Colt navy questions

The term "Navy" refers to the caliber (.36) of the revolver, not necessarily the branch of service.

Not really; it refers to who ordered a particular lot of a particular calibre. There were also 1850 brass frame "Navy" revolvers in .44; round vs. octagon 7 1/2" barrels. Usually it referred to the scene carved on the cylinder.
 
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Actually today NAVY refers to grip size. a NAVY grip is very similiar to a 1873 COLT and there is/was an army grip which was a little larger. the newer NAVY,s are generally brass and the ARMY grip is steel. I prefer the NAVY grip. PROPHET RIVER has a very nice selection of single actions many open top COLT'S ( made by TAYLOR ) They don't have the MAN WITH NO NAME but they do have quite a few other open tops. they also have a 1858 REMINGTON CONVERSION. They are also very cool. CLINT used 1858's in PALE RIDER.
 
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Here was one of mine:

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The 1873 model is actually made by Sauer (of Sig Sauer fame) in West Germany.

This is the pair. One is a Cimarron model, the other is a real 1851 Colt that was carried through the Civil War and even the Sandcreek Massacre.

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I really like the non traditional single actions myself. I am talking out the non 1873 colt guns. I have my 1851 COLT .38 with 7 1/2", 1871 NAVY COLT .38 4 3/4" plus 2 REMINGTON 1875 OUTLAWS both in .38 one is 5 1/2" other is 7 1/2". I see that you can now get a 1858 REMINGTON conversion in .38, it has an octogon barrel and the black powder loading lever like my 1851 COLT. I just may have to treat myself. I just liked having something a little different when I was shooting COWBOY.

Someone here mentioned about converting a black powder gun. that wouldn't be to bad in a 1858 REMINGTON as it is easy to take out the cylinder to reload but an 1851 COLT would be a PAIN as yo need to knock out barrel wedge and take barrel off to remove cylinder. Years ago one guy had a pair like that but after a few seasons he bought a a pair of 1871 open tops with loading gates, He did keep his old ones also tho as they were nice. just my 2 cents
 
A modern Colt style percussion revolver can be converted to cartridge with modification to the recoil shield to clear cases being ejected. It is not necessary to remove the cylinder to reload. The modification to the recoil shield takes about half an hour and does not prevent the revolver from being used as a cap and ball.
 
barnh961: Quite true. Some cartridge conversions do require removing the cylinder for reloading. The Remington revolver being the exception. Those Colt-type percussion guns modified to use a Kirst conversion cylinder feature a loading gate and ejector rod assembly, similar to the 1873. Fitting one of these conversions is not difficult, for anyone with modest mechanical skills. Have modified a few in the past.

Sort of a one-way street though. As switching back to percussion is a bit more difficult. Can be done, though. The Taylor conversion cylinders, though slower to reload and require removing the barrel, allow more flexibility when switching from one system to the other. At least in my experience. I agree, the Remington conversion cylinder would be the best of both worlds. Easy to swap cylinders. The solid frame makes for a very sturdy and accurate revolver, too.

I agree....for Colt fans, going to an Open Top is an easier solution. The 1851 Richards-Mason is a dandy. Clean lines, well balanced and a pleasure to shoot. For those interested, Hickok45 featured one of these revolvers in one of his you tube episodes. Highly informative. For further videos on cartridge conversion revolvers and range reports, Mike Beliveau(duelist1954) has several episodes devoted to them. Well worth viewing.

A pal of mine owns a pair of Remington 1875 Outlaws like yours, too. He likes them. They are a regular feature on his gun belt, when competing in Cowboy Action.

The 1871/72's were by far(at least in my opinion), the best examples of the conversions. As they were purpose-built for cartridge loading. I am fond of the 1871's, owning a pair. Shoot bp exclusively out of these pistols. .38 Long Colt, being the preferred cartridge...as being close as possible to original chamberings.

Always fun getting different perspectives on these unique and historically important guns.

