Which Rogers & Spencer?

[fcat]

I'm interested in getting a Rogers & Spencer .44 bp revolver. A quick google reveals that quite a few makes are available:

pedersoli
hege
fwb
euroarms
pietta

any advice on which is good/bad/expensive/cheap/reliable/made-of-chocolate, etc?

regards
Nigel

[LONG REACH]

I've used one of our club member's R&S .44 in stainless, by Euroarmrs and it's a fine pistol, well made, comfortable in the hand and very accurate, even with someone like me shooting it
Can't comment on the other makes, as I have no experience with them, but after using the Euroarms R&S, I can't see any reason to spend more, on the likes of Pedersoli etc, or less with the Pietta model.

Hope this helps

ATB
Baz

[tim56]

My .44 Rogers is the Euro arms version in london grey and its been a great revolver. Iv had it about seven years and the only thing iv done is to change the fastener that holds the cylinder pin in place. Its far more accurate than me, easy to load and clean and feels "right" in the hand. Some will prefer the target model with its adjustable sights but i cant see any use for them given these guns are shot at 25 yds and mine shoots to point of aim with std sites.
I also prefer the sight picture on my model as theres no rear site to obstruct your view of the target.
If money was no object then i would probably go for the Hege but it is so i payed £300 new for mine instead of at least double for a Hege. Dont know about other makes but havent heard any horror stories about any one make so i suppose You pays your money and takes your choice!!

[Simon G]

If you can afford it, the Pedersoli version. Absolutely gorgeous! Not only fit and finish, but it's what they use to set world records with........ 'nuff said!

[lilguy43uk]

I use a Pietta Remington 1858 .44 in stainless.

Health warning using these guns can seriously damage your mouth as your grin will go from ear to ear.

[Smokeless Coal]

Oh deep joy,

Went and did my regular tuesday shoot last night and shot 2 cards with my Euroarms R&S. 2 nice groups of 2 and a half inches, one score of 52/60, dead chuffed.

I'm getting old and my eyesight ain't too hot, I normally only manage 3" groups with my underlever 357mag over open sights. So I guess I have cracked it with my loading of my m/l revolver.

The real clincher is to get the ball seated to just a hairs breadth below the face of the cylinder, accuracy improved a heck of a lot.

My load, 17gr by weight 777 powder, 38spl case of tescos' cous-cous, home cast balls lubed with Alox, CCI caps.

[Jim McArthur]

I use a Pietta Remington 1858 .44 in stainless.

Health warning using these guns can seriously damage your mouth as your grin will go from ear to ear.

Jim

[Jim McArthur]

Oh deep joy,

Went and did my regular tuesday shoot last night and shot 2 cards with my Euroarms R&S. 2 nice groups of 2 and a half inches, one score of 52/60, dead chuffed.

I'm getting old and my eyesight ain't too hot, I normally only manage 3" groups with my underlever 357mag over open sights. So I guess I have cracked it with my loading of my m/l revolver.

The real clincher is to get the ball seated to just a hairs breadth below the face of the cylinder, accuracy improved a heck of a lot.

My load, 17gr by weight 777 powder, 38spl case of tescos' cous-cous, home cast balls lubed with Alox, CCI caps.

Congratulations on your cards, Smokeless!

Some great practical info there.

Cheers,

Jim

[Napoleon IV]

I used to have the Euroarms Lothar Walther model in blued steel. The so called stainless ones are actually hard plated with a process smilar to the Nikasil used on motorcycle cylinders. Mine was very accurate with a good trigger but it was showing some signs of wear after a few years. Also it had a distressing habit of screws dropping out at inconvenient moments, invariably when I was shooting Historic Revolver. This was cured by judicious use of Loctite. Most of the Rogers and Spencers are all made in the same factory in Italy. This includes the Feinwerkbau version as well as Euroarms and others. I preferred it to the Remington NMA because it was much easier to cap the cylinders.

[LONG REACH]

The Stainless models are Stainless Steel, but there are Nickle plated models also, I've used both now and they look completely different, the plated one is like chrome, where the Stainless one, has a dull finish, hope that's cleared that one up.

Yes I admit it I was wrong, but at least I'm big enought to say that I was wrong. But you must admit, when together with a Stainless model of another gun the colour difference is negligable and when you have the owner and previous owner swear blind that it is Stainless, what are you supposed to believe, so I admit I was wrong, but it wasn't my fault

ATB
Baz

[Napoleon IV]

The Stainless models are Stainless Steel, but there are Nickle plated models also, I've used both now and they look completely different, the plated one is like chrome, where the Stainless one, has a dull finish, hope that's cleared that one up.

ATB
Baz

The plated ones actually have a dull finish called London Grey. Are you thinking of the Remington models? I've never seen a Stainless R&S.

[LONG REACH]

Euroarms, I believe have made all four models, the blued, stainless, nickle plated and london finish versions. John,one of our club members has a very nice stainless steel model with target sights (which has the script stainless steel stamped into it) this has a dull to shiney finish, the nickle version (very shiney,as chrome) has no stampings to say what it's made of as is the same with the blued model. I was actually having a good look at a nickle R&S (which was made by Chapparal) at the Great Malvern Arms fair, last Sunday.
I know the finish you call London Grey and that is different again, as in a horrible dull finish and if you have never seen a stainless R&S how can you say that they don't exist ?. I think there will be quite a few members on here who will disagree with you And yes I do know the difference between a Rogers & Spencer and a Remington 1858 NMA. I've been using a stainless Remi 1858 NMA, for the past 4 months, along with a Remi 1858 Buffalo, which is blued with a brass frame.

ATB
Baz

[Napoleon IV]

I didn't say they don't exist. I just said I've never seen one. Interestingly neither have Henry Kranks. This doesn't mean there isn't one. Just that they can't be very common. Post a picture for us all to see. Actually I would quite like a stainless version if as well made as my blued steel one. Might be tempted.

[Napoleon IV]

Further to R & S revolvers I can find no company that manufactures a stainless steel Rogers and Spencer. I've checked the major companies in the US, namely Dixie Gunworks, Navy Arms and Euroarms of America. None of them list a stainless model. Looking through the last 10 years of Gun Digest doesn't reveal one. Euroarms Italia, Feinwerkbau and Pedersoli don't make one and Chapparal Arms don't sell or make any muzzle loading revolvers at all. London Grey isn't a horrible dull finish its a satin finish that resembles....Stainless steel! But the guns aren't stainless and will corrode if not properly maintained. As stated before it's a hard electroplated finish similar to Nikasil. Underneath it's steel. Dixie Gunworks are listed in Gun Digest as selling a nickle plated R&S but it doesn't appear on their website and isn't available in Britain. I appears that your only choice over here is either London Grey(that looks like stainless) or Blued. Either way you will have a nice revolver that can be used in either MLAGB events or for general club competitions.

[tim56]

My euroarms rogers is london grey and yes it does look like stainless. After about 8 years of use the finish is still superb. One or two minor blemishes that would polish out if i really wanted them to but nothing to be concearned about. Just remove the wood and soak the gun in hot soapy water for 10 mins after use. Dry, lube and refit wood. Job done.
Was going to add a piccy but posting rules says "you MAY NOT post attachments". !!