Italian 1872 Open tops- difference between Army and Navy models

[Baltimore Ed]

Thinking about a 5.5 inch bbl 1872 open top in 45lc and have a few questions. Whats the difference between an army or navy model? Is it caliber, bbl length or grip size? I?d want the bigger grips if thats the difference. Is there a preferred brand, Cimarron, uberti, Taylors&Co or are they all pretty much the same? I think that I want to get an 1872 and a Schofield to go with my 1873 full stock carbine ala Crossfire Trail.

[Drydock]

Pretty much just the grip.  They all come from Uberti.

[Abilene]

Ed,  what Drydock said is correct, the grip size is the only difference (plus Army gripframe is all steel).  However, you may have a problem finding a 5.5" with the Army grip.  This may have changed (look on Cimarron and Taylors websites to compare models), but the way it used to be was that the Navy versions came in any barrel length, but the Army came only in the 7.5".  Finding someone who wants to swap Navy for Army grip set shouldn't be too hard, though.

[Coffinmaker]

PLUS ONE to Abilene.







Yep.  A COLD Sunday.  And I'm Bored.  Not to forget, you can swap any length barrel on any Open Top so long as you match caliber.  Some fitting may be required.

[Baltimore Ed]

There?s a gun show in Raleigh this month, maybe I?ll find one there that if I don?t buy I can at least see how it feels in hand.

[The Pathfinder]

When the Open Tops first came out, I ordered one each of the Army and Navy in 45 Schofield. I later replaced the brass grip straps on the Navy with a set of steel from an Uberti London Navy and added fake ivory grips to them. Then I acquired two extra cylinders and 7 1/2" barrels in 44 Colt so I'd have two options for shooting them (also that was about the time everyone started seeing cracks in the 45 cal barrels). All because I got enamored with a dug-up 1872 frame and cylinder I use for a paperweight. What can I say, they're addicting.

[Crow Choker]

I'm always open to swapping my brass Navy grips on my 4 3/4" Open Top for a set of blued steel army size grips. Just purchased the OT this past summer, hence they're like new. Would require any I swap for though to be in pretty good shape, ie no rust pits, dings, gouges, or misuse. 

[Baltimore Ed]

I just ordered a Tom Selleck dvd 3 pack of Monte Walsh, Sabre River and Crossfire Trail. I?ve only seen bits and pieces of two of them so I?m looking forward to some good westerns next weekend. By next year I?ll have a Tom Selleck outfit put together with proper firearms.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Three of my favorite westerns!!  Tom Selleck, 1872 Open Top, 1860 Richards Conversion, 1875 Schofield, and 1860 Henry.....