Al
 
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[/QUOTE]...Sort of a one-way street though. As switching back to percussion is a bit more difficult. Can be done, though...[/QUOTE]

How so? Push out the wedge, remove the barrel, remove the breech ring, install the percussion cylinder and barrel.
 
tiriaq: Cannot load the percussion cylinders on the revolver, as rammer now gone. Replaced by cartridge ejector assembly. Not too big a deal, as cylinders easily loaded using a simple press. Loading lever(rammer) can also be re-installed, if so inclined. Process in switching from one to the other does take a few minutes, though. Easy with percussion-only revolver. Rammer stays in place. Cylinder only needs removal.
Does that answer your question
 
One screw to remove the ejector assembly, one screw when replacing loading lever assembly.
Hardy a one way street, very low degree of difficulty.
 
tiriaq: I said it was sort of a one- way street. Never said it was permanent. Re-read my last post. The part where I described re-installing the loading lever. Degree of difficulty aside...I doubt very many shooters will want to go through that process, every time they switch. You can, if you like. Screws can get dropped and lost, too.
 
this is why I really like my CIMMARON MAN WITH NO NAME 1851, It's not exactly faithful to the original guns because it basically has the back end of a 1871/72 NAVY COLT with the loading gate and the the front end of an 1851 with an octagon barrel and black powder loading lever but it's fun to shoot.
 
barny961: They are neat revolvers. At least in my opinion. Nitpickers for historical authenticity might disagree. Combine some features of both the percussion and cartridge eras. I like the innovative way Uberti combined the percussion-type loading lever, with a punch for knocking out empty cases.. A neat gadget. You did mention that you use a small screwdriver for this task, though. Fun shooting and a great conversation piece at the range(or competition), regardless.
 
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Only trouble talking about this is now I have an itch to get a 1858 REMINGTON conversion. When I shot black powder years ago that was what I used, it was actually prefered by most shooters over the open top colt. Don't get me wrong I love my open tip COLTS but the 1858 REMINGTON was a superior design until of course until COLT came out with the famous 1873 peacemaker design. 1873 is a great gun but I only own 1 of them
 
MY gunsmith has an 1874 Remington in 44 which he has completely redone. I would suggest it is better than factory new, now. The gun competed with the 1873 SAA and at the time was not as popular. His is an antique and will go to his son. In the US the gun would sell for approx. $5K US. It is a beautiful specimen.

Take Care

Bob
 
barny961: You know that eventually you`re going to have to scratch that itch.` The Remingtons were certainly an advanced design for the time. I do like the clean lines of the Colts, but Remington revolvers have a certain panache that makes them unique. Plus strong and accurate. Been thinking of adding one of these to the herd too, sometime in the future.

Canuck44: That Remington is a treasure that the gunsmith`s son should appreciate. A pal of mine owns an early(Vintage 1878) 1873 Colt revolver. Well used and showing its age, but never abused. Still a fine shooter. With appropriate loads that respect its age. Will likely outlive his grandkids.
 
Fingers284: I am surprised you haven't joined this conversation, yet. I know you're very knowledgeable about single action guns. Your input and observations are appreciated.

Al
 
Going a bit in a different direction my New Navy 1888 DA antique now sports a .357 barrel and a 38LC cylinder which does accommodate 38spl loads suitably shooting very light loads. The 358477 and 358156 Lyman bullets do well in the gun. I am experimenting with GC's applied to both to reduce the gas cutting I experience. The cylinder throats are very generous and I also just intend to shoot the bullets unsized as well. The old Colt was my Great grandads originally chambered for the 41Long Colt. The conversion to the 38LC is a God sent although I must confess I did learn more than most would want to know about loading for the 41LC. It was an interesting trip which ended with a cracked forcing cone. The gun now looks like it did when it left the Colt factory. It will go to my Grand-son.

Take Care

Bob
 
Speaking of 1873s, there is one in an estate that is going to be sold before long. 4 3/4" .45 made in 1915. It is mostly patina, traces of finish in sheltered areas. Mechanically perfect with shiny chambers and bore. Carried loaded so long that the breech face shows rings from the heads of the cartridges, one edge of the muzzle is slightly rounded, one side of the hard rubber stocks is worn. Came out of Montana.
I'd love to get it, but wouldn't want to shortchange my friend's widow - so no bargain to be had.

As far as the 1875 Remingtons go, I find that they are not as comfortable in the hand as a Colt.
 
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