Which caliber to choose?

[flatapple]

Pretty much a newbie...I would like to get a 1872 open top with a 7 1/2 inch barrel.  My problem is which caliber to get!  I see the .44 special is very popular, so what is the pros and cons of the .44 vs the .45?

[Daniel Dodge]

Unless you are already set up for 45 Colt, I'd go with the 44's. You can shoot 44 special, 44 colt and 44 Russian without modification. I shoot 44 Colt as it was close to the original caliber.

I've also heard of problems with the 45 because of the thin wall material in the cylinder.

I'm sure one of the vets will be along to explain soon enough. 

[tyrel cody]

^^^^^^^^^^

What he said. 

[Long Johns Wolf]

What he said. .44 Colt is the way to go!
Long Johns Wolf

[Coffinmaker]

After about 18 years of workin on em, pretty much what Daniel Dodge Said.  As a Gunsmith, I have never thought an Open Top in 45 was a good idea.  Once the cylinder is bored for a 45 case, the chamber walls are just too thin.  Don't get me wrong, the guns pass Italian Proof with ammunition that matches SAMMI specs.  However, one "hot load" and that cylinder is going to come apart.
I do personally have a pair of Open Tops in 45 "Schofield" that have been my main match guns for about 12 - 14 years.  They have never seen a SAMMI spec load for 45 Colt.  Always shot with reduced Cowboy type loads in Smokeless, or, for the past 5 - 6 years, BP, in Cowboy 45 Special type cases and light bullets.  I worked on too many 45s that had spit the little bit of remaining metal at the bottom of the locking bolt slots off into the weeds.  Bad Joss.

44 Special is a much better choice.  Lots more metal in the cylinder walls and deeper cut locking bolt slots.  Chambered in 44 Special, you have the option of shooting 44 Special cases, 44 Colt cases or 44 (my favorite) Russian cases.  I do like BP and light bullets.

Now the not so fun part.  The Uberti Open Top is a KIT!!  Fully completed and assembled KIT!!  Before it is ever put into service, the fit of the Barrel to the Arbor MUST be checked and CORRECTED.  99 and 44/100% of the time, that fit will be quite bad.  Then you can address the timing, bolt fit to the cylinder, and SPRINGS!!  OEM Main Spring and the OEM Trigger/Bolt springs are better suited to a Dodge Ram pickup.  Change em out.  Polish out the burrs, Rub and buff the hammer channel and the sides of the hammer.
I strongly suggest you visit "The Open Range" and STUDY the series of articles penned by Larsen E. Pettifogger.  Save you an awful lot of headaches.  Properly set up, the Open Top is a joy.  The last Caveat:  Not recommended for the Traditional style shooter.  Perfect for the Gunfighter or Dualist.

Coffinmaker

[Coffinmaker]

I FORGOT  

Once an Open Top is properly set up, you have the option of purchasing barrels of different lengths 4 3/4, 6 1/2, 7 1/2 and they take just minutes to swap.  You also have the option of different caliber combinations.  38 cylinders and barrels will swap in about 3 minutes.
Just exercise care when swapping.  A 38 barrel in front of a 44 cylinder can ruin you whole day

Coffinmaker

[tyrel cody]

I FORGOT  

Once an Open Top is properly set up, you have the option of purchasing barrels of different lengths 4 3/4, 6 1/2, 7 1/2 and they take just minutes to swap.  You also have the option of different caliber combinations.  38 cylinders and barrels will swap in about 3 minutes.
Just exercise care when swapping.  A 38 barrel in front of a 44 cylinder can ruin you whole day

Coffinmaker

Are you still doing any gunsmithing? I have a pair of 1872 .44 specials that could use some TLC? OK a LOT of TLC.

[Coffinmaker]

Hi Tyrel,

No.  My retirement is complete.  Sold off all my machines and no longer maintain an FFL.  I would recommend you contact Alan Harton (spell??) in Texas.  Really good Open Top Guy.

Coffinmaker

[Black River Smith]

The 1872 Open Top with 7 1/2" barrel is a great pointing revolver.

The original Colts where made in only two calibers.  The main one was the 44 Henry rimfire and then there are two documented revolvers that were made (editted) are in 44 Russian.

I like authenticity and experiencing what was during the times so I went with the 44 and use the 44Rus with the Ideal designated russian bullet (429251). That is as close as you can get now.

[Coffinmaker]

OK Black River,

Lets argue.  The original 71/72 Open Top was only made in ONE caliber.  .44  They were only manufactured for ONE cartridge.  44 Henry Flat.  Two if you count Colt's own proprietary cartridge for the Open Top.  I don't remember what it was called.  Fox Creek Kid knows the name of it, or did, if he can remember.  Exactly the same as the Henry round. 
There were two center fire PROTOTYPES made.  Way back in the way back, All the manufacturers actually sold their prototypes if they were shootable.  I don't think we can say the Open Top was actually "made" in two different cartridges.  Those center fire guns being prototypes.  2 guns does not a manufacturing run make.
However, none of the above really matters in history nor when we discuss the guns available today.  If you can find one, the nicest Open Top replica on the planet was actually made by Armi San Marco.  Dead ringer for the original Colt and gorgeously finished.  Like hen's teeth
scarce.  Internal parts were krap.  Would not stand up to hard use.

Coffinmaker

[Abilene]

...Two if you count Colt's own proprietary cartridge for the Open Top.  I don't remember what it was called. ...

Was that the .44 Stetson?

[Black River Smith]

Nope no argument.  You are correct too and this what I was referring to.

Go re-read McDowell Conversion book pages 293 to 295.

He does 'class' them as prototypes but they are serial #'ed 1872's with 44Rus chambers and appear to be factory made.

I agree there were only two but it works for me to justify the caliber I use.

PS:  read my words carefully I said 'made' in only two calibers. The 44 Rus was made as a 1872 was it not.  So, I identified them listing the two as documented, but they were still 'made' by colt not conversions or alterations.  Yes, the main caliber was 44Henry, as I stated.

[Coffinmaker]

Abilene!!

YES!!  That's it.  I can never remember the name.  Memory is one of the first things to go.

Black River ... OK, we're actually talking about the same thing, just different syntax.  Just for grins and giggles, I put together a set of
Open Tops, chambered in 44 Colt.  In which I shot 44 Russian cases.  Then to complete my "just like it was" package, I found an 1866 in 44 Special and re-worked it to run 44 Russian as well.  Set was as close as I could come to "the way it was."  Since switching to Cap Guns, I've sold off the Open Tops.  I have never been able to get the 44 rifle to run BP or Subs with Russian cases so I've still got it.  It's
smokeless only :~(

Coffinmaker

[Black River Smith]

Coffinmaker,

I did one 44 colt 1872 and a 66 in 44/40, as NCOWS originals.  44Spec and mod'ed lifters came out later.  If I could have would have done the same thing you did.  I shot only BP subs since 1994 in everything.

Moving back to smokeless because the indoor range does not allow BP.