Colt 1860 Vs Remington New Model

[45D]

I have owned Colts before and found the wedge to be a PITA ,but i have to admit that the Colt has the "better" feel between the two. IMHO

All you have to do is pop um in - pop um out ( when everything is "right").

Mike

 

[GYJ]

All you have to do is pop um in - pop um out ( when everything is "right").

Mike

That's what I was thinking.
My only complaint with regards to wedges, has been when the factory slams them home with a 20,000lb hydraulic press.

 

[J dirt]

Hi Dirt! Yup, everyone is entitled to my opinion if they want it. What precisely do you disagree with? I've been shooting these revolvers for over sixty years and have never heard anyone say that they preferred the ergonomics of the Remington over the Colt's. The trigger/grip/hammer relationship is awful on the Remington. The balance and feel of the Colt are better than the Remington's and the Colt's trigger guard won't beat up your middle finger like a Remington does. Anyway, you shoot whatever you like and have a great time doing it.

Well I have only been shooting them for 50 years, so you win that one.

I agree with you for the most part on colts. I have more of them than Remingtons.

Colt replicas often have arbor issues, cap jamming issues and wedge issues. All that can overwhelm a new shooter, at least until they learn how to make adjustments.

ALL the Remingtons I have ever owned or shot do not display any of these issues. Therefore I made the statement they are likely better for those new to the sport. Colts are for those of us that have more experience in my not humble but correct opinion.

Percussion revolvers are the best shooting fun out there IMHO. Shoot straight and often.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

Well I have only been shooting them for 50 years, so you win that one.

I agree with you for the most part on colts. I have more of them than Remingtons.

Colt replicas often have arbor issues, cap jamming issues and wedge issues. All that can overwhelm a new shooter, at least until they learn how to make adjustments.

ALL the Remingtons I have ever owned or shot do not display any of these issues. Therefore I made the statement they are likely better for those new to the sport. Colts are for those of us that have more experience in my not humble but correct opinion.

Percussion revolvers are the best shooting fun out there IMHO. Shoot straight and often.

I agree. Arbor issues, barrel frame issues, not being perfectly square, etc,. Remington does not have these issues. The Colt "feels" better but I think the Remington has less overall issues. IMHO

 

[Snake Pleskin]

All you have to do is pop um in - pop um out ( when everything is "right").

Mike

Yes, but i find that everything is rarely always "right" and that it does not always stay "right" requiring constant adjustment as it wears etc.

 

[Bad Karma]

A bit off topic but what is the favorite way to load a colt 1860 at the range when shooting multiple cylinders ?
The best I can figure out is on the gun with a stand designed for this using the gun’s rammer.

Since cylinder removal / replacement is so easy on a Remington, loading the cylinder off gun on a stand with the heavier duty rammer is my preferred method. Also capping seems easier for me than when the cylinder is on the gun.
Also if the cylinder is loaded and in the Remington and a cold line is called the guy who oversees the range likes that the loaded cylinder is removed when he is checking. This is more cumbersome to me with a colt.

If you prefer loading off the gun I believe the Colt is easier than the Remington. Take a small brass hammer with you to the range with your loader. Tap the wedge, remove barrel and cylinder. Load, replace cylinder and barrel. Tap the wedge. Done. fail to see the great advantage of the Remington for most people who are working from a bench.

 

[Stantheman86]

A bit off topic but what is the favorite way to load a colt 1860 at the range when shooting multiple cylinders ?
The best I can figure out is on the gun with a stand designed for this using the gun’s rammer.

Since cylinder removal / replacement is so easy on a Remington, loading the cylinder off gun on a stand with the heavier duty rammer is my preferred method. Also capping seems easier for me than when the cylinder is on the gun.
Also if the cylinder is loaded and in the Remington and a cold line is called the guy who oversees the range likes that the loaded cylinder is removed when he is checking. This is more cumbersome to me with a colt.

I actually find using extra cylinders easier with a well broken in Colt repro than an 1858

By the time I'm done Fiddle-Fracking with the 1858 cylinder trying to get it in, I can have already pushed the wedge out, quickly popped the barrel off , swapped cylinders and reassembled a repro Colt that's broken in. My older Uberti Navy pretty much falls apart after the wedge is out,super easy

 

[Stantheman86]

If,you prefer loading off the gun I believe the Colt is easier than the Remington. Take a small brass hammer with you to the range with your loader. Tap the wedge, remove barrel and cylinder. Load, replace cylinder and barrel. Tap the wedge. Done. fail to see the great advantage of the Remington for most people who are working from a bench.

Colts are super easy.....people watch too much Pale Rider and think the Remington is some magic quick reloading super gun.

Track of the Wolf sells brass flint knapper hammers that are perfect, or just go to Harbor Freight and get a cheap brass hammer.

