Gentlepersons -
If I might dare to approximate a translation ... Prof marvel has extended his powers of Mesmerism and Mind Reading to believe Hootmix is asking how the early model .44 special Colt Open Tops hold up in the "fast draw" and "fanning" games.
(actualy I looked up his prior posts and found our good Hootmix has been posting queries regarding the Colt Open Top revovlers)
It has been my experience that the early open tops and the Colt Conversions made from 1851 and 1860 models are not nearly as stout or robust as the Colt Model P 1873. The cylinders are smaller, less massive and the hand has only the single point that engages the "ratchet", while the Model P hand engages at two places:
Model P Single Action Army hand:
![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTwEginAV7e7AV1UP1LFOCoJz3-AYqN_gwDFQqRZpHC0Z45OtZj)
1851 Hand:
![](https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRmHk8rkUlE5khViKZ3CdKBok5gjRgArk29ITR_z2BF2sFfvHSy3A)
I find that when cocked deliberately with one hand the "early Colt designs" work smooth and well, but if one tries to speed cock with the weak hand one can knock them out of time and induce excessive accelerated wear...
fanning also puts undue stress and wear on the softer steels used in the internals of the Open Tops.
The "fast draw fanning" pistols are an entirely different game - serious competitors use heavily modified revovlers with aluminum barrels and beefed up hammers, triggers, hands, etc... and even then they replace them often. Then there's Bob Munden, who can run 5 shots from Ruger Vaquero faster than normal humans can fire 5 shots from a 1911.
In my callow youth of well over 35 lustrum gone by I ruined the guts of a brass 1851 by fanning it excessively... and began my education in
gunsmithing parts replacement.
I do hope this helps and addresses the origional question
otherwise I may have to attend remedial translation and mind-reading classes
yhs
prof marvel ( International Mind Reading champion 3 years running 1832-1836)