Colt 2nd Generation

[Marc Adamchek]

Hello again - If your memory serves you well you'll recognize me as the formerly upstanding, sane man who now crawls the earth in a foggy blackpowder haze, a shameless cap 'n ball junkie.

One of my posts showed that I was setting my sights on acquiring a dragoon as the latest addition to my arsenal. Also, another showed an interest in Cimarron guns.

Well, I decided on a 2nd model dragoon from Cimarron. Convincing arguments against the rumor that this outlet had better guns hit against other opinions that said they did. I figured for the added cash I'd chance it and order one to see for myself.

Well, while I was getting finances together for this transaction an unfired second generation Colt 2nd model dragoon appeared in the classifieds here. Mama Mia! What's a junkie to do?

The cost was 500 bucks, a lot but not much more than one from Cimarron. And HEY! I remembered I hadn't counted my "spare change bank" in a longlong time. Would you believe I rolled up enough coins to tally out as $143.50???

So I bought it asap. I just sent the check out a couple days ago so I haven't gotten it yet. In the meantime I recalled a former thread on these Colts' quality. The general knowledge, I think, was that the early ones made in Belgium(?) by a company named Century Arms(?) were the finest made revolovers and the later were made by Uberti. Have I got that right?

Anyway, yeah, I took a shot (ha ha) and rolled the dice and committed to buying it.

Please chime in with all knowledge and opinions about these Colt revolvers including how do I tell who made it once I have it in my sweaty mitts.

Many Thanks!

Oh Yeah! p.s. It's now unfired, but don't think for a minute I'm not going to shoot the damn thing!!

 

[Farmerted]

Marc, I have 4 Piettas and one of the Centaures. Yes, the Centaure is a very well made revolver, I love everything about it, but I shoot the wheels off of all of them and gotta say it's like ice cream. All of it is good, some's just better than others.

 

[George T.]

I think your information is basically correct not to say that others will not differ. I went the other rout as I started out looking at second generations and after bidding up to $50 on several that went fit near $500 used and new. I had been agonizeing over spending that much for a pistol that I intended to shoot.

I also read enough to tell me that although there are some first issue second generations that were really well made many are not all that great especially the signature series.

I also liked my CVA 1860 and wished to for go the dropping load lever so that was what I was looking for. I eventually went for a Cimmaron 1860 Civilian. It was $350 here in north Texas.

As they do it shot 18 inches high at 25 yards. This revolver is absolutely flawless with charcoal blue and very nice case. I bought a new very fine triangler file and filed the hammer notch that serves as the rear sight. I have it shooting 1 1/2 inches high very well centered at 25 yards. It hurt to file on this pistol but it just had to be done. I have 60 or so shots thru it now so I am feeling good about how it shoots. I have not beat 2 1/2 inches at 25 yet but that is due to me.

Good luck with yours! Geo. T.