44 colt or 38 spl?

[Griebz]

Hey everyone

   Im new to this forum and wanted to hear some of your opinions on ammo. After asking for some advice on here ive decided on getting a cimarron 1860 richard mason conversion. My only question now is what caliber and why. 38 spl or 44 colt. I know the 38 spl is cheaper but the 44 is correct. Also cimarron lists the 44 colt as 44 colt/ russian, does this mean it will fire both rounds?
Love to hear some of your opinions

Peter Griebel

[Fox Creek Kid]

Why didn't you just ask this in the other thread you started? 

What ctg. you shoot should be based greatly upon whether you reload or not. CAS almost demands that a person reload their own ctgs. due to expense.

[Griebz]

As of now i dont reload , actually i never got into it . If thats part of the criteria then im guessing 38 spl. Really why i was asking was for the fun factor. I know lots of folks in here have both.

Peter Griebel

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[tyrel cody]

.44 Colt with .44 Russian ammo, preferably black powder.

[Long Johns Wolf]

I would go for the .44 Colt.
That's a way cool cartridge, very accurate and of course the historical correct ammo the Colt 1860 Army conversions.
It's my main match pistol ammo since 2010, never let me down.
If you ever decide to do your own reloads the .44 Colt is easy because of the straight case.
Long Johns Wolf

[Pettifogger]

If you do not reload then .38 Special is the only truly viable option.  Go into any gunstore and try to find .44 Colt or .44 Russian ammo.  Even if you do it will be very expensive.  You can go ANYWHERE and find .38 Special often at pretty good prices.  As far as "fun" factor.  They both go bang and both toss lead downrange.

[Mike]

My Richards is marked 44 Colt but takes 44 colt russian and special. If you dont reload and want to shoot a lot you will start.
Get the 44 get reloading and shoot Black Powder.

[Coffinmaker]

I am in full agreement with Pettifogger.  I also agree with everyone else.  So, as you can see, I am of TWO minds (Don't bring me int this)
"If" you reload, or if your going to reload, going for 44 Special, Russian, Colt chambering allows the use of more historically correct ammunition.  Yea!!!!  Except, this is a fantasy game we play, to be played at each shooter's level.  I personally opted for Open Tops in
44 because I could play with guns that approximated yesteryear.  HOWEVER.  Being a gunsmith, reloader and shooter made it really easy.

For a neophyte (y'all didn't think I knew that wurd didja), taking that route is financial suicide.  You cannot walk into the local Wally World,
or your local gun shop, nor your big box sporting good store and expect to find 44 Colt nor 44 Russian.  You will have to order it, and when it comes in, you will need to have your BROKER in your hip pocket.

As pointed out by Pettifogger, you can get 38 Special ANYWHERE and at a reasonable cost.  Let your wallet be your guide.

Coffinmaker

[Griebz]

Thanks guys.. For me it kills me to not order the historically correct caliber but then again.. Im not a millionaire so getting the 38 seems more practical. I already find myself cutting back on shooting my 1873 SAA because 45 colt is so darn expensive.  Looks like i should get the 38 so i can shoot all day long haha

Peter Griebel

[Coffinmaker]

Peter,

In all honesty,  If I were standing at the tailgate, after a match, discussing this, since you don't reload, I be suggesting you sell your 45
and opt for two 38 caliber handguns and match that with a 38/357 rifle.
the cost of the guns is the same.  The cost of FEEDING the guns, with 38s as far far cheaper than feeding them over the counter 45s.

Coffinmaker

Remember, from the other thread, Open Tops are KITS!!  THEY WILL require some careful TLC to be viable match guns.

[Jake C]

Speaking as one shooter who is definitely working on a budget to another, save up and buy a basic reloading setup. I got a Lee Hand-Press, and while it's not amazing, it's let me shoot a whole lot more .45 colt than I'd be able to otherwise. It's a bit of a start up cost, but not horrible.

I should mention that I don't shoot in competition, I just love Old West style guns. So make of this what you will.

Just my 2 cents. Hope you enjoy your Open-Top, they're really cool firearms.

[Griebz]

I def understand what you are saying.  Then again that 1873 Colt is probably the only pistol i would make sure is the correct caliber.. Only because it goes hand in hand with my trapdoor carbine. Speaking of 38's.. Will the 38 colt round work in the 38 spl conversion ?

Pete Griebel

[Major 2]

I agree with Pettifogger , and the Coffin-maker 

here is a option and perhaps a saving grace....

Get the 38's ( I even go with the option for two 38 caliber handguns and match that with a 38/357 rifle )

Down the road a a piece when the Cash Cow is ready to milk , get 44 Cylinders & barrels ...and use your Frames 

Will the 38 colt round work in the 38 spl conversion ?  short answer is Yes .... 38 S&W will not but you didn't ask that .

Longer answer is I don't believe you'll ever see any real accuracy with shorter 38 Colt , because of the jump to the chamber of the 38 Special...but it will go bang.

[Pettifogger]

I def understand what you are saying.  Then again that 1873 Colt is probably the only pistol i would make sure is the correct caliber.. Only because it goes hand in hand with my trapdoor carbine. Speaking of 38's.. Will the 38 colt round work in the 38 spl conversion ?

Pete Griebel

Yes.  So will .38 Short Colt.  As far as "the correct caliber" for the 1873 Colt you are aware it came in over 30 differenct calibers?  Any caliber it was chambered in is "correct."

[Griebz]

Awesome.. Thank you for the help. I am ordering the richards mason in 38 spl. Gonna also order a box of 38 long colt to shoot out of it as well. Just to be clear only 38 spl and long colt ? 

Pete Griebel

[Griebz]

Sorry i when I mentioned 38 colt i was talking about about the long not short. A few places i saw online has them.

Pete Griebel

[Major 2]

Yep..... or  opt for 51 Navy R&M's  and they were 38 Caliber  

[Griebz]

Thanks everyone for the help.. Cant wait to shoot this revolver. Box of 38 spl and 38 long colt on order already haha. Next conversion will most likely be a 44 if i can get into reloading , seems like the best way to shoot these old calibers.

Pete Griebel

[Fox Creek Kid]

Sorry i when I mentioned 38 colt i was talking about about the long not short. A few places i saw online has them.

Pete Griebel

38 Colt, 'long' or 'short', is NOT the same as .38 Special. The .38 in general has a complicated heritage:

http://www.oldammo.com/august04.htm

[Graveyard Jack]

I like mine in .44Colt but I probably handload 100 .430" bullets in various cartridges to every .358" bullet. Itis only very slightly more expensive than .38Spl and while it's not exact, it's as close as we can get to the original chambering for these guns.