First time Buyer

[dvanbramer88]

The point of this thread is to compare and contrast the New Model (1858) Remington Army and the Colt 1860 Army. I can't decide which would be better for someone's first Cap n' Ball revolver.

What I currently understand:
1858 Remington;
-fouls easily
-hard to cap without modification
+easier to take down/remove cylinder
+inherently stronger because of top strap
+Colt SAA basically copied it
+caps less likely to jam hammer

1860 Colt
+Easier to cap
+Not known for it's easy fouling
-More difficult to remove the cylinder
-potentially weaker design
-Caps more likely to jam hammer
+Used by Outlaw Josey Wales (adds to cool factor)

Can anybody add to the argument for/against either pistol. Make a case for which you would recommend to a first-timer and why.

Please and thank you.

 

[necchi]

It's simple, Just get one of each, :grin:

There really is no defining point as you request, sorry.
It all really boils down to personal preferance.

I like the Rem, (I've made the modification) because the fired caps don't jam as easily.
Others will say that's not a problem it's just a flick of the wrist,,

I like my 51 Navy, it feel's good in my hand.
I sold my 60 Army to buy another Rem,,
:idunno:
All that will follow will be each persons opinion about his/her personal preferance with no supporting documents as to which of the two you ask about are better than the other.

 

[dvanbramer88]

After watching videos of disassembly, I think I like the Remington better. I also like the look of it more too. I think a little time spent with a file will easily cure the Remington of it's biggest draw back.

Thanks.

 

[cynthialee]

I am a colt fan so I would go with the colt.

But I would go with an 1851 in the not PC caliber of .44 as it is my fav. :grin: Oh yeah...that is what I have at the moment.

I have had both of the guns you listed at one time or anouther over the years and they both have thier pros and cons.

Instead of listing the guns various merits, hows' about you go through and list your wants and needs in a pistol?

 

[hawkeye2]

I've shot Remingtons for years and fouling is not an issue nor are cap jams. I also cap my unmodified ones with my arthritic fingers without problems. I love the looks and feel of any of the Colts and have 5 but haven't shot them for years. The Remington design is far superior and there is no evidence Colt copied them.

 

[dvanbramer88]

What I am looking to get out of it:

More or less a range gun
Also a curiosity and conversation piece
Might get a holster for it and carry while hunting
More fun and less of a hassle to shoot.
Can't be finicky.
Reliable (as far as Cap n ball revolvers go)
Easy to maintain and clean
Simple to take down
And; another thing to separate me from my money :wink:

 

[George T.]

I have both and your list is accurate. The Remington looks stronger but mine binds after 18 shots. I find the grip on the 1860 much more comfortable and a more natural pointer. I just bought a Cimarron 1860 and I have a CVA 1860 and a Navy arms Remmington. I shoot the Colts more! Geo. T.

 

[dvanbramer88]

Thats kind of what I was looking for. Someone who has both, and what they shot more.

Let me re-phrase for everyone; If you've had both at the same time, which one have you found yourself shooting more and why?

 

[mjulihn]

I've shot Remingtons for years and fouling is not an issue nor are cap jams. I also cap my unmodified ones with my arthritic fingers without problems. I love the looks and feel of any of the Colts and have 5 but haven't shot them for years. The Remington design is far superior and there is no evidence Colt copied them.

I think the OP was referring to Colt's 1873 "Single Action Army" which does in fact have some design elements similar to the Remington New Model Army.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Having owned and shot both types through the years, I'd have to throw my vote to the M.1860. My experience is that the Remington is tough to get the cylinder pin to slide forward until they're well broken in and the main-springs are harder to get installed if you take it completely down for cleaning. I also prefer the grip feel of the Colts which is purely personal, of course. Never thought bumping out the barrel wedge and pulling of the barrel and cylinder was a tougher process than the Remington method. My all time favorite was an 1860 I got back in the late 60's from Replica Arms and we went many miles together till some low-life decided he needed it worse than moi! :cursing:

 

[Poor Private]

