.36 Navy's - steel vs brass

[Sharps '63]

Someone on the 'Pistols & Revolvers' page asked about steel vs brass framed .36 '51 Navy's.
I just replaced the trigger/bolt spring in my 2nd gen. 'Colt' '51 Navy. This required removal of the beautiful silver plated grip frame and square back trigger guard. It seemed rather light for the piece, so I put a magnet on it - Surprise, surprise ..... It isn't steel!

So, I wouldn't get too bent out of shape over brass vs steel unless you are considering a cartridge conversion kit as an option. Brass seems to be OK for Colt. The 'Reb' versions have been around for a while and they have brass frames.

I just sold a 'Spaghetti' '51 with a steel frame. It was developing end shake (loose cylinder arbor) and I didn't want to bother with the repair. It shot very well, 4" high at 15 yards, windage centred. The 'Colt' prints 8" high, 2" right.

A pal's new Uberti Navy is centred, but hits 6-8" high at 15 yards. Typical of the type. Same for my 2nd Gen 'Colt' .44 Dragoon. Expecting an 1850s design to perform like a modern revolver is a ticket to disappointment. Enjoy them for themselves, warts and all.

 

[Skinny 1950]

The backstraps and trigger guards on almost all of the original Colt 1851's were made of brass. There were a few that where made of steel but they are rare. A lot of the brass backstraps and trigger guards were silver plated (more a wash than serious plating) and it wore off quickly.
I have a Pietta 1851 .44 "fantasy" gun with steel frame and the cylinder arbour is a bit loose but when the wedge is in it is tight. I like shooting this gun due to the extra power and noise and smoke.
I bought a brass framed 1851 .36 to add to my collection,I like to think it represents the confederate copy of the Colt,it is very plain...no cylinder scenes or adornments of any kind. It is still very tight mechanically after 35 years and the brass is turning a nice brown colour.

 

[PsyEx]

Skinny 1950 beat me too it. It is the frame itself that is steel on the Colt models and not necessarily the grip frame. The grip frame does not absorb the punishment of recoil like the main frame itself.