Colt vs Remington

[Old-Duckman]

New to this sport. Purchased a 3rd model Dragoon and an 1858 Remington 5.5 “ bbl, both .44 cal. and both Uberti. Shot 50 rounds last Tuesday, split between the two. Stripped and cleaned both thoroughly.

IMO without a doubt, the Remington is a superior design. I assume that this is debated among enthusiasts. Most videos I see are on Colt models. Makes sense since there are more Colt models.

My next BP revolver I hope to find a nice example of the Ruger old model army at a decent price. I like the look and history of the replicas but would surely appreciate the modern Ruger.

Is the Colt- Remington a Ford-Chevy thing or am I mistaken on that?

 

[ryoung14]

Not quite Ford-Chevy. More like Flint-Percussion in ML rifles.

 

[Boston Bill]

I like the Colt better. No reason in particular, just do.

 

[45D]

Well OD, that sounds normal for someone starting out. The Remington is easier for the beginner, for the most part, because it is easier to build correctly. Open top revolvers are more labor intensive and haven't been "true" reproductions since the first reproductions. The only exception is the Pietta open tops for the last dozen or so years. They have been closer to the originals, as far as "setup", but they still have some more to go as far as action parts are concerned.
Maybe you could elaborate on what formed your opinions. Typically it concerns cap jams or cylinder binding . . . The interesting thing to me is your comparison between a belt pistol (Rem) and a Dragoon (this side of Magnum!! Lol) but I understand if that's what you got, that's what you got!!
(Dragoons are my favorite by the way)

I like the Colt better. No reason in particular, just do.

So I'm really in the Open-top / Remington / Ruger Old Army camp . . . they are all great platforms and all of them have their "problems". (There is a "King of the hill" though!! Lol)

Mike

 

[Zapadach]

New to this sport. Purchased a 3rd model Dragoon and an 1858 Remington 5.5 “ bbl, both .44 cal. and both Uberti. Shot 50 rounds last Tuesday, split between the two. Stripped and cleaned both thoroughly.

IMO without a doubt, the Remington is a superior design. I assume that this is debated among enthusiasts. Most videos I see are on Colt models. Makes sense since there are more Colt models.

My next BP revolver I hope to find a nice example of the Ruger old model army at a decent price. I like the look and history of the replicas but would surely appreciate the modern Ruger.

Is the Colt- Remington a Ford-Chevy thing or am I mistaken on that?

I have the same combination of pistols, except the Remington is a Peitta with the large frame to fit my hands. When I walk the property at night, I carry the Remington because of the numerous mountain lions in this neck of the woods. If I am in Bear country, I carry the Colt. In my opinion the Remington is a very good gun, but the dragoon is definitely more powerful and is very pretty to look at. The 3rd model Colt dragoon is my favorite.

 

[TDM]

I have both types, 1851's, 1860, CS clones, and 2 1858's. Most are Pietta, one is a Uberti. I enjoy them all. My favorite is the Colt 1851. The only objective differences are that the Colts are much much plagued with cap jams, which can be greatly minimized by using Slitzhot nipples.
And the open top is not as strong as the Remington, but that is not a problem. If you go back to the War of Northern Aggression when these were being actively used the main complaint with the Remington was the greater tendency to foul. Having a much smaller diameter arbor than the Colt, it would bind the cylinder faster. But the way we shoot them now it just comes down to personal preference.

 

[cynthialee]

been shooting both over the last 40+ years

The Remington is cool as it is easy to keep a spare loaded cylinder at the ready

The Colt handles better, feels more natural in my hand and just has an aura to it that speaks to a historically important firearm

That is for the .44 and .36 versions. When it comes to the .31 Pocket Pistols I much prefer my Remington. Smaller, lighter and the afore mentioned ease of keeping a back up cylinder wins the day. But I can get a little more powder in the Colt so there is all that.

The Ruger Old Army is the standard of excellence in modern black powder pistols, but the big issue is they do not make them anymore and getting replacement parts is a big hassle. Only reason I have not bought one is that fear of not being able to repair the gun if I break something.

 

[45D]

And the open top is not as strong as the Remington, but that is not a problem.

Wow!!! That's news to me!! How so?!

Let's not spread old bs rumors. The op is new and shouldn't be told silly things like this.

Mike

 

[NeilMacleod]

Im Colt guy, I like the feel , look and performance.

 

[PastorB]

If my life depended upon it, and taking the Ruger out of the equation, I would go with the Remington design 100% of the time. Stronger and much more reliable. I shoot a lot of cap and ball revolvers, and have since 1977. My Remington clones have a nearly 100% success rate when loaded properly, the Colts are much more prone to cap jams and mechanical failures in my experience. All that being said, my life doesn't depend upon a cap and ball revolver, and for shooting fun, I much prefer the Colt design. Feels good, and something just cool about the look, whereas the Remington is much more bulky feeling (in my hands) and "modern" looking. My favorite gun to shoot for fun is a stock Pietta 1851 Navy in .36. I hunt deer with a Pietta 1860 Army in .44, which is legal where I reside.

