Shooting the prettiest revolver of the old west - Colt's first model Richards ca

[Bottom Dealin Mike]

This is a video about what is, in my opinion, the prettiest revolver of the old west, the first model Richards 1860 Army cartridge conversion.

This is an Armi San Marco replica from 1998, chambered in .44 Colt...still one of my favorite sixguns.

[Bottom Dealin Mike]

[hellgate]

I still think the unaltered 1860 Army has more elegant lines but I'll have to say it sure shoots beautifully. It seems to have pretty decent recoil as well. Good job on both the video and the marksmanship!

[Paladin UK]

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice shootin Mike

Paladin (What lurvs his 1860`s too ) UK

[Blair]

I too find the 1860 and it's cartridge conversions to be very attractive, and well balanced shooten irons.
Even more so with the bore in the new guns being set up for a standard .429 dia.
My best,
Blair

[Slowhand Bob]

As I stated elsewhere, had it not been for the QC problems I liked the ASMs FAR more than the later Uberti guns.  I would love to see Pietta revive the idea of a Richards mode actually built on their current 1860 frame.  I would have no objections to them declaring it to be a BP only firearm and even chambering it for the 44 Russian only.  With most of those parts already being on the line, it likely wouldn't even be a big deal to keep the runs fairly small until demand could be determined.

[w44wcf]

Mike,
Excellent video on an historic revolver. 

w44wcf

[Dick Dastardly]

Fine video Mike.  Cool gun.

I also shoot a brace of 1860s but my cylinder is by Kirst.  It's chambered in 45 Colt, but I much prefer the Cowboy 45 Special brass.  With that brass and a light bullet it really shoots great.

I'll try to attach a photo of these.

DD-MDA

[Blair]

DD,

I very much agree with you and with the use of this new ammo for these types of arms.
In most respects, we, today are very lucky with the potential alternatives we have available.
I find your work with developing these and with the 'big lube" bullets very commendable.
My best,
Blair

[StrawHat]

I like the old Richards conversions.  Here is a photo of a couple of ASM versions, both in the 44 Colt, modernized with a .430 bore.



Not an exact copy of the original revolver but close enough for me.

[rifle]

Good job Mike. 
How is the arbor set up on yer gun? Bottomed in the barrel hole?
I have two of those Armi San Marcos. I don't have any complaints. Ole Carlos San Marcos was on the right track when he made those.
The 1851 Navy was a good one too but the extractor had to be refined on those. The screw came loose all the time and the housing was crooked to let the wedge come thru. The early ones had the problem and then after the gun mag. writers noted the problem Carlos San Marcos fixed the problem on later guns.
Anywhoooooo......I have the 1861 Model in 44 Colt and all it is....is..... the 1860 model with a slightly shorter barrel and a brass backstrap. Oh ya......Navy size grips too.
I wish the San Marcos Richards had the cylinder enclose the gap between the cylinder and the conversion ring like the originals. The S.M. Richards is more like a Richards/Richards Mason hybred. No real complaints from me....since the guns shoot well. Real well.
Even the 1860 Richards I have in 38 Special shoots real well.
The guns can get problematic with black if they ain't run right because of the non integral cylinder bushing made the way it is. The guns need the lube in form of a lube pill or the venerable Big Lube Bullets to run with the black......like most any guns are with the black.

[Fox Creek Kid]

...I wish the San Marcos Richards had the cylinder enclose the gap between the cylinder and the conversion ring like the originals...

Like this?

[The Pathfinder]

  Dang, Fox, now the rest of us is jealous again! One dang fine Richards there.

[rifle]

Zooowie! Nice shiny gun. I like it. I'll take it ifin ya don't want it Fox Creek Kid.
Are those Buffalo Brothers grips. I especially like those.
One problem with that gun..........it's too pretty to shoot. How's it handle the black?

[Fox Creek Kid]

Zooowie! Nice shiny gun. I like it. I'll take it ifin ya don't want it Fox Creek Kid.
Are those Buffalo Brothers grips. I especially like those.
One problem with that gun..........it's too pretty to shoot. How's it handle the black?

Gripmaker grips if I recall, from a pattern he didn't advertise then, if I recall. Handles BP just fine, but I use a big lube style bullet and use more lube than a sailor on shore leave in Hong Kong on the cylinder pin. 

[Seth Hawkins]

Kenny Howell made these on 2nd gen Colts.

[rbertalotto]

TOTALLY AGREE!

