.45 and .357 1873's

[brazosdave]

This week, I had the opportunity to put in a lot of quality shooting time with both my Uberti .357 Model P, and with East Texas' .45 Charles Daly Pietta Model P.  I had originally got mine in .357 because I thought it would have a quicker follow up time on target than the .45, but in shooting both, i was mistaken.  The .45 has pretty much the same shooting characteristics. Bottom line is:  I'm prolly gonna have to get one in .45 as well now, lol!

[StrawHat]

The replica SA Colt is a great revolver, especially in 45.

Here is one of mine with the 45 ACP cylinder installed.



Loaded with a 240 grain full wadcutter and blackpowder ballistics, it make an impressive hole in the paper and even better on game.

[mazo kid]

I just like that barrel length in the '73. It is a matter of aesthetics with me I guess, although I do have a Colt 3rd generation with the 7-1/2" barrel along with an extra 5-1/2" barrel. My other '73s are all clones with the 4-3/4" to 5-1/2" barrels.

[StrawHat]

The 5 1/2" has been my favorite.  I have another revolver with the 7 1/2" and intend to make it an Artillery Model.  Subtley different than a 5 1/2" Model.

[caferacer]

I like them both, when I got my second gen Colt in 45 with a 7 1/2 barrel I thought I would sell my Taylors & co smokewagon (357mag 5 1/2" barrel made by Uberti) but it is just so much fun to shoot! and 38spl is way cheaper, even if you reload, so I decided to keep both
guess now I need one in 4 3/4" perhaps nickel, yea that's the ticket 

[bigted]

The 5 1/2" has been my favorite.  I have another revolver with the 7 1/2" and intend to make it an Artillery Model.  Subtley different than a 5 1/2" Model.

so I have heard this reference before ... "artillery model" ... what does this reference refer to please?

[StrawHat]

As I recall

The 5 1/2" has been my favorite.  I have another revolver with the 7 1/2" and intend to make it an Artillery Model.  Subtley different than a 5 1/2" Model.

so I have heard this reference before ... "artillery model" ... what does this reference refer to please?

As I recall, in the late 1800s a bunch of the Army Colts were in for repair and refurbishing.  For some reason it was decided to cut the barrels from 7 1/2" to 5 1/2".  This was done and the resulting revolvers were issued to many artillery units.  The name stuck for whatever reason.  I am not aware if the name is used for revolvers that came from the factory with the 5 1/2"barrel or only for the cut down revolvers.

Someone with more history or at least a better memory will be able to fill in the gaps.

Kevin

[bigted]

thanks ... I always wondered about that reference ... now I know and will understand the reference in the future.