Thoughts on .36 caliber 1858 repros?

TTv2

TTv2

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Mar 31, 2016
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When I first got into cap and ball revolvers about 10 years ago I didn't have much interest in the .36, but over time I've learned to appreciate that it gives me the same experience as the larger .44's do and at lower cost and less recoil. I have the Pietta 1851 and Uberti 1862, but I prefer shooting the Remington design.

Why I've not gotten the NMA in the .36 has more to do with it seeming to be an afterthought by Pietta, they make the NMA primarily for .44, not .36 and from what I've seen in the few videos I've watched the POI is far off the POA. Perhaps that can be adjusted, but I don't care to add another project gun to my possession. Also, I just don't like the size of the .36 NMA, I'd much rather have a repro of the smaller New Model Police in .36, but that's something Pietta and Uberti just don't seem to have any interest in.

So, I'd like to hear from those who've owned or have experienced shooting the .36 caliber 1858 and get their thoughts. Out of all the cap and ball revolvers this one seems to be tied with the North American Arms as the least talked about on forums.
 
My .36 revolvers both Colt and Remington shoot a little high but not too bad. The Pietta .36 is on the same size frame as the .44. The .44 Colt is on the same size frame as the .36 if that makes any sense. The Uberti Colt police is on the same frame as the 1849.
 
1KPerDay said:
I don’t have a .36 NMA and have little interest in one. It’s not a historically accurate size and I prefer the thump of .44s anyway. I do have a .44 1851 “Navy” and like it quite a bit. I realize that doesn’t make sense.
Click to expand...
I thought I read long ago that Uberti makes theirs to a proper size whereas Pietta built theirs on the NMA frame. Maybe I’m mistaken.
 
remnvyotft.jpg
I for one am a fan of the Uberti 1863 New Model Army in Navy caliber. This pistol used to belong to Maria Uberti. As you can see, the barrel is a bit shorter, and of a slightly slimmer profile. This was a sample gun for the 1986 or 1988 Shot Show, I forget, and I don't know if the later or current production versions had/have heavier or longer barrels.

However, the pistol, to me, does not feel big and clumsy, or overly heavy for the caliber. This one is 42.5 ounces. Maybe not ideal for a .36, but that cylinder will hold 30 grains of 4fg behind a ball. It packs a punch. 23-24-25 grains of the same under various slugs/conicals/bullets I have for it. A "pop gun" it is not. It will take care of any wolf or cougar. Possibly the most powerful .36 one can get...if that matters.

I carried this as my hunting side arm for many years. (still do sometimes) This one is extremely accurate, and has fed me grouse dinner more than a few times. I have carried this on many hunts hikes and treks all day, multiple days. Never felt like too much gun, for a .36. (or .380" actually) Not a boat anchor.

My only complaint, is that it has a .36 size rammer, but the rammer-hole in the frame is not sleeved down to match. But no biggie really. Just slightly annoying. One advantage is that with the little .36" holes in the cylinder, the frame requires no relieving to facilitate loading paper cartridges with bullets, lots of room.

Again, I find the size of the pistol to not be noticeable. Yes, obvious if you compared it side by side with a 7/8ths sized one, but it in no way handles bad or feels "too big" to me.
 
hawg said:
My .36 revolvers both Colt and Remington shoot a little high but not too bad. The Pietta .36 is on the same size frame as the .44. The .44 Colt is on the same size frame as the .36 if that makes any sense. The Uberti Colt police is on the same frame as the 1849.
Click to expand...
To correct a gun that shoots a little high, just move the target back to where it is supposed to be.
 
rodwha said:
I thought I read long ago that Uberti makes theirs to a proper size whereas Pietta built theirs on the NMA frame. Maybe I’m mistaken.
Click to expand...
Nobody currently makes a correct size .36 Remington.

Uberti 1861 Colts have a more correct length and diameter barrel compared to the Pietta 1861 which is made from the same .44 barrel assembly and length as the 1860.

youtu.be

Pietta Colt 1861 Navy first look and range shooting

Unboxing, first shots, and general impressions of this beautiful new 1861 navy Colt from Pietta.0:00 Intro and unboxing0:49 Pietta 1861 Navy incorrect barrel...
youtu.be youtu.be
 
Some folks who ought to know have said that the 1861 Navy had the same frame as the Army model. They were Belt model pistols of either Navy or Army caliber. Remington also made Police models and Pocket models. Hawg can probably answer that question definitively.
 
The Hobby of Blackpowder shooting is as not as cheap as it once was. You can get more "bullets" out of a pound of lead for a .36 than you can a .44.
 
That is the plus of the .36 more balls per pound and same on powder and as hard to find BP now thats a huge plus
 
Eutycus said:
The Hobby of Blackpowder shooting is as not as cheap as it once was. You can get more "bullets" out of a pound of lead for a .36 than you can a .44.
Click to expand...
Yes, and also, if you carry a .36 as a hunting/hiking/trekking side arm in the wilderness, as a small game getter, as I do, you can carry more "bullets", or more ammo pound for pound. For small game, you don't have to use much powder, but you can also load a .36 pretty hot, or hot enough to repel a wolf or cougar and not waste any rifle powder and ball. (save that for Mr.Grizz)
 
hawg said:
They were the same. The 1851, 1860 and the 1861 shared the same frame. They had to rebate the frame on the 1860 to accept the .44 cylinder.
Click to expand...
My bad Mr. Hawg, I was talking about Remington revolvers there and wasn’t plain about it…
 
1KPerDay said:
I don’t have a .36 NMA and have little interest in one. It’s not a historically accurate size and I prefer the thump of .44s anyway. I do have a .44 1851 “Navy” and like it quite a bit. I realize that doesn’t make sense.
Click to expand...
I have the same thing. Shoots fine despite being historically inaccurate. Oh well. Really don't like the plastic grips on mine
 
Appalachiannative said:
I have the same thing. Shoots fine despite being historically inaccurate. Oh well. Really don't like the plastic grips on mine
Click to expand...
Mine has nice wood grips.
youtu.be

Shooting Pietta's Colt 1851 "Navy Yank" .44 caliber pistol

Youtube has de-funded most gun content. Please consider supporting me on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/jeffshootsstuffThis fine-shooting blackpowder revolv...
youtu.be youtu.be
youtu.be

Pietta Colt 1851 "Navy" .44 blackpowder revolver target shooting

Youtube has de-funded most gun content. Please consider supporting me on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/jeffshootsstuffThis fine-shooting blackpowder revolv...
youtu.be youtu.be
 
I have an Uberti 1858 in 36 that I bought a couple years ago. I've never put it side to side with one of my other Pietttas to check size but they are close I'm sure. It's OK but I haven't shot it enough to really tell you accuracy. I have only shot a reactive target up the mountain side. I also have the unmentionable cylinder for 38 hollow base rounds. The gun itself is not as smooth as my Piettas.
 
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