Decisions decisions decisions

[Shotgun Willy]

Hello, I'm new here and am trying to make up my mind about what revolver to get as my first. I've been looking at Cabela's (can't beat their prices) and can't decide between the 1851 and the 1858 in .44 cal. I really like the look and feel of the 1851 but the 1858 just looks more robust and easier to clean to me.
Can anyone recommend one of these to be more idiot proof? Which one will survive a chain fire better? Which one will wear better?
I do know that I'll be getting the brass frame of whichever I get, it's not as strong but I just like the brass.
I may, in future, get into cowboy shooting and will probably get the other gun as my second. The question is which to get first considering that if I don't do the cowboy thing then it may also be the only one I get.
Thanks
Bill

 

[DixieTexian]

If you get a brass frame, go with a Remington, hands down. Do know that there were only a select few revolvers that were actually made with a brass frame back in the day. Also, the 1851 was only made in .36 caliber. The construction of the remingtons lends itself better to brass and lets them last longer. At least that is the theory.

 

[dwave]

but the 1858 just looks more robust and easier to clean to me.

I own both the 51 navy and 58 new army and I find the 51 easier to clean myself. There is no top strap to clean, no cut where the hammer passes through the frame to clean, and the barrel comes off so it is easy to run water through it without getting the whole frame wet. I spend less time cleaning my colt clone than my remmy clone.

That being said, if you are going brass, I would recommend the 1858 too. It is a great starting pistol in my opinion.

 

[Cap n Ball]

I wouldn't worry so much about the gun surviving a chain fire as I would my hand. Properly loaded you should never have such an event. No gun is idiot proof. An idiot will always find a way.

 

[O.S.O.K.]

first cap and ball

I would suggest sticking with a steel frame model - just more robust and you dont' have to be concerned that your loads are too hot for the brass. A steel model can take as much black powder/substitute as you can fit in the cylinder w/o a problem - not that I recommend doing that much - they shoot a lot better with a "medium" load - the revolver will tell you which one.

As far as model, both will be enjoyable - I usually recommend the 58 due to it's design being a bit more user friendly but it's no big deal really and as said, the 51 offers some advantages of its own.

As to chain fires- use lubed felt wads between the charge and the ball or apply bore butter or crisco liberally over the charged cylinder ends and you won't ever have any.

 

[Snaggletooth]

Decisions

I own a couple of BP revolvers , eleven to be exact and the one that I shoot more than the rest combined is an 1851. Its a .44 and just the right weight. It is a Pietta, from Cabelas, and its been trouble free all of its life. The Remmies are easy to clean and change cylinder, But not as easy as Eastwood does it, and I enjoy them also. I think that todays Piettas are a good buy for the money, I own both steel and Brass frames and dont see a dimes worth of difference. As for chain fires, if you do things right you probably wont have one. I use either a wonder wad or a lube pill made using Rifles recipe.

 

[dwave]

As to chain fires- use lubed felt wads between the charge and the ball or apply bore butter or crisco liberally over the charged cylinder ends and you won't ever have any.

Not 100% true, my one and only chainfire did not come from the front, but the back. I had a cap come loose and fire got around it. Make sure the caps fit tight and if one falls off, put another one on right away.

 

[Shotgun Willy]

Well, after a little research, kind help from ya'll, and more than a little obsessing I went out this evening and checked out the wares at Sportsmans Warehouse.
Wasn't enthused with their 51's, 58's, or 60's. Then the kind gent pulled down the case hardened Traditions (pietta) 60 with the Bisley grip and I flat fell in love. The grip fits my rather large hands and the action is as smooth as silk. Looks like everything is perfect.
Thanks for your help. I'll let you know how it shoots when I get the chance.
Bill

 

[O.S.O.K.]

tight fitting caps

that's a very good point - although I'd bet that doesn't happen very often! But it sure could - especially with black powder (vs the subs).

 

[dwave]

I was using 777 when it happened. The cap came loose when I was shooting, and the flame from one chamber set the cap off creating a chain fire. The bullet didn't do any damage to my gun at all. I ended up having another loose cap, but I was lucky that it didn't go off too.

Many people believe that most chain fires come from the back of the revolver not the front.