I would suggest strongly that you reconsider the Confederate Navy in .44! First of all, it is not authentic in that the .44 caliber in the Navy revolver is a fabrication of the Italian gun makers. Second, the brass frame is softer than steel, and the pin that the cylinder revolves around is screwed into the frame at the rear by only a few hundredths of an inch. This part takes the greatest stress in both shooting and loading and brass framed revolvers normally show their wear much more quickly and become loose. The all steel Navy pistol in .36 is one of the finest reproduction pistols extant and it points like a laser and shoots like a dream. Its price is only slightly more from Cabelas and it's the "best buy" in the blackpowder handgun world! My next choice would be the Remington in either .36 or .44 as they are a whole bunch stronger than the open top design of the Colts. I have a Navy that will shoot 2" or 2.5" groups at 20 yards most of the time, and I've killed squirrel, rabbit and one fox with it! These are more than just plinking pistols. But, if you can only have one, then I'd save my money and buy the Ruger! Regards;
Dan C