1860 Army or 1861 Navy? Which is it?

[@GunsOfTheWest]

Check out the Guns of the West store here: gunsoftheweststore.com

[@paulman1970]

Do I need a black powder revolver? No. Do I want one? Yes.

[@jeffreygardner2591]

Yeah, I think most all of us suffer from that exact same affliction. Haven't cured it yet and I have 30, or is it 50 of them.😋

[@igorsassagawa3952]

Couldn't relate more brother 😂😂 it's my dream to own one of those

[@daveyjoweaver6282]

I have both guns Paul and they are Lovely and so much fun! I always say that it’s like shooting history. I have a GGGrandfather that volunteered three terms in the Calvary during the Civil War. So he would have carried an 1860 Army revolver. I pass his grave on the way to the range and I feel like I’m honoring those soldiers during that war. It certainly gives you an idea for all that nasty lead flying in all directions. I also have an Army issue 69cal. Musket I restored that was used in the Civil War. The power that 69cal lead ball has with a 80-100 grain charge is amazing! How anyone survived is incredible! Happy Shootin! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania

[@doranmaxwell1755]

@MACATTACK_VR I have a 'lot' of smokeless revolvers and don't shoot some of them near enough but I did buy 3 Colt clones.... 49/51/60 I nickel plated em at home and am very happy with how they came out. cleaning em is still the biggest issue but being nickel they seem to clean even easier. I even plated the insides of the cylinders and the bore on the 49. I can pretty much hold the barrels and cyl under the faucet (my water gets really hot) and then wipe everything down with my version of Ed's Red and good to go.

[@mcscheck2000]

​@@jeffreygardner2591There is no cure, but you can live a long healthy life by maintaining it...

[@stevebarzee7340]

I agree the 1851 London is my favorite. But the 1861 Navy is a fine model and good looking revolver too.

[@rcooper3178]

Thanks for the great video! My first black powder revolver was an Uberti 1861 Navy way back in the mid 1970's. I shot it so much that it needed replaced. It had already been repaired a few times. Early this year an online retailer had a sale on Uberti revolvers and I couldn't decide if I wanted another 1861 Navy or the 1860 Army. So I had to get one of each. Only solution I could find!

[@Godzillaborg21]

That's how you handle such an argument. With class. I'm glad I found this channel.

[@GunsOfTheWest]

Many thanks!

[@robertrobert7924]

I did not buy the 1861 because of the visual similarity. Instead I bought the pocket police in .36 cal. with 5.5" barrel. I think it is the most beautiful revolver Colt ever made. Thank you for this video.

[@snappers_antique_firearms]

I thing all of colts cap and ball revolvers are beautiful. So my answer changes all the time on Which one I think looks best.

[@thomasmaxwell7239]

Funny how this world works. I just bought my very first cap and ball revolver off of a neighbor today for $85. I jumped onto the internet to try to figure out what exactly it was and this was the very first video in my feed. What are the odds? The revolver I bought today turned out to be an 1860 Army model in .44 almost exactly like the one you just showed. Thanks for the helpful video!

[@GunsOfTheWest]

Congrats on the new gun! That’s a good one!

[@Ace_of_Spades-oe2yv]

First giveaway for me was the lack of seem on the cylinder of the 1861 making me think “that’s not a .44, but a .36” didn’t notice the other differences until you pointed them out Dustin.

[@GeneralLee1961.3]

In my opinion the 1860 Army revolver is more beautiful!!! I love its design and the 8” barrel! In fact the M1860 was my first exposure to Colt firearms! Sweet memories of my childhood! Thanks for sharing this informative video! I love your channel ❤🇺🇸

[@davidjoshua]

That was fun! Thank you for sharing your knowledge on this here topic! :)

[@formwiz7096]

Thanks. I've always wondered if there was any difference. Very instructive.

[@acratone8300]

Only 100 or so 1861 Navy's had the 4 screw frame. It's hard to find shoulder stocks that fit nowadays and that 4th screw can hurt your hand. Very few people wanted that 4th screw back then. Today people seem to want that 4th screw. I like 3 screw frames and will always pay extra to get it.

