Cimarron 1858 New Army
The Cimarron 1858 New Army covers two distinct product families: the traditional cap-and-ball black powder reproduction of the Remington Model 1858 that fires without FFL transfer, and the Cimarron New Model Army series—conversion revolvers with metallic cartridge cylinders in .45 Colt, .38 Special, and .44-40 Winchester that transfer through an FFL like any standard firearm. Both share the 1858’s defining solid top-strap frame and simultaneous ejection star, but serve very different buyers: the cap-and-ball for black powder enthusiasts and historical shooters, the New Model Army for those who want the 1858’s look and feel with the convenience of modern cartridges.
Read our full Cimarron 1858 Buying Guide ↓
Cap-and-Ball 1858: The Black Powder Original
The traditional Cimarron 1858 in .44 caliber cap-and-ball is classified as an antique firearm replica under the Gun Control Act and ships without FFL transfer. It fires round balls or conical bullets seated over black powder or Pyrodex charges, ignited by standard #11 percussion caps. Loading takes several minutes per cylinder. The cap-and-ball 1858 is the choice for black powder shooters, historical reenactors, and buyers who want to experience pre-cartridge revolver technology. The solid top-strap Remington frame is stronger than the open-top Colt designs of the same era, and the cylinder swaps quickly for faster reloads.
New Model Army: The Cartridge Conversion Versions
The Cimarron New Model Army series converts the 1858 frame to accept metallic cartridges—available in .45 Colt, .38 Special, and .44-40 Winchester. These are standard FFL-regulated firearms that must transfer through a licensed dealer. The conversion replaces the cap-and-ball cylinder with a metallic cartridge cylinder and adds a loading gate similar to the Colt SAA, loading one round at a time through the gate with the hammer at half-cock. The New Model Army gives buyers the 1858’s solid frame and historical character with the practical convenience of modern ammunition, consistent performance, and no black powder cleanup required.
Which Caliber for the New Model Army?
.45 Colt is the most popular New Model Army configuration—it matches Cimarron’s Model P SAA revolvers for shared ammunition and is the most historically appropriate cartridge for Old West use. .38 Special gives a lower-recoil option that also accepts .357 Magnum for versatility. .44-40 Winchester matches Cimarron’s 1873 lever-action rifles for period-correct rifle-and-revolver combinations. For SASS cowboy action shooters who want the 1858 frame in a match-legal configuration, .38 Special or .45 Colt are the standard competition choices.
The 1858 vs. Colt SAA: Why Choose the Remington Frame
The Cimarron Model P replicates the Colt SAA; the 1858 replicates the Remington. The key differences: the 1858’s solid top-strap frame is inherently more rigid and strong than the Colt open-top; the 1858 cylinder swaps without tools; the 1858 has a different grip angle and profile. For buyers who have handled both and prefer the Remington ergonomics, or who want the historical connection to the 1858’s Civil War and frontier use, the Cimarron 1858 family is the authentic choice over the Colt-pattern revolvers.
FFL Transfer: What to Expect by Configuration
Cap-and-ball .44 caliber models are antique replica firearms — no FFL transfer required, can ship directly. New Model Army versions in .45 Colt, .38 Special, and .44-40 Winchester are standard firearms — FFL transfer through your local dealer is required. Confirm with Impact Guns which configuration you are ordering before purchase to understand the transfer requirements.
Related Pages
Browse the full Cimarron lineup, see the Colt-pattern alternative on the Cimarron Model P page, or explore all black powder pistols.