 

[45D]

Repeat.

Mike

 

[necchi]

Is the Colt- Remington a Ford-Chevy thing or am I mistaken on that?

Not really,
It's got to do with the"open-top" vs "solid frame" design of the revolvers of the era.
Those basic design features affect the grip, balance and general feel of the gun in hand.
Colt didn't present a solid frame until the 1873 Single action Army (which just happens to be outside of this forums time fame)
Revolver design and manufacture made massive advancements in a short 30yr period say 1850-1880 including the development of rimfire and centerfire cartridge. (and the conversions)
It was a very competitive market with Government military contracts involved.
The hold back wasn't for the lack of innovation or ingenuity,, it was the applied legal Patent(s) of the time. And as they expired, other manufactures jumped in.

Personally, I like the Colt 1851,, they just feel right in my hand.
I'd kind of like to have a Ruger Old Army myself, but I they've all been way too expensive for me to consider reasonable for many years.
You can buy 3 new replicas for the cost of one obsolete Ruger!

 

[45D]

And again REPEAT!!!

Colt offered the Root top strap revolver in 1855 ( that would be before even the Beals revolver) and shelved it!!! You guys are awesome at continuing "ignorance" !!
Which is a word I got in a little hot water about in another post because . . . truth ?!!!

Mike

 

[necchi]

And again REPEAT!!!

Colt offered the Root top strap revolver in 1855 ( that would be before even the Beals revolver) and shelved it!!! You guys are awesome at continuing "ignorance" !!
Which is a word I got in a little hot water about in another post because . . . truth ?!!!

Mikee

I knew I'd get called out on that basic explanation,, Sorry I didn't offer the full dissertation of revolver history.
You should step right on up Mikee,, and spend a little time helping our new member with a full understanding of how a Dragon and an 1858 are different.
Maybe you can help with proper thread pitch of the screws used in each as a comparison.

 

[Robby]

I don't think one is superior to the other in their historical context. I would much rather, hands down, take the Dragoon.
Robby

 

[bubba.50]

New to this sport. Purchased a 3rd model Dragoon and an 1858 Remington 5.5 “ bbl, both .44 cal. and both Uberti. Shot 50 rounds last Tuesday, split between the two. Stripped and cleaned both thoroughly.

IMO without a doubt, the Remington is a superior design. I assume that this is debated among enthusiasts. Most videos I see are on Colt models. Makes sense since there are more Colt models.

My next BP revolver I hope to find a nice example of the Ruger old model army at a decent price. I like the look and history of the replicas but would surely appreciate the modern Ruger.

Is the Colt- Remington a Ford-Chevy thing or am I mistaken on that?

Not so much a Ford/Chevy things as it is "do I want an orange?" "or do I want an apple?"

 

[45D]

I knew I'd get called out on that basic explanation,, Sorry I didn't offer the full dissertation of revolver history.
You should step right on up Mikee,, and spend a little time helping our new member with a full understanding of how a Dragon and an 1858 are different.
Maybe you can help with proper thread pitch of the screws used in each as a comparison.

Yap well, never let TRUTH get in the way . . . Lol!!!!

(If ya knew it why didn't . . . )

It's "basics" that newbies hang on and there's no sense in perpetuating "Remingtons are stronger " without proof !! Really? How so? It should be easy if "everyone" thinks the same . . . right?

I'm not picking on you necessarily because it's the same on every forum.

Mike

 

[PastorB]

I wish to apologize to the original poster, Old-Duckman, for my ignorance on the subject he enquired about, and my inability and lack of desire to write an exhaustive volume on the pros and cons of cap and ball revolvers, which is but a hobby I enjoy for pleasure. I am ashamed of myself for thinking that 45 years of experience with cap and ball revolvers, my degrees in civil engineering, world history and political science would in any way make qualified me to make a short and informed opinion on the subject at hand. I bow to the master. Sorry to all I mislead with my stupidity and ignorance. I repeat my apology again. Repeat.

 

[45D]

Lol!!!
Old-Duckman, I should have told you to get some popcorn and take a seat!! Lol

I'll just sit back and watch . . . lol

Mike

Pastor, I've shot them too since 1974 and I know my experience is nothing but . . . I try . . .

 

[necchi]

,,there's no sense in perpetuating "Remingtons are stronger "
Mikee

I didn't say "stronger", and didn't indicate they were
They are a different design, that lends a different grip and balance in hand.
Geez friend, get off the soapbox. I understand why you want folks to get popcorn, you sure like to create drama.