3 screw or 4 screw

[hooey]

Howdy,
I'm looking at the Uberti 1860 Colt Army, some of the pistols have 3 screws in the frame, some I have looked at have 4 screws; what's the difference and/or advantage, if any, between the 3 screw and 4 screw pistol?

[Deadguy]

The 4 screw frames are for mounting a shoulder stock.  The 3 screw frames will not mount a shoulder stock.  Since the 4 screw framed replicas are more plentiful, they tend to cost less, though there is no difference in strength or quality between the two frame styles.

[Forty Rod]

The four screw pistols also have the notched cut in the bottom of the recoil sheilds for stock attachment. 

The combination of notches and big honking screw heads sticking out are, to me, like putting a Groucho Marx moustache on the Mona Lisa.

I just ordered a pair of 1860 three screw pistols...waiting...waiting...waiting.

[Major 2]

As stated the large head 4th screws were used to help retain the detachable shoulder stock,
However there were 3 screw models notched cut in the recoil shields.

Three screw models are often considered civilian models ... I have a 3 screw model ,and a letter from Colt , as one of 987 purchased by the 5th. Iowa Cavalry it has the recoil shield & Butt frame notches.

Another, common misconception is 4 screw models were not used for Richards conversions...
Rarer but they were.

[Forty Rod]

I just got an e-mail from Thomas Raether, the man I ordered the guns from.  He says they'll be at his shop tomorrow. 

He'll add Treso nipples and nickel-plate the back straps and trigger guards before sending them on to me.

Then I'll be having custom fitted one piece "ivory" grips put on them, which will then be sent to Russ N. Hound for some laser work. 

While that's being done Lefty McGovern of Lefty's Leather will be making leather for them with Will Ghormley's fancy oval buckles and some of the excellent conchos from Cloak Drummer.  They should stand out nicely on satin black leather, doncha think?

I'm thinking "rich and elegant" without being too "flashy". 

I'm saving "flashy" for my SAA .45s.

[Ransom Gaer]

Forty Rod,

Your new 1860 Armies sound like thery're gonna be real nice.

Hooey,

As everybody has said the fourth screw is for the detachable buttstock.  Not something we use a lot in CAS.  I have three 1860 Armies.  Two from Uberti and one from Navy Arms(Pietta).  The Navy Arms one is a four screw and the two Ubertis are three screw.  I prefer the three screw models and here is why.  When I shot the four screw 1860 Army I found the fourth screw rubbed my hand and caused some irritation.  You may find if you get one that the fourth screw doesn't do that to your hand, it did for me.  The three screw version don't do that.  It was the first 1860 Army I bought.  It influenced my purchase of the other two.  In both cases I specifically ordered three screw models.  Otherwise there is no real difference between them.

Ransom Gaer

[hooey]

Thanks for the quick replies gentlemen.

[Fox Creek Kid]

When I shot the four screw 1860 Army I found the fourth screw rubbed my hand and caused some irritation.  You may find if you get one that the fourth screw doesn't do that to your hand, it did for me.

Ditto. I have a three screw from Cimarron and love it. 

[Steel Horse Bailey]

What's funny is that my Iver Johnson (Uberti), from about 1974-5 has the 4 screws, notches, etc., BUT the 2 frame screws that help line up the stock have very thin heads and don't protrude much at all!   It LOOKS waaaayyy better without them big, honkin', protrudin' screws!

[Capt. Willard]

I have 'em both ways Steel Horse Baily and I believe the shorter ones are more comfortable and more authentic to boot.

[Hell-Er High Water]

I cut a screwdriver slot on the inside end of the screws and then machined off the heads.

Blued the machined ends and screwed them in from the outside of the frame with a screwdriver through the inside of the frame.

Locked them in place with Locktite so that they are flush with the outside of the frame.

No more digging into the hand and they look just like the end of of a screw.

An easy fix and it looks good too.

HHW