Why is a Remington cap and ball better than a Colt?

deucedaddyj · December 29, 2005, 09:28:27 PM

You know, I came across a Merlwin the other day for a darn cheap price. Something was broken on it, because if there wasn't I'd have it right now. I hear they're darn nice to shoot.

mtmarfield · December 29, 2005, 10:53:22 PM

Greetings!

Gents, my first handgun was a Remington '1858' that was being sold by Lyman back in the late 70's / early 80's. Believe it or not, for a brief time California had a waiting period for C&B revolvers! So, in April of 1982, at 19 years of age, I bought { and waited for!} a Lyman Remington .44...! I shot the hell out of that revolver, and got to know it very well; it's still in lovely shape.
I'll have to take it out again... With the LeMat!!!

Just a little reminiscing... Be Well, All!

M.T.Marfield
12-29-05

Halfway Creek Charlie · December 30, 2005, 07:53:06 AM

If I had come across a broke merwin and I had the cash I'd have sprung for it anyway..but that's just me, have owned several and had ti fix a few . parts can be hard to find, but...... Depends though how bad broke...bulges in bbls are something I'd pass on. I guess I'd have to look it over to see for sure.

Halfway Creek Charlie

deucedaddyj · December 30, 2005, 08:17:59 AM

Well, even if I had had the money, there just so happened to be an original nickle plated S & W Model 3 that I probably would have tried to get first. I just so happen to be the dummy who only brings $100 to a gun show, and I had already loaned all that money to my friend so he could pick up a .38 spl.

Halfway Creek Charlie · December 30, 2005, 08:21:08 AM

Been there! Dione That! Understand completely.

Halfway Creek Charlie

mohave gambler · December 31, 2005, 02:01:16 PM

I have several of each and find they each have their own personalities. The Remington has a fair amount of power and is easier to carry than a Dragoon, but about the same as a Colt Navy or 1860 Army. The Remington also has the much stronger frame design, which was modled by the rest of the revolver industry. The downside is that it really tends to become fouled after about five shots and needs cleaning. This is because of the small cylinder pin that traps blackpowder residue.

The Colts have a better design for the cylinder pin and does not foul much compared to the Remington. Unfortunately, the lack of a topstrap makes the Colt either heavier, as with the Dragoon, or less powerful, as with the 20 Navy. For this reason, I like to shoot BOTH.

sundance44`s · January 04, 2006, 11:15:35 AM

I suppose every one has their own oppion .. some ppls drive chevys some drive fords .... but looking at brass tacks .. doing a little rescearch you`ll find that during the civil war the fighting trops were tradeing handfulls of colts for just 1 remmie ... don`t blame them a bit .. if`in my skin was on the line remmies would be my choice .

Forty Rod · January 04, 2006, 05:38:31 PM

I've done a ton of research and never found that mentioned, not ever.

Major 2 · January 04, 2006, 05:44:43 PM

yeah... I'd kinda like to see your research too

sundance44`s · January 06, 2006, 10:46:14 AM

i know fellows lench me ... but i won`t let a ford park in my drive way , and i wouldn`t put a colt in the gun safe eaither ... but colts do make such purty walll hangers .

Halfway Creek Charlie · January 06, 2006, 03:44:28 PM

That's why i drive an old DODGE pickem up. and have Remmy's.
But I have to admit, I want a Colt '51 Navy clone or better yet a pair. They have the best balance I have EVER felt!

hellgate · January 06, 2006, 04:57:37 PM

1/2way Charley,
I started out (and still regularly shoot) with a pair of 44 cal '51 Navies (ASMs) for CAS. I like my two Uberti Remmies just a tad better only because I NEVER get cap jams with the Remingtons but only RARELY get one with the navies. I won a lot of matches (Frontiersman category) with the navies due to their naturallly quick pointing, balance, and 44cal knockdown. Be careful which navy you get: The Uberti, ASM, and probably other makes like Euroarms have grips with the same dimensions as the SAA (correct shape) but the Pietta has a more flared grip at the bottom which causes them to ride higher in my hands. That makes the Piettas naturally point high for me. I have swapped the grips for 1860 Army grips for a better fit. There is no standardization for Remington grips, every make is different but the Colt 1860 Army grips feel all the same to me regardless of manufacturer.

