Big Hand Guns

[deucedaddyj]

Hey Everyone. I've keeping my eye out for a new revolver, but I'm having trouble finding one that suits my tastes. My hands are long and large, and I just can't find a gun that feels right. Does anyone have any recomendations? The only thing that I've seen yet that might do the trick, are the original Walkers I saw at the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco. Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of money to spare. I don't think I'd have enough to get them to let me hold one . Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Major 2]

Well sir, your in luck Uberti makes the reproduction of the Walker. Uberti is a well respected maker under the same Corp. Banner as Beretta & Benelli (Shotguns).
I would ventrue 95 % of the shooters here either has or does shoot Uberti's.

I think Armi San Marco also made Walkers and is now und the name of Filli Peitta or Peitta for short (a source is Cabela's $339.00 ,though If you look you may find them cheaper) call Andy Falks @ Fall Creek Sutler or Taylor's in Winchester, Va. (both Uberti dealers )
There is also the 1st 2nd & 3rh Model Dragoons also handfuls....

You may also want to handle the 1860 Army it has as big a grip and Caliber as the Walker, and is my personal favorite.

All of these have an available drop in conversion Cylinder from Cap & ball to Cartridges with no mod to the gun.

Jump in, hang on & have fun......

[deucedaddyj]

Yeah, a Walker is a personal favorite too! I have thought about a pietta I saw at cabela's once, but the grips aren't quite as big as the originals I saw. I think a Uberti might just do the trick. To bad Colt dosen't make open tops any more.

[Major 2]

If it a Uberti then call Taylor's....
http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/products/detail.tpl?ID=101&category=Black%20Powder&subcategory=1848%20Dragoons%20/%201847%20Walker&startat=1

Personality , Uberti is the better choice

[St. George]

'Colt' doesn't make Open-Tops or Conversions any more - but Cimarron sure does.

Take a look and you may find one of the .44 Colts to your liking.

I like the big Colt Dragoons - especially the Third Model -  but for carry - they're damned heavy.

Good Luck.

Scouts Out!

[Major 2]

'Colt' doesn't make Open-Tops or Conversions any more - but Cimarron sure does.

Take a look and you may find one of the .44 Colts to your liking.

I like the big Colt Dragoons - especially the Third Model -  but for carry - they're damned heavy.

Good Luck.

Scouts Out!

I kinda assumed cost was an issue or I would have mentioned Cimmaron.
Taylor & Co. offers some nice quality Uberti's



I have several Colt 2nd Gen.s quality is first rate,
And I rate my new  Cimmaron 72 Opentop as one fine quality piece.

[deucedaddyj]

Cost isn't too much of an issue, but I'd like to get something that would take as little upgrading as possible. A 2nd or 3rd model Dragoon would be nice too. I'd like to actually get a pair of revolvers. So the walkers might be a bit too much.

[dangerranger]

I have a thick meaty palm, and short stubby fingers. rugars are what I have a hard time gripping. colt clones seem to fit better. might be worth a try. DR.

[Ed Clintwood]

I'd look at one of the dragons.  I have a 2nd model Pietta, at least that what Navy Arms said mine was.  It is heavy but it will put a ball down range.  My question to anyone is, is there a conversion cylinder to fit the Pietta model, or how different is the Pietta from the Uberti?

[Major 2]

There is a difference... enough that R&D makes Cylinders both Uberti & Pietta Armies & Navies.

I see they list a Cyl. for the Uberti Dragoon...all you can do is  call (608) 289-3241,  8am - 5pm cst. 
or send email to sales@randdgunshop.com.

[deucedaddyj]

I was researching the differences myself, and I've been told that the piettas have a slightly larger frame. That's just what I was told though.

[LazyK Pejay]

Maj231,

I was looking at the link you posted. The ad said no gun was more powerful that the Walker until the 357 in the 30's. I wonder if they know about this pistol:

"The Le Mat Revolver was the most famous foreign pistol in service during the Civil War. It was invented by a French-born New Orleans doctor in 1856. The 'cap and ball' weapon is unique in that it has two barrels. A cylinder which held nine .40 calibre rounds fired through the upper barrel and revolved around the lower .63 calibre barrel which held a charge of buck-shot. By merely flicking his thumb, the shooter could re-align the hammer to fall on the lower barrel which acted as a small shotgun -- deadly at close range. Dr (or sometimes colonel) Jean Alexander Francois Le Mat produced about 300 of his weapon in New Orleans prior to the outbreak of the war. The weapons were noted as reliable and became well liked, so when the war began, Le Mat moved to France to set up mass production for the Confederacy. The French made (manufactured by G. Girard & Co) revolvers, however, were found to be of poor quality, whole lots the pistol were condemned as unserviceable by Southern buyers in Europe. Le Mat moved his production and contracted through Belgian and English companies. As many as 3,000 of the pistol eventually found their way to the South. The handgun came with either a 18 or 20-guage shot barrel and one version could be fitted with a full length barrel. The Le Mat was carried by such famous Southern Generals as P.G.T. Beauregard and J.E.B. Stuart.

