Colt 1860 Vs Remington New Model

[Walkabout]

I've settled on these two contenders as my first big bore percussion pistol. I'm probably opening up a hornets nest, but which one would you recommend? Thanks

 

[45D]

The Remington is probably the more " user friendly" for starters. After you get used to the smile on your face, you will have the "need" to find out what the open-top is all about. Then you may never look back!!

Mike

 

[Stantheman86]

The Remington is a simple, no frills revolver and was designed as such.

I have one, and have owned several over the years. They are good, solid guns.

They just don't have the "magic" that the open top Colts and repros do.

The 1860 Army by Pietta is on sale for $280 right now at MidWay. You'll quickly see why these were a favorite revolver of pretty much everyone that used them.

 

[Jim in Wisconsin]

I suppose I'm a minority voice, but I think the Remington is better looking. Also, no wedges to fool around with - and they just keep working.

 

[J dirt]

It’s kinda like choosing between a Ford or a Dodge, no right answer. Chances are you are going to get them both pretty soon.

With that said, the Remington copy is a little more user friendly for a beginner.

 

[TDM]

I would ere on the side of caution and buy both.

 

[Stantheman86]

It's just me, personally, but the Remington looks and handles like every other solid frame revolver, and if I wanted to shoot one of those I could just go shoot my Vaquero or Uberti Model P clones

The ability to just pop the cylinder out to wipe it out quickly and lube the pin, and keep shooting is nice.

I also love the huge horse pistols like the Dragoon and my Walkers, they are what got me back into shooting cap and ballers after years of not shooting them. I bought a Uberti Dragoon about 4 years ago to replace one I sold years ago and I remembered why I thought they were so cool. An afternoon of blasting 40 or 50 grain charges and blowing smoke, big booms and blasting targets will make you a fan of the Colt open tops.

 

[Horse]

I like the Remington but the Colt is cool too. Both can be fun or agravating.

 

[Walkabout]

I actually had a Navy Arms 1851 years ago, but I never loaded it or shot it. I'd pick it up now and then and click back the hammer, so I definitely get the "Colt thing". It was later stolen.

 

[Whitworth]

Colt, it shoots longer without fouling stopping it. My Remington after 2 cylinders gets sticky, then the hand spring bends when you try to cock it. The Remington was the first pistol I purchased and thought I liked it until I got the first of many Colts. YMMV

 

[maillemaker]

The Remington New Model Army is a more technologically advanced firearm than the Colt 1860 Army.

• The cylinder can be removed without disassembling the gun.
• The solid frame on the Remington means you have more mechanical consistency inherent to the design.
• The grips can be removed with a single screw. On the Colt you have to remove the grip frame. This makes it easier to "dunk clean" the Remington.
• The rear sight is fixed on the Remington. On the Colt, it moves when you pull the trigger.

 

[FishDFly]

Remington is the way to go.

 

[BULL'S-EYE]

Very Simple solution...Get one of each & see which YOU prefer. Myself, I much prefer the balance & handling of the Colt.

 

[TrapperDude]

The Remington is probably the more " user friendly" for starters. After you get used to the smile on your face, you will have the "need" to find out what the open-top is all about. Then you may never look back!!

Mike

That's exactly the order in which I got my Remington and then my Colt 1860.

 

[smoothshooter]

I've settled on these two contenders as my first big bore percussion pistol. I'm probably opening up a hornets nest, but which one would you recommend? Thanks

I have both, and vastly prefer the grip snd frame arrangement of the Colt.
Since the Remington grip tapers so rapidly from rear to front, it is more likely tjo slip to the rear through your hand during recoil unless gripped very tightly than the Colt.
Too many people. Think they really need to drive in the wedge really tight, accelerating the wear and tear on everything. Mine will fully seat with moderate thumb pressure, and will usually pop out for disassembly with firm thumb pressure, If that does not release the wedge, a single pop with the butt end of a screwdriver will free it.
I have several Colts two of which have been fired hundreds of times. The Uberti 1851 Navy, in fact has well over a thousand rounds thru it, and is still as good as new. Over 90% of them full-powered loads.
Avoid the brass-framed guns. They cost a little less up front, but the resale value is less too.
If the open top shoots loose after a thousand rounds or more, simply have a percussion revolver gunsmith tighten it up, or simply buy another one. They are relatively inexpensive.

How long does a reproduction percussion revolver need to last?

 

[M. De Land]

That's exactly the order in which I got my Remington and then my Colt 1860.

Same order of gun purchase for me as well. For target shooting the Remington is far and away the better gun but I believe the 60 is equal in accuracy but because of the sight crudness and radius cannot be realized.

 

[TDM]

Seriously, I own Colts and Remingtons. They each have their pros and cons. It boils down to personal preference. But if I personally had to choose which ones to keep it would be the Colts.

 

[45D]

The Remington New Model Army is a more technologically advanced firearm than the Colt 1860 Army.

• The cylinder can be removed without disassembling the gun.
• The solid frame on the Remington means you have more mechanical consistency inherent to the design.
• The grips can be removed with a single screw. On the Colt you have to remove the grip frame. This makes it easier to "dunk clean" the Remington.
• The rear sight is fixed on the Remington. On the Colt, it moves when you pull the trigger.

Hmmmmmm . . . that's definitely debatable.
- You shouldn't need to remove the cylinder unless you're cleaning it. I know Remies tend to " bind" after a few shots so . . . With the barrel removed, you can actually clean the open-top (correctly) instead of from the muzzle.

- The open-top design (when correctly executed or corrected if not) in fact does give you the same revolver each time it's assembled. Its more compact/ beefier structure is stronger than the spread out "perimeter" top-strap design which is more susceptible to distortion by shooting/ loading ( like I have had happen).

- "Dunk" cleaning . . . Nuff said

- All my revolvers are quite accurate ( they include the Remington platform and the Ruger platform as well) and my friends that use the plastic semi's love to shoot them too ( makes um look good!! Lol). But, I will say fixed sights are a nice feature but, you're telling me that my Whitneyville Dragoon that stacks bullets on top of each other would do it better if the rear sight didn't move? Lol . It's hammer is shimed so it doesn't move side to side, just fore and aft.

This post is no way in anger but more so a thought provoking context. Modern "seeming" technology may not necessarily be "better" in any particular area other than the manufacturing process . . .

Mike

 

[TrapperDude]

- You shouldn't need to remove the cylinder unless you're cleaning it.

If you just used up all of your ammo on some hired "deputies" and have to reload when you face down the corrupt owner of a strip mining operation, then you definitely need to remove the cylinder so you can swap in a new one as you walk towards him with a menacing glare on your face.

With the barrel removed, you can actually clean the open-top (correctly) instead of from the muzzle.

Well, that's why boresnakes were invented.

 

[45D]

If you just used up all of your ammo on some hired "deputies" and have to reload when you face down the corrupt owner of a strip mining operation, then you definitely need to remove the cylinder so you can swap in a new one as you walk towards him with a menacing glare on your face.

Well, that's why boresnakes were invented.

Dangit! Forgot about them dang hired deputies!!!

And them dang boresnakes !!!! ( I use them too !!! ( for a final though))

Y'all are messin with me . . .

Mike