Which Navy?

[CharlesZ]

C'mon boys help me out. My birthday is right around the corner and I'm looking to get a Uberti Navy. But which one?
I currently own an 1851 Navy from CVA. .36 caliber but a .375 ball will stick in the charging plunger, therefore I need .380 balls. Also, with this revolver, the retaining spring that holds the charging handle against the barrel must have weakened, hence the handle pops open after every shot.
My other gun is a Western Arms 1860 Navy in .44. Advertised as an 1860 Army, it has the navy engravings on the cylinder. Go figure.
Therefore, in my desire to own a quality piece, I've settled on an 1851 Navy from Uberti. I was all set to get the standard size when the pocket pistol appeared and now I'm intrigued. Help!

 

[mykeal]

You're asking for help in making a decision that involves personal likes and dislikes. Impossible task. I own both 1851 Navies and 1862 Pocket Navies and enjoy both. I'll suggest (NOT recommend) you get the 1851 Navy; it's a timeless design.

By the way, the 1860 .44 is actually 'the 1860 model revolver in Army caliber', regardless of the naval scene engraving. The engraving does not make it a 'Navy' design; it was simply done to make it harder for people to make fakes.

 

[Coot]

Uberti's 1862 Pocket Navy and 1862 Pocket Police are both very nice guns. They are of course both .36s as are the 1851 and 1861 Navies. The big difference (other than 5 shots vs 6) is the smaller frame and smaller grips. If you have average to large hands, the pocket versions may feel a little "lost" by comparison with the regular navies. My daughter is a petite girl & she much prefers the lighter weight & smaller grip of the pocket navy. I like the larger ones (1851 & 1861).

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Go ahead and get the 1851 Navy. Then get yourself the 1861 Navy. There is also room for the 1862 Pocket Police. Count the number of hands in your family, then get one for each hand. Be sure to count grandparents, parents etc, even the dog.
You can't go wrong with the Uberti guns. The 1851 and 1861 Navy revolvers are beautiful. :thumbsup:

 

[denster]

For the absolute best 1851 Navy get the Pietta Hickok model that Cabelas has on sale for $249. .

 

[fraungie]

I brought one home from Hammond Indiana. It looks and shoots great a little high but the gun is as smooth as butter. I have an older 1851 Pietta. It seems to work OK. I did have to replace a couple springs inside right after I bought it. After thaty it's been fine.

 

[Zonie]

As mykeal said, Colt used roll engraving on the .44 Army. In fact, Colt used roll engraving on all of his smooth sided cylinder pistols except for the Paterson's.

The big Walker and all of the .44 caliber Dragoons were engraved with a Texas Ranger and Indian battle scene.
The early little 1848 Baby Dragoon was also marked with the Ranger/Indian scene but the later ones were marked with a Stagecoach Holdup scene as were the 1849 Pocket Revolvers.

The Colt 1851 Navy Revolver was marked with the Naval battle scene that depicts the Texas Navy vs the Mexican Navy battle. This "Navy" scene was also used on Colts later guns like the .44 cal. 1860 Army revolver and the 1861 Navy.

The 1855 Sidehammer Roots' pistol cylinder was roll engraved with a Cabin and Indian fight scene.

The Colt pistols which had fluted cylinders did not have their cylinders engraved.

 

[B. Miller]

Though I like shooting solid frame revolvers, the Colt 1861 Navy may be the sexiest firearm ever made.

Bruce

 

[CharlesZ]

Thanks Mykeal for the info. I was under the impression that it was called a "Navy", because of the naval engraving.

 

[David Teague]

Though I like shooting solid frame revolvers, the Colt 1861 Navy may be the sexiest firearm ever made.

Bruce

:thumbsup: Yep.

Making the 1860 Army the stockier, yet still pretty older sibling.

DT