Open Top Revolvers ? New Pics pg3

[orokie]

Are open top revolvers safe to shoot consistently? As opposed to the top strap on 1873 models, do the open tops stand up well? I am seriously considering one but, want to make sure that it will last me a long time.

Post pics if you have one! ;D

[CraigC]

IMHO, these guns are tougher than folks think. No, they don't have a topstrap but when constructed of modern heat treated steels, they are quite robust. The heavy arbor does a good job of holding the sixguns together and I have yet to hear of one shaking itself apart. If the SAA is good for the 1200fps Keith load, I think these modern topless replicas should be okay at 700-800fps.

My Cimarron 1871-1872 Open Top .44Colt has been excellent. Took very little to get it slicked up. It is one of my favorite sixguns and I have shot it quite a bit in the 5yrs I've had it. My standard load launches a 240gr SWC or SWC-HP at ~750fps. It wears one-piece TruIvories and rides in an El Paso Saddlery 1849 Californian or a cheap Oklahoma flap holster.



Haven't done near as much shooting with my Cimarron Richards Transition model .44Colt but it is also a good one. I consider the Open Top to be better for using.

[orokie]

Craig, thanks for the input and for sharing your pics. That Open Top is a beauty! I am thinking of the 1851 Richards/Mason. Since I don't reload, I am considering the .38spl as ammo is still fairly cheep. Would the 1872 Open Top be a better choice? They don't seem to be in stock anywhere.

The more I look at that Transition model, the more I'm liking it too!!! ;D

[CraigC]

IMHO, the Richards Type I and Type II are the best looking, as they utilize the sleek percussion barrel. I also love the 1851 Richards-Mason and it's next on my list. I like the short barrelled version. If you like it, go for it!

[orokie]

I want to go for it real bad but, finding that Transition model in a .38spl is real hard! :-)

[Boge Quinn]

An OLD article (2002):
www.gunblast.com/Cimarron_Conversion.htm

[orokie]

Thanks for the link, great article.

[alabama]

GOOD GRIEF !!! These guns make me want one----BAD HA !!!!!!!! that fence post picture is mighty fine---------------------------------------------

[orokie]

Alabama, I'm with you on this one! Just got to find one of those Transition models in .38spl. Looks like I might have to get on a waiting list in order to get one.

[CraigC]

Did you call Cimarron to see if they have any?

[orokie]

Not yet. Will give them a try tomorrow though. I think I'm set on the Transition model after looking at all of them.

[Frank V]

Those are really pretty guns. They are also very authentic. I wonder if there weren't a lot more of them used than we think. Money then was as hard or harder to come by than it is now. If a fellow had an otherwise good Colt 1860 or 51 Navy would he spend a few dollars to have it converted to CF, or spend way more to buy a new Colt SAA? I'm thinking they may have been more common than we believe?
Frank

[orokie]

Frank, I can believe that also. At $9.00 compared to $25.00 more cowboys probably carried these rather than SAA's.

[CraigC]

I believe so as well. They were much more affordable than the Model P and percussion guns were everywhere. I'm glad we're seeing more and more replicas and more and more of them used in movies. I think they're the coolest thing since sliced bread!

[peacemaker]

I don't know about that. As rare as original conversions are today, my guess is most cowboys just kept their cap-and-balls as they were used to them as they were.