New sidearm for backup in the woods.

[toyforever]

:hmm: I am trying to decide on which sidearm to purchase next, a Remington 1858 New Army or the Colt 1860 Army. Any suggestions on ease of use, reloading extra cylinders( I know I would have to get one for when I hit the range)????

Your wisdom would be greatly appreciated. :bow:

 

[Leatherbark]

For pure accuracy,probably the Remington.......for handling,shooting ,packing and tinkering, the Colt.......The Colt will take more tuning to get it on target and probably wont last as long,but they just feel better to me than the Remington..................Bob

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I've got Colts that are 35 years old and are still as tight as a new one. They've always been fired with full loads, too. Some people still fire
originals without problems. With proper care any black powder revolver will last a lifetime, and the Colt's fine balance is a definite plus. I like my Remingtons, but the Colts would be my choice for 99% of the time.

 

[bwhoffman]

Ruger old army.
its tough, over built, proven, accurate, dependable, cant really overload it, available in stainless, not really in a period correct class, but mine never failed to do its job and the resale appreiciated! too bad I sold it years back.

Brett

 

[Rebel]

If you want to be able to swap cylinders fast, the Remington. I love the feel and balance of the Colts, but they have a bad habit of letting spent caps fall down between the hammer and the frame which blocks the hammer from striking the caps. Then you have to stop and work the cap out before you can fire again.

 

[the priest]

To be honest,....I'd say neither.

If you don't already have one, grab a Colt 1851. For many many reasons it's the revolver that should be in everyone's collection and like some of the gents mentioned above, a Colt's pointability is unmatched, especially on this one. For a woods carry gun it's great for small game or a true backup. Either of the .44s you mentioned above are great but I think a person would have the best of both worlds with a '51 and then a '58. Yes, like all colts it's slower to reload but let's face it,...not many of us went to muzzleloading for quick shooting. :winking:

IMHO the '51 is definitely the first choice. Unless you plan on using this as a primary for hunting deer you'd be doing a disservice to yourself by not strongly considering it.

.02

 

[Smokin6Gun]

I'd have to tell you I'd choose the 1858 Remington, for having a heavier mainspring for sure firing, caps don't fall between the hammer and frame, also ease of loading a spare cylinder quickly. Along with the fact that they were built to aim with a blade front sight and a reaV on the frame.
Don't get me wrong, I love my 1860 Colt, 1851 Navy, and my 1st model Colt Dragoon. They look and feel great and have xlent pointablity...but Sam Colt even said someplace he made um to unholster fast and and point to where you are lookin'...and that's what they do very well.
But I have three 1858 Rems a Pietta target, Uberti Army, and an ASP Army(now called Euroarms).

 

[gooddw]

The Remington is quicker to change the cylinder in theory. In reality, after the second cylinder is fired, you can barely rotate the cylinder and pulling the pin is near impossible. I have two of them and they both do the same thing. The tolerances are so tight that they seize up pretty quick. I have an 1860 Colt that will hit a walmart pistol target in the circles at 45 yards everytime and will not seize after 18 shots without cleaning. You must hold the barrel up when you cock it to keep the spent cap from falling into it.

 

[Smokin6Gun]

I make my own Lube Pills that go under the ball, simple ingreediants. Beeswax or Bolwax, Parafin, and Olive Oil. I shoot my Rems or Colts all day with out lubing or cleaning...50 to 100 balls per revolver. Works for me.
Have a recipe if you want it.
I use Goex BP only ... fffg for Revs.

 

[Lone Carabiner]

You might try greasing the pin up good with your choice of compounds, I use GO-JO as a cleaner lube. The tight tolerances are the reason for the good accuracy, and the frame top strap is the reason for the ability to keep on shooting heavy loads.
I definitely admire the '60 Colt, but it will have to wait until after I get me a .62 smoothie.

 

[AZ-Robert]

:hmm: I am trying to decide on which sidearm to purchase next...

As a point of comparison, what do you already have?

I have a Colt 1851 Navy that I am very happy with. Check out my comments here

 

[FV Rago]

I like to carry my old cheapo Pietta brass Navy Colt repro., comfy on the side, I shoot it well and I just like it.

Now, the brass Navy will get traded in as soon as I work up a load for the Pietta 58 Rem. shooters model that I aquired. Beautiful revolver, just can't hit the side of a barn with it, yet.

 

[Lone Carabiner]

Your Pietta should hit not only the barn door but the latch-hole for it at 20 paces, Carefully check the bore and cylinder for burrs and alingment, '58 Rems. are known for good accuracy, if yours doesn't shoot good have a pistolsmith check it before you send it back. Youi seating the ball/slug down good before firing?
And try an overpowder wad/card under the ball/slug. :hmm:

 

[FV Rago]

Ahhh, maybe I embellished a wee bit. I can hit the barn door. The error is not in the revolver but in the shooter.

Last time I went to the range, I took too many shooters. I have learned that I only go to the range with one shooter, work up a load and concentrate on that gun.

I've had the gun checked out and it's in great shape. The shooter model has the progressive rifling, ??? and shoots the .456 ball.

I made a lady a bamboo backed osage longbow for it in trade. I have just not put the time in working a load up.

I will this fall as it is too sweet of a shooter to just be collecting dust.

Thanks,

Frank

 

[Legionair]

I'd say go with what fits your hand best.
The Colt has a smaller grip and a shorter reach to the hammer; It fits my hand better.
The Rem is solid but large. I like my 36 Rem, but it's a heck of a reach for me.

If it's going to be a field gun, I'd want the most comfortable and reliable gun I could find.
If it's a pain to shoot - you won't be real accurate.

'Course that's just my opinion.... :grin:

Legion

 

[toyforever]

I'd say go with what fits your hand best.
The Colt has a smaller grip and a shorter reach to the hammer; It fits my hand better.
The Rem is solid but large. I like my 36 Rem, but it's a heck of a reach for me.

If it's going to be a field gun, I'd want the most comfortable and reliable gun I could find.
If it's a pain to shoot - you won't be real accurate.

'Course that's just my opinion.... :grin:

Legion

:hatsoff: thank you everyone for all of the input. I am working a lot of overtime this week to kiss up to the boss at home and goto the gunshop this weekend to try a few out. I will let everyone know when and what it is that I end up with.

Thanks all, and keep your powder dry.