.36 or .44?

[Trinidad Bill]

Just curious as to the revolver preference of .36 or .44 and why. I have one .36 and 3 .44s and quite frankly I am liking shooting the .36 and bit more. My .36 is a Uberti 1862 pocket so that my have something to do with it. It is lighter and a pleasure to shoot (when it is not cap jamming!). My .44s are all Remingtons and "horse pistols" compared to the pocket Navy. They rarely have issues. I have never shot a full size .36.

 

[64Springer]

Edited 4:00pm.

 

[Crow Choker]

Started out in 1972 with a Euro-Arms 1851 Navy model in 44 caliber. Was the only cap n ball for a number of years and when I started to acquire more, 44's seemed the right choice. Also there were more options as far as models it seemed and most were 44 caliber. Went to Dragoons, 60' Colt Army's and others and they were all 44's. I have bought two 36's, a 51' Navy and 61' Navy, but enjoy the bigger caliber, heft, size, and historical appeal of the 44's.

 

[ppg1949]

I only have one 36, a 1860 Colt Sheriff’s model with a fluted cylinder, and a couple of 44’s. But the 36 get the most shooting. I like the look and feel of it.

 

[Edm]

My 36 cal Colt feels the best but it’s much easier to load a 44. I’ll have to keep buying each cause they both have a place.

 

[Griff093]

What's the intended use? I've been shooting an 1851 clone since 1986 in cowboy action events. Someone suggested getting a .44 cal. 1858 Remington to have more clang on the steel targets and they didn't have the problems the open top 1851 has with sucking caps. Well... the 1858 was uncomfortable to hold in a two handed grip, the hammer geometry differed from my 1851 or SAAs, so... it sat in the safe until I safely disposed of it in a trade. Good riddance! While it didn't suck caps back into the action, it often split them, causing them to double over and foul between the cylinder and recoil shield. Franken pistols come in the form of a wannabe 1851 in .44 caliber, otherwise all 1851s are .36s... Similarily, 1860s are .44s. The smaller sized, but similar looking 1861 is a .36. IMO, .44s are ungainly and overly heavy. While .36s are svelte and graceful...

On top of all that, .36s are also more economical to shoot. Less powder and small projectiles, mean you get more per lb of lead. The frugal Scotsman in me wins!

 

[PastorB]

For just pure shooting pleasure, I prefer my .36's by a wide margin. My favorite pistol is the 1851 Navy. When out hunting or walking around the woods, I most often carry a .44, as it is a more effective choice for game and varmints, whether two or four legged.

 

[Timber Wolf]

I have BP revolvers from an 1862 Police up to a Walker, and like them all. I started with a Ruger Old Army and that was all I had for years. Next I got a .36 1851 but followed that with a Walker and recently a 3rd Dragoon. An 1861 Navy is the most pleasing to my eye. Of the group I like shooting the little 1862 and the Dragoon the most. In the end i would say I prefer a .36, either the Police or 1861 Navy, unless a “Horse Pistol” is called for. ; )

 

[Sean E Bug]

I prefer the 31 cal pocket revolvers. but I like both 36 and 44.

 

[nick_1]

what is the difference in feel between an 1851 navy and and 1860 army? I had an 1851 as a kid and it was as I recall an excellent point shooter.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

First one I bought was a 44, the last one was given to me, a 44.

 

[CaptainVane]

.36 on both my Colt ‘51 and Rem ‘58, i dont hunt so 36 cheaper for putting holes in paper.

 

[BP Addict]

For target shooting and plinking, I prefer a smaller caliber with less recoil. My favorite is an 1849 Baby Dragoon in 31.

Walt

 

[Pete G]

Navy six, hands down

 

[AlexB]

1849 in 31 for the wife it shoots well and has very little recoil.
I prefer the Remington in 44 for shooting.
Colts are sexier for looking but can be too temperamental at times.

 

[45D]

Just so ya know, Army's have a longer barrel but Navy's have smaller holes so they basically weigh the same.
Mike

 

[hanshi]

I've had two, an 1858 army and a Rogers and spencer both .44. I have fired a .36 and that would be my choice if I got a revolver. Hickock loved the .36 Navy and was deadly with it.

 

[Crow Choker]

Good grief, an Army model in 44 with 25-30 grains of 3F is a pooch shooter, not much recoil. The Dragoons with 40-43 grains doesn't have that much recoil. The Walker unless yer trying to be the Elmer Keith of percussion revolvers holding it to 50 grains isn't that bad and very manageable.

 

[Sparkitoff]

For shooting paper in a full-sized revolver I like the .36. When I am actually going to carry it or rely on it for protection, I look for the shorter barrel lengths. That's where the .44's overtake the .36's. But even then its all about reliability. If I had a 44 that was iffy and a 36 that was repeatedly reliable, the 36 would get the nod.

 

[ernbar]

Tough call, can’t really pin it down to either. I enjoy shooting both calibers. I do find the .36 Police Pocket more comfortable and well balanced. Then The Dragoon weighs like a brick but love shooting it too, so a tough call.