changing to Navy grips

[Capt. JEB Forrest]

I love my '60's and had no problem with the grip size. Like many on here the years have taken their toll and my thumbs just ain't what they used to be.

So I got some Navy grip frames and a couple sets of Gripmaker grips. The hope is that the smaller grip will put my thumb closer to the hammer. So far they feel okay, but will know for sure when I use them in a match for the first time tomorrow.

[hellgate]

I like the ASM & Uberti Navy grips better than the Piettas that make the gun point high for me. YMMV

[Capt. JEB Forrest]

They are Piettas but that may be a good thing, I tend to shoot low.

[Noz]

As I age, things change. I discovered that my Armys were pointing to the right with normal grips and hand placement. On a whim I tried Navy style grips and discovered the guns were pointing straight ahead.
go figure!!

[hellgate]

I have an ASM "1861 Colt 44 cal Navy" revolver as stated on the box it came in. Turns out it is merely an 1860 Army fitted with Navy grips. I use it as my backup for my matched pair of 44 cal '51 Navies.

[Coffinmaker]

Don't look now!!  The most current production change at Pietta had done away with the "old" Pietta Gripframe and stocks that more closely resembled a Trombone Bell.  New production guns sport a Gripframe and stocks that more closely mime Colt. Very nice.  Except ......

Those who have in the past preferred the old grips to correct shooting low are now out of luck.  

Coffinmaker

'Cept ME.  Spent years swapping off my Pietta Navy Grips for Pietta Army Grips.  I don't shoot Navy grips fer beans.  Can't explain why.

[hellgate]

Coffinmaker,
Show me. Where do I get to see these wonderous changes?
H

[Coffinmaker]

Hi Hellgate!!

I honestly don't know for sure.  I think some of the guns in EMF's on line catalogue might.  My recently acquired Pietta 1862 NYM POLICE
grips could Pass for Colt.  Near as I can tell, Pietta has changed their entire Navy Grip Production to a more Coltish persuasion.

I have also recommended folks who are looking for a more "Colt" look and feel, purchase where they can look inna box.  There will still be
a lot of "New Old Stock" out there.  No hard Promises.

Coffinmaker

[Pettifogger]

Coffinmaker,
Show me. Where do I get to see these wonderous changes?
H

You have to know what the old grips looked like.  If you do the new ones are immediately apparent.  Problem right now is that most websites and catalogs do not show the new grips.

You can go here and look at post #1.  These have the new grips.

http://sassnet.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=245171&hl=%2Bwarden+%2Bcallaway+%2B.44#entry3200239

[hellgate]

Pettifogger,
They do look a little different but not a whole lot. Thanks for the link.

[Pettifogger]

Pettifogger,
They do look a little different but not a whole lot. Thanks for the link.

You can go here on look at the third picture down.  There is actually a lot of difference between the two.  It is easiest to see if the wood is removed.  The old ones have a very distinct trumpet shape to the frame.  The new ones are very close to an original Colt.  The backstrap in the photo is steel.  The old brass ones had even more flare.

http://sassnet.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=247000

[Coffinmaker]

Trombone 

[Blair]

I have more than a little trouble understand the debate for the shape of a grip on an 1851 Colt Navy "want-to-be" chambered in .44 with rebate cylinder and frame.
That feature is more incorrect than the trumpet/trombone flare to the grip. And a great deal more noticeable.
My best,
Blair

[Crow Choker]

Pettifogger: As you said on the SASS Wire, this topic gets beat to death here from time to time also, but always makes good reading, not complaining. I for one, like the Pietta 'never was a issued 44 caliber 51' Navy'. My first one a Euorarms, bought back in '72, was such a beast and I liked it. It was accidently burned in a garbage fire and I missed it so much, I got another 44 51' Navy from Taylors 5-6 years ago. The non-Navy grip doesn't bother me, like it better than the standard Navy grip. I guess the 'never was gun' is actually a 60 frame Army and cylinder with big Navy framed grips, with a 51 Navy style 44 caliber barrel. The 'trombone' shape is also a non-issue with me, shoot just as well with it as the more traditional style. Have a regular 36 caliber Uberti 51 Navy, wish the grips were a bit larger. Never liked the Navy grip on the 73' Colt or its clones either. I prefer the Army grip, more to wrap my paw around. Guess that's why I like the 60 Army, conversion, and Dragoon grips, I do prefer the 44 caliber hoglegs over the 36's. I don't have real large hands either, medium-large chunky ones. Prefer my early Ruger 45 Vaquero grips also to my later model Vaquero. In fact, its in the plans to replace the later 357 Vaquero grips to something a little more beefy. Anyway, love shooting percussion revolvers and the 60 conversions and OpenTop. Good day to all!