I rarely do any cylinder swapping but even to wipe a gun out between "sessions " of 4 or 5 cylinders, the Colt is super easy. Everyone has all kinds of scenarios in their minds about Colts being hard to take apart in the field, losing wedges, etc. Etc I'm like. It's really very, very simple

 

[GYJ]

Colts are super easy.....people watch too much Pale Rider and think the Remington is some magic quick reloading super gun.

That's exactly what it is.

 

[Rfp10000]

If,you prefer loading off the gun I believe the Colt is easier than the Remington. Take a small brass hammer with you to the range with your loader. Tap the wedge, remove barrel and cylinder. Load, replace cylinder and barrel. Tap the wedge. Done. fail to see the great advantage of the Remington for most people who are working from a bench.

Well then I guess that’s the way to do it …. Not being experienced with Colts , I have had an aversion to hitting a new toy with a hammer more than absolutely necessary but I’ll use your advice and just have some fun using it.

 

[Stantheman86]

Well then I guess that’s the way to do it …. Not being experienced with Colts , I have had an aversion to hitting a new toy with a hammer more than absolutely necessary but I’ll use your advice and just have some fun using it.

Gently tap, and don't hit the spring , just the wedge. You can hold the head of the hammer and just kiss the solid part of the wedge with it and tap it back in until it's solidly in . Don't bang it in like a nail

After they've been apart a lot, some of them can come out with finger pressure and then can be tapped back in with a screwdriver handle or something

 

[Rfp10000]

Colts are super easy.....people watch too much Pale Rider and think the Remington is some magic quick reloading super gun.

I’m used to Remingtons and have zero issues removing / installing cylinders …..I just have to take the advice of those that use the Colt more …

 

[Bad Karma]

Well then I guess that’s the way to do it …. Not being experienced with Colts , I have had an aversion to hitting a new toy with a hammer more than absolutely necessary but I’ll use your advice and just have some fun using it.

It won’t break… once you’ve done it twice you’ll see. Good shooting!

 

[Rfp10000]

Gently tap, and don't hit the spring , just the wedge. ….Don't bang it in like a nail

That’s good .. I have a brass tool for pushing out the wedge on a shotgun that I use but wasn’t sure if I should hit the spring or not …I ask questions and maybe sound stupid but I just don’t need to make all the mistakes .. I like leaving some for others

 

[dylan84]

I just found out on the Remington to not use synthetic amsoil grease on the cylinder pin! Black powder residue with that stuff makes it really hard to get the pin out! Going back to bore butter or my beeswax bullet lube for that I guess.

 

[Stantheman86]

That’s good .. I have a brass tool for pushing out the wedge on a shotgun that I use but wasn’t sure if I should hit the spring or not …I ask questions and maybe sound stupid but I just don’t need to make all the mistakes .. I like leaving some for others

The springs on the Italian repros can be soft, I mean I have tapped on the spring part of my cheap brasser Navies and kind of rounded the ends but I'm thinking of removing the springs anyway since I load those off the gun

I tapped on the wedge of my Pietta .44 Navy with a plastic hammer and the spring bent upwards, I had to flatten it back out. They probably use cheap potmetal for them

 

[Stantheman86]

If you've ever been to the Colt museum in Gettysburg, I distinctly remember an 1860 Army that looked WELL used , and it had tons of dents by both sides of the wedge like the user of this gun used a sharp, metal object like a knife or bayonet to bang it out many times. Either it was done under stress in combat to wipe out a fouled gun or the guy just didn't care because it was the Govts gun.

Either way. You don't want your pretty repro to look like that

Some of my "antiqued" repros have some dents by the wedge from me just being careless at the range , trying to do a quick wipe out after 5 cylinders, using a brass hammer and "missing " the wedge with my light taps. The steel is mild and will dent. I just figure it adds character. Most originals you see with any kind of hard use have some dings by the barrel wedge . It is what it is. If you want to keep it pretty , don't use it I guess

 

[Rfp10000]

It is what it is. If you want to keep it pretty , don't use it I guess

I want to use these things but also take care of them as best I can …I have a 20 year old Porsche that I keep covered but I use it … vigorously at times but I haven’t tried to cover every scratch or baby it to the point of not enjoying it . I do park it away from others if I can but I got it to use it not just look at it … just like the Colt 2nd Gen …I think I got what I was looking for from my question … thanks

 

[45D]

I want to use these things but also take care of them as best I can …I have a 20 year old Porsche that I keep covered but I use it … vigorously at times but I haven’t tried to cover every scratch or baby it to the point of not enjoying it . I do park it away from others if I can but I got it to use it not just look at it … just like the Colt 2nd Gen …I think I got what I was looking for from my question … thanks

If you'll just get a plastic-face machinest's hammer you won't have any problems. The 2nd Gen will be just fine. Just like the Prosche . . .

Mike

 

[Rfp10000]

If you'll just get a plastic-face machinest's hammer you won't have any problems. The 2nd Gen will be just fine. Just like the Prosche . . .
View attachment 173336
Mike

I actually have something just like that with plastic on one end and rubber on the other …. Thanks for the tip