I just put an 1851 and 1860 Colt copy on my Notify Me list at Midway. I have seen many threads on the problems with Uberti arbors and wondered if the Piettas have the same problem or if they have their own set of problems?
I am having so much fun with my Pietta NMA that I am considering buying a Colt version to shoot. Most likely the 1860 since I already have the .454 bullet mold and I like the bigger bore size.
I have followed threads for years and on multiple forums and the gist seems to be that the Uberti models are much more authentic in size and shape. Pietta’s quality has come to similar standards as Uberti for almost 2 decades now. Pietta parts are much cheaper. I’ve heard it claimed Pietta’s springs aren’t quite as durable but they do last a long time. It seems most all Ubertis suffer the short arbor but are easily fixed with shims if you’re of the tinkering sort.
After all of my reading I was set on wanting an Uberti NMA as the front sight and latch are dovetailed. Some people had pressed Pietta parts fall off, and being dovetailed allows for windage adjustments. But Cabelas 2013 Christmas special on the Pietta with the free starter found it’s way to my house. It shoots a bit to the left.
Just handling it a bit quickly was eating a drag line as well as wearing on the ratchet from the hand so I had to smooth these. Not a big deal and I can’t say whether or not an Uberti wouldn’t have done the same.
The fit of the grips weren’t too bad but not quite right either. Piettas grip is fatter too from what I’ve read. I have small hands and sanded them along the inside as well as removed what I felt was a hideous stain and worked the outsides as well.
I’m a hunter and create WFN bullets. I found, just as everyone else stated, that the loading window/port isn’t designed for anything but balls unlike Uberti. I had to open this up quite a bit. I was also told my Pietta would have the slower 1:30” twist, but it does not, it’s 1:16” just like Uberti so they should shoot most anything.
Pietta tends to grossly undersize their chambers. My barrel is 0.4525” and the chambers were about 0.446” whereas Uberti has a similar bore with 0.450” chambers. I had mine reamed to 0.449” and chamfered but can’t say I notice a difference. I’ve been wanting to open them further, maybe 0.452”. Accuracy is good though as is, about 1/2” larger than with my longer ROA offhand at 15 yds.
I found, as many stated, that the hammer didn’t fit snug into the safety slots. A little filing and it fits well.
After the things I’ve done I’m fairly happy with my Pietta NMA. I’d be much happier if it hit to POA though so doing something about that is likely.
