NRA Gun of the Week: Uberti USA Wild Bill 1851 Navy Conversion

by
posted on November 13, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
An expert lawman and scout, James Hickok lived a life on the edge with trust in his sidearms. Uberti USA imports a remembrance piece dedicated to James “Wild Bill” Hickok with its 1851 Navy Conversion revolver. The single-action wheelgun features an open-top design and is chambered for .38 Spl.

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok portrait.

The Wild Bill 1851 Navy Conversion is a retro revolver made for the modern collector that enjoys time spent on the range. Though Wild Bill’s original 1851 Navy revolvers were cap-and-ball designs, Uberti created an easier-shooting example for the casual shooter that shares a similar look as the real-deal single-action of Hickok's day.

Right side of Uberti Wild Bill 1851 Navy Conversion revolver on white background with text on image noting make and model.

The throwback revolver features ivory-style stocks fitted to a steel frame with color-case-hardened finish and engraving is featured on the six-round, smooth cylinder. A traditional sight notch is cut into the hammer that presents once the hammer is set to its fire position. A brass bead front sight is positioned on the upper flat near the muzzle. Uberti USA supplies a 7.5” steel barrel with an octagonal profile that has a rich blued finish. The dark blue contrasts nicely with the color-case-hardened components of the gun.

Close-up of revolver multi-colored frame and engraved blued cylinder.

Uberti USA’s 1851 Navy Conversion revolver is based on the later Richards-Mason-pattern conversions, which were around while Wild Bill was alive. The loading arm typically found on cap-and-ball revolvers was replaced by an ejection-rod housing located on the right side of the barrel, similar to where it would be placed on the famed 1873 Single Action Army. A loading gate that hinges open to the right, exposes the bored-through cylinder capable of accepting six rounds of standard .38 Special or .38 Colt cartridges.

Rear view of 1851 Navy conversion loading gate and hammer.

Watch our NRA Gun of the Week video above to learn about the Uberti USA Wild Bill 1851 Navy Conversion.

Uberti USA “Wild Bill” 1851 Navy Conversion Specifications
Importer: Uberti USA
Action Type: single-action, center-fire revolver
Chambering: .38 Spl.
Barrel: 7.5” steel
Frame: color-case-hardened steel
Sights: hammer-notch rear, brass front
Trigger: single-action
Capacity: six-round cylinder
Length: 13.6”
Weight: 44.8 ozs.
MSRP: $809

Further Reading:
Armed Man Uses Uberti 1866 Rifle to Stop Black Bear

Old School Cool: Uberti’s Model 1885 High Wall

Uberti Silver Boy

Handloading The .44-40 Win.

Review: Uberti 1851 Navy Conversion in .38 Spl.


Extras:






Latest

Nsca National Championship 1
Nsca National Championship 1

The NSCA Sporting Clays National Championship

Every fall, the National Sporting Clays Association holds its national championship at The National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Texas, and thousands of sporting clays shooters from across the world come to compete for titles.

Rifleman Interview: Smith & Wesson Model 617 Mountain Gun

Smith & Wesson and Lipseys brought a special .22 LR revolver to the Plinkapalooza event in May.

Duty Ready: The Syndicus Defense Corporation Cryptic 1911 DS

Syndicus Defense Corporation, a California-based manufacturer of custom firearms and accessories, is joining the 2011-style handgun market with the Cryptic 1911 DS.

Trump Administration Moves to Streamline Suppressor Exports

Changes recently posted on the Federal Register by the Commerce Dept. and State Dept. on July 23 signal a major shift for the suppressor industry.

Review: Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 mm Gen 2 Riflescope

The Leupold VX-5HD Gen 2 is an updated and improved version of one of the most versatile lines of hunting optics on the market.

Ammo Makers Offer Savings Through Summer Rebates

Speer, Remington and Federal Ammunition have all announced summer rebates on select ammo offerings, giving consumers a chance to save on premium defensive loads.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.