1858 grip shortcomings

WildWillCasey · March 19, 2011, 06:13:17 PM

Howdy pards, After buying an 1858 and shootin' her for about a year, i'm beginnin' to grow weary of the darn things grip. It feels very uncomfortable in my hand as if the trigger guard is too close to the grip itself. I was wonderin' how does the 1851's and 1860's grips compare to the ol' remingtons? I have not had the opportunity to feel them for myself, and was wonderin' what you fellers would recommend? thanks.

Pettifogger · March 19, 2011, 06:26:35 PM

Colts had the best grips going. The 51 Navy grip is the most copied single action grip in the world and is basically the grip found on the Colt Single Action Army and all the Colt copies. The Army grip is considerably larger and some people with large hands like them. While lots of people complain about the Remington grips, you seldom hear similar complaints about Colts.

Montana Slim · March 19, 2011, 09:26:34 PM

I'm a primarily a Colt C&B shooter, but have and have worked on the NM Rem 44's quite a bit. I have simalar complaint about the grip shape of the Remington. I found the feel was improved for me by stripping the factory finish from the wood, then carefully thinning the wood by sanding (not disturbing the edges where wood-metal fit is affected), then apply an oil or varnish finish to suit your taste. This also allows me to operate the hammer with ease while maintaining my grip.

Regards,
Slim

Bishop Creek · March 20, 2011, 11:00:39 AM

Quote from: Montana Slim on March 19, 2011, 09:26:34 PM
I'm a primarily a Colt C&B shooter, but have and have worked on the NM Rem 44's quite a bit. I have simalar complaint about the grip shape of the Remington. I found the feel was improved for me by stripping the factory finish from the wood, then carefully thinning the wood by sanding (not disturbing the edges where wood-metal fit is affected), then apply an oil or varnish finish to suit your taste. This also allows me to operate the hammer with ease while maintaining my grip.

Regards,
Slim

I did the same with the grips on my Rem. The factory finish is too smooth.

Niederlander · March 20, 2011, 12:21:56 PM

I've got large hands and the 1858 grip used to leave me with a bruised knuckle every time I shot it. The 1860 grip is just about perfect for me, with the 1851/SAA grip a close second.

WildWillCasey · March 20, 2011, 01:46:00 PM

I believe i'm beginnin' to lean towards the 1851 pietta, since it was Bill Hickoks gun and all. Postin' on here has given me a little faith in the 1851 grip.

Paladin UK · March 20, 2011, 02:18:46 PM

Fer WildWill.....

QuoteI believe i'm beginnin' to lean towards the 1851 pietta, since it was Bill Hickoks gun and all.

I really hate ta `burst yer bubble here pard, BUT Ole WBH didnt have Piettas!!

Jest funnin ya pard,

Enjoy whatever way ya go

I lurv ALL my Colts be they either Piettas, Ubertis or even Sig models.

Paladin (What lurvs his opentops ) UK

Harley Starr · March 20, 2011, 02:30:12 PM

Quote from: WildWillCasey on March 20, 2011, 01:46:00 PM
I believe i'm beginnin' to lean towards the 1851 pietta, since it was Bill Hickoks gun and all. Postin' on here has given me a little faith in the 1851 grip.

WildWill, may I recommend the following link?

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Black-Powder/Pistols%7C/pc/104792580/c/104701680/sc/104503680/Pietta-1851-London-36-Caliber-Revolver/1167719.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fshooting-black-powder-pistols%2F_%2FN-1100201%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104503680%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat104792580%253Bcat104701680&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat104792580%3Bcat104701680%3Bcat104503680

Bishop Creek · March 20, 2011, 03:13:38 PM

Quote from: Paladin UK on March 20, 2011, 02:18:46 PM
Fer WildWill.....

I really hate ta `burst yer bubble here pard, BUT Ole WBH didnt have Piettas!!

Jest funnin ya pard, Enjoy whatever way ya go

I lurv ALL my Colts be they either Piettas, Ubertis or even Sig models.

Paladin (What lurvs his opentops ) UK

Well, I don't know about that Paladin UK. According to the Sportsman's Guide, Wild Bill shot a .44 cal Navy with a rebated cylinder and grips with the card hand he would be holding when shot dead, and I'm sure that it is a Pietta:

"Richly detailed Black Powder Revolver is an authentic reproduction of "Wild Bill" Hickock's! The grip depicts the most famous hand in poker... the one Bill was holding when Jack McCall got the drop on him in Deadwood."

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/44-cal-wild-bill-hickok-dead-mans-hand-1851-colt-navy-revolver-replica.aspx?a=569510

Mako · March 21, 2011, 11:36:19 AM

Will,
It's pretty much already been said. Even those that shoot Remingtons if truthful will tell you the Colt's grips have a much better feel. I'm one of the ones who prefers the larger Army grip, I have larger hands and my pinky feels neglected when I shoot the Navy or SAA grips. The '51 and all of it's progeny (as far as grips go) fit the majority of the world.

If you like the '51 go for it... Do yourself a favor and get steel framed revolvers. I don't mean the grips like the London Model like the Texican Ranger showed you I mean the frame. The grip frame material is your personal preference.

You can also get the much more common Brass grip frame for $50 less from Cabelas. It looks like they may be temporarily sold out but they almost always have them "on sale" for $199.99:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/1851-Navy-Model-36-Caliber-Revolver/705021.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath

By the way they also have the 1860s for $199.99, but with your name I think you are "Destined" for a pair of '51s.

After you get your pistols report back here and we'll point you to Pettifogger's articles showing you how to "tune" them for optimal performance.

Regards,
Mako

Harley Starr · March 21, 2011, 11:44:39 AM

QuoteIf you like the '51 go for it... Do yourself a favor and get steel framed revolvers. I don't mean the grips like the London Model like the Texican Ranger showed you I mean the frame. The grip frame material is your personal preference.

For the record, the London Model has no brass whatsoever. I choose steel framed revolvers only. As for grips, it is strictly personal preference WildWill.

Hoof Hearted · March 21, 2011, 11:57:21 AM

As to the OP's question:

I would bet that your pistol is a Euroarms as the distance from the front of the grip to the back of the trigger guard is very tight on them. Try to borrow a Pietta or Uberti for fingerin' you'll probably notice quite a difference.

HH

willy · March 30, 2011, 06:41:08 PM

I have the pietta 1858 and have the same knuckle busting problem.
I think Remmington seen the problem and fixed it with their 1875 frame.
If you decide to try the Colt revolvers.
The 1851 Navy that Wild Bill carried was a 36cal.
It's grip matches the SAA .
The Pietta 1851 grips are NOTHING like the original Colts!
Uberti is the way to go for 1851 reproductions.