Halfway Creek Charlie · January 06, 2006, 06:34:58 PM

I had heard that. I have had a few '51 Navies(real bonafide Colt First Gens, and conversions. I have never owned a clone. I probably will pick Uberti because I know that that part of the second Gen Colts and all the 3rd Gen Colt Bp pistols were made by Uberti after Colt's factory burnt. Also the fact that uberti parts interchange with the original Colts. I don't know about their Remingtons. I haven't even held an Uberti '58 Rem. I need to to see the difference.

I never knew that there were '51 Navy 44 Cal?? Was there 44 Navy '51 Original Colt's...I've never seen one if there were. Everyone I have seen has been .36 Cal.

hellgate · January 06, 2006, 06:57:33 PM

1/2 Cr. Chuck,
There never was a .44 "Navy" made before the Italians started making repros. They make them for guys like me that want to shoot .44s but like the looks & feel of the Navies. The navies I have are actually lighter due to the bigger holes in the barrel & cylinder. They probably recoil more too but who cares? When I started out in CAS we had mostly knockdown pistol targets. I was using a Uberti '61 Navy in 36cal and a Ruger Blackhawk as a "Modern" category shooter. I soon came to my senses and went to the Darkside but wanted the knockdown of a 44 but the feel of the Navy. Only Armi San Marco (ASMs are no longer made) and Pietta made a 44cal Navy. Uberti (Cimarron's are Ubertis) only makes the guns in authentic calibers as (I think) Euroarms. I also have 1860 Armies, a Dragoon & two Walkers. The only 36s I have are the '61Navy & a Remington Navy.

Halfway Creek Charlie · January 06, 2006, 10:59:26 PM

Ok I'll add a 44 Navy to my list....SHEESH! I know, all it takes is money. I'd really like to handle a 44 Navy, but being the realist I am, I'll probably opt for the .36 Navy ( with a Kirst 38 Conversion)that is already at the front of my list afer a double hammer gun and a rifle, so i can shoot all the targets in Cas...instead of just the pistol targets, LOL

I know about trying to knock down targets. I tried with a 38-55 Win. on Shilouttes and at 500 meters that darn ram just smirked at me. I hit it all right but lead marls themselves don't knock them over. Now a 45-70 Wincherster Hotchkiss was another story. Oh to have that one back. Knocking over a lifesize ram at 500 meters is a wonderful thing. I figure just being able to hit one is pretty great too. My pedersoli Sharps was the best for that. it'd outshoot my Shiloh Sharps every day of the week and twice on Sunday...and I just had to drive 2 hours to buy it and not wait years.

Smokin Gun · January 07, 2006, 11:54:18 PM

Hiya all, I do like Colts but I am a deep seated Rem_Man nothins better. I like the looks and feel of a Colt 1860 but seem fincky and reqiure more cleanin and lubin. 3 of the Colts I like most are my 1851 Uberti Navy, 1848 Colt 3rd gen. Dragoon/R&D .45LC, and an1873BP conversion at R&D .44Colt still being made,Uberti SAA all maintenance free. And Charle as much as I like that 1851 Navy Uberti I might have traded you for the new Pietta Rem today, as good as you were shootin with it..HeHe! I'll let you know when the Uberti 1858 gets here so you can compare.
So all and all, to me a Rem frame is stronger and less flex barrel to cylinder, Colt found out kinda late with the 1873 SAAand it's a great Rev. I have to concede that better is in the eye of the be-shooter/owner. But for accuracy, reliability, ease of reloading I choose Remingtons every time. Yup I'm a Rem_Man who also owns Colts.