Absolute Newb Question!

[old fogey]

Goon has been flexing his influence muscle, and can't quite decide (being a absolute newb to Colt - Dad had one that I used ta shoot but that was close to 40 years ago and it weren't mine but his -) which is more comfortable in the hand - a Pietta 1851 or a Pietta 1861? Ain't lookin' ta start any quarrels, just need honest opinion to decide's all.

[45 Dragoon]

I tune more '51s than anything else. I think most folks like the "heft" of it as well. The '61 sure is purty though!  (Course I don't want to sway ya one way or another, get one of each!!). 

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com
Follow me on Instagram @ goonsgunworks

[mike116]

I don't have the love affair with the '51 that many other people do.  I have three of them and I'd rather shoot my 1860.   I may not be the be the best guy to give an opinion here though.   I like the 1860 better but I don't have an 1861 to compare the 1851 with.

[ssb73q]

 which is more comfortable in the hand - a Pietta 1851 or a Pietta 1861?

Hi fogey, Pietta 1861? Did you mean Pietta 1860 Army, or the Pietta 1862 that is just a shorter version of the 1851 that should have been called an 1861.

The 1851 is probably one of the most accurate of any of the mass produced BP revolvers. Hickock seemed to like the 1851. The .36 caliber makes for an easy to shoot with minimal recoil and muzzle blast revolver. It's a natural pointer and the octagon barrel makes for a very handsome revolver. Pietta's 1862 is just a shorter round barrel version of the 1851.

Regards,
Richard

[Captainkirk]

I don't have a '61 or a '62. But my '51 and S&G are the pointin'est handguns on earth (to me)...even though the grips are 'smallish' compared to that of a '60 Army. The grip is also fatter compared to say, a Remington.
Yes sir, give me a nice '51 Navy any day!

[StrawHat]

...which is more comfortable in the hand - a Pietta 1851 or a Pietta 1861? ...

In order to answer that, you would need to have handled both an 1851 and an 1861.  I have both, and there is a reason Colt's advertised the 1861 as the Improved Navy pistol.  It handles much better than the older 1851 model.  The grip frames are the same but the barrel is slimmer and more responsive.  The 1861 just feels better and more natural.  I have a pair of Uberti 1861s, a G&U 1851 and a Pietta 1851.  The 1861s get used the most.

In this photo, the 1861s are at 9 and noon, the G&U is at 6 and the Pietta is at 3.

Kevin

[Fingers McGee]

...which is more comfortable in the hand - a Pietta 1851 or a Pietta 1861? ...

In order to answer that, you would need to have handled both an 1851 and an 1861.  I have both, and there is a reason Colt's advertised the 1861 as the Improved Navy pistol.  It handles much better than the older 1851 model.  The grip frames are the same but the barrel is slimmer and more responsive.  The 1861 just feels better and more natural.  I have a pair of Uberti 1861s, a G&U 1851 and a Pietta 1851.  The 1861s get used the most.

In this photo, the 1861s are at 9 and noon, the G&U is at 6 and the Pietta is at 3.

Kevin

What Kevin said.  I like the '51s; but love the '61s.  I started shooting CAS with a pair of 2nd Gen '51s and thought I'd found the ideal C&B.  Then I tried a pair of '61s and decided I was wrong.  The '61s are the ultimate open top.  Most '51s are based on a 2nd Model 1851 Navy, meaning they have the small lever latch which can come loose when firing.  The '61s have the improved latch, and a ratcheting loading lever which makes it much easier to seat balls or conicals.  One of the main improvements (IMNSHO) is the blade front sight instead of the post on the '51s.  All of my '51s shot high left until I opened the rear sight notch.  My '61s (Ubertis & 2nd Gens) all shot POA out of the box.

As to weight and balance, they both weight 42 ounces and balance the same.

[StrawHat]

...which is more comfortable in the hand - a Pietta 1851 or a Pietta 1861? ...

In order to answer that, you would need to have handled both an 1851 and an 1861.  I have both, and there is a reason Colt's advertised the 1861 as the Improved Navy pistol.  It handles much better than the older 1851 model.  The grip frames are the same but the barrel is slimmer and more responsive.  The 1861 just feels better and more natural.  I have a pair of Uberti 1861s, a G&U 1851 and a Pietta 1851.  The 1861s get used the most.

In this photo, the 1861s are at 9 and noon, the G&U is at 6 and the Pietta is at 3.

Kevin

What Kevin said.  I like the '51s; but love the '61s.  I started shooting CAS with a pair of 2nd Gen '51s and thought I'd found the ideal C&B.  Then I tried a pair of '61s and decided I was wrong.  The '61s are the ultimate open top.  Most '51s are based on a 2nd Model 1851 Navy, meaning they have the small lever latch which can come loose when firing.  The '61s have the improved latch, and a ratcheting loading lever which makes it much easier to seat balls or conicals.  One of the main improvements (IMNSHO) is the blade front sight instead of the post on the '51s.  All of my '51s shot high left until I opened the rear sight notch.  My '61s (Ubertis & 2nd Gens) all shot POA out of the box.

As to weight and balance, they both weight 42 ounces and balance the same.

Fingers,

I agree with everything except the highlighted line.  Granted, everyone has a different feel but in my hands, the 51 feels "clunky" unlike the lively feel of the 61. 

Kevin

[Hawg]

If my G&G is any indicator Pietta has done away with the Pietta tail on their grips and it has a more natural feel than the older 51's.

[old fogey]

Alright then, (insofar as most folks here haven't seen a '61, '61 it shall be - actually think that the '61 is just a prettier gun with better styling). Now for the finding of a donor (think I'm leaning towards charcoal cch, maybe fluted cylinder, steel backstrap with steelie trigger-guard ta boot.).

[Hawg]

Obviously not Pietta's but 61 Colt.



62 Colt.

[old fogey]

Ok, it's official - I'm jealous Hawg! Like your '61.

[Hawg]

Not mine. Wish it was but just pics I glommed off the net.

[Fingers McGee]

Here are some of my '61s:



Top two are Ubertis, middle ones are Piettas, and bottom are 2nd Gens.

[StrawHat]

Here are my two Ubertis, fully fluted with iron backstraps and triggerguards.

Kevin