I just found an 1860 Army .44 caliber US Civil War replica cap and ball revolver on Cabelas for $200 on sale in the bargain cave. Have any of you guys used this gun? Is it worth that money? It was $260 or something originally.

What is your favorite cap and ball/civil war style pistols? I was looking at some A. Uberti pistols and thought they were pretty cool. What's your opinion of them?

So, please share any opions and let me know what you guys would be looking for in a pistol and what a fair price is, etc. Any details are appreciated.

OG-216046---that's the item number. Look it up on Cabelas site.

Who made this revolver? Is this a Uberti revolver? They are very good quality. I bought the 1858 Remington Target model from Cabela's many years ago. the item number on it is UG-210083 . This is a very good shooter. Well made, very accurate, and does all I want. I am sure the revolver you are looking at would be a nice one as well.

The only reason I stay away from the Navy 1860 model is.. I had one many years ago. It chain fired (why I have no idea, because I had used a product called Spit Ball to cover the cylinders) and stretched the frame making the revolver worthless. Well not worthless actually. I took it to a gun smith who shortened the frame and the barrel a little, but after that I really did not want to shoot it. So I sold it to a person that hung it on his wall.

Thanks for the advice. I prefer the Army one anyways. Do you know what the white grips are made of? I don't think it said on the site.

Have you hunted with these? Is it possible to kill a deer effectively with it? If I'm gonna buy it I have to at least be able to take it hunting. Would you buy the target model for deer hunting?

Also, what is needed to fire, clean and generally take care of these guns? Is it gonna be expensive to purchase all of that?

Do you prefer the cap and ball pistols over the newer style pistols?I saw that Uberti made a break action pistol(very expensive)that rather intrigued me.

Thanks again!

I believe it's made by Pietta. Does thats sound right? Do you know--does it compare with Ubertis?

Pietta is who made my revolver as well. Its not a top of the line revolver like the Rugers or the Uberti's but for what I want to do with it, it works just great. As for the White grips, I am sure they are some synthetic material or plastic. I doubt ivory would be used.

I have shot rabbits and squirrels. I just do not feel they have the power for a deer. Granted if you were close enough and put that .451 ball in the right place, it would probably kill the deer, but if a revolver for deer is what you want then go with a Ruger Old Army, a Walker colt, or one of the more modern ones. These others can handle a stronger charge.

I would buy the target model simply because of the sights. They are easy to use, tune and accurate.

These guns are simple enough to fire. Some 3f powder, #10 caps, .44 caliber bore buttons, .451 ball, and some crisco shortening. To clean is another story. Face it, your shooting six rounds of black powder in a small area, so you can picture the fowling. I always pull the cylinder between loadings, wipe the cylinder off, wipe the frame off, especially the loading lever, and the cylinder lock pin. Other wise there was a time I watched my friend have to drive the cylinder lock pin out of his revolver with a short starter and a screwdriver. They are a pain to clean, but it is something that must be done. It takes a lot of time and attention to detail to make sure it is done correctly.

As for expensive, you have powder, caps, ball, wads, and the same cleaning solvents you would use on your black powder rifles.

As for my preference, I bought this revolver because I had two other friends that purchased them. Since we shot rifle almost every weekend, we added the revolvers to the shooting matches. The funny thing is, they have since sold theirs while I still have mine. As for the break open design, I can not see that as a black powder unless they are cartridge loading type. Granted that would be better but seriously consider how often you are going to be shooting this, and then think of the cost.

They are a nice revolver. But as I said, a real pain to clean.... They are a lot of fun to shoot through. I am sure you will enjoy that.

The break action one is a cartridge loading type. That's whatI meant by the "new style ones".

I'll have to think long and hard about it because it's gonna be another expense.

Thanks once again for the wonderful advice. It sounds like another fun hobby.

Hey man, I remember you and I talked a little about these revolvers a while back. Glad to see you are still interested. I love the 1860 Armys because of their sleek, graceful design. Smooth curves and action that rivals a fine woman...well, maybe I'm stretching it a bit there, but...the point is, they're a pleasure to hold and shoot.

What I've found out is that Cabela's revolvers are made by Pietta, and, that Pietta's quality has improved to the point that, for the money difference between Pietta and Uberti, Pietta may be the best deal.

As for the $200, I'd say you 'll be hard pressed to find a new unfired 1860 Army from Pietta for that money elsewhere. Not that you can't, but I think you'll spend some time to find one better priced. As a matter of fact, I'm clicking over to Cabela's website and take a look myself!

Good luck and hope decide to pursue some c&b pistol fun!

I still would love to but I am short on cash. I just got my dad's Ruger Super Redhawk .44 mag out and have been having some fun with that. It's expensive enough to shoot(60 cents a round)so I'll just be goofing around with that fora while. I can have plenty of fun with just that for now.

But, if I get a heap of money, I'll definetely buy that 1860. That's the one I like.

By the way, a gun that rivals a fine woman is surely the gun for me.