Short or long barrell on a 1858 Remington 44?

[reddheadnla1974]

I am buying my first BP revolver, and it has come down to a 1858 Remington 44.Cabellos has one with a 5-1/2'' barrell and the 8'' barrell. Is there a difference that matters.So far I am leaning to the 5-1/2'' barrell. They call them the new army 44s. Thanks for any advice!!

[mykeal]

Sure, there's a difference, but then you apply that little modifier, "that matters". We have no way of knowing what matters to you, so that's very hard to answer.

The longer barrel is more accurate, not so much for the longer time the bullet is guided in the barrel but for the better sight distance. That might matter to someone that's target shooting for accuracy.

The longer barrel is slightly more difficult to holster and draw. That might matter to someone interested in fast draw competition.

Are those things "that matter"?

[Hawg]

Personal preference mainly. I like long barrels but you're the one that has to be pleased with it.

[Smokin_Gun]

I'd say get the short one .44 Rem if that's what you like...Your next .44 rem can be a 8" Hogleg.
Along with some .44's in 8" I have a .36 Rem with a 6 1/2" barrel that I carry in a shoulder rig so I like the size alright.

SG

[plom]

I have both, the 5 1/2" have the best balance of any BP revolver I own. At 35 yards I don't notice any difference in accuracy betwen the long and short barrel, on both you'll have to shorten the front sight if it's made by uberti.

[CraigC]

Personal preference only. I tend to like short barrels and shoot my 5½" 1860 a lot more than the 8".

[long rider]

HEY reddheadwla1974 your choice of bp smoke pole
was the right choice i to have 8" in 44 and a 5/half in 36
i do like the feel of the 8" but that might be duew to the
fact that i have had the 8" a lot longer, no matter what
the size you will have years of fun with them, you could
try differnt sizes only time will tell,shoot safe.

[reddheadnla1974]

I really do not know a whole lot about the revolvers, but I plan on doing a whole lot of shooting and learning. I bought a 50. cal. CVA last year and got hooked on black powder.I plan on target shooting and hunting with the pistol.I also plan on getting more in the future for sure!I was also wondering if anyone has ever used the pyrex pellets for a 44. revolver? Thank very much.I also believe that the 1858 44 is a pietta.

[long rider]

Good choice of maker, if i was you i would stay away
from them rabbit pellets get lose powder, and i
would get real black if you can it goes with the gun
i dont think they had 777 or pyrodex in the 1800s
shoot safe.

[4V50 Gary]

I like the balance of the shorter barrel guns. However, if you want to "gwine" (join) the N-SSA, you've got to get a longer barrel gun.

[Smokin_Gun]

Gary is N-SSA differant or not affiliated with SASS or CAS?
Jus' wondering cause they allow shorter barreled Revs. I don't know so I'm askin'.

SG

[Raider2000]

Smokin_Gun:

NSSA "North-South Skirmish Association" don't think are associated with SASS or CAS because they are more twords the Civil War era accuracy & weapons use than anything else compared to the SASS or the CAS.

I know that any and all weapons that are to be used at the matches have to be accurate copies of an orriginal in use by either the Northern Army or the Confederate Army at the time of the war "with exception to the Zouave rifle which thare is still no record of actual issuance" & Remington never made a '58 or a '63 with a 5-1/2" barrel.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Purchased it more than 20 years ago from Cabela's for about $99.00 (Doesn't that make you sick) Full package with leather holster and starter kit was about $130.00 back then. The mainspring has been broken for about ten years, just got around to replacing it ($3.50 from Dixe Gun Works) since I have recently started shooting again after about an 18 year break. It's a Pietta with 8" barrel, I shoot it more accurately than any modern pistol I own except my Ruger MKII. (This shooters results should not influence others) Unsolicited advice coming from my experiences - buy an extra cylinder and a loading stand with the gun. I don't have either one and still have a blast with mine, but it will be much easier to shoot with those accessories, I will be adding those to my inventory soon.

As far as barrel lengths, I prefer the 8" (never having fired the 5.5) but it's really whatever flips your skirt.

[Hawg]

NSSA is a reenactment group. SASS/CAS is cowboy playtime. NSSA shoot at each other with blanks out of period correct weapons while wearing period correct uniforms. CAS shoot live rounds at steel targets with so-so period correct weapons while wearing so-so period correct clothes or go totally off the wall with B Western wear like in Hollyweird movies and tv shows from the 50's.

[Smokin_Gun]

Deleted

[Smokin_Gun]

NSSA "North-South Skirmish Association"

Thanks Raider2000 and Hawg Haggen (Rebel) shhh! but can I jus' join the SSA and Ride with the 43rd Virgina Cavalry Mosby's Rangers?

I know the Confederacy would let me carry this Griswold & Gunnison!



SG

[Raider2000]

Originally Posted by Hawg Haggen

NSSA is a reenactment group. SASS/CAS is cowboy playtime. NSSA shoot at each other with blanks out of period correct weapons while wearing period correct uniforms. CAS shoot live rounds at steel targets with so-so period correct weapons while wearing so-so period correct clothes or go totally off the wall with B Western wear like in Hollyweird movies and tv shows from the 50's.

