1873 Colt SAA popularity vs 1875 Rem. Outlaw?

[DavidB2]

I had looked at getting an Uberti 1875 Outlaw recently in 45LC. However, due to lack of availability I gave up the search and got a 7.5 inch barrel Cattleman SAA. The price was also right at $415.00. Also, the longer I looked at the Outlaw online; the more I dis-liked the Outlaw's shorter grip vs. the SAA grip. I don't care for shorter grips. I have also read some negative things about Outlaw's sights/accuracy and unreliable hand springs.

Other than the shorter grip; the Outlaw is a beautiful revolver. What are the historical reasons it was not more competitive with the SAA?

 

[CraigC]

I never noticed the Remington's grips being shorter but the sights are miniscule. As they are on most handguns from the period. On paper, it's a better sixgun than the Colt but there is something in the feel and handling that it lacks. That said, the 1875 we bought Dad is a fantastic shooter.

They're in stock at Dixie Gun Works.

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=14060

 

[The Bushmaster]

When you pick up a Colt SAA you know you are holding one of the best balance firearms ever made. It looks and feels like a Colt. No other SAA has this balance and feel. Besides being a work of art.

 

[RPRNY]

The Colt grip is its greatest, and in my opinion, about its only, unique selling point. The Colt single action grip remained largely unchanged from the 1830s Patterson through the last run of 1873 SAA in 1940. In addition to its effect on balance and general comfort, especially for those with larger hands, it is superior in the way it channels recoil cleanly and smoothly allowing more rapid target acquisition in follow up shots. Colt started producing its SAA in 1873 and secured substantial Army contracts that allowed substantial manufacturing investment and production volume increase. Remington started two years later in the cartridge revolver game and just as it failed to produce the volumes / sales / pricing with the 1858 (a far superior revolver) to best the Colt 1860, so too it's 1875 and 1890 revolvers were never able to overcome the superior PR, marketing, sales might, and grip endowed balance of the Colt.

In my opinion, the Remington 1858 pattern was the finest contemporary cap and ball revolver by a long shot. But the comfort, balance, and, for lack of a better term, "liveliness" of the Colts all but made up for their faults. And in the SAA, they built the finest single action revolver. Ever. In my opinion.

So, good choice and enjoy!!!

Sent from my KFOT using Tapatalk 2

 

[CraigC]

For the sake of accuracy, there were a lot of different Colt revolver grip designs. Even a handful among the Paterson guns as they were made in varying sizes. The #5 belt model being the most popular but still quite different from the later `51 Navy/SAA profile. Then there's the massive Walker and Dragoon, plus the 1860 Army, 1871-1872 Open Top, all the pocket percussion guns, the Root model and the Bisley. Of all the sixguns Colt made, only the `51/`61 Navy and SAA wore the same grip.

Much as I love the Navy/SAA grip, I prefer the longer 1860 Army but the Bisley is also very comfortable.

 

[45 Dragoon]

Good choice David B2, All single actions can use a good tuning that not only makes for a smoother action but extends the parts life immensely!! I also agree with CraigC about the Plow handle 1860's feel. Dragoon grips are rather comfy too. I can say that I have had more 1860's that produce 1 ragged hole in targets than an 1858 Rem.(and I used to carry one with me before I found opentops) so I have a diff. opinion than RPRNY as to who made a "far superior" wepon. You know opinions are like other things, everybody's got one.

45 Dragoon

 

[Lone Star]

The Remington 1875 MAY have been more likely to foul with black powder than the Colt. Egypt bought 10,000, so it was evidently regarded as reliable at the time. I think Britain had governing power in Egypt then.

A famous scout and author named Frederick Burnham used an 1875 in both Arizona and in British service in the 2nd Boer war of 1899-1902. I think that he was made Chief of Scouts in that conflict, altough he was American. I believe he held the rank of Major.

If the 1875 had been made in .45 Colt, that might have helped. The .44 Remington wasn't as popular as .45 Colt and .44-40.

And the Colt just feels better in the hand. You do have to keep tightening the screws, whereas the Remington frame was solid, no separate grip straps and trigger guard to loosen under recoil.

 

[DavidB2]

Got the Outlaw

Well, I got the Outlaw today. It was only 16 dollars more at $450.00 than the Uberti Cattleman 7.5 I had originally ordered and then cancelled. Outlaws are hard to find; and the look is so unique for an old west revolver. I have loved the look since I was a boy. Hopefully, it will be good quality. I did handle it at the local gun store and like the feel better than I had thought by just looking at it online.

 

[StrawHat]

In at least a few episodes of "Bonanza", Lorne Green carried an 1875 Remington. I had one for a few years before a brother-ex-law stole it. Once I got a copy of the Colt 1873 Model P, I rarely used the Remington.

BTW, the "Outlaw" moniker is merely advertising hype, as is most of the naming of Italian replicas.

 

[Dframe]

Strawhat is right. Many of the Italian replicas use cutsie names. With the field so muddled today (MANY of the current guns represent guns that never existed) it's difficult to be certain if your combination of features is historically accurate. So who really cares. More important is to enjoy your gun and how it feels and shoots for you.

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

Remington had a cartridge revolver out 4 years before Colt if you count their 1858 conversions in .46 rimfire for the US Navy. They were contracted from S&W who held the R-W patent on bored through cylinders. At the time Remington's production facilities were at full capacity 24\7 producing RB rifles for the various overseas contracts they had signed. Colt on the other hand lived or died on revolver production.

 

[CraigC]

Many of the Italian replicas use cutsie names.

They have to come up with something because Colt is so sue-happy. Still, I don't bother learning them all but prefer to refer to it as whatever it is a replica of.