Thinking about getting my first cap and ball revolver.

[springfield art]

IF you can find a ROA in GOOD condition for $500 or less or a bit more, I would definitely buy it . They are great revolvers. Be careful of how you install and lock the base pin in the frame because you can bend it on ramming the ball home if not installed correctly. Parts are almost nonexistent for these guns BUT you can find new base pins from an aftermarket manufacture along with some other parts, but they are not cheap. BP revolvers are FUN - good luck and let us know how you made out

ROA's in my area of the country, SE PA, are around a Grand now for a nice one. I've seen them up to 1200 and above if stainless or commemorative, with boxes and such.

 

[nkbj]

A grand? OK, I'll sell.

 

[manbat]

Well, that's fine that you like what you like but facts are facts and the round trigger guard that denotes 3rd Model started in '51 and sold till '61. Shoulder stock cut outs and flip up sights were military only so . . . redefining history for new folks is misleading at best. 2,000 + 2nd Models vs. 10,000 + 3rd Models doesn't quite add up.

Mike

Yep, you were right and I was wrong as I admitted. I understand that is not enough for some folks and now that you made the obvious and necessary point and you have certainly put me in my place for my historical inaccuracy. The world can, thankfully, now continue spinning and you've done this community a great service. I thank you on it's behalf.

 

[jv32311]

A $500 budget basically opens many options for you. My recommendation is -

1) Buy Uberti - many will argue over a quality difference but Uberti has the edge and you can't argue with the aesthetics given the fact that Uberti hides the ugly Black Powder disclaimers whereas Pietta puts them prominently on the barrel. Just ugly and stupid to put this info so prominently on a replica.
2) Buy 44 caliber - more fun to shoot a larger load, which you can also reduce if required. Also, when you want another gun - which just happens once you get into BP, your 44 equipment, balls, etc. can be shared as there are many 44 caliber options to make owning, buying, shooting, and enjoying additional guns easier.
3) Buy a Colt replica - The history and evolution of the revolver are in your hand when you shoot a colt.
4) Buy a replica of an actual historic gun, caliber, and barrel length - an actual historical shooting experience is just plain enjoyable
5) Avoid brass frame options. Your budget eliminates the requirement to skimp and buy a lesser quality gun.
6) Consider replacement nipples for your gun from the start in your budget - Ampco, slick shot (my preference), etc. More colt replica new and used options pop up if you watch and you need to factor in the equipment needed to shoot and clean.
7) Start looking for percussion caps after you read this and buy some when found regardless of price so you can shoot your gun when you get it instead of just fondling it for a while. BP is available so less of an issue right now.

1st choice recommendation - Uberti 1860 Army 44
2nd choice - Uberti 2nd Generation Dragoon 44 - big guns are really fun to shoot and make for great conversation at the range. Suggesting 2nd generation only because that was the version that originally sold the most but a deal on any model Dragoon is worth it.
3rd choice - If 44 is not the way to go for you then the Uberti 1851/1861Navy as others have noted.

Enjoy your BP journey.

I too have been considering my first purchase and appreciated this perspective. I followed the suggestion and found some #11 CCI caps that popped up on the cabelas site for delivery to a BassPro near me and I'm looking at the Uberti 1860 versions and options. Very helpful.

 

[45D]

Yep, you were right and I was wrong as I admitted. I understand that is not enough for some folks and now that you made the obvious and necessary point and you have certainly put me in my place for my historical inaccuracy. The world can, thankfully, now continue spinning and you've done this community a great service. I thank you on it's behalf.

Yap, well, not being a "smarty pants" but facts are facts and the world doesn't need me to keep it spinning in the right direction! I'm just a little bit more "into" Dragoons more so than the next guy!!
So, I appreciate your thanks but it isn't necessary . . .

Mike

 

[Uncle Carl]

I'm seriously debating buying my first cap and ball revolver. I'm relatively new to muzzleloading, and I am uneducated in the ways of the cap and ball revolver. In your guys' opinions, what is a good "beginner" cap and ball revolver? I was looking at an Uberti 1851 Navy, but if you guys have any better ideas, let me know. Thanks!
- Grant

Hello granth. I'll try to answer your question about cap and ball revolvers if I can. Back when one had to wait for 5 days after purchasing a firearm to be able to take it home I had paid off I was able to walk right out the door with my Walker Colt in .44 caliber. I've enjoyed shooting this gun a lot. Since then I've also added the 1851 Navy Colt also in .44 caliber. Now, I can also shoot my Walker using Hodgdon pellets in .44 caliber. This makes loading the Walker much faster as you just drop the pellet into the cylinder and then the ball and also your patch. Here's where you can find these pellets. https://hodgdon.com/pyrodex-44-45-caliber-30-grain-pistol-pellets/
Sadly, though the pellets can't be used on the 1851 Navy Colt. Both guns are a lot of fun though. Have fun when you get your cap and ball revolver.

