Okay, I want to start shooting Frontiersman

[Dalion]

I have enjoyed shooting CAS, enjoyed it more shooting Black Powder, now I want to try shooting Frontiersman.  I've read the article "Frontiersman for Dummies" and I've read the rules and specs. for shooting it.  I also read an article on match prep'ing a Colt replica pistol for CAS and now I looking to buy some pistols.

First off I don't what to use Ruger Old Armies, good guns don't feel good in my hands, and I know which ever pistol I shoot I am going to have to work on it no matter what.  I've shot '51s and Remmy '58s and I liked both.  A long time ago I owned an original 1860 Colt in perfect condition, for which I constantly kick myself for selling, so I would be okay with the feel of any of those I have already tried.  From reading posts here and in other places I understand that the 58 Remmys are slightly less troublesome than the Colts.  But I guess jams, broken parts, and loose screws are going to happen no matter what, so I am going into it with my eyes wide open.

Here is what I would love to find; a vendor that sells and can fully prep which ever pistol I choose.  Including drilling the frame for the coil spring replacement of the hand spring.  So I can just maintain it afterward.  Anyone out there know of such merchant? I would also appreciate any advise you may have on starting to shoot Frontiersman.  Thank You, Pards

[Doc O]

Can't help with a vendor. Sorry
I'm sure someone can help you out here.
As far as advice, just load em, shot em and have a ball. I do.
Doc

[hellgate]

I would recommend the Remingtons. One possible problem is they all vary in grip size & shape depending on the maker. The Piettas are the beefiest (bigger grips & heavier frame) with the Euroarms being the lightest and with smallest grips. The Uberti is somewhere in between. I believe the Ubertis are of the best quality but many argue that the Piettas have gotten just as good. If you have big or thick hands go for the Pietta. If you have small or weenie hands like me get the Euroarms. If you are not sure I'd strongly suggest you try to handle a couple of different makes in order see which one fits you the best. I have read (no proof) that the Euroarms folks copied the dimensions of an original Beals Rmington for their repros. Whenever I have looked at photos of the Euros they look most like Euros & Ubertis which don't have a lot of extra "meat" over the top of the barrel where the barrel screws into the frame.

So far, I have not had a broken hand spring on a Remington but several on Colts (ASMs).

I wrote an article for the Cowboy Chronicle back in 1996 on using Colt C&Bs for CAS if you want me to email you a copy just ask. It was written before I discovered Remingtons. I too, have no use for ROAs but just today got whipped in a 2 day annual shoot by a fellow wielding two of them. Too bad I mentored him on the fine are of Frontiersman. But what the hey, what greater compliment can the teacher have than being bested by one of his students. I called him "grasshopper".

[Dalion]

Pards, I really appreciate the help.  I shot a pair of Piattas over the weekend and they felt good.  I don't have large hands but I felt like I had a good grip on them.  The gentleman that allowed me to shoot his Remmys had thinned the grip a bit, he said, but not that much.  So I'll see if anyone is shooting Ubertis or Euroarms at the next match.  I am very lucky to live in an are where there is a CAS shoot every weekend somewhere within 50 miles of where I live.  So, I have a good chance of running into someone shooting the other pistols I'm interested in.  I'll let you know what I end up with when I decide.

[Deadguy]

The Remmies will foul out and sieze up much sooner than the Colts will IF you are using real black powder, but if you are OK with wiping off your cylinder and base pin after each stage or every other stage, you'll be fine.  OR you could use APP, and shoot all day without them fouling out.

[hellgate]

To manage Remington fouling out I simple have a small squeeze bottle of oil du jour (just about any oil: Ballistol, olive oil, etc.) in my shooting box. After each recharging (prior to capping) I merely place one drop on the juncture of the cylinder & frame on the front of the cylinder so the oil runs down onto the cylinder pin. One drop, a few seconds of jiggling the cylinder and the gun is freed up and twirling fine. No need to pull the cylinder and getting your hands all dirty. It's a cinch.