Range report -- Navy Sheriff

[paulmarcone]

Okay, I got my new .44 caliber Navy Sheriff out to the range today. Put 24 rounds through it. Load was 25 grains of Goex 3FG, wonder wad and .454 Hornady round ball.

After loading, I sprayed a little Ballistol on the arbor pin and kept the gun on the loading stand for about 20 seconds to let the Ballistol seep in. No problems with binding at all.

Only problem I had was that the #11 Remington caps were too big and some fell off during shooting. #10s should do the trick.

The gun felt very nice in my hand -- perfectly balanced.

My problem is my inexperience shooting handguns and getting a consistent arm hold and stance. Below is one of my targets. The spread is due mainly to me changing my point of aim a couple of times. I was shooting a little high and to the right.

The fit and timing of the gun was good and, again, the gun is very well balanced for me. Best of all, with a shot of Ballistol before firing a cylinder, I never had to break down and clean.

I really like this pistol. I hope to get to the range at least once a week to work on my consistency as a pistol shooter.

For $129 (from Cabela's) I am very happy with this gun!

 

[Norinco]

Nice, I take it you can head out to the range practically whenever you want?

I'm not going to get to shoot my Colt from Cabelas for another month unfortunately.

I don't know too much about brass framed guns, but some people say that you should use lower powder charges in them. Especially on the open frame Colts, the brass warps. Then again, there are people who have been shooting brass framed guns with full power loads for years with nothing deteriorating. Just thought you might want to check into that.

 

[paulmarcone]

Nice, I take it you can head out to the range practically whenever you want?

I'm not going to get to shoot my Colt from Cabelas for another month unfortunately.

I don't know too much about brass framed guns, but some people say that you should use lower powder charges in them. Especially on the open frame Colts, the brass warps. Then again, there are people who have been shooting brass framed guns with full power loads for years with nothing deteriorating. Just thought you might want to check into that.

I am self-employed and work from home. When I don't have to be in DC for meetings and am not too busy with conference calls, I can get to the range. I try not to go to the range on the weekends as it is way too crowded.

As a brass frame gun, Cabela's included an insert warning that heavy loads might warp the frame. It recommended loads for this pistol no higher than 25 grains. I used about 24 grains today. That worked fine. No recoil but enough smoke to warm my heart!

 

[Sharps1863]

My old brass frame CVA has digest 20 to 25grns of 3F for years and I have had no Frame problems, Replaced the springs Once. Timing is still good. As long as you keep it mild, that revolver will last for years, I just got one of the 1858 Remington's, Fit and finish is very good and excellent trigger. I hope it shoots as good as it looks. It was on sale for $189, but ended up costing me a days work because of their required signature shipping, that I saw nothing listed about on their web site.Tried to get them to remove it but they would not. I can understand their point in doing it, but at least let the buyer know. I would had it shipped to my brothers garage Where it could have been signed for. For what it cost me missing a days work, I could have bought another one and then had a pair.

 

[R.M.]

One thing that will happen with brass frames is the recoil shield will take an imprint of the rear surface of the cylinder. Hotter loads will speed this up. The deeper the imprint gets, the larger the end shake gets.
I have heard of a guy machining a bit off the recoil shield and soldering a steel plate onto it. Claims to work well.

 

[Norinco]

My old brass frame CVA has digest 20 to 25grns of 3F for years and I have had no Frame problems, Replaced the springs Once. Timing is still good. As long as you keep it mild, that revolver will last for years, I just got one of the 1858 Remington's, Fit and finish is very good and excellent trigger. I hope it shoots as good as it looks. It was on sale for $189, but ended up costing me a days work because of their required signature shipping, that I saw nothing listed about on their web site.Tried to get them to remove it but they would not. I can understand their point in doing it, but at least let the buyer know. I would had it shipped to my brothers garage Where it could have been signed for. For what it cost me missing a days work, I could have bought another one and then had a pair.

I had a similar problem with no one being at the apartment I shipped it to when UPS came three times. Finally on the fourth time my friend was able to sign for it.

There was a great condition brass framed Remington New Army at the last gun show for $85. I possibly could've gotten it for less. I decided to pass on it, but my friend's thirteen year old brother wanted it. I didn't buy it for him because his parents wouldn't have approved. I kind of wish I bought it now just to have another shooter.

 

[Sharps1863]

Alot of shooters over look the brass frame revolvers because of all the bad reports they have had over the years. But if you shoot them with the right loads an take care of them, they will give you years of shooting enjoyment. The gun show is a good place to get a deal in one.I have noticed several showing up on Gun broker since Cabelas has them on sell "at double or more the price that Cabelas is selling them for" its funning I wrote a review in Cabelas under the 1858 Remington giving the revolver good points But gave Cabelas lower points on not listing the signature required statement under shipping requirements. It was not posted. Imagine that. But I will buy from them again,you cant beat their prices, just making sure I have it shipped to an address that I know it can get signed for.
Another thing about Cabela's if it is back order do not go ahead and order it, My wife done this on a Cabelas Hawkin Rifle she bought me for Christmas back in the late 80's. Long before the web site "catalog order" she ordered it in October to make sure it would be there for Christmas, It came 6 months later. But I still have the rifle and it has given years of good service and put meat in the freezer during hunting season.

 

[Norinco]

Though I'm not a re-enactor, I am a bit of a stickler for historical accuracy, which is why I shy away from brass framed Remingtons. Also, something about a giant brass frame just doesn't look appealing to me.

At least when your rifle did arrive, it was a pleasant surprise.

 

[Poor Private]

I have a brass framed sheriff .44 pistol. It is not period correct to the civil war but it's a shooter. My wife never fired a BP pistol before so I loaded it up and handed it to her-- she put the first shot in the 10 ring at 25 feet. NOw I can't sell it even if I wanted to. It's her show me pistol now. I also have an old 62 brass frame police pocket pistol in .36 cal 5 shot. A nice little pistol that I use once in a while.