Recommendations for first black powder revolver?

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I always shoot pistols using both hands, I like the feel of that big chunk of iron. I haven't had a chance to shoot it lately, everything around here is so dry any little spark and the whole place will burn like gasoline. After a day with the Walker the 51 and 60 do feel like toys. The Old Armies are a bit lighter and I think handier and they are my go to guns for black powder revolver hunting. The Walker however is just plain fun.
 
Good Morning,
I prefer 'horse' pistols as well. The 1860 Army and the Starr are very accurate when I do my part but nothing beats blazing ( literally ) away with the Walker, Whitneyville or the LeMat for sheer fun. ;o)
regards all!

The Walker was a monster when the average American male's height was less than 5' 7". One thing I find awkward about the Walker isn't the weight, it's the tiny grip. It feels way too small in my hand. But is evidence of the size of the people in the 19th century. They were much, much smaller. So what was to them a beast of a "saddle gun" is just a slightly heavy handgun with a small grip.

While I can't imagine the Walker as a gunslinger, I think it's perfectly wearable around the waist. But I can certainly see why a 5'5"-5'7" sized guy might think it was BIG.
 
Not only were most of those guys 5'7" or a tad shorter, a cavalryman (1861-1890's) couldn't weigh over 140lbs. The cavalry horse was to carry no more than 200lbs. total... rider, saddle, weapons/ammo, blanket, rations, etc. When everything adds up... and can add up fast... a 4.5lb handgun, in addition to the carbine and all... you can kinda figure why they went to the 1860 and then the SSA and other cartridge revolvers.
 
Not only were most of those guys 5'7" or a tad shorter, a cavalryman (1861-1890's) couldn't weigh over 140lbs. The cavalry horse was to carry no more than 200lbs. total... rider, saddle, weapons/ammo, blanket, rations, etc. When everything adds up... and can add up fast... a 4.5lb handgun, in addition to the carbine and all... you can kinda figure why they went to the 1860 and then the SSA and other cartridge revolvers.

I remember seeing a Union soldier's uniform from the1860s, complete with boots and gloves. I don't think most middle-school boys could fit into it today. It was made for a correctly proportioned tiny man. The curator told me the uniform would have been considered rather large in its day.
 
I remember seeing a Union soldier's uniform from the1860s, complete with boots and gloves. I don't think most middle-school boys could fit into it today. It was made for a correctly proportioned tiny man. The curator told me the uniform would have been considered rather large in its day.
Framed and hanging on the wall in my orthopedic surgeons office is a blouse that belongs to one of the Blue Angels. I’d have fit into it when I was 9 years old...
 
Ruger Old Army. Hands down. Expensive but the best you can get

When you get lucky and find one for sale, which from what I've read around this board that ain't often. Now, if somebody was to watch MidwayUSA's listings for Pietta-made 1851's in .36 and .44, and catch either one on sale, take the little bit of time to de-burr the hammer... they can be shootin' pretty quick instead of wishin'.
 
I saw MidwayUSA's sale too... prices seem to start at $300 and go up. Some purty ones too.

I did notice a review on a Leech&Ridgdon mentioned the short arbor, but I haven't yet been able to ascertain the effects of this particular bug/feature/whatever.
 
I saw MidwayUSA's sale too... prices seem to start at $300 and go up. Some purty ones too.

I did notice a review on a Leech&Ridgdon mentioned the short arbor, but I haven't yet been able to ascertain the effects of this particular bug/feature/whatever.
It’s a bug. Many folks shoot them for years and have no ill affects. Others “fix” them immediately and their are others who curse the maker and wouldn’t take one if it was free.
 
It’s a bug. Many folks shoot them for years and have no ill affects. Others “fix” them immediately and their are others who curse the maker and wouldn’t take one if it was free.

I wonder why it is that often it only rears its head until after it's been fired for some time. Why wouldn't it show up right away as a problem. My Walker shot perfect for quite some time. Then it started locking up. If the short arbor is the problem, it didn't shrink over time, why didn't it start off that way?
 
I wonder why it is that often it only rears its head until after it's been fired for some time. Why wouldn't it show up right away as a problem. My Walker shot perfect for quite some time. Then it started locking up. If the short arbor is the problem, it didn't shrink over time, why didn't it start off that way?


Wear on the gun. First the gun is subject to blackpowder exploding and shoving a bullet down the barrel, causing force in one direction, then that force is relieved. Over time the effect is accumulative. The tiny space between the tip of the arbor and base of the socket allows a tiny bit of travel due to this constant back and forth "pulse," and this stretches the metal, tolerances alter, and eventually parts don't match well enough.
 
Wear on the gun. First the gun is subject to blackpowder exploding and shoving a bullet down the barrel, causing force in one direction, then that force is relieved. Over time the effect is accumulative. The tiny space between the tip of the arbor and base of the socket allows a tiny bit of travel due to this constant back and forth "pulse," and this stretches the metal, tolerances alter, and eventually parts don't match well enough.
I tend to think it’s something like that. Ostensibly uberti has mechanical engineers on staff who could answer the question but they never have. Or haven’t done so in English...
 
Mr.jbazzano, sorry...i read my message and i feel as if my response my have come across as me being rude or me taking a jab at you. Online im assuming my response didnt come across as i meant it to. I apologise if it sounded as if i was coming across as anything but helpfully and politely just adding to the comversation that you most likely meant Pietta instead of Uberti. I mean nothing but respect to my fellow forum members.
 
Mr.jbazzano, sorry...i read my message and i feel as if my response my have come across as me being rude or me taking a jab at you. Online im assuming my response didnt come across as i meant it to. I apologise if it sounded as if i was coming across as anything but helpfully and politely just adding to the comversation that you most likely meant Pietta instead of Uberti. I mean nothing but respect to my fellow forum members.

Kid, No offense taken..........sometimes my brain just "misfires". All help is good!
 
That's a great price on the Remington '58, with extra cylinder included! I can't remember ever shooting a Piette Remington. What's the build quality?

The one thing I don't like, and it's a minor aesthetic feature, is Piette's insistence on making the modern markings so visible. "Black Powder Only".

I know, it's a minor gripe, but why not put it on the bottom of the barrel or something? Why put it on the side?
 
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That's a great price on the Remington '58, with extra cylinder included! I can't remember ever shooting a Piette Remington. What's the build quality?

The one thing I don't like, and it's a minor aesthetic feature, is Piette's insistence on making the modern markings so visible. "Black Powder Only".

I know, it's a minor gripe, but why not put it on the bottom of the barrel or something? Why put it on the side?

One of the big reasons I avoid Pietta in general is those markings. I have no idea why they feel the need to bung up their guns this way. But then, I have no idea why Uberti won't make their arbors the right length.

<edit> Actually, I guess I do have an idea why: both companies sell plenty of guns the way they are and don't really care about a handful of malcontents on the internet!
 
The one thing I don't like, and it's a minor aesthetic feature, is Piette's insistence on making the modern markings so visible. "Black Powder Only". I know, it's a minor gripe, but why not put it on the bottom of the barrel or something? Why put it on the side?

Why do all manufacturers of modern cartridge firearms prominently display their names on their guns? Name one who doesn't...

Jim
 
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