1860 Colt vs. 1858 Remington

[wiscoaster]

I'm eyeballing a cap and ball revolver as my next muzzle loading pistol. Top of my list are the "Army" revolvers used in the Civil War. The two main choices I'm considering are the reproductions of the Remington 1858 and the Colt 1860 44 cal revolvers. There appear to be some significant differences leading to similar functionality. Which do you think would make the better choice for me as my first cap and ball revolver? And why? And which manufacturer? Thanks ...

 

[Bnewberry]

I have owned and shot both. For me the Colt handles better. The Remington has a beefier design and the ability to swap cylinders (and take the gun down for cleaning) is another advantage.

Get one of each!

 

[AlexB]

I have owned and shot both. For me the Colt handles better. The Remington has a beefier design and the ability to swap cylinders (and take the gun down for cleaning) is another advantage.

Get one of each!

It's the only way to know.

 

[Kansas Jake]

Get either one. You’ll end up with the other sooner or later. Then another and then….

I like the Remingtons. Maybe because my first one was a Navy Arms 1858 kit I put together 40 plus years ago. It still shoots good. I have both though.

 

[TDM]

You really should own both.

 

[Dale Lilly]

I had one .. only one ... then these guys started 'suggesting'. I now have ten. It is addictive Polecat

 

[Kansas Jake]

We try to help.

 

[tgfrench]

Read all the forums about the mods needed for each model your considering to turn a working revolver into a less frustrating and functional revolver.

 

[TDM]

Seriously @wiscoaster what your asking is a loaded question, no pun intended. The comparison of the two revolvers has been a common topic. They are both classics, I own both and love both. Each has pros and cons. But since your asking for opinions, my favorite of the two is the 1860 Colt.

But my all time favorite of all BP revolvers is the 1851 Colt Navy.

 

[Bnewberry]

Seriously @wiscoaster what your asking is a loaded question, no pun intended. The comparison of the two revolvers has been a common topic. They are both classics, I own both and love both. Each has pros and cons. But since your asking for opinions, my favorite of the two is the 1860 Colt.

But my all time favorite of all BP revolvers is the 1851 Colt Navy.

When I participated in Cowboy Action Shooting I preferred the 1851 when shooting percussion. The point perfectly for me. The 1860’s are next best with the 1858’s being third.

 

[TDM]

I agree @Bnewberry

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

My opinion and no reflection on anyone else's. I love my Colts. They are beautiful and fun to shoot but can be a bit temperamental. I can depend on my Remington new army. Unless I really screw the pooch loading it, it will always go bang. My suggestion is the Remington for a first CB pistol for many reasons. You won't regret it.

 

[TDM]

See @wiscoaster, that’s why you need both.

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

See @wiscoaster, that’s why you need both.

Can't argue against that logic.

 

[user 922]

I've owned both - sold the Remington. Although it has some mechanical advantages, the Colt feels and handles better - as many have said before. Also, regardless of which model you choose I would recommend Uberti over Pietta. My Remington was a Pietta and found the trigger pull to be incredibly heavy. I have owned several Uberti repros and have always liked the quality right out of the box.

 

[Edm]

I have always thought the Colts looked sexier. The 51 is my favorite also. That said my 58 Remington is faster to load and is a great gun also. You don’t need both. You need all 3.

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

I've owned both - sold the Remington. Although it has some mechanical advantages, the Colt feels and handles better - as many have said before. Also, regardless of which model you choose I would recommend Uberti over Pietta. My Remington was a Pietta and found the trigger pull to be incredibly heavy. I have owned several Uberti repros and have always liked the quality right out of the box.

I've heard some people pan Uberti. Every one I've owned or friends that had them, they shot great right out of the box. High on my bucket list is a 3rd model Dragoon. One of these days.....

 

[hrt4me]

as others have posited, get one of each... I highly recommend a Belgian Centaur and a Santa Barbara NMA, the best of each

 

[Hawk54]

Seriously @wiscoaster what your asking is a loaded question, no pun intended. The comparison of the two revolvers has been a common topic. They are both classics, I own both and love both. Each has pros and cons. But since your asking for opinions, my favorite of the two is the 1860 Colt.

But my all time favorite of all BP revolvers is the 1851 Colt Navy.

We are the same. 1851 Navy first and then the 1860 Army a very close second. 1861 Navy comes in third and new model Army fourth.

 

[ArmorerRoy]

The Remington has better sights.