I once owned (untill a burglarly) a 2nd model Dragoon. Purchased approx. 1974, perhaps made by Uberti. After major shooting intervals, it never seemed to lack for cylinder lubrication, although I used graphite grease. I would overload it with powder to the point of having to trim the excess of the ball overhanging the cylinder with my knife just to get it to turn into battery. It would also shoot double ball loads as if it had asked for them. If I had not been carrying that revolver in my vehicle on a certain day in 1983, I would have been robbed by undesirables with a .25 auto and also a shotgun(!!). Needless to say, I stood my ground at their peril, but I would not recommend that to you, the gentle reader, today, against, perhaps an AK. I no longer have this piece, but I may yet find an adequate replacement. The ease of dis-assembly was almost child-proof. You took out your knife and with the handle end you knocked out the key. Barrel and cylinder came off and you could just swab it and re-lube the cylinder pin. The key was retained by a screw and not the surrounding grass! My research indicates that this could be done on horseback with a loaded spare cylinder in the pocket of your jacket! I don't know about you, but I would fear to have a loaded cylinder (with caps on nipples, of course.) in the pocket of my jacket. Just my luck, I would "pull a cork" with some friends, have some equilibrium issues and lose a certain part of my manhood anatomy due to the fall and subsequent possible percussion occuring. I have shot this gun with 47g of FFFg most of the time, and my 11-year old daughter liked it, too. I think it was called a "Texas Arms". (Supposedly a replica of a Confederate replica of a Colt 2nd that only had 440 original items manufactured.) At the time that I bought it, I wanted a Walker but I was told that the cylinder latch was of dubious stature. This one was almost the size of a Walker and I lied to a bunch of people calling it a Walker and nobody ever doubted me. My only regret is not ever trying to shoot conical bullets with it, but I may yet do that if I ever obtain a suitable replacement. The 1860 is more aesthetically pleasing to me, almost streamlined looking, compared to the 2nd/3rd dragoon, but also seems a bit fragile in the side-by-side comparison. All things considered, I would get another 2nd, an 1860 would not hurt my feelings and I think that Remingtons are butt-ugly. But this just one man's opinion and if you disagree, this just means that you have a mind of your own. I wouldn't want it any other way!. Look for me when you see the smoke on the wind.
