1-2-3 model Colt dragoons?

[His lordship.]

I have owned the following cap and ball replicas...1851 Colt Navy, 1858 Rem., 1860 Colt Army, and an 1847 Walker.  Traded off all but my 1851 Colt, thinking of getting a Dragoon, kinda partial to the third model as it is more refined. 

Picked up what looked like a second model dragoon to check at the recent gun show, seemed heavy and ungainly, I remember my Walker being a beast to shoot and load, not sure if I want to go through that again.  The British army used the dragoons for awhile in India, liked the hitting power of the .44, but not the weight.  I could go back to the 1860 Army, nice gun, traded it as it was a piece of garbage Pietta.  But I have never owned a dragoon.

Anyone here have experience with the dragoon, what did they think of it, too heavy to shoot well, which varient is the best as a shooter? 

Thanks. 

[StrawHat]

I currently have this old Uberti 2nd Dragoon. 



It has replaced a Walker which was stolen from me.

Naturally, it is not as heavy and cumbersome as the Walker but it is still heavy and cumbersome.

Especially compared to the 1860.

I find it to be as enjoyable to shoot as any of my black powder guns but I do not own a holster for it.

I find it to be a two handed gun, like the Walker.

It eats less powder, round ball is the same, and accuracy is pretty good.

I won't get rid of it but will probably add another 1860 before I get another Dragoon.

(Unless the correct Dragoon shows up first)

[mykeal]

I own a Uberti 2nd Model and a Colt Signature 3rd Model. I also own two Walkers and two 1860 Armies, and several other c&b revolvers.

Each design has it's own pros and cons; which is 'better' is obviously a personal choice. Here are my impressions:

The Walker is a hand cannon. Big, bold and powerful. It was meant to stop either man or horse, and to do so before they go too close. It speaks with authority and requires that you handle it that way. Heavy, two-fisted and slow, but clearly the boss of the corral.

The Dragoon is strong, still very powerful and somewhat demanding, but more usable. It too is heavy, likes two hands to control, but can be shot well with one hand if necessary; useful up close. Just as devastating as the Walker but more refined; closer to a man's gun than a gentleman's gun. Commands attention.

The 1860 is a companion, a carry gun. It won't reach out a long ways and stop the rider on a horse, but it will own the room. Easy on the hip, easy to the hand, easy on the hand with strength and presence. The kind of gun you'd like to be seen with, and one you'd take when speed and agility were likely to be needed, but not one you'd take to command the field.

As to which Dragoon - much has been made of the differences in the four (the Whitneyville needs to be included) designs, but they're pretty much just 'refinements'. I won't call them cosmetic; it's a bit more than that, but really not worth money or time to consider. Get the 3rd only because it's the 'latest'; get the 2nd or 1st without reservations if they're what''s available. Get a Whitneyville when you've had other Dragoons and want the full experience.

My 2nd Dragoon competes with my Ruger Old Army and my Rogers and Spencer for 'favorite' .44. I like the 1860 a great deal, but it's not the big, powerful voice I expect from that caliber. My 3rd Dragoon is my showpiece, my 'barbeque' gun if you can stand that term. It is the prettiest gun I own and is always looked at with awe by others. Kind of like a piece of fine art.

[StrawHat]

mykeal,

Did not one of the Dragoons have a rear sight mounted on the barrel?  Which one?

I want to say the 3rd Model but don't see it in any of the catalogs.

[mykeal]

mykeal,

Did not one of the Dragoons have a rear sight mounted on the barrel?  Which one?

I want to say the 3rd Model but don't see it in any of the catalogs.

Not as a production 'feature'. There were some made, both by Colt and aftermarket, but Colt never produced it as a model change or as part of any given model.

Incidentally, Colt didn't identify different models in the Dragoon line. They were all 'horse pistols', intended for carry in a holster on a cavalryman's saddle. The three model changes came about as a result of refinements from user feedback and testing but were never identified as such. The model designations came later, due mostly to collectors attempting to group the changes they found in the guns.