Colt 1860 2nd Gen VS Ruger Old Army

[Grumpa]

Mr. Zoli explained to me of course they could make their BP revolvers not only to the quality of fit, finish and feel of the actions as good as the originals; but using modern steels, they could make them better than the originals. The problem was they could not make the guns to those standards and still SELL them....

I had already learned...that you could not just grab enough parts to make a modern revolver and assemble them and have it work correctly. I had been surprised how much hand fitting went into assembling them.

There was also another inducement on making the 1860’s and 1851’s during the UnCivil War, that we often don’t think about. Those fitters were making revolvers that their Sons, Nephews, other Kinfolk and people they knew had to depend on to survive the War and that along with Patriotic Fervor caused them to make the very best guns they could.

Gus

M.D.: "My early Pietta 60 needed a new front sight, trigger, wedge and general smoothing up inside to make a good shooting revolver out of it."

I didn't say the people making replicas couldn't make as good or better revolvers (given stronger steel), just that they don't.

I rest my case.

Richard/Grumpa

 

[Grumpa]

Being from Pittsburgh, I have a layman's knowledge of the impact of the Bessemer process on Colt's revolvers - it is what made the 1860 Army possible - a .44 revolver that could drop a horse, yet be small and light enough to carry on the belt.

And yes, the replicas are made of newer steels, but they still say "Black powder only" on the barrel: Ruger New Armies don't.

Richard/Grumpa

 

[nhmoose]

Colt open top vs. Ruger is a very unreal comparison to me.

Authentic vs. modern is what it truly is.

Why not make note how adjustable sights that stay static position are better than the hammer notch.

Total apple to kumquat.

 

[M. De Land]

Remember that this is the decision the OP (original poster) is faced with having only enough resources for one or the other.

 

[Dickydalton]

I have 2 "C Series" 2nd Gen Colts. One is an 1851 that is Goonerized and the other is a 3rd Model Dragoon that is at the Goons right now!
They are far and away better than stock Uberties.
After Mike gets done with them they work better than Colt's "Snake Guns"!

 

[John V.]

Well all. Thank you for your input on this matter. You all have brought up excellent points on each revolver. I have decided to go with the Colt 2nd generation NIB. Cost's a bit more than the Ruger, but I am after history correct and like I mentioned in my original thread " the Colt 1860 is just plain sexy" IMHO. I pick her up tomorrow afternoon from the vendor at the Indy 1500 Gun & Knife show in Indianapolis, IN. (hope it is okay to mention the show on this site? Not trying to put in a plug) Anyway, Thank you all again. :thumbsup:

 

[Zonie]

You might remember, since this is a "New In Box pistol" that means it is totally unfired.
To meet the "New" part, it also should not show any drag marks on the cylinder.

Anything that indicates the gun has been fired or any drag marks on the cylinder from the cylinder catch bolt will reduce the value to A LOT less than a "new" guns value.

I'm talking of a loss in value of 30%.

For example, my old "Blue Book of Modern Black Powder Values", ©2003 says a 1860 Army like your thinking about was worth $700 in New condition.
In 98% condition the value dropped to $500 and in 95% condition it fell to $375.

That's also something to keep in mind if you plan on shooting it. :hmm:

 

[John V.]

I hear what you are saying and appreciate your perspective.I understand that as soon as I shoot it the $$ will begin to drop. However, I am not really buying this as an investment to keep in the safe, but rather to casually shoot and enjoy on occasion as it was built for. It will be used but not abused. Again, I welcome the input. Thanks.

 

[M. De Land]

If your going to shoot it at all then you might as well try and wear it out with shooting fun.They can always be rebuilt like new.

 

[nkbj]

And they do have a break-in period!

 

[nkbj]

I have 2 "C Series" 2nd Gen Colts. One is an 1851 that is Goonerized and the other is a 3rd Model Dragoon that is at the Goons right now!
They are far and away better than stock Uberties.
After Mike gets done with them they work better than Colt's "Snake Guns"!

How long did it take to get the one back?

 

[John V.]

Hope this is in the right forum? Which is better? Colt 1860 Army 2nd generation or the Ruger Old Army. I have a chance at either (both new) at a reasonable price. Either one will be used just for target shooting with my M/L club no real competition. I am kind of more drawn to the Colt because...well...its a Colt and the Colt 1860 in my opinion is just plain sexy. But I have never experienced a Ruger Old Army. I had a 1860 Pietta, but not anymore. What do you all think?

Well I picked up the Colt 2nd gen today at the Indy 1500 Gun& Knife show.It is very nice. Looking forward to shooting it.

 

[M. De Land]

Lets see some pictures so we can enjoy it with you!

 

[John V.]

Lets see some pictures so we can enjoy it with you!

I will try to post some pictures later. I do have to say though that I see what many of you are talking about when it comes to quality of a real Colt VS a Italian reproduction.Not to talk down a repro, but holding a reproduction and then a real Colt. WOW! One can feel the difference.

 

[Ray-Vigo]

Even if the 2d generation was license-built in NJ of Uberti parts, it's still within the overall "Colt" family - it will hold its value (or gain value) more than a regular Pietta or Uberti as well. See how it shoots. I think you're going to enjoy that gun.

 

[Dickydalton]

I don't recall exactly, but it wasn't bad. I also had him do a Whitneyville Dragoon and he also has another 2nd Gen Pocket Navy right now too.

 

[John V.]

You might remember, since this is a "New In Box pistol" that means it is totally unfired.
To meet the "New" part, it also should not show any drag marks on the cylinder.

Anything that indicates the gun has been fired or any drag marks on the cylinder from the cylinder catch bolt will reduce the value to A LOT less than a "new" guns value.

I'm talking of a loss in value of 30%.

For example, my old "Blue Book of Modern Black Powder Values", ©2003 says a 1860 Army like your thinking about was worth $700 in New condition.
In 98% condition the value dropped to $500 and in 95% condition it fell to $375.

That's also something to keep in mind if you plan on shooting it. :hmm:

Zonie, Well it has been some time since you sent me the above advise, and I have spent considerable time looking at this revolver in its unfired condition and pondering...I just cannot bring myself to be the one to "pull the trigger" as it were on a NIB Colt 1860. With that said I do not believe in safe queens so I have decided to sell it and get a Italian 1860 to play with. Yeah having a real Colt is neat, but I really enjoy shooting more than just fondling a firearm. I do however appreciate you suggesting that I give it some thought. :wink:

 

[azmntman]

:shake: no no no! Send to me, I will shoot it and return it (promptly), really. PM me for details. Your welcome :thumbsup: