1851, 1860, 1861 revolver comparisons

[Mike.357]

break in the barrel beforehand

This is a new one to me, explain what you mean, I always just load them up and shoot them. Well aside from cleaning the packing oil off first.

[Mark@Sea]

Iossol on a patch/jag, worked through the barrel a few doz. times.

Got this from a thread on THR. A long-time BP shooter (who wrote a book on it, apparently) advised this method to 'hone' and smooth the barrel.

I tried it, and felt a noticeable change. And that bore shines!!

[Mark@Sea]

Mike, now this is really disgusting.

I found a source for fake ivory grips. One even has a saloon girl on it...

[Mike.357]

need to see the link for pho ivory grips

saloon girl might look good on my Navy, LOL

so do you think that Iossol will make a difference after a bunch of lead has been through the barrel? Aside from making is shiny does it make the gun more accurate?

I wonder why the manufacturer does not mention it?

I trust that authors opinion. I believe I know who you speak of from THR. I am suprised I did not see that on there. I am guessing it is on the sticky on their BP subforum. I will have to go and look later on when I get home.

[xd shooter]

Iossol bore cleaner. Will Thompson/Center bore cleaner be ok? I have some of this it is non-petroleum.

[Mark@Sea]

XD, iossol is something I've just recently seen myself. It seems to be very mildly abrasive. I also use butches bore shine - foulest smelling stuff I've come across in a while, but you'd be amazed what comes out of a 'clean' barrel with it.

Shop here in Norfolk carries iossol if you can't find it locally and think it worth the trouble. Let me know...

http://www.gripmaker.com/ look under the 'stars and garters' category

[Guest gunslinger707]

Mike that G&G repro is a beauty ! Been looking around Cabelo's scratch scratch scratch !!!! lol

[xd shooter]

Where are you from gunslinger? You know scatching too much causes rashes. Mark about the only place I have to shop for supplies is BPS & AS if they don't carry it I may need to talk to you about getting me some (if you don't mind)

Edited May 9, 2008 by xd shooter

[Mike.357]

Gunslinger, Cabelas has nice enough stuff. I am not sure really what the differences are between what they sell and what some of the other retailers sell. I have read that some of the others hold the manufacturers to higher standards as to fit and finish.

My only comparison is the Remington from EMF and the Reb Navy from Cabelas. Both are Pietta. I will say that the Pietta from EMF is better in fit and finish. But the one from Cabelas is not shabby at all. The only flaw was in the edges of the grip where it met the frame near the hammer. I easily smoothed these out though so it was of no matter. Now the Uberti which I bought through Cabelas is real nice. I am not sure how it could have been better if bought from one of the more "Elite" suppliers. The Uberti 1873 is excellent in fit and finish. The action of the revolver is exceptional too.

About the only flaw I see is that the front sight needs to be filed down some. But I work on how much of the front sight sits above the frame while I aim it. I am not sure I want to go removing metal from it.

I do not know if this is still true but for a while Cabelas was offering the '58 Remington in steel frame for $169. Regualrly 199. Might be worth calling and asking if the Remmy is what you were leaning toward. If you were looking at a Colt you might like this one. the 1851 NAVY in .44 with case hardened frame. Price is pretty decent. http://www.possibleshop.com/cap-ball-closeout.htm

IMHO it would be worth is over a $139 piece from Cabelas. I believe the Traditions guns are made by Pietta.

[Mark@Sea]

I read a review today on THR of that '51 from the possibles shop. The buyer was very happy with it. Darn it, I want a '49, but I don't have a '51, either. Wheres' that eco-stimulus bribe money? Maybe I ought to get the '51 before they are sold out?

XD, I can pick up the iossol, no problem. Mailing might be an issue, I am working 6 days a week here in the yards - that is an improvement, it's 7 when we're sailing. Will do best I can, though, if you need it.

Gunslinger, you're gettin' itchy? "Dang it, Mike" ought to be my new sig line. I'm really looking forward to that '62 police. I know a 'smith down in Florida that does very nice old-method bluing, I have this dumb impulse to send him the barrel/cylinder for a charcoal blue, and the screws for a nitre-blue. I had him do something for me once in nitre-blue, it looks like blue chrome! Hmmm, I have a small plating kit, and the original brass trigger guards and backstraps were silver plated......

Dang it, Mike!

Edited May 9, 2008 by Mark@Sea
*Possibles shop '51 is a Pietta, by the way

[xd shooter]

Mark if you could do that it may save me alot of gas.How bad of a problem would mailing it be? How much does it cost? would you like a check before or after? I do like to have the good stuff when I can afford it. I did get my bribe money but I have to buy plane tickets to Was. state for my son & I to see my sister.

gunslinger the 1851 Traditions is what I have on order from Possible shop. It may take me a little while to get a shot through it, but I will post about it.

[Mark@Sea]

XD, pm me your address, we'll sort it out when you get it in hand.

[Mike.357]

Hmmm, I have a small plating kit, and the original brass trigger guards and backstraps were silver plated

That pistol would look downright outstanding with silver plate. How much actual silver do you think it would take?

I have never blued anything before. I have removed bluing on the 51 Navy from ASM. Looks pretty darn good in white steel. Just need to keep it wiped down a bit with some light oil.

[Mark@Sea]

My little kit uses silver in solution. I'd have to check on the cost, likely less than $20.

Caveat - this method produces a very thin plate. For about twice that you can have it professionally plated - in fact there is a thread in the BP forum of THR that gives an address. I'd bet, though, there is a plating shop in Knoxville that'll do the job.

Bluing - there are a lot of different methods. Each has its' pros and cons. What Uberti is currently calling charcoal bluing isn't - it is actually a type of nitre blue. Leaves a beautiful finish that scratches easily and wears easily.

Carbonia, or gas-furnace bluing, gives a shiny blue that doesn't, to me, have much depth.

Charcoal blue, with the exception of one or two specialty shops, hasn't been done since the turn of the last century.

slow-rust blue is the authentic blue for these guns.

[Guest gunslinger707]

XDShooter i'm in east Tn.near Kingsport I used to own 2 1851 F.I.E

repro's i gave them to my son's a few yrs ago. Mike the 1858 is 199.99 at Cabelo's now I'm torn between it and a 1860 Army !! lol

[Mark@Sea]

Dang it, Mike!

[Mike.357]

Wow Mark, that is a nice looking piece there. Uberti?

I wonder how practical the short loading lever is? Being .36 cal I am guessing it is usable. But it might be worthwhile to use some sort of cylinder loading platform.

does it have a front site? If so I am guessing it is a brass nub?

[Mike.357]

1858 is 199.99 at Cabelo's now I'm torn between it and a 1860 Army

Either one would be a nice choice. I am preferential to the Remmy but I have Colts as well. I am really just a big fan of how easy it is to remove the cylinder on the '58.

I have two percussion cylinders and one cartridge cylinder for mine. Load them all up and to me the shooting is more pleasurable.

Pretty much when I am shooting the percussion revolvers I load everything up at the same time. Sometimes I pull the barrel and cylinder on the Colt Navys sometimes I use the loading lever.

[Mark@Sea]

Want to try to find a few minutes to play with building the paper cartridges? I can pick up a pack of cigarette papers somewhere, I'm sure. Ought to be quick to reload those.

That'n above, that I just mailed off the payment for, is a purchase from a private seller. .31 caliber in a small frame, so the loading lever is even shorter than you think. I doubt it will make it home in time for the shoot. This one will probably get the slow-rust blue/silver plate treatment.

Sure am glad my wife doesn't read this forum!

[towerclimber37]

see? I like the octagonal barrel better. I dunno why. I just do.

[Mark@Sea]

Hi Brother. Good to 'see' ya.

Hope you can make it to the shoot. We're planning on you and Julie having the guest room.

[Mike.357]

the octagonal barrel on that .31 is reminiscent of the '51 Navy and its shape.

You know I picked up some rolling papers a couple of months ago to try making cartridges with. Now don't you know that of all the ones the store had to choose from I picked some that do not have glue on the edges. Pretty much useless.

I will try to remember to pick up a pack of JoB 1.5 papers. I think the 1.5 will make it easier for a beginner like me to try this with.

and the guy I get balls from is wearing me out with this. They did not come in again this week. I am starting to get irritated with it. I spoke to him today and he promised me the guy in Chattanooga(his supplier) swore they shipped out yesterday. If so they will be in his store Monday. I am going to buy all he has assuming they come in. Anyway it sounds like a definite possible maybe that they will be there Monday.

I tried to talk my wife into coming along but she and her mom have plans Saturday.

Also not sure if I am going to do the camping thing or not. Not much point if'n I am the only one around.

[Mark@Sea]

Mike, if you haven't picked up the balls can I change my mind? Balls for the .36's would come in handier than the .44's at this point.

[Mike.357]

Okay, I will skip the balls for you then. I can just pay you cash for the powder dispenser.

i don't think the place I get them at has .375 lead.

[Mark@Sea]

Thankee!