Non-SAA guns

[Enzo_Guy]

Being new here I' not sure if this is in the correct forum, so mods please move if this is incorrectly placed.

Anyways, onto the topic at had.  I'm looking for a fun plinking gun that may or may not be used for CAS matches.  I'm looking for a single-action revolver that will fire .38 Special rounds because I want cheap ammo and low recoil.  This gun will not e used for home defesne, concealed carry, or any purpose other than showing some targets who is boss.  They run a handful of CAS events in my area (Annapolis, Maryland) so whether I get into true cowboy action or not I still want a firearm that will be fun to take to the range, one that is easy on both the wrist and the wallet.  I see so many Colt SAA replicas it is almost annoying, I want a single-action revolver that is at least something different (as an example I built a turbocharged Ford Ranger just because it was different).  I like having the "conversation piece" because I love meeting new people, and that's what cowboy shooting is all about, right?

I really want to make it clear that this will be a target shooting revolver and I want to be able to rund 200 rounds through it in a single day without a problem.  I'm planning to run thousands of low-powered target rounds through it.  I don't need a Ruger Old Vaquero to stand up to earth-shattering hand loads, but I would like to be able to fire a few thousand .38 Special target rounds without having to do too much work to the gun.  I'm mostly looking at Italian clones from either Cimarron (my first choice) or Taylor's (if I prefer to hve the gun finished with nickel plating).

I think the biggest argument I'm having with myself is over the finish.  I like the look of a blued/case-hardened gun but I fully expect to put a proper beating on this gun so a nickel finish does appeal to me since it is less maintenance (I have a top-of-the-line Dremel tool and access to a lot of tools since I used to work for Craftsman, should make polishing simple).  Whichever finish I choose, I would like to put faux pearl/ivory grips on it because I just absolutely love the look of white grips on a revolver!

1851 Navy conversion:
This is the one I'm considering the most.  The octagon barrel and open top frame really set it apart.  The part that worries me is  lot of people seem to complain about the sights.  However, I have a decent amount of skill at simple jobs involving metal (especially stick welding) so a simple file job to the rear sight is not beyond my capabilities.  I wouldn't mind modifying one of these guns in either a 4.75" or 5.5" barrel length to fit my mediocre shooting abilities.  For some unknown reason, this gun appeals to me the most.  Maybe because Bill Hickok liked it, or maybe just because it looks so different from any other revolvers.  Either way, a pair of these bad boys nickel plated with 4.75" barrels sounds like an awesome set for some CAS!

1858 Remington conversion:
I have heard the sights are better on these and the frame will stand up to more abuse, but this is all based on information on the blackpowder variants and I can't find much information on the cartridge conversions.  I really like the look of this revolver. although not quite as distinctive as an open top it still can be easily recognized from a Colt SAA.  I would never get one of these nickel plated, blued is the only way to go for the 1858.

1875 Remington:
Maybe it isn't too distinctive from the Colt to the untrained eye, but it sure does look good.  Again, no nickel plating here, as I would opt for a blued frame and slap some pearl or ivory grips on it to make it look nice.  As Rober Duvall said in Open Range, "I orefer a gun with a little bit more heft."

[Old Top]

Enzo Guy,

I will agree that the guns you are looking at are all good, but a few problems will exist if you go with the 1851 conversion, inless you modify it with a loading groove you will have to remove the barrel to reload also you will have to load for it as it will not shoot accuratly, unless you have the barrel relined, you have to use hollow base bullets it will not run well with store bought.  The Remington 1858 has the same problems with barrel and bullet size but is a lot easier to change the cylinder, ala Clint Eastwood as shown in Pale Rider.  The 1875 Remington I beleive will be your best choice as it may be purchased with nickle finish and will shoot store bought ammunition, as I see by your post this would not be nickle plated.  I hope this answers some of your questions.

Old Top

[Cherokee Reb]

Several things....

1)Taylors and Cimarron are importers. They bring in the same guns made by Uberti and recently Pietta. Some say the Cimarrons are better quality but a Uberti is a Uberti regardless of who signed the import papers. Concentrate your search on the name, not the importer.

2) The Navy conversion is a fun look, but go ahead and find a good OT or Conversion from the factory. The OTs have rudimentary sights , the Conversions use the hammer as a rear sight like the percussion Navies. If you convert your own, the only way to get real accuracy is to line the barrel. By the time you find a Navy, reline the barrel and get a conversion cylinder you can buy two used factory guns.

3) Try the Remingtons first to see how they fit your hand. I liked their looks and got one then found out I hated the way it felt to shoot.

Just a few thoughts

CR