??s for Open Top Revolvers Owners.

[Dalion]

Howdy All,

This is my second post here and I would like some help with a decision in purchasing a pair of Open top Colt repros.  I handled one with a 4 3/4 inch barrel in 38 at a local store and fell in love with it.  I have a couple of questions for current owners of Open Top revolvers.  

1.  The pistol I handled had a brass frame navy grip and it felt great.  Do I gain anything by getting the steel frame ones with the army grip?  Are they more durable, for CAS, than the brass frame?  

2. I would like to get ones with the 7 ½ barrels in 38.  Do they handle much differently that the shorter barrels, by that I mean, are much heavier?  I have handles pistols in the past wherein the longer barrel actually made the weapon better handling easier pointing.  Would that be the case here, or not?

3. How much tuning do they need?  The one I handled was a little stiff, probably because it was new, but still for competitive shooting what if anything has to be done other than shooting it a lot?

4. Does anyone make grips for them?  Other than wood grips?

I appreciate your answers and any comments you wish to add.

Thanks

[Long Johns Wolf]

I am shooting 7,5" OTs in .44 Colt with Army grips (steel backstrap) as main match pistols and am happy with them. I have average size hands and like long barrels. My pard Panhandle Paden is shooting the same pistols with 4,75" barrel, .44 Colt and Navy grips (brass backstrap) and he is happy as well. He has small to midsize hands and prefers short barrel pistols.
I owned one with 7,5" barrel and Navy grip in .38 cal and sold her. Why? The pistol just did not balance right: too barrel havy, grip to small for me...and important for me not quite PC in that caliber.
These pistols are natural pointers no matter the barrel length.
Regarding tuning requirements: my first one in .44 Colt from 2002 got the full treatment from a smith specialized in cowboy guns. He worked the forcing cone, adjusted the chambers to bore diameter (actually little adjustment needed) and gave her a crisp trigger pull. Very nice job. My companion gun is from 2006. I only polished away the rough edges of the internals and was done with it. Works for me.
There is one caveat, however: Uberti open top type pistols are notorious for an arbor that is slightly too short. This negatively affects accuracy (if accuracy is an issue which is not the case in CAS). This is easy corrected with a washer of right thickness glued to the bottom of the hole of the arbor in the breechside of the barrel.
I have exchanged the factory grips with aftermarket grips from gripmaker www.gripmaker.com
Long Johns Wolf

[Major 2]

What Wolf Said !

I too like the 8" barreled 1860's varients, however I have, and like a 7 1/2 R&M Navy in 38 it's at Longhunters right now
getting his magic.
No there is very minor if any difference in durablity , the main thing is the feel of the Army Grip over the shorter Navy Grip, I just prefur the Army grip...but both point just as well.
As to weight, it's a minor issue, less you have one in each hand gunfighter style.
Where lengh come into play is drawing it from the holster the longer barrel needs more lift to clear leather in Strongside holster styles. Crossdraws not so much  an issue

Lastly as Wolf mentioned Larry Little @ Gripmakers..there are others as well, Larry has good product and is a VERY good fellow !

[Justician]

Howdy All,

This is my second post here and I would like some help with a decision in purchasing a pair of Open top Colt repros.  I handled one with a 4 3/4 inch barrel in 38 at a local store and fell in love with it.  I have a couple of questions for current owners of Open Top revolvers.  

1.  The pistol I handled had a brass frame navy grip and it felt great.  Do I gain anything by getting the steel frame ones with the army grip?  Are they more durable, for CAS, than the brass frame?  

Brass is easier to put dings in but also easier to take them out.  As for gaining anything, it depends on how large your hands are. I have short fingers, so the navy feels better for me. I have a friend who has larger hands who prefers the army grips.

2. I would like to get ones with the 7 ½ barrels in 38.  Do they handle much differently that the shorter barrels, by that I mean, are much heavier?  I have handles pistols in the past wherein the longer barrel actually made the weapon better handling easier pointing.  Would that be the case here, or not?

As Wolf said, they are natural pointers and are great for duelist style shooting. I have 5 1/2 inch barrels on mine and they work well for drawing from my Slim Jim holsters. Depends on if you want to be a gamer (if so, go with 4 3/4) or want to look more traditional. Accuracy is not really an issue, mine shoot where they are pointed and the misses are due to me rushing. The Ottway Smith, who is one of the best shooters that I have watched, shoots 72 open tops with the 5 1/2 barrels.

3. How much tuning do they need?  The one I handled was a little stiff, probably because it was new, but still for competitive shooting what if anything has to be done other than shooting it a lot?

Depends on how much you will shoot, how competitive you want to be, and how much you want to spend. It isn't difficult to change out the springs to make them a bit smoother. You can also check to make sure there are no burrs or parts that are rubbing. If you are planning to shoot a lot, you might want to have an action job done on them. But make sure it is by someone who is familiar with open tops or they will butcher them.

4. Does anyone make grips for them?  Other than wood grips?

Yes there are several good alternatives out there. If you want to spend a lot you can get some really fancy stuff. Like Wolf, I went with Gripmaker's fake ivory sculpted grips. You will need to fit them to your grips. If you aren't handy or don't have the time, you can send your grip frames (with the original grips) to have them fitted.

I appreciate your answers and any comments you wish to add.

Make sure that they are what you want, if you are going to shoot traditional, you might want Model Ps instead. I love mine!



Thanks

[Dr. Bob]

I have Gripmaker grips that Larry fitted to my Beretta Stampedes and he does great work!  And Maj. 2 is right about him being one fine fellow to work with.

[sweettooth]

 I have been shooting opentops for 3 yrs and love them. I have back up pistols as well.
Keep in mind you may have to spend another $$ to make them work.
Taylors customer service has been good to me. And probably the smoothest you might find.
               I hope you get them as they are worth all the trouble and $.
                                               Sweettooth

[Dalion]

Gentlemen I am most appreciative of  your input.  I think I am going to get a Navy Grip 38 with 5 ½ barrel to start with and see how I like it. Thank you all again.

[Major 2]

Welcome to the Open Top club, good choice 



BTW here is the Ultimate OT 

Vespa with a 75mm recoiless attached

[litl rooster]

Welcome to the Open Top club, good choice 



BTW here is the Ultimate OT 

Vespa with a 75mm recoiless attached

Major looks like ya'll need a couple hides to holster those OT's

[Rusty Spurless]

OT's are great fun!

What I did with mine was before I ever shot them, took em apart & took a stone to all engagement surfaces to a mirror polish & added a set of wolf springs to it.

They were slicker en snot on a porcelain doorknob when I put em back together.