RMI Colt Peacemaker

Post by Spencerman

Another peacemaker review, this time an older classic full metal model made by RMI. This is the much older version with the hollow barrel (not open) as opposed to the latter solid one. Here is how it comes:



Open the box, and inside you just have room for the gun, no extra space for cartridges or caps etc.



Ok. Lets take the gun out of the box and have a look at it. It feels nice and heavy, and fairly solid. Nice.





The first thing that I notice is that the engraving is completely incorrect. No attemp at the colt markings at all. That is fine though, as what markings there are are not overly prominent and so do not distract from the gun. Add to this the number of different manufacturers over the years of peacemaker pistols, and this detail is again forgiveable.

Unlike the Kokusai model, there are no serial numbers on this model, and the finish is not as good. There is evidence on the frame of the gun (more noticeable on the right hand side) of the cast markings, and maybe because it is that flat black painted colour, it doesnt feel quite as 'real' as it is not a polished finish. Having said that, it is not a black painted finish like you see on blank firing guns, it is a much more blued sort of finish than that, just not quite polished or blued. I hope that makes sense! It is quite good, but not quite right.



The grips on this model are plain simple plastic grips. These I find are more comfortable than the eagle grips on the Kokusai, which can tend to wear on your palm a bit as they are raised. The other thing with this model, is that I do not know whether it fires. Because I have two of them, I also have managed to get the dummy brass cartridges for it. They are solid and do not allow the loading of any cap.





Inside the cylinder with the cartridge removed you can see a stumpy little detonator pin type lug, but it doesnt seem as large as the Kokusai one.



The other thing that differs is how it cocks. It still has the four clicks, but the hammer only has two positions, and every other click serves to rotate the cylinder. Here is the first position:



And here is the second:



This difference in the cocking action is certainly noticeable, and though the gun is not unpleasant to work the action on, it is not quite as good as it should be.

I have more than one version of this model, and they do both differ, but only slightly. The main difference is the barrel, as my other version is the later one with the solid barrel, and the other is the detonator pin. On this older version it is just a peg sticking out from the hammer, whereas on the newer one it is like the Kokusai version, with the more pointed chamfered pin.



From the front end there you can see how the barrel and cylinder is blocked. The barrel is hollow right down to near the base, with a blade on the top right hand side. This blade is quite far in, but the flash has cought it well to show it up, but it makes it look near the end. It isnt, and in fact is very hard to see without the aid of an extra bright illumination device such as a flash. The other point that I should mention that really does annoy me somewhat, and it is the same on the Kokusai model, is that the screw that holds the guard in place for the ejector rod is just screwed into the barrel. It does not protrude into the barrel, but you can see the hole where it is. The real thing has no hole in the barrel, god knows what that would do to it if it did, but being right at the end, I do find that a tad annoying.



Dimensions are pretty good. As you can see when it is compared next to a peacemaker, the ejection rod housing is more or less in the right place, although it is a little bit rounder than it should be, unlike on the Kokusai model where it is higher up.



From the front end it looks good too, with the hole dimensions for both the cylinder and the barrel looking good.



Also from the top the bits are not far out. Slightly different spurring to the hammer, but not much, and the front blade is shallower, but it is all pretty close I am sure that you will agree.

I would certainly feel good to recomend this gun to anybody interested in the old west, and I would probably recommend it slightly higher than the Kokusai model due to the greater accuracy in the dimensions, but it would be a hard choice because of the finish. I think that it would come down to a case of, if you want a black peacemaker, then get one of these. If you want a nice shiny silver one, then get the Kokusai model and a tin of brasso.


_________________

Having read Spencerman’s detailed review of his RMI Colt SAA (MGC) I took his recommendation: “ I think that it would come down to a case of, if you want a black peacemaker, then get one of these,” when the opportunity to buy one came along – to go with my MGC Derringer & M-73 collection.
I bought a RMI Frontier Six-shooter.

Not having a real Colt or another Colt Modelgun to compare, I thought it might be of interest to review the differences between mine & Spencerman’s models.
I honestly do not know which is the earlier model – perhaps someone in the Forum can enlighten us all?


The RMI Colt came with the original box and associated paperwork - the polystyrene being a molded soft type and not the rigid foam type. The printing style was similar to Spencerman’s although the words were in differing locations.

The first thing that I noticed on the gun is that the engraved markings are completely different and includes colt markings; and also has the “Made in Japan” lettering on the base of the grip. The fact that it includes a Colt logo is quite rare – particularly as this model came from the USA.


So I’m guessing it’s a later model than Spencerman’s SAA. The engraving on mine is also infused with white paint. A bit distracting and it looks like a glued-on decal at first sight.

The other thing that differs is how it cocks. The hammer only has three positions, and each click rotates the cylinder: you load on the second position as it releases the cylinder lock so you can spin or rotate the cylinder.

