Colt grip interchangeability

[kansas_volunteer]

I understand that the screw hole locations and spacing on all Colt single action revolver grips, from the front loaders trough the cartridge models, are the same. Is this correct?

I'd like to put an 1860 Army grip on my 1851 Navy model.

 

[ol vern]

True for the real colts, the replicas probably will take some fitting.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

The Italian reproduction guns aren't made to replace the same grips as a stock item, let alone change grips to a different model.

I had inquired about the possibility of changing grips on the Uberti Walker. I was told not to bother until they were really bad as the gun would have to go back to the factory so the new grips could be exactly fitted so as not to be too sloppy. This is from Gregg Dixon of Dixon's Muzzleloading in Kempton, PA.

Maybe I'll just put notches in em to keep everyone talking about me :shocked2: .

Dave

 

[Robert an saa fan]

You are correct, that swap should work if you are using original Colt parts. Following models should interchange: Single Action Army, 1851 Navy, 1860 Army and 1861 Navy.

Have seen quite a few cartridge Pre-War II Colt Single Action Armies with 1860 Colt cap & ball backstrap, triggerguard and grips on them.

 

[Zonie]

If you want to replace the 1851 grips with a 1860 models grip you will have to replace the brass trigger guard and backstrap too.
I don't have a 1860 and 1851 made by the same company so I had to measure my Uberti 1860 and compare it with my 1851.

To make a long story short, the width spacing between the two screws by the trigger guard, and the two by the hammer were .020 different.
The distance from the two screws at the rear of the trigger to the one in front of the trigger loop were .080 different.

Based on this, I couldn't change the grips on one of my pistols to the other without having some problems. Your success may be different.

As for the Walker, its grips, trigger guard and backstrap are totally different as compared with the later Colts.
zonie

 

[J.S. Colt]

I had a .44 Navy and '6o Army model, both from Pietta. I swapped out the barrels; I love how the "Navy" handles with the longer grip (The grips, trigger guard & backstraps were exactly the same; I swapped the barrels 'cause it was easier to do). You gotta figure Pietta uses the same tooling setups for all their frames... cheaper that way.

 

[DanChamberlain]

I did just the opposite for a while. I put a Navy grip frame on my Army pistol. The Navy just feels better to me (an inveterate Single Action Army type). In the end, I switched them back because I'm more into authenticity than experimentation.

Dan

 

[jaxenro]

The original army was made up on navy frames rebated for the .44, navy grips, and 7 1/2 barrel. I think back in the day navy and army referred to caliber, .36 and .44 respectively, and not grip size or loading lever type. A .44 navy is a misnomer, not only did Colt not make them but they wouldn't have been navies due to the caliber. Colt did make a prototype .44 army with grips from what we call a 1851 navy.