Henry Rifle Forums

Thinking about getting a pistol for fun.
I have four pistols right now, the 22 conversion is the only one I would consider as a fun plinking hand gun.
I have a hammerless 357 snub, a FEG Hipower 9mm and a Browning 1910 .380.
Those I consider straight forward self defence arms.

I've been considering a Black Powder revolver from the Walker line, w
Walker, Draggoon, Navy or Army, but doubt my ability to deal with the xtra cleaning that Black Powder arms need.

Couple other concerns are recoil, old wrists, and not really looking for another caliber to reload but I could.

I know I 357 would fit the bill , down loads and 38sp loads but it's not ringing my chimes like it did in the 70s.

RR 45lc Open Top? shooting and the Russian have my interest.
I like the the Taylor Outlaw for 45cl.
The 32-20 cartridge has got my attention.
Can only seem to find 32-20 in the Taylor Cattelman.

Left a 32-20 case and right a 357 mag case.

This 1858 Remington in 45 Colt with an 8" barrel would be a fun one.


I really love my open top Richards conversion, and the Richards Mason is cool too. Check out the Cimarron website as well as Taylor's.

I have a couple of cap & ball revolvers, recoil is mild and the clean up isn't as bad as you might think.
For ease of disassembly I would recommend and 1858.
As far as the 32-20 vs the 357, I would think the 32 would have less recoil.
But you have one 357 and I assume you load for it.
Decisions, decisions.

RP

So many revolvers, so little range time.

Gotta love Big Iron.

My vote for a single action would be the 45 Colt. With the popularity of cowboy action shooting, 45 Colt factory ammo is readily available if you don't feel like reloading and, of course, easy to load the 45 Colt, anyway. I shoot both 357 and 45 Colts in my Taylor/Uberti Colt clones and standard 45 Colt ammo is definitely less punishing than standard 357. 45 Colt cowboy loads are a breeze. For me, shooting the 45 Colt is definitely more fun than shooting the 357. Just something special about the 45 Colt. Kind of in a class of its own. Tradition is part of it, of course (what can be more traditional than the 45 Colt?), but the 45 Colt doesn't have the snap and concussion of the 357, but you know it's no lightweight when you see those big 45 cal holes in the target.

My LGS has a couple of those Outlaw 1875 Remingtons in stock. After getting to hold and inspect one, the other week, I am very tempted to get one, even though we already have plenty of the Colts. Was very impressed with the fit, finish and trigger.

The Long Colt has the big hole appeal. I do like them big and slow.
The sleek Outlaw shape is really sexy.

have you considered a 327 revolver ..

Ojaileveraction wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 14, 2020 8:55 pm

The Long Colt has the big hole appeal. I do like them big and slow.
The sleek Outlaw shape is really sexy.
1875-Army-Outlaw-Revolver-ProductPageLW462.jpg

Frank James firearm of choice.

I have owned a LOT of handguns - semi autos and revolvers but all things considered I find the 'K' frame S & Ws to be the most 'fun' to shoot.

Excellent grip and balance, mediocre weight and when shot with .38 Specials (if a .357 model) are nearly recoil free in 4" or longer. Also it is not unusual to find a nice, pre-lock S&W with a stock trigger and action incredibly smooth and crisp and never having been modified. My dad's WW2 'Victory' model 'duffle bag' Smith has a trigger and action as smooth an crisp as can ever be experienced with a 'factory' gun - and this gun is 77 years old.

.38 Special is about as easy to load as it gets and about as cheap as it gets to reload for.

A 4" 'K' frame S&W is about the most 'perfect' revolver considering all attributes. This is my M-66 S & W.

No interest in the .327

The 32-20 only because of interest in a rifle in the same caliber.

JEBar wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 14, 2020 9:35 pm

have you considered a 327 revolver ..

I don't hand load for the 357 revolver. Just feed it 38sp self-defense rounds.

Cool reason to get a pistol -- just for fun.

Lots of good suggestions already given, Ojai. Both of my handguns listed below are pure fun to shoot. So I'll only talk about those here. First, I agree with NCG's comments about shooting .45LC. I have some arthritis in my hands, but I'd shoot .45LC without hesitation over a .357 caliber. The Cowboy action loads do stand alone in ease of recoil. You mentioned the Russian. Although a S/A revolver, the top break design is extra easy to load. Break the barrel open and all spent cartridges eject at the same time. Reloading the cylinder is a snap---takes only a few seconds to load the five or six rounds (choice). For my elder eyes, the fixed barrel sights are the best sights I've ever had on a revolver.

