The Bull Speaks!

Must be that time of year. Perhaps the Moon is just right. Maybe the planets are aligned in a peculiar way. Maybe it is simply Human Nature to want what we do not have.

No matter the cause, that old familiar itch is back. You hunters and/or shooters know the one I’m talking about. All of us are infected by that desire for ‘just one more’ firearm of some sort. Perhaps it is the latest, greatest magnum caliber, or a new model from your favorite manufacturer, (My favorites are Ruger, followed closely by Thompson/Center.) For me this usually means a new barrel for my T/C Encore, thereby increasing its usefulness and ‘fun factor’ with a rather small layout if cash. If it were simply a matter of what The Bull needs, then I’d only need to buy a shotgun barrel for the Encore in order to cover the last of the three most general types of modern firearms – handgun, rifle, and shotgun. Total number of serial numbered firearms would equal exactly two. Barrel swapping, you know I love it! (Anti-Gunner Notice: This practice is perfectly legal, too. It is what this firearm is designed to do and has no military purpose. Strictly a recreational firearm. Bite me.)

That’s not the point though, is it? We shooters enjoy the interplay between our mind, body, and the steel work of art in our hands. Every different model of firearm, every different chambering, changes that dynamic interplay and forces us to both physically and mentally change gears in order to compete. Firing a .22 caliber rimfire rifle is far different than firing a .45 caliber revolver. The muscle groups used are different and often even the sight picture changes completely. No, we shooters love variety! Individuality comes in what types, makes, and models each shooter prefers. For my part, I most enjoy the older type firearms. Single action revolvers, and single-shot breech-loading rifles, rule the day. My ‘True Love’ is in the world of blackpowder weapons from the days before the invention of self-contained cartridges. For the long gun end nothing tops a finely tuned flintlock. For something smaller, nothing fits my hand better than the cap-and-ball revolver and it is this type of gun that The Bull is itching for so badly at the moment. I’ve shot many, enjoying each and every one completely. The design of these firearms from yesteryear is high art. Nothing less.

Sadly, I’ve never owned one. Not ever, and I’d like to remedy that situation. Like I said, I’ve fired many models of cap-and-ball revolvers. In .31, .36, .44, and .45 (the Ruger ‘Old Army’), they are all a blast to plink with and are magnificent for small game hunting. Personally, I’ve settled on .36 as the caliber for me. I’ve also always had a ‘thing’ for the open-topped Colt design. I know, it isn’t as strong or as easy to disassemble for cleaning. All I can say is that the graceful curves and superior balance are just plain sexy! Please pardon that last comment, Ladies!

Well then. All I need do is determine which builder I prefer and the exact model. Hands down, Uberti of Italy is the choice of manufacturer. No one else comes close to the quality of fit and finish of these replicas of the original designs. Now, which model? That, folks, is where I’m having an issue. Two instantly jump out in front – the 1861 Colt Navy and the 1862 Police models. Here are a couple of pictures. First up will be the 1861 Navy followed by the 1862 Police. The Navy model has a better front sight, but also carries a longer barrel. The Police model is much more ‘carry-friendly’, but can’t beat the sight picture of the Navy model. (I never thought I’d be defending the Colt Navy’s sight picture! Verses any other repeating handgun the Colt design was – to say the very least – crude.)
Here we go.
(Images not to scale.)

Ok, Dear Readers! Let The Bull know what your choice would be between these two beautiful revolvers! Hard choice, isn’t it? Never fear, I’m not totally closing off my heart to these new fangled cartridge firearms. That is just another posting!

Fellow Americans: Remember, it is the 2nd Amendment that keeps the other 9 Amendments in the ‘Bill of Rights‘ alive!

Fellow Shooters: Be Smart…

1. Get NRA firearms safety training.
2. Lock up both your firearms and the ammo.
3. Treat every gun as if it is loaded. Finally, use your head as something other than a hat rack.
4. Never allow a weapon to even point at anything you are not willing to shoot. Ever!
5. Clean your firearms as if your life depends on them. One day it might.

For the gun-grabbing Socialist out there: Just two words…
Molôn Labé!

Bull, out.

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