bedbugbilly
New member
Need some help/advice/info please . . .
Most of my BP pistol shooting over the last 50 years has been with C & B - mainly Navies - '51, '61 and Remington. A few years ago, I got interested in shooting "new fangled cartridge pistols" and have developed an interest in vintage revolvers - mainly 38 specials. My oldest is a 1910 Colt Army Special and also have some "vintage" S & W - and a Ruger NV in .357. Because of that, I also got in to reloading for the 38 spl - almost as much fun as shooting!
But, I haven't loaded any BP cartridges as of yet and the "itch" for that needs to be scratched. So . . . I was going to get a conversion cylinder for my Pietta 1858 Navy - but after looking at cost, etc., I'm now looking at getting something a little different. I've been looking at Cimarron - I watched Mike's (Duelist) video on the Colt 1872 open top and I find myself quite "drawn" to that particular model in 38 Colt / Special.
I cast all of my bullets that i use now in my 38 spl. smokeless loads - WC, SWC, Lee's RN and I have an antique Winchester 38 spl. mold that throws a slug about 160 + or - .358. Because I am all set up to load 38 Spl., I'd like to stick with it. So, my questions are . . .
1. If you convert a .36 C & B to cartridge, I believe you have to use either a HB or a "heeled" bullet to compensate for the 38 spl. cartridge size and the larger bore size on the .36 C & B. Cimarron lists the 1872 open top in "38 Colt (short or long)/ Special. Are the bores of the Cimarron 1872 open tops standard "38 Colt/Special"? i.e. are they the same bore size as a modern made 38/357 which would take a standard flat bottom .358 lead slug? I looked at their site and they gave specs. for the different calibers but it doesn't state anything in regards to bore size on their 1872 open tops for the 38s or the other calibers.
2. The Cimarron 1872 open top is offered in either the Navy or the Army "grip" - I'm assuming frame size? Is this correct? What would your thoughts be - Navy or Army size best?
3. I would be adding the 1872 open top to my "herd" of "vintage" revolvers - primarily to have an older model cartridge handgun (plus it looks like fun!). It would be a fairly versatile handgun as I could load either smokeless or black - plus I could also load 38 Colt or 38 Spl. I am not looking at shooting "heavy" loads. Most of my loads are fairly mild for plinking at around 25 yards.
Any help in regards to the actual bore size on the 1872 open top model (.36 requiring HB or heeled or standard .357 ?????) would be greatly appreciated. If you have one, I'd love to hear how you like it. I'm thinking the 7 1/2" barrel length but would also appreciate thoughts on the shorter barrel lengths as well.
Thanks.
Most of my BP pistol shooting over the last 50 years has been with C & B - mainly Navies - '51, '61 and Remington. A few years ago, I got interested in shooting "new fangled cartridge pistols" and have developed an interest in vintage revolvers - mainly 38 specials. My oldest is a 1910 Colt Army Special and also have some "vintage" S & W - and a Ruger NV in .357. Because of that, I also got in to reloading for the 38 spl - almost as much fun as shooting!
But, I haven't loaded any BP cartridges as of yet and the "itch" for that needs to be scratched. So . . . I was going to get a conversion cylinder for my Pietta 1858 Navy - but after looking at cost, etc., I'm now looking at getting something a little different. I've been looking at Cimarron - I watched Mike's (Duelist) video on the Colt 1872 open top and I find myself quite "drawn" to that particular model in 38 Colt / Special.
I cast all of my bullets that i use now in my 38 spl. smokeless loads - WC, SWC, Lee's RN and I have an antique Winchester 38 spl. mold that throws a slug about 160 + or - .358. Because I am all set up to load 38 Spl., I'd like to stick with it. So, my questions are . . .
1. If you convert a .36 C & B to cartridge, I believe you have to use either a HB or a "heeled" bullet to compensate for the 38 spl. cartridge size and the larger bore size on the .36 C & B. Cimarron lists the 1872 open top in "38 Colt (short or long)/ Special. Are the bores of the Cimarron 1872 open tops standard "38 Colt/Special"? i.e. are they the same bore size as a modern made 38/357 which would take a standard flat bottom .358 lead slug? I looked at their site and they gave specs. for the different calibers but it doesn't state anything in regards to bore size on their 1872 open tops for the 38s or the other calibers.
2. The Cimarron 1872 open top is offered in either the Navy or the Army "grip" - I'm assuming frame size? Is this correct? What would your thoughts be - Navy or Army size best?
3. I would be adding the 1872 open top to my "herd" of "vintage" revolvers - primarily to have an older model cartridge handgun (plus it looks like fun!). It would be a fairly versatile handgun as I could load either smokeless or black - plus I could also load 38 Colt or 38 Spl. I am not looking at shooting "heavy" loads. Most of my loads are fairly mild for plinking at around 25 yards.
Any help in regards to the actual bore size on the 1872 open top model (.36 requiring HB or heeled or standard .357 ?????) would be greatly appreciated. If you have one, I'd love to hear how you like it. I'm thinking the 7 1/2" barrel length but would also appreciate thoughts on the shorter barrel lengths as well.
Thanks.