More reliable Remington or colt cast your vote n tell why

You can only take one into the field for the next month ....which is it?

  • Total voters
    41
I'm split between my 1860 and my 1861, so I picked both. As an aside, many, many BP shooters are always loading less than full loads anyway so who needs a stronger gun?:)
 
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Patocazador said:
By just looking at them, the1858 has more strength due to the addition of a topstrap. An enclosed “box” is much less prone to fractures.
The Colt’s wedge is problematic also.
Plus the Remington is so much more user friendly due the simple and quick cylinder swap ability.
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The Remington isn't any better. The top strap only comes into play with higher pressure smokeless loads. Colt came out with a top strap in 1855 and used it on pistols, revolving rifles and shotguns. Then they went back to open tops. The only reason they went back to top straps is because the military required it. The only Colt wedge that's problematic is Uberti and that's because the arbors are too short.
 
Blackpowderwarrior said:
Mike,.just a thought but why don't you buy a few remmys, trick em out put em in a nice box and sell those babys on ebay
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Blackpowderwarrior, thank you for the thought and believe me, I've had that thought since early on!! The bottom line though is, I simply don't have time to devote to that . . . yet!! Lol
I would probably have to give up shooting which is a nice / necessary event for testing conversion innovations (it's already kinda rare just to go anyway!!). A lot of "upgrades" have come from using cartridge upgrades in cap gun setups. I'm constantly thinking of "ways to improve" all the aspects of the SA revolvers that we all enjoy so much. I seriously doubt I will never NOT have a revolver to work on!! Heck, just correcting the setup on the factory conversions / 72 OT's is quite the endeavor!! Things such as cartridge headspace on them to keep "Jedi Knight" and "Tame Bill" running in matches. There's a "new guy" on YouTube called "Tucotherat" famous for the "triple shot". He uses Mod P copies but lately has been shooting a Remington with a conversion cyl in it. In one vid he shows some of the setup he uses for his guns ( derived from Bob Munden) . . . I asked him why he doesn't Install an action stop, he replied "what's that?" !!! An action stop is a basic necessity for a "fast" gun, something I've been installing since I started. It's "LIFE INSURANCE" for a SA. I know you guys know what it is, you've been seeing pictures and discussions about it for a dozen yrs at this point!!!
So, LOTS TO DO just taking care of everyday folks!! But one ah these days . . . !!!

Mike
 
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All of my BP revolvers are reliable. I've never had an issue with either Colt or Remmy. I gave the nod to Remmy simply because they are easier to reload in the field, especially if you have extra cylinders. I like them all.
 
I like the feel of the Colt Navy the best, followed by the 1860

the Remington New Model Army is fine, but, for me, doesn’t point as well

it does seem more modern

Glad I can have them all
 
Guys don't get me twisted I prefer colts and if we're between a actual colt or a actual Remington it would be a colt but we're talking replicas here and I chose the Santa Barbara 1858 simply put there's not another bp gun I've came into that was built like it.
Closest in quality and accuracy are Ubertis 1858s but a Santa makes Ubertis forged frame not feel so special at all.theheat treated steel Santa uses is what they use In There ordinance machine guns.
 
woodnbow said:
Unless you call it a cylinder mount… smh…
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I've seen bp and smokeless frames in parts sets. Have to wonder if they were ATF stings. For me the 51 navy points and feels best. I don't like the large army grip frame. It's too much like a Bisley grip. I wouldn't mind an 1860 with a navy grip. I'd probably like an 1861 Colt but never had one.
 
hawg said:
I've seen bp and smokeless frames in parts sets. Have to wonder if they were ATF stings. For me the 51 navy points and feels best. I don't like the large army grip frame. It's too much like a Bisley grip. I wouldn't mind an 1860 with a navy grip. I'd probably like an 1861 Colt but never had one.
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I once won an ebay bid for an uberti blackpowder 1873. After winning I noticed that someone had drilled the opening for the firing pin to allow the use of a centerfire cylinder. Uh, nope! Not going there. The seller tried to force the issue until I told them that the next step was a call to the ATF. They relisted and sold it. 🤔
My first rifle was a Remington Model 33. Every so of I have found one, cleaned it up and refinished for gifts for youngsters. Did a search on eBay for the gun parts and up pops a M33 barrel. Except this was the barrel and receiver minus the bolt. eBay doesn’t know, and maybe the seller doesn’t know either. Maybe.

The 1860 fits my mitts just perfectly but I can manage the Navy/SAA just fine too.
 
Remington, because you don't have to worry about arbor length or getting the wedge in just right. It's easy to swap cylinders in the Remington. The solid top strap gives at least the appearance of more strength.
 
AlexanderA said:
Remington, because you don't have to worry about arbor length or getting the wedge in just right. It's easy to swap cylinders in the Remington. The solid top strap gives at least the appearance of more strength.
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Fixing the arbor length is easy ( and a non-issue with Pietta) which takes away the "wedge in just right" aspect so that leaves you with "easy to swap cylinders" which really is the only plus. Both companies give you a built in loading press so no real reason to "swap cylinders" unless you're in competition.
Of course, the other reason for cyl removal is to take care of the binding problem that plagues Remingtons.
Always something to do . . .

Mike
 
I enjoy the 1858 and will say that I find them more reliable than an "unfixed" open top Colt. That's not saying much, though. The bottom line for me is that open-tops can be made nearly as reliable as a good centerfire, but I've never found a way to keep a Remington from binding.
 
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As to the OP's question, I have several nice cap guns that I carry regularly, but my best-quality one - one of the best revolvers I own period - is my custom '51 Navy. It's an easy answer to the "If you could have only one..." question.

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CraigC said:
Here's where I'm at with it. While you shouldn't have to "fix" a new gun (but seriously they're only $300 guns), I've never wanted to spend the money to "fix" a Remington. One can easily argue that a perfected 1860, is a perfect sixgun. ;)

View attachment 1204066
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Truer words have never been spoken! My gosh that’s a beautiful revolver!
 
Blackpowderwarrior said:
Guys don't get me twisted I prefer colts and if we're between a actual colt or a actual Remington it would be a colt but we're talking replicas here and I chose the Santa Barbara 1858 simply put there's not another bp gun I've came into that was built like it.
Closest in quality and accuracy are Ubertis 1858s but a Santa makes Ubertis forged frame not feel so special at all.theheat treated steel Santa uses is what they use In There ordinance machine guns.
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Once upon a time I would have agreed with the Remington thing. Until I had my '60 Goonerized. Since then all bets are off.
I agree with you 100% on the Santa Barbara. They are built like a brick outhouse. If I had any guts, I'd send mine to Mike for Goonerizing as well.
 
Captain*kirk said:
Once upon a time I would have agreed with the Remington thing. Until I had my '60 Goonerized. Since then all bets are off.
I agree with you 100% on the Santa Barbara. They are built like a brick outhouse. If I had any guts, I'd send mine to Mike for Goonerizing as well.
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Com'on Cap !!!!! Give it up !!! 🤣

( thank you sir!!)
 
Colt. In terms of a military caliber revolver that will run longest over the course of day's shooting, Colt patterns do far better than Remingtons. The Colt arbor holds more lube, then channels fouling into those nifty annular rings. The larger diameter of the Colt arbor vs. that 1/4" Remington base pin is a factor as well. That said, I much prefer the handling of the Remington, and believe the topstrap adds longevity.
 
They are both equal. If both are set up right, function right, are cleaned before loading right, and are loaded right (including proper cap to cone fit) they will both be 100% reliable. If either one is not, the problem is that it was not cleaned improperly, or loaded improperly, or there was something wrong with the gun. Not the design.
 
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