Actually HH, NSSA does shoot live rounds at targets including 1/2 & full size cannon & we did not shoot at each other at least back 20 years ago when I was in it.

Dixie Artillery Group!!!!

[Hawg]

Cool. All I knew they did was reenactments.

[reddheadnla1974]

I can't make up my mind so I will just get them both!! I like that idea!

[GNLaFrance]

Originally Posted by Hawg_Haggen

NSSA is a reenactment group. SASS/CAS is cowboy playtime. NSSA shoot at each other with blanks out of period correct weapons while wearing period correct uniforms. CAS shoot live rounds at steel targets with so-so period correct weapons while wearing so-so period correct clothes or go totally off the wall with B Western wear like in Hollyweird movies and tv shows from the 50's.

Wow. Okay, first of all, N-SSA (North-South Skirmish Association) members are quick to let you know they are not reenactors. They shoot real lead out of Civil War-era firearms at breakable targets. They consider reenactors to be a dangerously ignorant species of sub-human.

Civil War reenactors who portray military personnel and participate in battle reenactments shoot blank black powder loads from Civil War-era firearms in the general direction of other reenactors. They range in correctness from the ridiculously-dressed and over-equipped to the ridiculously-dressed and under-equipped.

CAS (Cowboy Action Shooting) is a term used by $A$$ (the $ingle Action $hooting $ociety) by which they intended to be the organization that is the first and last word on getting dressed up sort-of like a cowboy and using sort-of cowboy guns to shoot at targets that in no way, shape or form resemble those that a real cowboy would shoot at. WAS (western action shooting) is a term preferred by those not in thrall to the Gods of $A$$.

Unfortunately for $A$$, not everyone is interested in lining the pockets of a few people just so they can spend hours and money researching the correct material and patterns for their clothing and get the closest possible firearms and gear, and then pay more money to shoot next to some joker in a Hopalong hat, a Howdy Doody shirt, Levi's 501 jeans and Justin boots who uses a pair of Rugers that resemble nothing from the period, shooting tiny little mousephart loads of faux black powder.

All the above shortcomings (except the targets) are finally being addressed in an organization called the National Congress of Old West Shootists (NCOWS).

[Hawg]

NCOWS would be cool if they had more clubs. Maybe they will some day but I think right now there's not a NCOWS club within 500 miles of me.

[Raider2000]

I have both the 8" & a 5-1/2" barreled Remington copy C&B Revolver & I like both.

For accuracy I can shoot either relatively accurate with a little lean towards my 8" model for a little more preciseness but in general plinking they both get the job done with a smile on my face.

With the question of power you'll see about a 50fps difference in bullet velocity between the two revolvers with it being faster in the 8" barrel so if you plan to hunt with the weapon then a 8" barreled model will be the better choice for the longer sight radius & slight increase in velocity.

Originally Posted by GNLaFrance

Wow. Okay, first of all, N-SSA (North-South Skirmish Association) members are quick to let you know they are not reenactors. They shoot real lead out of Civil War-era firearms at breakable targets. They consider reenactors to be a dangerously ignorant species of sub-human.

Civil War reenactors who portray military personnel and participate in battle reenactments shoot blank black powder loads from Civil War-era firearms in the general direction of other reenactors. They range in correctness from the ridiculously-dressed and over-equipped to the ridiculously-dressed and under-equipped.

CAS (Cowboy Action Shooting) is a term used by $A$$ (the $ingle Action $hooting $ociety) by which they intended to be the organization that is the first and last word on getting dressed up sort-of like a cowboy and using sort-of cowboy guns to shoot at targets that in no way, shape or form resemble those that a real cowboy would shoot at. WAS (western action shooting) is a term preferred by those not in thrall to the Gods of $A$$.

Unfortunately for $A$$, not everyone is interested in lining the pockets of a few people just so they can spend hours and money researching the correct material and patterns for their clothing and get the closest possible firearms and gear, and then pay more money to shoot next to some joker in a Hopalong hat, a Howdy Doody shirt, Levi's 501 jeans and Justin boots who uses a pair of Rugers that resemble nothing from the period, shooting tiny little mousephart loads of faux black powder.

Kind of why I'm not a member of either organization at the moment because I can not afford it & from what I've heard in the SASS & CAS circles makes me not want to spend my $$$ on that & attempt to compete against the mouse guys.

[Hawg]

Kind of why I'm not a member of either organization at the moment because I can not afford it & from what I've heard in the SASS & CAS circles makes me not want to spend my $$$ on that & attempt to compete against the mouse guys.

For some, maybe most it's not about the competition aspect of it. It's for the fun. A lot of SASS rules suck IMHO and not many of them are clearly written causing even more confusion but it's the only game anywhere near here. Not that I'm able to shoot at any matches now but maybe when I get back on my feet I'll be able to.

[Smokin_Gun]

Good choice on getting both length Rems, I woulda done the same.


I belong to "IAMME" organization ... and there's none exactly the same. and the Desert Marksmen R & P Club here in the High Desert of So. California.


SG

[Hawg]

I belong to "IAMME" organization

That's a good one to belong to.