Who makes a good reproduction BP 1851 Navy?

B

BerdanSS

New member
Hey all! I'm new here and didn't see a section for black powder pistols, so I thought I post this question in the revolver forum. Hope I'm in the right place:D

I'm wanting to get a black powder 1851 Navy. In .44 rather than .36 with a steel frame. I used to be in the 14th Indiana Vol. Infantry Company H Reenactment group. In addition to the brass framed Pietta .44 '51 Navy I personally had, the group had several steel framed .44 Army and Navy Colts and a Remington new Army made by pietta.

I never shot mine as it was brass framed (shooting these is frowned on by most I hear) and the group leader would not allow shooting projectiles out of the unit pistols, just burning powder at reenactments. They all looked nice and the fit and finish on they was great, but like I said I never got to shoot one.

I Found several of these pietta guns new for around $200. But I was also looking at a couple other manufacturers. I'm not a big fan of Traditions, so I haven't been looking at theirs. So.....is the pietta 51 Navy a good one to buy for a shooter? Or if not, who else makes a good one in .44 for a decent price?
 
Last edited:
I dunno about the black powder variants specifically, but Pietta has a very good rep of late with the SASS crowd where the SAA-clones are concerned - possibly a bit better than Uberti.

There's also been a lot of praise of EMF as an importer, including some positive comments on post-sales support. That's probably what I'd do.

http://www.emf-company.com/store/pc/1851-Navy-Steel-c144.htm

Personally though, I think I'd go with the .36 myself. Should hold up better if you accidentally overcharge it a bit, more metal all around.

Comedy note: a LOT of these are being bought at gun shows in AZ and NM and are apparently being brought down to Mexico in droves. Which is legal when we're talking about percussion guns, on both sides of the border. Once in Mexico however, they're getting homebrew-retrofitted to 38Spl :eek:. It's not the cartels or other gangbangers doing this, it's ordinary folk desperate for some self defense :(.
 
Pietta from Cabela's is the best bang for the buck. Uberti is a good gun but you won't find a 51 Navy in a .44 from them. Uberti doesn't sell fantasy pieces. Traditions isn't a manufacturer they're an importer.
 
My mistake. Just so I know, who makes the guns that Traditions imports then? They seemed to be pretty crappy looking back when Galyans stocked the starter kits fom traditions, and the ones the local gun shop have seem to be pretty poor quality.

Ya the more I look at them the more I think I will go with a .36 caliber. It's just going to be used to punch paper and blast a coke can here and there. I really like the look of those square backed trigger guards and the only ones I can find with those are .36 caliber anyhow.
 
They're all Pietta's now. Used to be they imported from Euroarms and ASM as well as Pietta and I think some Uberti's. I've seen a few brass framed 51's marked with both Traditions and CVA's logo's. CVA was an importer also. Their guns were made in Spain.
 
I had a Traditions black powder Colt replica. The barrel was clearly marked Pietta Arms. As far as I'm concerned, Pietta and Uberti are equal in quality.
 
They are equal and recently Pietta may have the edge on quality. Pietta bought new CNC machinery around 2000 and their quality went way up. Uberti marks theirs a little more discreetly is about the only thing they have going now.
 
Thanks for the information fellers! I'd like to find a square backed Navy in .44, but all of the ones I've seen so far are 36s. Do you guys mostly shoot round ball or something else?
 
I shoot mostly round balls but do shoot some conicals in my .36's. The square back guard was used used on the first models. As far as I know Pietta is the only one making fantasy pieces these days and their 51's are based on the second model. You might dig around on the auction sites and find an older ASM or Palmetto with a square backed guard but it will probably be a brass frame.
 
BerdanSS

Welcome to the group. You very likely did come to the right place.

You might want to check Gunbroker.com for a previously owned 1851. You might find one with an "antique patina" Translation: Rode hard and put up wet.

That last comment was a little tongue in cheek.
 
I know you are looking for a .44; but, Taylor's has a promotion on right now. Pietta brass framed .36 cal '51 Navy with spare cylinder for $160. Good entry level shooter.

#210PIE - 1851 Confederate Navy Brass Revolver 7-1/2” - Octagonal ”13 1/5””” 3lbs. 0.36 6 Walnut ”1 in 30””” Blue Barrel, Brass frame, butt plate and trigger guard, FREE CYLINDER WITH PURCHASE! $160.00

http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/products/bpArmyNavy.tpl

Also check out Gunbroker, GunsAmerica and AuctionArms. Good deals can be fount there for used as well as NIB models.
 
McGee, Why did you have to tell us about the Taylor's Brass Navy for sale? Now I have to decide whether or not to buy another B/P handgun. Decisions, decisions.
 
I bought a pietta 1851 navy from cabelas, and its the best deal I ever got..quality is great, functions great...all around great cap and ball .
 
Hmmm........Pietta.us shows a .44 caliber, steel framed '51 Navy with the squareback triggerguard in their product line. But no one has them for sale? I had settled on a squareback or London .36 from Dixie for $225 and was going to order one, but then I saw the .44s on Pietta's site. Can you order direct from pietta I wonder? Think I'll call them tomorrow and see what the deal is with those squareback 44s.
 
You can't go wrong with Pietta.

BTW: I was in Cabelas looking at an 1858 Remington w/starter kit by Traditions. Through the plastic packaging I could see Pietta on the barrel.
 
Fingers is right with the deal Taylor is offering on the brass 36 w/spare cylinder for 160. In my small shop, I am thinking desperately to order one:D They once offered the 36 navy steel frame w/spare cylinder but it is no longer available according to Taylors. I have one if you are interested. Steel frames can be converted to 38 special conversion cylinders. I'm trying to only buy bp guns now that can be converted. But--when buying brass guns there are some problems--like pin getting weak etc. I guess you get what you pay for. Some people never shoot them--some shoot them 3 or 4 time a year. But if you shoot them all the time--keep a watch on em.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top