No other revolver feels better in the hand. No other revolver goes into and out of the leather better. I built mine with Pietta 1860 short barrel models and Kirst converters. I bought the ejectors but I find that leaving the bullet seating mechanism allows them to slip into the leather easier. I shoot Cowboy 45 Special beass and they simply fall out to unload. If they are sticky, I have a brass rod handy.

[Crow Choker]

     Nice video as usual Mike. Rewatched it this AM, now ya got me all riled up to go out today and shoot some black powder. Only problem it's -2* below 0 as I write this in North Iowa, with 20mph NW winds with gusts hitting 40mph, -35* windchill. Nice now from what it's supposed to do, get colder as the day goes on. Suppose to hit -15* tonite with increasing winds. You guys in the warm weather states are blessed, but I love the seasons up here. Did go out one day last week and shot my 58 Remington. Had itch to pull a trigger and smell the 'smell of black powder smoke'. Loaded up around 7-8 cylinder fulls, loading at my shop bench, then going outside and firin' em' off. Satisfied my itch!
    Mike and others-I agree the 1st Model Richards or even all the Colt conversions that were designed around the Colt percussion frame are "the prettiest revolver of the old west". Even though the Remington top design was stronger and the ease of changing cylinders either for shooting or cleaning was faster, my vote goes to the Colts for 'what is more pleasing to the eye'.
   Before I bought my first cartridge shooting 'old west' style revolver, I already had a variety of percussion revolvers, loved the 60' Army for its style and feel. I couldn't make up my mind as what to get, Richards II, Richards Mason, Open Top, or maybe even a Remington. The 1st Model Richards was out due to no one mass producing them and the cost of getting one from any of the fine custom shops. I liked the 'raw and rugged' looks of the Richards II with it's stepped cylinder, rammer lug, the protruding case ejector rod, and the conversion ring, but I also liked the smooth lines of the Open Top with it's history of not being a conversion, but a newly designed revolver. I felt that the Richards Mason looked too much like the Open Top frame and ejector wise.
    I went with the Open Top, maybe due to getting 'all riled' up with them seeing them in a few western movie's that I have the habit of replaying from time to time. Guess I was just in a 'Open Top' mind when I 'shelled out' the dollars at the time. Reading about the earlier conversions and seeing pictures of them all the time was more than I could take. Besides, who only wants one! So-- I purchased a Richards II in the same caliber as my Open Top(and 66' Yellow Boy) which is 44 Special, but all I every shoot out of them anymore is 44 Colt black powder rounds. It's hard to admit it, I won't get rid of my Open Top, I love the gun, but I enjoy the Richards II more as far as looks. I sure typed a lot just to tell you all that!!!!!
    Hellgate: Agree a lot of what you wrote. I'd vote the 1860 Army as the nicest looking of any or all percussion revolvers ever made. Many say the 61' Navy, but my vote goes with the 1860. My vote for conversions though would be the 1st and 2nd Model Richards. Saying all this when my all time favorite 'old west' revolver is the 2nd Model Dragoon.
    Slowhand Bob: With ya on your thoughts, but would hope they would chamber it for at least 44 Colt-that way I'd not have to buy any brass!!!!!  The idea has been tossed around down in STORM before. Most of the forum members who are privy about manufacturing needs/methods of doing so have written it would be to cost preventive. Which is one of the reasons from what I have read why Colt dropped the 1st Model. If there was enough demand, maybe some day Pietta or Uberti will make a run. I have no idea how well the Richards II sells, I know I read of a lot of wishes by shooters for a Richards I.
     Strawhat, Fox Creek, and Seth: Nice lookin' guns you all have. Me za' wishin' one of them was sittin' along side the Colts I have in me safe!!!! If any one ya' wishes to donate, PM me. I'll pay the shippin' and send ya a gift card for two at Red Lobster!!!!!!!!!
    Rberalotto: While I'm typin, enjoyed your post at the Long Branch about the Leatherwood scope. Went to your web-site and enjoyed visiting. Thanks for posting. Anyway, nice lookin guns you posted. All my percussion/conversions types are long barreled, but have thoughts at times of getting a short barreled one. Might just order a barrel instead of the whole gun. Like the knife in your picture, you make it, custom built, or factory produced?

Yours to all, good shooting! Crow Choker
           
     


 

[Seth Hawkins]

Crow Choker - Maybe these 1861's will grow on you.  Kenny Howell made these, too.

1861 Navy Richards-Mason Conversions, calibre 38 Long Colt

[Crow Choker]

Oh my Seth, I don't think I can take it!!!!
Nice lookin revolvers!!!!