1851 vs 1860

[rjohns94]

So I am considering another black powder pistol. If you could choose between the two, which would you prefer? Original 1851 in .36 or original 1860 in .44?

[Stan in SC]

The 1860 Army has beautiful lines to it.That's what I would choose.

Stan in SC

[awp101]

Out of those two? The Remington 1858...

[Griff]

The 1851 uses the same grip frame as Colt's mdl 1873 (SAA). The 1860 grip is slightly longer.

No contest.

Edited to add:
The two holstered are Colt's... (2nd gen) The left center is an Armi San Marco repro and the right center is a Colt "Signature Series". Interestingly, the ASM and Signature Series (assembled by Iver Johnson) were made with the same parts as the Colt 2nd Series. The 2nd series were made of primarily import parts, but fit and finished under the "Blue Dome". All use american threads on bolts, and those assembled in the US use Colt springs. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a 2nd Series Colt.

[6pt-sika]

I've got original's in the Colt 1851 as well as the Colt 1860 and the Remington 1858 . But we also have several original Colt 1849 pocket models with variouse length barrels and those little 31 cals are my personal favourites !

[O.S.O.K.]

1860 by a small margin. And I would love to own an original of either model

[Paul Jenkins]

I've had them all in repros. And had a great time shooting them all. They were all Pietta's and all were as accurate as my newly made S&W & Colts out to 25 yds.

[jeepnik]

I can't afford originals, but I have 1851's, 1860's and a Remmy 1858. The 51 just fits well and is pretty accurate, but it is light in caliber. The 1860 is heavier, and hits harder, but doesn't carrry as easy as the 51. The Remmy is a good gun, but that web from frame to barrel adds weight not needed, and it doesn't thumb back as easy (a feel thing) and the colt replicas.

[Ben_Rumson]

I like the 1860 balance better...

[Pitchy]

1860 is my choice.

[6pt-sika]

How about an original Colt 1861 Navy ?

That has the outward appearrance of a 1860 Army and the 36 caliber like the 1851 Navy

[Buck Elliott]

1860 Army..

If the longer grip frame bothers you, a call to VTI Gunparts can get you a '51 Navy or '73 Peacemaker grip frame for it, which shold be an easy swap..

I never noticed any real difference in the way the two pistols carried.. The Army Model has a 1/2" longer barrel, the '51 has more steel; the '60 packs more lead...

[olyinaz]

1860 Army. I love the lines and I like the larger grip. I like the Remington better than both though.

Oly

[gamekeeper]

I have always liked the 1851, as used by the British Army in the Crimea.

[guido4198]

I always liked the smooth lines and larger caliber in the 1860 Army...
HOWEVER..I believe Bill Hickok found a pair of 1851 Navy's in .36 to be enough gun for him, as long as he wasn't sitting with his back to the door

[M. M. Wright]

Have owned both, repro and original Colts but now only have a pair of Pietta 1860s. Guess I prefer the Army though I really liked the original '58 Remmy which was my first hand gun. Shot it a lot in competition and it would shoot right with S&W .38 Special K Masterpiece. We shot slow fire at 50 yards. I think I gave $38 for it in about 1955. I even found NOS nipples for it at Numrich.

[rjohns94]

I have had the 1851's but I'm actually leaning towards the 1860. Got a line on an original with 5.5 inch barrel I like the larger caliber. I will have to get one in my hand and feel the alance. Looking for the leather for it now.

[model55]

Can not see you going wrong either way.The 1862 pocket might be nice too.

[deafrn]

I asked myself this question two times, about ten years apart. Once again, I'll go against the tide and say the 1851 Navy. I bought one of the first Colt Blackpowder Series examples and to this day it remains my favorite single-action revolver in terms of overall feel and balance. The .44 had more punch, but for a BP revolver as some sort of hunting or last-ditch defense (!) tool, the Ruger Old Army or an 1858 Remington copy was more appealing to me.

(And I did use a middling-quality Remington replica as a "beater.")

The extra eight or so years of use before the Civil War made the '51 more historically interesting to me, but I suspect many others would feel that the higher production numbers of the '60 and its status as the standard handgun of that conflict would make it more interesting.

[MrMurphy]

The '51 Navy found favor around the world, the '60 tends to be my favorite of the two, but I generally prefer the '58 Remington for ease of use and 'hang' in the hand.

You can reload a '58 in a hurry and not end up with a handful of parts.

[rjohns94]