Which Revolver

[hanshi]

I've recently found myself in need of a good c&b revolver. Over the decades I've owned a Rem. 1858 and a Rogers & Spencer; they both were astonishingly accurate. This time around I'm thinking of perhaps a Colt 1860 Army, steel frame of course and in .44 cal. A shorter version (5" - 5.5") would be great but the standard version is fine and does looks better. Unfortunately I am not in a position to get it soon; 2013 looks to be the soonest I'll have the $$.

I'd appreciate any advice relating to this and especially concerning WHERE to look and WHICH make is to be preferred. Actually any advice and comments are quite welcome.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I'd go with the Uberti offering if you can't find a Colt. The Possibles Shop is a good place to look. The owner is a nice gentleman to deal with.

Those are beautiful revolvers. :thumbsup:

 

[Bon Sauvage]

Were it my choice I would go to Cimarron-Firearms and select an Uberti pistol. Having said that I will also say that Pietta quality has come way, way up in recent years and, in my opinion, equals the Uberti products now.

 

[nkbj]

Dance Bros? Look at the 8" barrel being machined down to remove the weight of the corners present on the octagonal configuration of the 1851 Colts. And, the frame is significantly lightened up. This is a reasoned improvement on Colt and I want one.

 

[aeatwood]

Well, my all time favorites are '61 Navies. I have a Pietta and 2 '60's production Uberti's. Unless you are actually going to hunt something bigger than small game, don't overlook the 36's. Cheaper to feed, and at least as accurate.

I do have a late-model Pietta '60 Army that I haven't had time to shoot yet, but it is one of the newer CNC built ones, and it looks AT LEAST as good as the Uberti's I have examined. As long as you understand you might have to alter the front sight to get it hitting near POA, might not be a bad deal, and Cabela's has them on sale fairly often.

 

My 5½" Pietta 1860 is one of the best handling sixguns I've ever owned and that's out of three dozen various Ruger's, Pietta's, Uberti's, Colt's, USFA's, S&W's and whatever else I'm forgetting. While I love the Navy/SAA/Ruger XR3 grip profile, the longer 1860 "Army" grip frame is my favorite. I would usually suggest a Uberti but the later model Pietta's are supposed to be very good. Mine are several years old and a wee bit rough around the edges. Try to handle the 1851 and 1861 Navies as well.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I forgot to add that unless they have changed, the Uberti isn't all marked up like the Pietta with the proof marks etc. I think it makes for a cleaner, more pleasing revolver overall. :hmm:

 

[Dickydalton]

My Pietta 1860 outshot one of my ROAs a week ago. Also my Pietta 1858 Army 5 1/2" outshot one of my 629 Smiths yesterday at 100 yards!