Cimarron/ Uberti's 1872 Navy OpenTop

[bobwright]

A few weeks ago my gun came in from Cimarron, a 4 3/4" barreled .38 Special 1872 Navy Open Top revolver. This gun was bought solely for fun shooting, as it has no real serious niche for hunting or target shooting. Just sort of a centerfire .22 revolver. I'm impressed with this gun. The cylinder locks up tight, there is no moving it with the hammer cocked or hammer down. It just won't budge. The trigger pull is crisp and light. Sights leave something to be desired, though. The rear sight is formed at the rear of the barrel and can best be described as a spraddle-legged "M" while the front is an inverted "V." Not the best of sight pictures.

But the fit and finish of this gun is sheer beauty, and it feels good in the hand. A trifle heavy, this because of the mass of the barrel construction. Two things stand out: the barrel/cylinder flash is noticeable upward, due to the lack of a top strap, and indexing an empty chamber under the hammer is easy as it is clearly seen, again because of the absence of the top strap.

Here it is:



My first range session revealed some tweaking would be necessary to get the gun on target:



Using a mill file I carefully counted strokes and fired groups until I brought the gun to taw.



This little gun is a pleasure to shoot. These groups are a little embarrassing, but with those sights are about the best I can do. But that's tin-can accuracy anyway.

Bob Wright

[nicholst55]

Bob, I wish you'd quit posting about this gun. You're making me want one! Being 7,000+ miles away from home (for several years) makes that itch real hard to scratch!

[magnumwheelman]

I really love the pair of Pietas I converted to 38 Long Colt... so much about the open top Navies... are just right

[500fksjr]

Bob,thanks for sharing always thought about a period gun as this or a smith #3 as such...An there is nothing wrong with "TIN CAN" accuracy...Fun is Fun!!!!

[wvjoetc]

Nice shooter Bob, and don't apologize for good shooting. Nice pics and report. Thanks,

Joe

[seancass]

Bob, what is your perceived quality/strength of this gun?

I've wanted one of these for years. Last fall, I filled the gap with a 32 Cal BP open top and conversion cylinder. It's an awesome gun/combination. However after a hundred rounds of the lightest ammunition imaginable, I'm already worried about longevity. With the cost of a conversion cylinder, I have way to much money wrapped up in this thing. I'd hate to think I'm wearing it out just by using it.

Has anything similar crossed your mind with that gun? Or does it feel ready to last a lifetime?

[CraigC]

I shoot mine with impunity. Some folks use these guns as their main match guns in CAS. They seem to hold up well.

[bobwright]

Mar 2, 2017 7:42:52 GMT -5 seancass said:

Bob, what is your perceived quality/strength of this gun?

I've wanted one of these for years. Last fall, I filled the gap with a 32 Cal BP open top and conversion cylinder. It's an awesome gun/combination. However after a hundred rounds of the lightest ammunition imaginable, I'm already worried about longevity. With the cost of a conversion cylinder, I have way to much money wrapped up in this thing. I'd hate to think I'm wearing it out just by using it.

Has anything similar crossed your mind with that gun? Or does it feel ready to last a lifetime?

While this gun is no Ruger by any means, I'm not hossing it around with +P ammunition. As I have said, I bought this gun to be a "centerfire .22," just a fun plinking gun. The barrel wedge has a taper to it which I assume might take up any wear in that area.

But, aside from using mild .38 Special ammunition, I'm not babying the thing. I've only put a little over 400 rounds through it, and if I start seeing any loosening up, I'll report on that.

Bob Wright

[jayhawker]

They are meant for CAS level loads.

[seancass]

Thanks for the replies Bob and Craig. These things look so good!