.36 caliber
- Thread starter ZVP
- Start date
g.willikers
New member
Blame it on Wild Bill.
He made them famous.
Everyone wants to be Wild Bill.
It's a wonder we even use holsters instead of a sash.
He made them famous.
Everyone wants to be Wild Bill.
It's a wonder we even use holsters instead of a sash.
Fingers McGee
New member
There were more 1851 (215,348) and 1861 (38,843)Navies made back in the day than all the .44 caliber revolvers (200,500 1860s, 19,800 Dragoons of all models). Then you add the 47,000 Pocket Navies and Pocket Police; and the .36s outsold all other models - EXCEPT for the lowly .31 caliber pocket models that sold over 340,000.
Fingers McGee
New member
You're right Hellgate. I always forget about the Remingtons. I'm just a Colt guy at heart and only included them in my comparison. Mea Culpa.
I don't have my Remington book at hand; but there were a few of them in .36 as well; and don't forget the Manhattans and Metropolitans, and Savages, etc.
I don't have my Remington book at hand; but there were a few of them in .36 as well; and don't forget the Manhattans and Metropolitans, and Savages, etc.
Model12Win
Moderator
They rock AND roll!
I love a .36! Here's mine:
His name is Navy Bean, and he don't play games.
I love the .36 caliber because it has less recoil than the .44s, but has plenty of stopping power for defensive work. And yes, I do in fact use this revolver for defense. It is very reliable, and when the caps and chamber mouths are sealed with melted beeswax, the powder charge is nearly impervious to moisture and will fire every time, even under trying conditions.
I keep it loaded with 25 grains of GOEX FFFG real black powder under a .380" cast lead ball. The Remington #10 caps and chamber mouths are sealed with beeswax. History has shown the .36 round lead ball to be a very effective load. Elmer Keith, writer of the excellent book Sixguns tells how he talked to old Civil War veterans, primarily Confederate calvary, who loaded their .36 Colt Navies with round ball and full charges of powder vs. the conical bullets typically issued in paper cartridges. These cartridges also usually didn't contain the exact amount of powder to fill the gun's chambers all the way. These calvarymen told Keith how this was a more effective load than the conicals, and produced telling death to the enemy.
It might be 150 years later, but no doubt the .36 round ball is as lethal today as it was back then. Coupled with the great accuracy Colt Navies typically exibit (mine is no different), these old war horses remain effective defense weapon even today. Of course it is prudent to use proper loading techniques and materials to ensure full reliability, with much testing and shooting needed to put confidence in any specific specimen intended for defense.
So yeah, I love .36 caliber percussion revolvers, and even trust one with the weighty task of self preservation. It's a great caliber, every black powder revolver shooter should own at least one .36!
I love a .36! Here's mine:
His name is Navy Bean, and he don't play games.
I love the .36 caliber because it has less recoil than the .44s, but has plenty of stopping power for defensive work. And yes, I do in fact use this revolver for defense. It is very reliable, and when the caps and chamber mouths are sealed with melted beeswax, the powder charge is nearly impervious to moisture and will fire every time, even under trying conditions.
I keep it loaded with 25 grains of GOEX FFFG real black powder under a .380" cast lead ball. The Remington #10 caps and chamber mouths are sealed with beeswax. History has shown the .36 round lead ball to be a very effective load. Elmer Keith, writer of the excellent book Sixguns tells how he talked to old Civil War veterans, primarily Confederate calvary, who loaded their .36 Colt Navies with round ball and full charges of powder vs. the conical bullets typically issued in paper cartridges. These cartridges also usually didn't contain the exact amount of powder to fill the gun's chambers all the way. These calvarymen told Keith how this was a more effective load than the conicals, and produced telling death to the enemy.
It might be 150 years later, but no doubt the .36 round ball is as lethal today as it was back then. Coupled with the great accuracy Colt Navies typically exibit (mine is no different), these old war horses remain effective defense weapon even today. Of course it is prudent to use proper loading techniques and materials to ensure full reliability, with much testing and shooting needed to put confidence in any specific specimen intended for defense.
So yeah, I love .36 caliber percussion revolvers, and even trust one with the weighty task of self preservation. It's a great caliber, every black powder revolver shooter should own at least one .36!
bedbugbilly
New member
The ..36 '51 would still be the most popular revolver today if those #$%^@#$ metallic cartridges hadn't caught on! 
They were made up until 1872 when the 1872 "open top" came out in 44 Henry. I think one of the reasons they were popular goes right along with what Hawg points out - for the average person they used less lead and less powder and still got the job done. I have to believe that a lot of game were taken with these revolvers. I haven't done it in years but hunting bunnies with one is a lot of fun as well as tree rats.
I'm partial to the '51 and basically it's because I like the balance and weight of it and it shoots well. I'm sure that the .44 Armies - Colt and Remington were liked by their owners though and a lot of them came home with returning soldiers. You also have to remember that generally, folks wee not as tall/big as they are today. I'm sure that may have had something to do with the popularity of the '51 as well - lighter and easier to handle. While many of us are taller and tip the scales at 200 + - it makes sense that the 44 Armies might feel better in our hand - but of course - all of that is assumption on my part.
They were made up until 1872 when the 1872 "open top" came out in 44 Henry. I think one of the reasons they were popular goes right along with what Hawg points out - for the average person they used less lead and less powder and still got the job done. I have to believe that a lot of game were taken with these revolvers. I haven't done it in years but hunting bunnies with one is a lot of fun as well as tree rats.
I'm partial to the '51 and basically it's because I like the balance and weight of it and it shoots well. I'm sure that the .44 Armies - Colt and Remington were liked by their owners though and a lot of them came home with returning soldiers. You also have to remember that generally, folks wee not as tall/big as they are today. I'm sure that may have had something to do with the popularity of the '51 as well - lighter and easier to handle. While many of us are taller and tip the scales at 200 + - it makes sense that the 44 Armies might feel better in our hand - but of course - all of that is assumption on my part.
brazosdave
New member
It does make for a more economical day at the range to shoot .36, that's for sure. I am at somewhat of a quandry, last poll i took, i chose .36 as my favorite caliber, but lately i've been shooting mainly .44
I go through phases i guess. This is the old man version of being a teenager, lol!
I go through phases i guess. This is the old man version of being a teenager, lol!