[Montana Slim]

I don't disagree with personal preferences....but I'm a bit different in that I prefer to have a more similar experience to the actual period. This is what I enjoy about the sport...Whether in period attire at a match or just "plinking" at the farm or rifle club.

Therefore, my Navy models have "Navy" grips, my Army's have "Army"...This for C&B pistols. Conversions are a bit of mix/match, but still historically accurate (bore size is not accurate, but use period chamberings/ammo).

I have shot my Navies almost exclusive since I acquired...so, there must be something appealing...maybe just cause they're new (to me)...not that I haven't shot the model before (my pa has several). Can't say I mind getting more shots per pound of lead and powder with the .36 caliber. And, having 7 1/2" tubes, they shoot well at the 50-yd line on a steel "CAS" target. Add 125 gr heel-bullet & they take all the knockdowns and Texas-star targets encountered so-far with authority. Not likely you'd find a witness to claim a "miss" with them yet....but I did miss 1 of 10 shots at the 50-yd long range side match.

Slim

[Coffinmaker]

I know I've mentioned it before, elsewhere, probably several times, but hey, once more for ...... well, once more.  When I started in CAS
(Long ago in a Galaxy far, far away), I shot standard SAA replicas, just like most everyone else.  Never really well.  Close, but very few
clean matches.  Just plain didn't fit with the SAA/Navy type grips.  I never figured out why.  Even worse with Rugers.  Never figured that out either.
Then one day, I picked up a set of Open Tops with Army Grips.  BINGO.  Clean match first time out.  Never looked back.  I've converted EVERYTHING I shoot to Army Grips.  Even my '51 Navy Conversions.  Yep, Army grips.  Then after a long stay in a Hospital, with an even longer recovery, got back into shooting and switched to Cap Guns.  First Cap Guns were/are a set of 1860s with 5 1/2 inch barrels.  After
set up, shot the 1860s REALLY well.  Then I picked up a set of Pietta 1851 44s with Pietta Navy grips.  Oh krapola, some kind of AWFUL.
Those Trombone Bell grips were/are horrible.  Traded em off as quick as I could for Army grips.  Happy was/am I.  Started building
Snubbies.  Snubbies got Army grips too.  Lots more clean matches.
So.  Where are we.  We shoot Army grips.  Don't like nor shoot Navy grips well at all.  Never figured out why.  Not worried about it.  It's
sort of like, I shoot Brass rifles very well.  I don't like '73s.  Go figure.
I think it important, for folks to get out there and try different things BEFORE they drop a ton of money on guns they aren't going to like nor shoot well.  So many new folks hear "Get Rugers, built like tanks" and then drop a bundle on guns that don't suit them.  Then they either quit the game, or drop another bundle on "other" guns in the search for what works.  Try before you buy.
Of course, most of us have figured that out.  Of course, most of us dropped a bundle figuring it out   No two shooters are alike.  Of course, when "we" screw up, it gives us a great excuse to get more guns 

Coffinmaker

[treadhead1952]

Here's the difference between my .36 and .44 Navy's.



Jay
treadhead1952
Las Vegas, NV

[hellgate]

treadhead,
Are those both made by the same company?

[cheatin charlie]

Some of the first 1860 Colts were made with Navy size grips, so either grip size is acceptable as authentic.  Here is a link to an 1860
for sale and take a close look at the grips they look like a Pietta grip.  Things are not always as we think them to be.

http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/51/lid/1311

[treadhead1952]

Hi Hellgate,

I seriously doubt it.  The revolver on top is my .36 Caliber that I bought over 20 years ago at Ray's Beaver Bag here in Las Vegas.  If it wasn't new it was very lightly used.  On the bottom flat of the barrel it says, "Black Powder Only CAL 36 Made in Italy"  The only other markings on it are 2 tiny figures thingees on the right side below where the locking wedge comes through on the barrel assembly.

The one on the bottom is my .44 Caliber that I bought off of a forum Buddy on another black powder Forum 2 or 3 years back for $100.  It came to me in a bag with all the parts, some of them had been sand papered down to the steel so it required a refinish and reassembly.  In the reassembly I added a washer under the trigger and bolt spring to make it work better as well as some stone work on the hammer and trigger engagement surfaces so they would mate up properly.  The only markings on this one are two tiny figures at the bottom of the barrel assembly where it joins the frame.  There is no other marking to tell you about Black Powder Only, where it was manufactured or caliber.  Judging by those characteristics I would have to say it was probably a model made in the late 60's or early 70's.  But as to which Italian maker produced them, your guess is as good as mine.

I do know they both shoot every time I drop the hammer and hold groups around 2 inches in my hands unless I get all braced on a bench and take my time.  I might be able to trim a 1/4 to a 1/2 inch off that sized grouping.  I figure those qualities are more a testament to the design than anything else.



Jay
treadhead1952
Las Vegas, NV