Speaking of big iron

[brewer12345]

I occasionally think about a big monster bp pistol. If I were going to buy just one monster revolver, what would you pick and why? Seems like a walker would be default choice, but I don't know the monsters that well.

 

[Frulk]

Tingle .44 Mag

https://www.google.com/amp/s/gundigest.com/more/classic-guns/tingles-creation-still-amazes

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

.54 caliber Thomson Center Scout Pistol would be worth considering but the .44 Tingle would be awesome!

Edit to note that I missed you specifically calling out revolver midway in your post.

So let's go with the .50 cal Clements Ruger Old Army
http://clementscustomguns.com/rugeroldarmy.html

 

[ClemBert]

Yup, .50 cal ROA all the way.

 

[hawg]

Walker or at least a dragoon. The Walker weighed 4lbs 9 oz and the dragoon weighed 4 lbs 2 oz. Definitely monsters.

 

[Zygodactyl]

I'm waiting for someone to repro the holster model from 1839 to 41. It was .52 caliber. It's "b" in the illustration.

 

[Dirty Bob]

Great topic!

I'd be tempted to go with the modern classic: a full-length Ruger Old Army in .44. With its good chamber depth, it can sling lead with authority. To me, it's about as big a gun as I'd be willing to tote in a holster.

I still kick myself for passing up chances to buy one over the years. They've gotten pricey, but if you find one, it's a forever percussion revolver for you with great design and high quality materials. I doubt you could wear one out, even firing max loads all the time.

Bob

 

[Roverguy]

The Walker, while awe-inspiring, really is too big as anything other than a horse pistol. A Dragoon would be the way to go.

 

[LaneP]

Another vote for the Dragoon if you just want a piece of big iron that holds a hefty charge and is not too far behind the Walker in powder capacity, but noticeably more manageable during a long duration shooting session. Pictured bottom is an Uberti 3rd model, converted to hold a Kirst .45 Colt cartridge cylinder. When the cartridge cylinder is not installed, you have a nice, oversize capping channel.

 

[dave951]

Yall go play with yer pop guns.........

 

[brewer12345]

Ok, which version of dragoon? There are a few I believe.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

Any of the Dragoons, not much difference between the 3 models. My own choices would be a Walker or a ROA. The Ruger points easier but still packs a healthy punch. If you go with a Dragoon or a Walker be sure to fix the arbor, best to fix it rather than watching your investment try to destroy itself.

 

[CraigC]

Last I heard Clements was retiring so the .50cal Old Army is not really a valid option. He stopped taking orders for the .50's long before then.

The Walker is cool but to me, the refinements in the Dragoons, as well as the weight reduction, are definitely worthwhile. Cylinders are the same diameter, the Walker is less than a quarter inch longer, while the barrel is 1.5" longer. Mine is the 3rd model, converted to cartridge with the Kirst gated kit by Gary Barnes and I like it enough that I've given serious thought to having it engraved and refinished by Turnbull.





I think the LeMat is worthy of consideration as well. It's a big sixgun, a nine-shot .44 with a center shot barrel. Not quite as heavy as the big Colt horse pistols but definitely a lot more iron than the Army/Navy guns.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I'd go with the Third Model Dragoon, I'd like one, but due to it's weight it wouldn't be very practical (as if that matters!) for field use, so that's why I've never got one. If I still had horses I'd have one for sure. I'd put one on my dirt-bike, but someone would pinch it. I'd have to hide it in the bushes every time I parked the bike. (in the mountains, not around town!) Having said all that, if I ever purchase another BP Colt, it will be the third model Dragoon.

I think the Walker is kind of ugly. No, I think it IS ugly. Too much of a good thing. The frame and cylinder is out of proportion to the handle/grip, and the bulbous rammer looks weird, besides being problematic and dropping with recoil all the time.

The ROA is a great gun, but...I don't know, "too modern"? I almost got one for my first pistol, (did have a junker .38spl before that) but wound up with a SBH, which I never regretted! Anyhow, the ROA is cool, but the cool factor on a Dragoon is through the roof. The ROA is kind of like a bat, compared to the Colts and Remingtons. It's neither a rat/mouse, or bird.

