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October 17, 2017
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My DW 15-2 is probably my most accurate revolver, but this Uberti open top, believe it or not, is running a close second. With its primitive sighting system it does not hit the point of aim, yet it groups exceptionally well. Just hold a little low and left and you will hit the bullseye every time. An extremely pleasant gun to shoot!
This replica is of a gun that never actually existed. The original Colt 1860 Army conversions were .44 caliber, so Uberti "over built" these to accommodate the .45 Colt cartridge. The workmanship is impeccable, and the roll engraving on the cylinder can only be fully appreciated with a magnifying glass. Awesome trigger. Goes with me to the range every time.
December 6, 2015
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Wow, VERY curious gun 
October 17, 2017
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The open top conversion revolvers are curious guns. The originals were Colt's first cartridge revolvers, and fulfilled that role until the 1873 SAA was developed (along with its new .45 Colt cartridge). When I hold this gun in my hands it occurs to me that it is based on the last revolver design of Samuel Colt (1860 Army), and while it may not be an exact replica of the later conversion of that gun, it serves as a reminder of Colt's genius.
Today's replicas are not only made with much better metallurgy than the originals, they are also properly engineered and heat treated to withstand the appropriate pressures for whatever modern cartridge they're chambered for. STANDARD pressure, that is, nothing remotely approaching +P. Uberti proof tests every firearm they make to 30% over standard operating pressure. For the .45 Colt cartridge that works out to be around 18,000 psi, which means that any modern factory standard pressure (14,000 psi) load is quite safe to use.
I would think it could even be possible to excessively overbuild an open top revolver design (using modern appropriately heat treated steels) to the point it would be able to fire even magnum cartridges safely. It would be an interesting experiment, and while the gun would perhaps not have the charm or graceful lines of the originals, it would certainly be a curious revolver indeed!
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