I have both, and also several similar designed pistols. The Spiller and Burr, the Rogers and Spencer. But what do I find that gets fired the most in my household. It is the Remington. I have over a dozen C&B revolvers and I also do civil war reenactments. I find that the Remington is the one I take to events where they alow handguns. My wife who is 5 foot tall prefers firing the so called brass .44 confederate colt. I have pocket pistols both Remington and Colts. I have a 2nd model dragoon, I have a couple of deringers, 1851 Navies, 1960 Armies. But what still comes out is the Remington "58". There are a couple of reasons. I have a private range, and when showing off/shooting the BP guns to friends and relatives I generally do the loading while they shoot. Thats where the Remington comes in handy, while someone shoots a pistol I can use a reloading stand and reload extra cylinders. Thats when the spindels get a quick wipe off and regreased. Also I find that when I use 777 powder there is less fouling. WhenI know I am at a event that allows pistols and I am going to be doing alot of running around I take one of the Pocket pistols even though they fire onnly 5 rounds there sure is a lot less wieght on my hip when I run around.
What it amounts to is you have to buy many and various BP pistols so enjoy!

 

[swathdiver]

The Remington is not harder to cap and does not need to be modified to do so. What you need is the proper capper for a Remington and not one for a Colt!

As for binding, I've yet to experience this even after firing 60 rounds. However, I do not use petroleum based lubricants :youcrazy: use bore butter or tallow/beeswax/paraffin. That being said, after every third cylinder, it's pulled and the pin wiped down so it doesn't get fouled which makes the cylinder hard to remove later.

They're both a joy to shoot and own and when I was a newbie looking, I asked the same questions and decided on the Remington. I also have and enjoy the Colts, maybe even a little more so!

 

[gl1200a]

What I am looking to get out of it:

More or less a range gun
Also a curiosity and conversation piece
Might get a holster for it and carry while hunting
More fun and less of a hassle to shoot.
Can't be finicky.
Reliable (as far as Cap n ball revolvers go)
Easy to maintain and clean
Simple to take down
And; another thing to separate me from my money :wink:

Stainless ROA

 

[don hepler]

I shoot stainless ROA's, and Walker Colts, 1860 colts, and have an unfired 1851. The ROA is the easiest, to load and clean, but the Colts are the one's that get the curosity and attention. The Remington and the ROA's look just a little too much like a 1873 to get me all that excited. I guess someone was right, when they said you need both.

 

[dvanbramer88]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I think I like the Remington better, but there is something about the Colt that is grabbing me too.

So, Simple answer is, BUY BOTH!

But more seriously, since most seem to agree the Remington isn't that much more difficult to cap and doesn't foul if you take care of it, my major concerns are void.

But if I went with the Colt; I bet I could get my dad to split it with me since Jose Wales used them... :stir:

Maybe I'll just wait and see which good deal on a used one comes first.

 

[Zonie]

It's too bad you can't get your hands on both of them.

No, not necessarily to buy them both but rather, to see how they feel in your hand.

There is a great deal of difference to how the grip feels and the pistol points. At least, most of the folks I know think so.

For me, the Colt just fits naturally.
Just thinking about a spot to hit while I'm holding one and the Colt points at it without my even thinking about it.

The Remington also has a nice grip but the weight and feel of the gun just doesn't seem to react to my thoughts like the Colt does.

I'm sure that others have just the opposite feeling when trying this and that is the reason you really should try both if it is at all possible.

In the end though, both are great fun to shoot.
The recoil of the .44 caliber guns is strong enough to tell you that some serious energy is being sent towards the target but at the same time there is no harsh snap or whip that the modern things tend to give.

 

[dvanbramer88]

Last time I was at Cabelas they had their replica models on an end cap tethered to the display, but you could pick them up and handle them. I'll have to go back and check them out before I buy.

And for whatever reason, the Colt looks like it's a better pointer. I don't know how, but I feel like i see what you guys are talking about.

 

[D Sanders]

I don't have experience with a Remington but I do have an 1860 Colt and I love it. I have very little problem with spent caps getting jammed in the works. I am also impressed with the accuracy. :thumbsup:

HH 60

 

[Many Klatch]

I have had both, I didn't like the 1860 Colt design with a wedge holding it together so I swapped it for a Remington. I currently shoot a pair of Remington New Model Army. I don't have any problem with the pins binding up after 3 or 6 cylinder full as long as I use white lithium grease on the pin when assembling it.

Many Klatch

 

[George T.]

Before I got my Cimarron 1860 last month I had bought a CVA 1860 and a Navy arms 1858 both like new on Gun Broker for $100 each. Juat saying you might be able to get both for the price of one.
Count on them needing the nipples deburred from dry fireing but both of mine were like new. Buying new I would avoid brass frames though! Geo. T.