 

[woodnbow]

I'd go with the Third Model Dragoon, I'd like one, but due to it's weight it wouldn't be very practical (as if that matters!) for field use, so that's why I've never got one. If I still had horses I'd have one for sure. I'd put one on my dirt-bike, but someone would pinch it. I'd have to hide it in the bushes every time I parked the bike. (in the mountains, not around town!) Having said all that, if I ever purchase another BP Colt, it will be the third model Dragoon.

I think the Walker is kind of ugly. No, I think it IS ugly. Too much of a good thing. The frame and cylinder is out of proportion to the handle/grip, and the bulbous rammer looks weird, besides being problematic and dropping with recoil all the time.

The ROA is a great gun, but...I don't know, "too modern"? I almost got one for my first pistol, (did have a junker .38spl before that) but wound up with a SBH, which I never regretted! Anyhow, the ROA is cool, but the cool factor on a Dragoon is through the roof. The ROA is kind of like a bat, compared to the Colts and Remingtons. It's neither a rat/mouse, or bird.

I like that 3rd model dragoon too. Now that Clements is done with the .50 caliber ROA I’m thinking of sending the barrel to Hoyt for boring to .480/.485 or so with appropriate rates of twist. Then all I need is someone willing to bore the chambers to .487 or so. .490 ball would work, as would a mold like this one, heeled and dropping at .490”.

 

[woodnbow]

Last I heard Clements was retiring so the .50cal Old Army is not really a valid option. He stopped taking orders for the .50's long before then.

The Walker is cool but to me, the refinements in the Dragoons, as well as the weight reduction, are definitely worthwhile. Cylinders are the same diameter, the Walker is less than a quarter inch longer, while the barrel is 1.5" longer. Mine is the 3rd model, converted to cartridge with the Kirst gated kit by Gary Barnes and I like it enough that I've given serious thought to having it engraved and refinished by Turnbull.

View attachment 1085239

View attachment 1085240

I think the LeMat is worthy of consideration as well. It's a big sixgun, a nine-shot .44 with a center shot barrel. Not quite as heavy as the big Colt horse pistols but definitely a lot more iron than the Army/Navy guns.
View attachment 1085241

I bid on a Clements gun and it went for over 3k…

 

[dickydalton]

This 2nd Gen C-Series 3rd Dragoon went to the Goon and is a great gong ringer at 75 yards!

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I like that 3rd model dragoon too. Now that Clements is done with the .50 caliber ROA I’m thinking of sending the barrel to Hoyt for boring to .480/.485 or so with appropriate rates of twist. Then all I need is someone willing to bore the chambers to .487 or so. .490 ball would work, as would a mold like this one, heeled and dropping at .490”.
View attachment 1085281

That would be a bone-crusher for sure.

 

[woodnbow]

That would be a bone-crusher for sure.

Looked at it in a cursory fashion so far… sure seemed like a doable modification!

 

[SSBN617b]

Years ago (ok a few decades ago) I had a Walker but gifted to a friend with a cowboy thing goin on. Now 40 years later I am rebuilding and now have a new Walker and a 44 Army like before . Now looking forward to move on to a 3rd model Dragoon to finish off. However living on a fixed income does include some limits.
Mitch

 

[dickydalton]

Years ago (ok a few decades ago) I had a Walker but gifted to a friend with a cowboy thing goin on. Now 40 years later I am rebuilding and now have a new Walker and a 44 Army like before . Now looking forward to move on to a 3rd model Dragoon to finish off. However living on a fixed income does include some limits.
Mitch

You were on subs?

 

[CraigC]

I'd go with the Third Model Dragoon, I'd like one, but due to it's weight it wouldn't be very practical (as if that matters!) for field use, so that's why I've never got one.

It's a big sixgun but you get used to the weight and it carries well in a good holster, on a wide gun belt. For me it's a two hand gun only. The Walker is just over the limit for me.

 

[SSBN617b]

You were on subs?

Yes, I was. I did 9 patrols, each was “dive , dive” ( klaxon alarm going off) 3 months later we surfaced.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

I consider a walker to be a must have.
At least one.

 

[woodnbow]

Yes, I was. I did 9 patrols, each was “dive , dive” ( klaxon alarm going off) 3 months later we surfaced.

Damn! Don’t know how you people did that!