I realize there is a difference between 40 and 44 cal. but this was a powerful handgun.

LazyK Pejay

[deucedaddyj]

You know, I forgot all about the Lemat. That's one of my favorite guns.

[Major 2]

Maj231,

I was looking at the link you posted. The ad said no gun was more powerful that the Walker until the 357 in the 30's. I wonder if they know about this pistol:

"The Le Mat Revolver was the most famous foreign pistol in service during the Civil War. It was invented by a French-born New Orleans doctor in 1856. The 'cap and ball' weapon is unique in that it has two barrels. A cylinder which held nine .40 calibre rounds fired through the upper barrel and revolved around the lower .63 calibre barrel which held a charge of buck-shot. By merely flicking his thumb, the shooter could re-align the hammer to fall on the lower barrel which acted as a small shotgun -- deadly at close range. Dr (or sometimes colonel) Jean Alexander Francois Le Mat produced about 300 of his weapon in New Orleans prior to the outbreak of the war. The weapons were noted as reliable and became well liked, so when the war began, Le Mat moved to France to set up mass production for the Confederacy. The French made (manufactured by G. Girard & Co) revolvers, however, were found to be of poor quality, whole lots the pistol were condemned as unserviceable by Southern buyers in Europe. Le Mat moved his production and contracted through Belgian and English companies. As many as 3,000 of the pistol eventually found their way to the South. The handgun came with either a 18 or 20-guage shot barrel and one version could be fitted with a full length barrel. The Le Mat was carried by such famous Southern Generals as P.G.T. Beauregard and J.E.B. Stuart.

I realize there is a difference between 40 and 44 cal. but this was a powerful handgun.

LazyK Pejay

As you said 40 vs 44 and the Walker Cyl. was longer allowing a larger charge of BP....

Now if your talking the 18 or 20-guage shot barrel , I guess your right.

I owned two of the Cavalry La Mats imported by Navy Arms , and BTW they took some big hands to handle. I found them a bit to big for my hands.
Nice guns though.

[Dakota Widowmaker]

I put my vote in for a pair of walkers...

You walk onto a SASS or NCOWS even with a pair of those, folks step back...

Even a 2nd or 3rd model Dragoon will set folks running... I know a guy who "double charged" his dragoons and shot an event.

Everyone's ears were ringing that didn't bother to put plugs in. (I only wear plugs in mine when I am shooting or working as a RO during a match...most CAS loads are light enough that it no big deal at 10 yards back from the shooter when you are outdoors)

When he let out, the steel was ringing...VERY LOUD.


But, the Walker is a HEAVY gun. HUGE grips make it a keeper, but, the massive cylinder and 9" barrel all but relegate it to a crossdraw. And only one of them on your belt at a time. (well, unless you do a "double belt")

The Walker is the ultimate cap-n-ball gun to shoot...with 200gr Lee conicals and 55 or 60gr of Pyrodex or GOEX FFFg, its enough to remind you why they they are referred to as "horse pistols" or "saddle shooters".

[Ed Clintwood]

I vote for the Walkers too.  I think I read somewhere that you could get 60+ grains of FFFG behind a .45 ball and I'll bet that puts it ahead of a .357 maybe not, but I sure wouldn't want to get hit with one.  The LeMat was in Cold Mountain (both the movie and book), it was also in Hotel de Paris with (the cook in Forbiden Planet) on TV, although if memory serves (sometimes) they had it as a seven shooter plus shotgun.  Anyway it is a cool gun.  If you had a pair could you use them for both pistol and shotgun evernt? 

[Cyrille]

Wal Pilgrim, Mah vote goes to th Old style Vaquero it has a lg. frame and to my "big beefy palm & short, stubby fingers" it is very comfortable.

[Forty Rod]

Might not be big enough, but look at a repro 1860 Colt.  They can be fitted with cartrige cylinders or left alone to use percussion caps.

[deucedaddyj]

Since I started the thread I've held a lot of guns,and I've found quite a few that I like. Namely the older model rugers that have bigger grips, the 1860 army, and the Walker. It just so happens I picked up a Walker over the weekend. It's a Uberti, never fired, with a display case, flask and bullet mold. I got the whole enchilada for about $360! I'm a happy guy right now. To make things better, it's a special made Walker that was produced in small numbers for the Dallas Arms Collectors Assoc. The only actual difference in the revolver is the cylinder has the name of the orginization and their logo laser engraved on it instead of the traditional dragoon scene.

Pretty nice, and it actually fits me pretty good! Needs some action work though. The hammer's got a real hard pull to it, and I think the timing could use a bit of work.

[Maddog]

How about one of these



Its a 45 Colt Ruger