these when I do...

 

[rodwha]

If/when I get a "Colt" I'll likely start by opening up the V in the hammer before I work on what needs to be done, if anything, to the front sight. I like a 25 yd 0.

You mention having a .36 cal Remington. You obviously have nothing to note about problems in its function. I assume you are rather happy with it as is?

I find it funny that it's a toss up between keeping the Remington or the Ruger. I own a Ruger, and wouldn't sell it even for the ridiculous prices I've seen in auctions.

I actually need a Walker! The historical aspect is driving, but the shock and awe of 60 grns has to be immense! What's a couple of extra inches and a few more ounces anyway?

Initially I thought the Remington and streamlines Colts looked silly. Only the more blocky Colts looked serious. I still rather like the older styled Colts, but after having this Ruger I think it softened my outlook on the Remington.

Despite liking the blocky look of the older model Colts better I'd likely choose the Police model as I like the look overall, and the cylinder is what really sets it off for me. I don't care much for the scenes scrolled into the cylinder. If I could have the Police cylinder on the Navy, and with the 4.5" barrel Cimarron offers (Police model only) I'd do so.

 

[rodwha]

My understanding is that Pietta uses the same frame for their .36 Remington, but that Uberti uses a slightly smaller frame for theirs. I'm not sure if they are actually the correct dimensions, but that they don't use the same frame. Is that not true?

 

[rodwha]

I feel I need an Uberti '62 Pocket. I'm just leery of all the work I read that they need to function well. I'm not willing to fill in the hammer and make it a 4 shot... I'm not sure if that amount of work is worth it.

 

[Paul_R]

I have a pair of 1861 Pietta Sheriffs. Very similar to the Pocket Police only it's a 6 shot. Same fluted cylinder and one thing on both models is that they don't have the pins between the cylinders so you can really only safely load 5 in the Sheriff and 4 in the Police model.

 

[rodwha]

Uberti puts the safety pin on their Police. I assume also on the Pocket Navy.

 

[Paul_R]

Must be a Pietta thing. Just my luck!

 

[zimmerstutzen]

40 Years ago I wandered into a local going out of business sale and picked up a no name brass framed 36 cal Remmie Repro for $25. No box or papers, Never did know who made it. I shot the dickens out of that gun. Even shot 14 inch ten shot groups at 100 yds. Used it in all kinds of shooting, even against some LEO teams. I came in 4th against a flock of 357's. During an obsession for a small caliber rifle, I swapped it off for a CVA squirrel rifle. Wish I hadn't.

I have the Uberti police colt and the 1861, and I like the balance of the latter much better.

However, for all day shooting, I prefer the remmie style. I can shoot a remmie with good accuracy. Never was able to develop such good accuracy with a colt style. Something about the inertia of the hammer fall flipping the muzzle up.

 

[bpd303]

When talking about grip shape and natural point ability, I don't think the Rogers & Spencer can be beat. But then we are talking .44 caliber.

 

[rodwha]

The only other repros I see that either Uberti and Pietta make are Colt, Remington, LeMat, and Spiller & Burr. Are there any others?

I see Dixie and Cimarron offer a couple of these others, but I assume they are old stock. Would that be a correct assumption?

As for .44 cal I've my mind set on an 1858 and a Walker.

 

[Dickydalton]

I have a 2nd Generation 1862 Navy and like it lots better than my 1862 Police by Uberti. I did have to shim the arbor on the Uberti. That said I'd never let the police go either.

 

[rodwha]

Does anyone have a .36 cal Remington with good/bad things to say? I'm looking for experiences with these as I haven't seen a thing...