Looking for advice - Cap & Ball Revolvers

Killer Kanuck

Killer Kanuck

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So I have a Uberti Henry on the way, and automatically I start thinking about picking up a companion pistol to go with it. I could just pick up something in the same caliber (44-40) but that basically limits me to an 1873 Colt or 1875 Remington, but both of those seem too modern to go with a Henry. So I'm thinking it's maybe time to join the cap & ball ranks, and I'm looking for advice.
I have larger sized hands, so I'm assuming the 1851 & 1861 Colts probably wouldn't be the best fit. That leaves me with the 1858 Remington or 1860 Colt (I know - there are probably about a dozen other makes/models out there, but I've basically narrowed it down to these 2). What are the pro's/con's of each? Better off with a Pietta or Uberti? What other equipment should I pick up at the same time?
 
How about a 1858 Remy with a Cartridge Adaptor Cylinder in 45 colt. or maby they have them in 44 40
That way you would have the correct era handgun but not the mess of reloading BP percussion.
Them adaptor cylinders are pretty cool.
I have and Orignal 1858 Remington with a cartridge Conversion 44 Russian its never gona be percussion again as its had the bore made smaller to shoot the 44 Russian its .430 and the chambers are long enough for the 44 SP to.
It can shoot that Winchester cowboy ammo.
The 1858 Frame is very Strong. stronger than any open top Colt.

My gun is a Custom gun with a shorter barrel custom sights ect. it can shoot 800 FPS 44 Special and its and orignal Antique frame.
A repo could handle more power.;)
 
Either the colt '60 or the rem '58. Sight are easier to deal with on the remmy. As for the caliber, it does'nt really matter, the Henry was a .44 rimfire, not a 44-40, so why not a SAA in the same caliber than your Henry?
 
I know the Henry isn't in the original caliber, but 44-40 is a hell of a lot easier to find and load than 44 rimfire. There's only 13 years between the development of the Henry and Colt 1873, but IMO they just don't seem to go together. Plus I already have a New Vaquero, so I'm looking for something outside the basic 1873 style.
 
Greetings,

Both Uberti and Pietta make a quality repro so either way you can't go wrong. First handgun I owned was a Pietta 1858 Remi and I still miss it.

Now, pros and cons of both.

Remi - easier to change cylinder, more durable because of the top strap, extra cylinders can be purchased and loaded ahead of time for a quick reload, due to the design they bind up faster due to BP fouling but a wipe down of the cylinder pin takes care of that.

Colt - Does not bind up as quickly as Remi, harder to change cylinder

Both are fun to shoot and look good to boot.

As for caliber, 44 is the way to go. You can load it up or down to suit your shooting preferences and if you want to go really easy, use the Pyrodex 30 grain 45cal pellets and nothing could be easier.

As always, both will need cleaning after use, but such is the lot of BP shooters.

Hope this helps.

Matt
 
For a cartridge option, you might consider one of the conversion style revolvers. Colt and Remington style are available.
 
Recently saw an ad. for a new Remington pattern conversion. I think it was .45. I'll see if I can find the ad. Maybe .44-40 is an option.
I have always fancied the appearance of the open top conversion types. Somewhere I have the plans (and a roughed out breech ring) for a .36 C&B Colt to .38 conversion. Just another of my many possible projects.
 
Killer Kanuck said:
I think you have to use a hollow based bullet.
Click to expand...

Well i had the Barrel changed on my 1858 so its bore is .430 as shooting .429 Bullets down a .454 Bore would be very unaccurate.

I got one of the last very hard to find 44 Russian 6 shot conversion cylinders with a loading gate.
If ya found another one a gunsmith could ream it for 44 40 easy enough.
If ya bought a 44 40 Reamer from Brownells you could do it yourself.

Most Adaptor Cylinders for the 44 Cal percussion guns are 45 Colt tho.
Its alot of Dicking around to do what i did but its a Sweet unit. :)

If your thinking about going this Route try and buy a Antique 1858 so you dont need to Register it.
The 1858 with a modern cartridge adaptor cylinder is a supper strong gun and if ya made it into a 44 40 could handle decent loads to.
 
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