 

[1971fx]

The 1862 .36 NyYpolice model the other is 1934 NYPD

 

[kh0456]

I have a pair of 1860s I use for cowboy action. I have a Uberti and a Peitta….. both great guns. The Uberti has a better finish to me. But I love the 1860 in how they point naturally for me. I have an 1858 but hardly shoot it. The 1860s do have some cap issues…. But there are things you can do to fix that for the most part. Better cones for one. These are mine along with holsters I made. I shoot cross draw.

 

[rdungan1918]

Last weekend I succumbed and bought a 1851 colt Pietta from Midway (still in the mail). I bought 36 cal. because it's just for fun and punching paper. I had a 36 back in 1980's and enjoyed the low recoil and cheaper shooting. It was a kit gun that was sold by Dixie. I just shot it. I didn't have the patience to smooth and polish the metal back then. An acquittance was a civil war reenactor and wanted the gun, so, I sold it to him. He finished the gun and shot it at reenactments and later told me the cylinder cracked. I can't imagine cracking the cylinder with blanks. He would load a small amount of black powder and then put flour on top with a felt wad to seal. The gun made more smoke (mostly flour) than a whole cylinder of BP with one shot. Wish I hadn't sold the gun (along with others) but money was tight, so I sold it to help pay the rent.

 

[Redlemur60]

Accurate,? 1851 . Someone posted summin about not acccurate.?
That has not been my experience!
Perhaps its a fluke or,.......
My 44 @50 sqirrels stand still
Cause theres no use in runnin!

 

[BadDaditood]

I believe the accuracy comments are aimed at the historical accuracy of the modern reproductions, not how well they can shoot !
;-)

 

[Wolfman0125]

I’ve got a couple of Navys. This one is has genuine elephant ivory grips. I also have at least one of every generation that Colt made.

 

[springfield art]

Uberti or Pietta; you can't go wrong with either one.

I strongly suggest a steel frame.

Yeah, saving a few bucks on a Brassy doesn't pay off in the long run. But some guys love them; over time it's said the brass will loosen up a bit, even the Dixie catalog mentions this. I'd bet the brass being used isn't the really tough "ordnance grade" brass used in cannons, etc.

 

[springfield art]

Most people suggest the 1851 Navy (good choice). I would suggest the Remington New Army.
But if your not sure about liking it or not or it just sitting around 90% of the time. I would suggest a brass frame 1851 Navy by pietta.
Not to expensive, good for learning and the .36 is rather inexpensive to shoot. Especially if your just punching paper.

Not bad advice. Just plinking with a brass frame probably would give good money's worth although re-sale might be a bit harder because guys many times prefer steel. The Navy's feel really good in the hand! Ask Wild Bill Hickok!

 

[Redlemur60]

I’ve got a couple of Navys. This one is has genuine elephant ivory grips. I also have at least one of every generation that Colt made.

 

[B P Arn]

Yeah, saving a few bucks on a Brassy doesn't pay off in the long run. But some guys love them; over time it's said the brass will loosen up a bit, even the Dixie catalog mentions this. I'd bet the brass being used isn't the really tough "ordnance grade" brass used in cannons, etc.

I have some brass framed revolvers which are correct to the era. I have shot them quite a bit and I don't use light loads. None of them are loose. These are all 36 caliber. The problem, other than historical inaccuracy, is when a brass framed gun is in 44 caliber; these will loosen with hard use.

As far as "ordnance grade" brass or bronze, I hear about that often. I think the Confederacy used whatever they could find that would melt, and I doubt that specific alloy was a concern, nor was longevity of the item being produced. The thought was that the war would be over with soon, one way or the other, and they needed guns ASAP.

Brass is a mixture of copper and zinc (more or less), although percentages of the mix can vary a lot. Bronze can be a mixture copper, tin, and a lot of things in a wide variety of percentages.

 

[granth]

Gosh it's so hard to choose. The Remington New Model Army is enticing, but something about the Colt 1851 Navy is just so appealing. This is a difficult decision!

 

[B P Arn]

Pick one... they will make more!

 

[cynthialee]

ROA's in my area of the country, SE PA, are around a Grand now for a nice one. I've seen them up to 1200 and above if stainless or commemorative, with boxes and such.

you'd think with how much a pistol like the ROA is picking up second hand, someone would start making a pistol of that quality again

the main reason I don't get one is the price tag, but the second reason being lack of parts, that's what kept me from getting one at $500 a number of years back

 

[Kansas Jake]

It is hard to beat fun for dollar value of a replica Colt or Remington cap and ball revolver. They can be a pain occasionally but it is hard to beat the fun for money spent factor.