[@DK-gy7ll]

I recently picked up a Uberti 1861 Navy when Midway had a sale on them. I still like my 1851s better, but one nice thing about the 1861 is that with its blade front sight it actually shoots closer to point of aim.

[@adqak503]

Excellent! Appreciate you clearing that up. I'm often confused by this.

[@Grarder]

I honestly thought the only difference was the calibers. Very interesting to see the details pointed out!

[@ryanrebel5]

Very informative video. Keep up the good work. I always look forward to watching your content.

[@Rollin_L]

Great stuff. Simple, educational and easy to identify once understanding the differences. I'm not a cap and ball guy (yet), so this was a great lesson for me. Thanks!

[@Squib1911]

Good explanation of the differences.

[@coyote102076]

As the late great Paul Harvey would say " and now you know.............the REST of the story!" Well done vid dude! Well done. 😎🤜🤛

[@BogeyTheBear]

One last difference is the fact the cylinders are different lengths as well-- the Army cylinder is longer, so there is less of a gap between it and the barrel. The Navy will have a prominent forcing cone while the Army has almost none at all.

[@ronrobertson59]

If you like me prefer the 1860 Army grip over the smaller Navy/SAA grip. I own both a pair of 1860 Army Uberti and 1861 revolvers. If you pull the barrel and cylinders off the 1861 Navy cylinder and barrel fits right onto the 1860 Army frame and puff you corrects Colts mistake on grips in my opinion.

[@charlescomly1]

Very informative video Dustin, thanks.

[@paladin4570]

Very cool. I want a percussion just to have and shoot for fun. I’ve been waffling between the 1851 (caliber/cost to shoot,history) or an 1860 (sleek appearance, power and history. This would seem to give me all that I’m looking for. Really well done, Thanks

[@kingfatiusiii4744]

Honey wake up, new Guns of the West content dropped

[@rebeccaback3287]

I the coverage on the revolver's! I have a couple36 cal navy and a 44 cal.But I must say I like the 1847 44 cal the best.David Back.

[@joshuariddensdale2126]

The telltale giveaway is the Army has a rebated cylinder, while the Navy has a straight cylinder. Otherwise, yes, they are nearly identical. And while I already have an 1860 Army, I am still trying to find an 1861 Navy (I bought an 1851 from my uncle who had previously bought it for my grandpa. It still has never even been shot once).

[@vehdynam]

Great information and much appreciated. Thanks.

[@chubbethsthunder]

Dustin, Thank you very much. You and your family have a beautiful and blessed weekend. LORD GOD bless and stay vigilant.

[@DonaldWyman]

I think it is crazy that people don't know about this pistol. The 1861 is my favorite of the colt cap and balls.

[@GenderSkins]

Most people fail to notice the smaller diameter of the barrel on an 1861 Navy, in comparison to the 1860 Army. But yes at first glance the 1861 Navy is very easily mistaken for the 1860 army, until you notice the lack of a rebated cylinder on the 1861 Navy. Problem is that there is another gun with a rebated cylinder that is in .36 caliber made by Colt.

[@richardcormier4561]

Also the frame of the army has the step down cut to accommodate the 44 caliber cylinder the navy doesn't

[@13bravoredleg18]

My favorite is the 1862 Dance Brothers…

[@doranmaxwell1755]

I have a 51 navy but have my eye on the 61 which I also think is gorgeous and as handy as the 51 but as practical as the 60 army.

[@therightisright8276]

Army has the cool stylized barrel.

[@jeffshootsstuff]

SO DOES THE 1861 NAVY.

[@lessage760]

thank you sir great information

[@daveyjoweaver6282]

Kind Thanks Dustin and PLEASE BE AWARE of the High Fructose Gang! I know you’re careful however and well armed. We must remember the words of Yogi Berra who stated: You can observe a lot just by watching. So observe and always be ready Brother! Many Blessings and Good Shootin! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania

[@mikemuhlbach2951]

Great video. Thanks. I learned something ew

[@tylertapp131]

Ooooooh wow, learn something new every day, guess when you point thie things out its a little more obvious. But i had no idea till now, personally my favorite is the 51 navy revolvers, really love a brass frame 36 with 7.5 inch barrel, but here as if late ive really started to like the little 1860 snub nose i built. Blued with case hardened frame, 3 inch barrel and reworked from a 44 bp rig to 45 colt with loadin gate and birds head grip. Shes a beaut and a hoot ta shoot 😂

[@Tammy-un3ql]

great video.

[@WhatIfBrigade]

Fascinating! I have wanted another blackpowder revolver for a while. How many .36 caliber firearms are still in production?

[@jeffreygardner2591]

Dustin, it never helps matters that even the importers didn't always label them as what they were. I bought an 1861 Army once, sold by CVA, made by ASM. A beautiful example of the1860, so much so, I had John Gren convert it to cartridge 44 Colt. And who hasn't seen the "1862" Navy Sheriff model that is just a 5 1/2" barreled 1861 Navy. God knows what they'll come up with next, maybe a muzzle loading 1911.🤔

[@DK-gy7ll]

What also doesn't help is when companies like Pietta make a .44 1851 Navy, something that didn't even exist back then (aside from Confederate copies).

[@matthewmarek1467]

The lack of an undercut on the frame should be a dead giveaway.

[@greenbroccolistudios1275]

Call of Juarez And Gloomwood and RDR2 vibes

[@bobrees4363]

Even though I have large hands, the Navy grip fits me better.

[@Hercules1-v9m]

Before I watch the video I can already tell it's an 1861 Navy. You can tell by the frame and cylinder. The cylinder doesn't have the enlarged end for 44 caliber projectiles and because of that there is no step cut into the frame for a 44 cylinder.

[@edmarmohr3611]

Muito legal 👏👏👍👍😄😄🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@DerPanzerLieber]

I’m going to get an 1858 Remington here soon as my first black powder firearm, and I have everything but the nipple wrench. What nipple wrench would you recommend? For all the ones I’ve seen, all the reviews say “doesn’t fit the 1858 Remington”

[@GunsOfTheWest]

I use the SliXwrench from SliXprings and it’s been great, even on the Remingtons.

[@DerPanzerLieber]

Ok thanks @GunsOfTheWest!

[@Petruhafication]

If you get a Pietta 1861 in .44 would it then be a 1860 army 🤔

[@msharmony2001]

Before I watch this video, 44cal is New Army, 36cal is New Navy.

[@jiddo4440]

Thanks , why did the navy like a lighter caliber?

[@jdoerr779]

The navy is full of seamen if you know what I mean

[@gunyoda2356]

Hahahaha 🤣

[@vitojezie6560]

1851 👍

[@MothaLuva]

Id call it the 1860-and-a-half Marines. In .40 caliber.

[@captbart3185]

Good video my bride bought me an 1861 Navy in .44 while on vacation in South Dakota! Yep, I know that never existed until Piette made one but WHAT do I call this weapon. It is fun to shoot and I didn’t need to buy .36 balls but can it really be called a Navy?

[@robertrobert7924]

Just call it, " The gun that never existed".

[@rquest3059]

Call it the 1861 navy magnum...

[@ralphcrosby9622]

Armi

[@jeffreysnethen9586]

Took my Navy, have cartridge conversion cylinder on it with extra bolt notches cut into cylinder so you can carry six with the hammer between chambers, barrel lined as well, nickle plated loading lever, put an Uberti Army grip frame on it with nickle as with and bone grips, did a slick job on it & a wire spring so now it looks and feel like an 1860 Army but still smaller caliber and shorter barrel, so even with all the upgrades to mine it can only dream about being an 1860 :)

[@texasdrifter4544]

Where can I find a 1861 navy

[@RiverRat1953]

Dixie firearms

[@BrilloHead]

I got mine 1860 Army from Midway USA. Try to get it when they offer free shipping over $99. It will save you a bit of money.