The preceding comments about cleaning a black powder pistol are also spot on. I find that cleaning my Trapper after a range visit is quicker and easier than cleaning my Russian. One qualification here. I'm not shooting a BP S/A revolver with six rounds. Mine is a single shot cap & ball percussion pistol. I think it might be easier yet to clean with only the single barrel, and not a barrel plus six cylinder chambers. Of course, the lock on mine needs cleaning attention, too, but that is an easy clean. And because it's a single shot, a person doesn't use as much ammo (I shoot only .50 cal round balls) at each range time. I buy a higher priced round ball, Hornady, because I like the product. Even then the cost per round ball is 20 cents including tax. That's a plus for me. The BP fun experience is still there and is a blast.

I've got my "handguns for fun." I know you'll enjoy the hunt for yours
PT7

Another vote for the 45 since we are making suggestions also.
I have a pair of Rugers, one is the convertible with an acp cylinder and the other a Vaquero, both with the 4 /58's barrels.
I like the one RR pictured also.

RP

10-4 .... I've never owned one but have seen and fired 327's and found them to be fun to fire .... I have no experience with a 32-20, looking forward to following your search

RR do you ever experience any cylinder restriction issues with the wedge when reassembling after cleaning? Does the arbor on that model bottom out when the barrel is placed back on the frame? I think Id go along with the 45 Colt selection also Tim. Keep in mind though a Ruger Single action in 45 Colt is a great gun but if shooting cast bullets I would take a cast bullet with you when you are looking at one to check out the cylinder throats. Rugers Cylinder throats tend to be to tight and it does effect accuracy. Just FYI. If you need a 45 cast bullet or to do so that let me know be glad to send you one.

I have not had any issues, but I can see how it might happen.

BP revolvers are fun as well but do carry the additional needs of a thorough cleaning after each use but they are easy to disassemble and everything can be done in the sink.

I can have my 1851 Navy disassembled and all parts cleaned in less than an hour not including reassembly which usually takes place the next day after ensuring all parts are dry. In the winter this is facilitated by laying them in a pan on the woodstove to dry. IF I were to do this again I would have never got a brass framed model as it occasionally needs a polish with some Nevr-Dull but that is no big deal.

I made the mistake once however of leaving the barrel too long in the hot, soapy water (forgot most likely) and when I returned to it a lot of the bluing had came off! I was POd to say the least but this was an $85.00 gun with $85.00 quality bluing.

Mine is an older CVA made by Armi San Marcos probably in the 70s when the quality of the Italian made guns was not so good.

Oh, they have great 'curb appeal' with nice fitting and machine work but the internals are terrible and I had to eventually make a new trigger due to the original breaking at the pivot hole due to being very soft. I hand made a new trigger out of modern, tool steel and while I was at it gave it a better shape to be nearer the rear of the trigger guard for and wider as well for ease of shooting. I also had to make a new trigger spring as the original broke as well. I made the new one out of a piece of pallet banding strap and it has been working excellently for many years.

I suspect (hope) the newer models of Italian made repros are made with better materials but I have no experience with them and maybe someone with experience can chime in on this.

You can clearly see where the bluing flaked off and I think I am going to remove the remaining bluing polish it up and try giving it a new bluing job. Cold blue can come out pretty nice actually IF the parts are heated up pretty hot before applying and this will be easy with the small size of the barrel.

I have heard of shooters using a dishwasher to clean BP pistols like the Ruger Old Army. Not sure how true this is and it's definitely not a traditional way pf cleaning a BP pistol, but I can see how it might work, assuming you do some disassembly of basic parts. Of course, I'm not crazy about the idea of anyone cleaning a smelly BP gun in MY dishwasher, so you guys better check with the woman of the house before you try it.

I have heard of shooters using a dishwasher to clean BP pistols like the Ruger Old Army.

I might consider this with a SS model but never with a blued one.

While Ruger bluing is no doubt superior to Italian bluing I still would not chance it.

Another thought Tim if you want a simple BP gun just get a single shot. Pedersoil Lyman and Traditions all make them in various calibers.

.45 Colt SA revolver should be in everyone's collection of fun guns. Or if you have a pistol caliber rifle get a revolver to match it!

This stuff is a disease that spreads once it get's going!! Now that I have the nice .357 Big Boy I don't have a SA revolver to match it and that
Cimarron Evil Roy in .357 is a very slick looking and functioning piece!!
https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_inf ... +mag+55%22