Questions about Navy Arms 1866 .45 Colt

[redlevel42]

My local emporium has a used one. Quick glance looks like 90% or better. Carbine length. Priced at $499. Probably room to move $25-$50 off that.

Will it handle my 9.5 grain Unique 255swc loads OK? That's what I shoot in my Win 94AE and my old Vaqueros and 3 screw Rugers.

I am totally ignorant about these guns. Do they have a reputation for holding up under a lot of use? Good as a Rossi 92 Clone? Better?

I sold off a Marlin 1894 .357 Saturday, and am/was looking for another .45 carbine. It seemed right fortuitous that I walked in the pusher's lair and, LO!! There it was!

Does it sound like a good deal? Should I hold out for a Rossi, or try to find another Winchester?

[Terry Murbach]

IT WILL HANDLE THAT LOAD. I WOULD DROP THE LOAD 1/2 GRAIN THOUGH.
IT IN ALL PROBABILITY WILL NOT FEED ANY SWC BULLET DESIGN AS IT WAS DESIGNED FOR LFN BULLETS.
IT WILL NOT FEED ANYTHING MUCH OVER AN LOA OF 1.590".
MINE IS HIGHLY ACCURATE.
IT IS NO WHERE AS STONG AS A '92 LEVERGUN OF ANY MAKE !!!! ON THE OTHER HAND NO MARLIN NOR YOUR 94AE IS ANYWHERE AS STRONG AS A '92 DESIGN.

[J Miller]

redlevel42,

The brass framed 1866 should be kept around SAAMI levels ( 14,000 PSI ) for long life.
9.0grs Unique under a 255 gr bullet is around 15,000 PSI so your load of 9.5grs Unique shouldn't be too far over that. I sure wouldn't go over that.
Our own Nate Kiowa Jones has said the brass framed 1860s and 1866s tend to stretch when fed a consistent diet of heavier than normal loads so I'd keep them around SAAMI specs were it mine.

You can do a lot with standard pressure loads, so it's not as if your overly handicapped by them.

Joe

[hightime]

I'm jealous. You can load you gun from the rear. I have to twist my barrel.
Mine is a Navy Arms 44-40 Henry. Did they make them or are they made by Uberti? Anyone know? Anyway mine shoots great.

[J Miller]

Navy Arms guns were made by Uberti and others as well. Look the gun over real good and you'll find the makers codes and proof marks.

Joe