The grips on this model are also plain simple plastic grips but with the addition of the RMI medallion at the top of each grip. It came with six old-style MGC .44-40 paper cartridges; but takes the new style 7 mm cartridges which I test fired ok. It goes well with my MGC M-73 Winchester carbine!


The detonator pins are one in each chamber, so cleaning is a chore!
From the front end there you can see how the barrel and cylinder is blocked: but this model has a completely solid barrel (which I need to clean properly)!
This blade sight is a slightly different shape, as is the end of the extractor/ejector rod housing. It has similar spurring on the hammer, and the finish is not as good as Kokusai or Tanaka photos I’ve seen; and again there is evidence of the cast markings particularly on the hammer.


However, it’s a fine replica Colt .44-40, well balanced when loaded, and shoots PFC cartridges well: and adds a lot to my growing Western collection.

Thanks Spencerman for a great review!
Next? Maybe an early Navy Colt when I find one!


Kiwigunner

It's good to see two reviews on basically the same gun by the same manufacturer, but I have the nickel plated version which is almost the same as Kiwigunners, but still has a few subtle differences.

Maybe some photos to follow.......

Thanks Ozguns; it would be great to see your photos! ''

Kiwigunner

This is my nickel plated RMI (MGC) Colt Single Action which I bought about 10 years ago.
Being second hand, it was quite cheap and never came with a box, so I don't know what description it was designated.

I wont be giving a review as such, but want to point out a few subtle differences between essentially the same models. With virtually the same gun as Kiwigunners, it makes you wonder why they alter these small details.

Firstly some overall photos of the gun.









The differences are small, but noticeable.
Firstly, no markings on the barrel, but it does have them on the side, but without the Colt logo.



The "Made in Japan" is replaced with simply, "Japan"



But the biggest difference is the hammer and pin, which I would imagine would involve manufacturing a different part.



These are the differences I have noticed between the two models. Maybe there are a few more, but it doesn't immediately come to my attention.
Perhaps the differences are because mine is the shorter barrel version to that of Kiwigunner.

That's great to see those differences. Very good photos!
As has been noted by others in this forum, the US had an embargo on copying authentic logos or trade marks, so I'm now wondering whether RMI put the Colt logo on 1st, and got their hands slapped, then removed it; OR put the logo on later??? OR only put it on models intended for non-US markets??

Looking at your model's firing pin secured with a pin into the hammer is more realistic looking - and as toy say, looks like a manufacturing variation. Again is this a 1st attempt that was eliminated to save on time & money -OR a later feature that enhanced realism??

Maybe other forum members can brief us???....Hey Smootik, what can you tell us? (PM'd) ''


Kiwigunner

kiwigunner wrote:

Maybe other forum members can brief us???....Hey Smootik, what can you tell us? (PM'd) ''

I only know that initially MGC produced model with markings on barrel and Colt logo, later they did not have these.

Only page I know that discusses differences is this one, maybe you can figure out more:
http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~yon-yon/cgi/mgc/saa/index.html

After thinking carefully, I'm thinking that mine is actually a blank firer.
This is because of the description on the side which says "Long blank", which I had never previously thought about.

It might indicate why the pin looks like it is replaceable.

Hi ozguns

Please please do not put a blank in it, it is NOT a blank firer, the wording on the side is very misleading, it is discussed elsewhere on the forum and I will find the link for you, just wanted to make certain quickly you knew to prevent you getting hurt
ATB

See here
https://mp40modelguns.forumotion.net/t2042-44-40-long-blank-inscription?highlight=long+blank
ATB

Thanks Johnny, but don't worry I wont be doing that.

All my guns are safely locked in glass display cabinets. With our tough laws here, it's the best way to keep them without getting myself into too much trouble. And I don't think it is very easy to get caps here either.

Copied from "Some of Mine" thread:-

pitfighter wrote:

*I had the one like you Kiwi - two piece hammer, nickel, it was my first model gun, DO NOT put any kind of blank into it, the hammer can be filed to a point, but the cylinder will rupture - it's pretty poor die-cast, don't ask me how I know.

Well, this week I won this RMI MGC Colt .44 SAA in a local Auction (as well as the engraved 1851 Navy Colt mentioned in another posting):
it's identical to your's Ozzie - except for BLACK plastic grips.



I'm planning to replace them with white simulated "pearl" grips.


Kiwigunner

Thanks to Momocampo (in France) who kindly donated his surplus pearl (simulated) grips, my nickel-plated MGC Frontier Colt has some new furniture.

The grips were non-MGC and were very much oversize - but some patient use of a Dremmel and a bit of epoxy putty (to make some location pin holes) and....voila:



Merci mon ami!

Kiwigunner

You're welcome Kiwi, it was a pleasure to help.

And send something at the other end of the world is now so easy, it would be wrong not to do so.

Nice gun

Those Pearl grips do look great, they really suit the Peacemaker



That's a fine example of International cooperation if ever there was:cheers: