I've wanted a pair of Open Tops or RM's for years, and have decided I can probably find room in the safe for them with some judicious reshuffling. My quandary is this.....
I visited Texas Jack's today (Cimarrons Outlet Store) and they have in stock a pair of 1860 Type 1 Richards conversions in 44 Special/Colt/Russian as well as a pair of 1851 RM conversions in 38 Special/Colt - both with the 8" barrel. Now, I am somewhat of a purist, wanting to shoot the proper period correct cartridge with BP in the guns I purchase. These would fit the bill, since I could shoot 44 Colt in the Type 1 and 38 Long Colt in the 1851 RM.
So far, so good. Now I just can't make up my mind which pair to buy. I'm no longer into maximum BP loads into large bore guns, just wanting to enjoy making enough smoke and noise to irritate my posse members. Heck, my 32-20 loads are more potent than the mouse phart loads used by most shooters!
So, from that perspective, the 1851 RM conversion with 38 Long Colt ammo would more than fill the bill. And I have everything needed to load that cartridge except a bullet mold and sizing die.
I love the 1860 Type 1, and have everything I need to load it except some brass. I could even shoot 44 Russian ammo if I really wanted to load it down (might need some different dies for it).
If I had unlimited funds, I'd buy both pairs, but I have to choose just one for now. So.......I'd like to hear y'all's opinions on how I should spend my money.