Palmetto Whitney Navy

[Inman]

I understand that this is not a Remington revolver but I believe that it was a Beals design. Anyway, my question is, does anyone have any experience with these guns? I am talking about the steel frame job not the brass frame Spiller & Burr.

I think that I recall seeing these available off and on for more than 20 years now. I don't know if there has been more than one manufacturer. Palmetto is the most recent manufacturer I believe.

Palmetto used to have a web site but would not respond to e-mail. Now the website seems to have disappeared.

I am growing fond of this full framed design Whitney and think that maybe I ought to have one since I live just a few miles from the site of the Whitneyville Armory. The only place I can find one is at Dixie and it is listed at $295.00 which is not out of the question if the gun is not junk but would be a big waste of money if it is.

Anyone?

Inman

[Trailrider]

I have no experience with the replica Whitney Navy's, but do have with an original specimen as well as the replica Spiller & Burr.  The original would not shoot more than about 6-7 rounds without binding up badly!  The Spiller & Burr replica that I have (it was one of the first imported, and was obtained from "Joan's Gun Shop" in Nebraska years ago) does not exhibit this problem, and will handle about 3-4 cylinder fulls before needing cleaning.  Give me a Colt's!

[Fox Creek Kid]

I had one a few years back. It was one of the new "run" by Palmetto. It was OK. Definitely for small hands. It shot a foot high so I dovetailed in a taller front sight. The originals had roll engraving on the cylinders & the repos don't. I sold it but not because of anything real bad about it. I give it an 8 out of 10. Interesting gun, but it's hard to beat the "feel" of a Colt Navy.

[Inman]

it's hard to beat the "feel" of a Colt Navy.

Amen, Amen! You'll get no argument from me!

Inman

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

I would be afraid of anything built by Palmetto arms. Too many people have spent too much good money and gotten junk for their troubles.

Trailrider,
Did you use Non petroleum based cleaners and lubes on that original? I use Olive oil and bore Butter exclusively as petroleum based lubes and cleaners cause bad sticky fouling in a hurry.

[Trailrider]

I would be afraid of anything built by Palmetto arms. Too many people have spent too much good money and gotten junk for their troubles.

Trailrider,
Did you use Non petroleum based cleaners and lubes on that original? I use Olive oil and bore Butter exclusively as petroleum based lubes and cleaners cause bad sticky fouling in a hurry.

Honestly, Pard, it has been twenty-plus years since I sold that gun, so I just don't recall.  I believe I used Crisco over the balls, and cleaned it with hot, soapy water.  Don't know if the original Whitney just had tighter tolerances than the replica Spiller & Burr, or whether the slight difference in design, with the S&B's frame being bronze and the frame coming back to the face of the cylinder, whereas the Whitney has the barrel coming back from the frame.  Maybe the bronze frame wipes the front of the cylinder...  Don't rightly know.  One thing is for certain, the Ruger Old Army is misnamed! With its rammer-base pin design, it ought to be called "The Ruger Super Whitney"!

[Inman]

  One thing is for certain, the Ruger Old Army is misnamed! With its rammer-base pin design, it ought to be called "The Ruger Super Whitney"!

Here, here! I don't even lubricate the base pin of the Old Army and it NEVER fouls.

The more I look at the Whitney Navy, the more I see elements that have shown up in Ruger's design!

Regards,
Inman