51 or 61 Navy. Decisions, decisions.

[Dusty Morningwood]

Now that I have been shooting my .44 Open Tops for a year, I am looking to expand into Frontiersman.  Got my Henry, but need some pistols.  I have had a couple of 51s over the years, but really like the look of the 61.  But all of these seem to be the model cut for a stock.  I have heard that the big screw give people trouble.  But I guess if my charcter has just left "the recent unpleasentness, he would have military models.  Any thoughts?

[Flint]

The "Civilian" model is available, I've got a few, as well as the 1860 without the shoulder stock cuts and screws.  Finding them in the store or in the  on-line sales can be a problem  Uberti is a much more likely source than Pietta for the Civilian frame, I don't even know if Pietta makes one.  The Civilian 1860 and 1861 have brass rather than steel gripframes.

One solution is to remove the 4th screws and cut the heads off flush with the frame, or thin them out enough to keep them away from your hand.

A better solution may be to buy 1861 barrels and loading levers from https://www.vtigunparts.com and fit them to 1851 frames, this would give you both guns available with a simple barrel change, and give you the Civilian frame by default.  Mark the barrels to match the frames they arre fitted to.  They don't take a lot of fitting, usually it's the cylinder pin fit to the barrel that may be tight.  Also recommend getting a wedge to stay with the barrel rather than time sharing that part.

[Ransom Gaer]

I find the screws for the detachable buttstock to be a nuisance and prefer the civilian version as a result, but if all I could get is the military version I sure would get it.  I have an 1851 Navy from Pietta and like it a lot.  I also have a Leech and Rigdon in .36.  I am seriously thinking about getting another one of those.  Am also thinging I need to get a pair of '61 Navies in whatever flavor I can find them in.  Like I really need more C&B pitols.

Ransom Gaer

[Coffinmaker]

I'm just a tad biased.  I have a couple of 61 Navy conversions, at think with the old pattern barrel, they make the sexiest conversions ever built.  So, my direction would be to go with the 1861, and then, if, at a later date, one had the yen for a conversion ................

Coffinmaker

[Dusty Morningwood]

Checked with Both Texas Jack and Cimarron today.  No Civilian (Uberti) 61s.  A couple of places have the one cut for stock (Pietta), but that is not the one I am looking for.  Do not want to play mix and match with parts.  I don't have the patience to tune 'em up to work right.  Anyone know a source for Civilian 61 Navies?

[Marshal Deadwood]

You might check with Taylors and Co.....or perhaps Buffalo Arms...the Buffalo Arms would be a Cimarron/Uberti as they are a distrubuitor for them but have seperate inventory.......other than that I dont know. I have no idea if they have the civilian '61,,,,just trying to help.
Nothing more frustratin' than having the money, the will,,,,and cant find THE GUN.

Marshal Deadwood

[Dusty Morningwood]

You might check with Taylors and Co.....or perhaps Buffalo Arms...the Buffalo Arms would be a Cimarron/Uberti as they are a distrubuitor for them but have seperate inventory.......other than that I dont know. I have no idea if they have the civilian '61,,,,just trying to help.
Nothing more frustratin' than having the money, the will,,,,and cant find THE GUN.

Marshal Deadwood

Thanks Marshal.  I keep forgetting about BA for guns.  I buy all of my brass, dies, reloading sundries from them.  And they do have both models of the 61 listed in their catalog, so I will give them a jingle tomorrow.

[Dusty Morningwood]

Ok,I have found a pair of 61 military models that I can get for a decent price.  Am I making a good choice?  I was also kicking around the idea of going wih some brass frame Spiller and Burrs to compliment my Henry.  Forum?

[Dusty Morningwood]

Buy 'em and enjoy 'em.

Thanks.  Did just that.