I have a few examples of replicas of the Colt Navy model and though they all look similar, they sure are different!
Presently I have a Uberti London, .36 cal, a Piettia Police .36 Cal. a Piettia basic, Navy .36 cal and a Piettia .44 caliber Brass framed '51.
They all are so different from the other as to be different guns!
Using the "standard" model as a guide, the New police model is actually a chopped '61. Though the barrel is only 5 1/2" it feels very muzzle heavy, particularily just ahead of the cylinder. The thick metal surrounding this area adds a lot of weight to the revolver! The famed "pointy heel of the grip Piettia is so famously degraded for, actually fits my hand perfectly and having full contact, helps control the muzzle heavy feeling.
Next The London model's grip shape is wonderful! The Peacemaker grip feels so natural in the hand and the revolver points so naturally, you'd swear it's part of your hand! I wish the Standard model had this grip set!
Next, the 44 caliberPiettia is the most . The caliber requires that much metal is removed and the thinner barreland cylinder walls actually lighten the gun! It is the quickest pointing of the group. The famous Piettia grip shape was awfull on this revolver! I had to modify the rear of the grip, rounding it off both vertically and laterally. You can really appreciate the change as it now fills the hand and muzzle control has been greatly improved. Quickly handling all of them, you can really feel the difference in this grip shape! Done with 2 flat bastard files and some Crocus cloth of different grades, it came out looking like it grew that way! Frame and wood cut easily by hand.
Being a Brasser and even a .44 at that, I load this one the lightest 18-20 gr of propellant, depending on brand. Recoil with such loads makes this shoot just like a mid-charged .36 caliber. Best not to load brasser's heavy for longitivity. So far, so good.
The "Standard" model Piettia might benifit from a slightly less radical mod, I am still deciding on this. Otherwise, the "standard" Navy is near perfect! I think Col. Colt did it right the first time and all variations each have their own characteristics, good or bad. I realise that these variants are the work of others but it's hard to believe that the "origonal" '51 is so perfect!
My gripes and needs are all minor and easilly remidied and basically, I love the Navy models! Each of mine has developed their own personality. All these revolvers are easy to shoot and suprisingly accurate! The London model is the most accurate, hands down. I can't answer if it's the brand or just the revolver?
Yep, I sure like them "Equalisers"!
ZVP
Presently I have a Uberti London, .36 cal, a Piettia Police .36 Cal. a Piettia basic, Navy .36 cal and a Piettia .44 caliber Brass framed '51.
They all are so different from the other as to be different guns!
Using the "standard" model as a guide, the New police model is actually a chopped '61. Though the barrel is only 5 1/2" it feels very muzzle heavy, particularily just ahead of the cylinder. The thick metal surrounding this area adds a lot of weight to the revolver! The famed "pointy heel of the grip Piettia is so famously degraded for, actually fits my hand perfectly and having full contact, helps control the muzzle heavy feeling.
Next The London model's grip shape is wonderful! The Peacemaker grip feels so natural in the hand and the revolver points so naturally, you'd swear it's part of your hand! I wish the Standard model had this grip set!
Next, the 44 caliberPiettia is the most . The caliber requires that much metal is removed and the thinner barreland cylinder walls actually lighten the gun! It is the quickest pointing of the group. The famous Piettia grip shape was awfull on this revolver! I had to modify the rear of the grip, rounding it off both vertically and laterally. You can really appreciate the change as it now fills the hand and muzzle control has been greatly improved. Quickly handling all of them, you can really feel the difference in this grip shape! Done with 2 flat bastard files and some Crocus cloth of different grades, it came out looking like it grew that way! Frame and wood cut easily by hand.
Being a Brasser and even a .44 at that, I load this one the lightest 18-20 gr of propellant, depending on brand. Recoil with such loads makes this shoot just like a mid-charged .36 caliber. Best not to load brasser's heavy for longitivity. So far, so good.
The "Standard" model Piettia might benifit from a slightly less radical mod, I am still deciding on this. Otherwise, the "standard" Navy is near perfect! I think Col. Colt did it right the first time and all variations each have their own characteristics, good or bad. I realise that these variants are the work of others but it's hard to believe that the "origonal" '51 is so perfect!
My gripes and needs are all minor and easilly remidied and basically, I love the Navy models! Each of mine has developed their own personality. All these revolvers are easy to shoot and suprisingly accurate! The London model is the most accurate, hands down. I can't answer if it's the brand or just the revolver?
Yep, I sure like them "Equalisers"!
ZVP
