With the Remington it wasn't uncommon to carry a few extra loaded cylinders. It only takes about 15 seconds to change them out. Go to half cock, lower the ram lever, pull the cylinder pin forward (it is trapped so it can't fall out), rotate the cylinder out, rotate the fresh one in, push the pin back in place, and push the ram lever back up to its catch.

You could do it with a Colt, but that was a bit more complicated. Go to half cock, pull the barrel wedge out, pull the barrel assembly off, pull the cylinder, put the fresh one in, put the barrel assembly back, and insert the barrel wedge. The problem was keeping track of the wedge, I suspect that it went into the mouth, the barrel assembly got tucked into the belt or shir, or mabye the inner jacet pocket.

A ball for the .36 cal was only about 80 grains, the .44 was a more healthy 140 grains (both those are rough) and made of soft lead. Both could produce a muzzle velocity of about 850 to 900 fps. The .44 cal really isn't all that far off from a .38 special, which isn't a bad round at all. The .36 is about equal to a hot .32 ACP, again, respectable. Part of the problem is the soft lead ball. It deforms quite easily, and that deformation robs it of energy and penetration.