The Other Cowboy Revolvers.

[Grayfox54]

I've mentioned before how a touch of arthritis in my right hand makes it difficult for me to shoot the traditional Colt/Ruger style SA revolvers. Simply put, the shape of the plow handle grip causes the back of the trigger guard to beat the holy hell outta my middle finger knuckle. It only takes about one cylinder full to have me bleeding.  So, in order to get my Cowboy fix, I've turned to other revolvers common in the old west.

According to TV and movies, you'd think that every cowboy in the old west carried a Colt SAA. Not exactly true.  The Colts were indeed quite popular, they weren't the only revolvers used by a long shot. For my needs, I've settled on the Remington Model 1875 and the Smith & Wesson Schofield both in .45 Colt caliber.  

You will note that the grip frame on both guns sits just a little bit further back on the frame that the traditional Colt style. This gives my poor knuckle just enough space to avoid damage. 

I might also mention that both of these guns originally came with 7-7.5" barrels. I have opted for the more modern 5-5.5" lengths as they just handle better for me. 

The Remington Model 1875 was their answer to the Colt SAA. Its really just their extremely successful  Model 1858 Percussion Cap revolver fitted with a bored through cylinder.  Its just a tad bit bigger, beefier and heaver than the Colt, but proved to be very popular in the old west. Many preferred its slightly more "heft".  The Remington was known to be favored by Buffalo Bill Cody and outlaw Frank James among others. 

The big bore S&W break tops were also quite common in the old west. The Number 3 American in .44 S&W was very popular. Colonel George Schofield  modified the latch mechanism to make it easier for mounted troops to unload and reload the revolver with one hand.  The U.S. Army purchased around 8000 Schofield revolvers for their troops. S&W chambered the Army guns in .45 S&W Schofield caliber as the cylinder was just a bit too short for the standard .45 Colt cartridge. The two cartridges are identical except for length with the colt being just a tad bit longer. Little known fact: to simplify the supply chain, most ammo issued to troops was .45 S&W Schofield as it worked in either the Colt or S&W guns. Most modern reproductions, such as mine, have a slightly longer cylinder and are chambered in the more common .45 Colt caliber. 

Well, there you have it. Other revolvers popular in the old west. There are others as well such as some of the early DA revolvers. Show 'em if ya got 'em! 

 

 

[Sleep profit]

Beautiful weapons 

[res308]

Beautiful shootin irons, and a mighty fine read as well. 

[TripleGGG]

Very nice. 

[gregintenn]

 

 

 

Here's an original Remington chambered in 38 rimfire. I've toyed with the idea of trying to adapt a 38 Special cylinder to it, but probably never will. Although it retains virtually no finish, it is tight as a new one. I think the ivory grips are a nice touch as well. They are yellowed from age, but remain undamaged.

[TripleGGG]

3 hours ago, gregintenn said:

 

 

 

Here's an original Remington chambered in 38 rimfire. I've toyed with the idea of trying to adapt a 38 Special cylinder to it, but probably never will. Although it retains virtually no finish, it is tight as a new one. I think the ivory grips are a nice touch as well. They are yellowed from age, but remain undamaged.

That's nice.