44 colt or 38 spl?

[Crow Choker]

Griebz: A lot of good info here from long time shooters. If you hadnot already decided on a gun and caliber, this is what I'd had told you.

    Before you start "running to and fro" in buying any firearm, deciding what caliber, ammo, etc., I'd suggest you not only research the many of pages of this CAS section of STORM, where there is a wealth of information, but also buy/borrow a good informative book such as some of those written by Dennis Adler (Colt Single Action and/or Metallic Cartridge Conversions). Either book will educate you on the history of the various firearms and calibers and some of the reproductions available for shooting. There are books available on the history of the varied calibers also. Continue to ask questions, find someone maybe local if possible who has been into the type of shooting you want to do and ask away. Maybe someone here on the forum could get into phone conversations with you to answer your questions. Nothing wrong with that.

   What caliber, that's up to your personal taste. 38 cases are easy to obtain, 44 Spec are common, 44 Colt and Russian are available  from Starline. If you get into casting/reloading sometime, your supply of 38 and 44's can be endless. Cast bullets can be had from a lot of suppliers if casting isn't in your future. As previously penned by Coffinmaker and Pettifogger, over the counter 38 ammo is easier to get than any of the 44's, but if you do any shooting or get into competition, factory ammo will break your bank account unless you have unlimited funds. Factory ammo isn't cheap.

    I prefer 44's myself. My Open Top and Richards II are both chambered in 44 Special, but the majority of my shooting with them is in 44 Colt using black powder tossing Mav Dutchmans at the targets. I at times will use smokeless in 44. Special. Nothing wrong with 38 caliber, I just prefer the bigger 44. Good luck in you quest and good shooting. Just my thoughts, it's a lot better to make the decisions you need to know about before spending $$$ and then later you wished had gone with B instead of A. Crow Choker   

[Coffinmaker]

Griebz,

Just as a little additional information, THE most versatile gun available for playing in the CAS game is the Uberti Open Top.  They are KITS but only have to be set up once.  Also, ALL the popular CAS calibers can be shot on ONE frame.  All you have to do for a new caliber is
fit a cylinder and barrel in your caliber of choice.
Prior to switching to Cap Guns, my Main Match guns for about 13-14 years was a set of Open Tops.  For which, I have .38 Cylinders/Barrels, .44 Cylinders/Barrels and .45 Schofield cylinders/barrels.  Just one set of frames.  I can shoot All of the common .38 cartridges, ALL the common .44 Cartridges and .45 Schofield/C45S.
Understanding, to make all of this really cost effective, you'll need to invest in a reloading press.  Then there is a qualification to the cost savings of reloading.  You won't save any money.  You'll SHOOT MORE!! 

Coffinmaker

[Pettifogger]

38 Colt, 'long' or 'short', is NOT the same as .38 Special. The .38 in general has a complicated heritage:

http://www.oldammo.com/august04.htm

What makes things even more confusing is that ORIGINAL Colt rounds are not the same as .38 Special.  However, the modern made ones by Starline are just shortened .38 Specials and use the same bullets.

[Griebz]

Thanks everyone.. i really appreciate the help.  I ordered the open top in 38 from Cimarron and i cant wait to shoot it. Ill shoot special and LC out of it. I figured with the cost of ammo this would be best for plinking. If its as much fun to shoot as my 1873 SAA i see myself spending a lot of hours at the range. With that said i will definitely be getting another open top in the future in 44 colt with a 5 1/2 inch barrel. Just have to decide if i want the richards mason or the open top .

Pete Griebel

[Fox Creek Kid]

What makes things even more confusing is that ORIGINAL Colt rounds are not the same as .38 Special.  However, the modern made ones by Starline are just shortened .38 Specials and use the same bullets.

Thanks PF, that I didn't know. That makes sense as their .44 Colt takes a 0.429" - 0.430" bullet. I don't shoot .38 for CAS as I once merely handled one and felt the urge to wear high heels & a skirt, so I quickly put it down.     

[Griebz]

Skirt and 38 on order

[Jake C]

They're great fun, don't let anyone tell you any different. The .38's I mean 

[Coffinmaker]

FCK,

Ya know, iffin it were a well fitted riding skirt, with swell tall high heel boots, ya could claim COSSAK!!  tee Hee.

Coffinmaker

[Hoof Hearted]

Boy.................I'm surprised y'all didn't bother to tell the new guy that 44 Colt (as chambered in these repros) is also not correct because the pistols were not chambered for inside lubed ammo.

Maybe you didn't want to run him (that far) off

Griebz, have fun and don't let the PC police get to ya!
Welcome to the forum.........

Regards, HH

[Coffinmaker]

Hoof Hearted is absolutely correct.  There are those Self Righteous Individuals who will bald face tell ya your gun may not be period
correct.  While calmly loading their Ruger 

The Prime directive, is to HAVE FUN with what ever you CHOOSE to play the game with.  It is after all, a Fantasy GAME.  I've alway felt
if it looked good from 6 feet, it (what ever it is) was just fine.  I consistently build and shoot "never never" guns.  Never built way back when but look and work just fine for the CAS game.

Coffinmaker

PS:  The second nastiest phrase in the planet is "Period Correct" 

[Griebz]

Haha thanks guys.. Appreciate all the info, i def learned a lot. The gun came in today in 38 spl.. 8 inch barrel and man is it sweet. This is definately not my last single action so the caliber isnt really bothering me as far as authenticity goes. And usually it would. Now the only question to ask is what do i get next lol.

Pete Griebel