Best Bargains

[nkbj]

I'm not quite old enough to be refusing to buy green bananas but looking around, seems the best buys out there are brass frame revolvers.
What are you fellas seeing nowadays?

 

[Grenadier1758]

The brass framed revolvers may appear to be the most affordable, lowest cost revolvers, the issues of the softer brass frame stretching with high power loads may shorten their useful life. They may be a reasonable buy if the loads are kept at a modest power level of about 2/3 full charge with a corn meal filler to fill the cylinder. In my opinion, a steel frame revolver is the better choice. Yes, I do have a brass frame revolver that I have been gentle to for as long as I have shot it.

 

[No second place]

I would only consider a brass frame type for display...c

 

[Kansas Jake]

Grenadier’s comments are my view too in many ways. Price difference is a big issue for me. If I ran across a brass frame for a real bargain price I would buy it. Buying new I would get steel unless I was in a real pickle for funds. Also most brass frames are far from historically correct unless they are like the original confederate ones.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Yes, a brass framed 44 is not something that I would ever recommend.

 

[sourdough]

Also most brass frames are far from historically correct unless they are like the original confederate ones.

And that would be the Griswold & Gunnison, Schneider & Glassick, and Spiller & Burr, all in .36 caliber.

There are no others.

Regards,

Jim

 

[Treestalker]

I own four brass frame .44's, I don't abuse them, usually shoot 22gr. 3f holy black, nothing else. So far, so good, they look great and my .44 1851 3"bbl. Avenging Angel drives a tack at 25-30 feet. I just like them old brassers, I'm sure the leftist revisionist freaks have banned all 'confederate' guns, lol!

 

[B P Arn]

I own, and have owned, quite a few different brass framed revolvers, including two in the dreaded 44 caliber. I have never had a single occurrence of a "stretched frame", or whatever the problem is purported to be. I have not always "babied" them either, although I do now.

I think the biggest concern with a brass framed revolver is to not use oversize balls in them. There does not need to be any shaved ring of lead. The ball needs to fit tightly in the chamber, no more. If the fit is too tight, there is excess stress put on the arbor as the bullet is seated. I think this is what damages the brass framed guns, to the extent that they get damaged.

 

[nhmoose]

I own many but won't recommend them as a best buy.

 

[nkbj]

I own, and have owned, quite a few different brass framed revolvers, including two in the dreaded 44 caliber. I have never had a single occurrence of a "stretched frame", or whatever the problem is purported to be. I have not always "babied" them either, although I do now.

I think the biggest concern with a brass framed revolver is to not use oversize balls in them. There does not need to be any shaved ring of lead. The ball needs to fit tightly in the chamber, no more. If the fit is too tight, there is excess stress put on the arbor as the bullet is seated. I think this is what damages the brass framed guns, to the extent that they get damaged.

I can't prove it but I think you're correct about the process of loading being a source of destructive stresses.
A while back I picked up a Pietta 1860 with brass frame. It's a strange looking thing but no reason it shouldn't serve me well for the rest of my life.

On a side note, got the chemicals needed to brown the frame and the iron. This could be a very involved project but I think I want to do this. After the kitchen is completed.

 

[bud in pa]

I remember reading somewhere that originally frames were not made out of brass but some kind if bronze.

 

[BullRunBear]

If every penny of cost matters, a brass frame revolver will give you a lot of fun. Keep the loads mild, 22 to 25 grains of 3F if a 44 caliber and use a ball that fits tightly but doesn't require huge effort to seat. I've found the most accurate loads in percussion revolvers is usually a mild load anyway. I've had a couple of brass frame guns for years and gentle use has kept them working and accurate. But if the budget allows, go for the steel frame. It can be more versatile.

Jeff

 

[B P Arn]

I remember reading somewhere that originally frames were not made out of brass but some kind if bronze.

They were made out of whatever "brass" alloy the Confederacy could obtain. I have seen a few; each frame was a different color.