What are you putting your money on. Draw

[Tusk11]

If you were in the Old West and had to choose one piece on your hip to keep you safe which revolver would you choose? Whether you be a Trapper in the deep country or Pistolero passing through town what side arm are you putting your money/life on?

 

[Erwan]

Remington Belt Single Action Revolver...
Other way but not very traditional : my ROA...

 

[sawyer04]

Remington, previous to 1873, after 1873 colt peace maker.

 

[BullRunBear]

Cap and ball for the period: Remington 1858
Cap and ball for any time: Ruger Old Army

Suppository guns: Colt SAA

Jeff

 

[Notchy Bob]

Well, just for the sake of discussion...

I'm assuming we are limiting the discussion to cap and ball revolvers. In that case, I think I'd put my dinero on a Colt M1860 Army revolver. These are nimble and nicely balanced, with a very ergonomic grip and "pointability." They have the power of a .44 without the weight of a Dragoon. I know a solid frame with a top strap, as on the Remington and Rogers & Spencer revolvers, would be stronger, but the Colt design is strong enough, and in my opinion may be mechanically simpler and easier to maintain. Proper maintenance + good design = optimal reliability.

For what it's worth...

Notchy Bob

 

[45D]

Colt open top is stronger than the Remington. Good choice with the Army!

Mike

 

[R.J.Bruce]

The Colt M1860 .44 caliber cap & ball revolver.
Like Notchy Bob said, it points better than anything else, except the 1851 Colt Navy.

If it was the immediate post-Civil War West, and the funds were available, I would have two braces of the 1860 Army revolvers hanging in custom saddle holsters in front of the saddle horn. One 1860 Army on my left front hip in a cross-draw high ride holster. And, if REAL trouble was looming, a cut down 1860 Army with a shortened barrel & loading lever in a shoulder holster. Along with the usual assortment of boot knives, at least one hideout .44 caliber Derringer, and the ubiquitous Bowie knife on my belt.

Then, you'd be braced for trouble.

 

[Michiganmuzzy]

Rem '58 sheriff model or an ROA 5.5"

 

[Tusk11]

The Colt M1860 .44 caliber cap & ball revolver.
Like Notchy Bob said, it points better than anything else, except the 1851 Colt Navy.

If it was the immediate post-Civil War West, and the funds were available, I would have two braces of the 1860 Army revolvers hanging in custom saddle holsters in front of the saddle horn. One 1860 Army on my left front hip in a cross-draw high ride holster. And, if REAL trouble was looming, a cut down 1860 Army with a shortened barrel & loading lever in a shoulder holster. Along with the usual assortment of boot knives, at least one hideout .44 caliber Derringer, and the ubiquitous Bowie knife on my belt.

Then, you'd be braced for trouble.

You'd definitely fill the pistolero demographic

 

[Tusk11]

Well, just for the sake of discussion...

I'm assuming we are limiting the discussion to cap and ball revolvers. In that case, I think I'd put my dinero on a Colt M1860 Army revolver. These are nimble and nicely balanced, with a very ergonomic grip and "pointability." They have the power of a .44 without the weight of a Dragoon. I know a solid frame with a top strap, as on the Remington and Rogers & Spencer revolvers, would be stronger, but the Colt design is strong enough, and in my opinion may be mechanically simpler and easier to maintain. Proper maintenance + good design = optimal reliability.

For what it's worth...

Notchy Bob

An illustrious explanation. I concur with your logic

 

[sheriff john]

LeMat revolver - more shots plus a shotgun barrel. First shot would be the shotgun.

 

[mushka]

Before the civil war a 51 navy.
War years an 1860 army.
If in the suppository gun years a SAA in 44-40 because you could get a matching caliber riflel.

 

[Dibbuk]

Cap and ball: Dance and Park .44
Cartridge: S&W .44 Russian

 

[user 49399]

1860 Army

 

[Bad Karma]

Colts 1860 Army. One 5.5” barreled pistol on my strong side. A cross drawn 4” barreled version on the left and a couple of 8” guns in full flap holsters hung from my pommel. Huh, come to think of it that’s about my normal daily load out. Except the horse these days is a Toyota truck...

 

[Phil Coffins]

One 1851, light enough to always be on you and if I can’t hit em in five shots then maybe I need a new profession!

 

[Major Tim]

1851 Navy for me too! Favored by Hickok, Cody, Holliday and MANY more notible men. There's a reason it was made for over 20 years and only outsold by the pocket models.

 

[Tusk11]

One 1851, light enough to always be on you and if I can’t hit em in five shots then maybe I need a new profession!

I actually keep one of these on me most of the time.

 

[Woody Morgan]

I want whatever Doc Holiday was carryin'.

wm

 

[Bad Karma]

One 1851, light enough to always be on you and if I can’t hit em in five shots then maybe I need a new profession!

Good point. Although, since we are in the Old West and reloads and or help could be a long time coming I guess I’ll remain a fan of the New York reload...