1858 Remington Replica Differences

[Big D]

I know there are numerous threads on this topic perhaps, but I had some specific questions I wanted to ask. I just ordered an Uberti 1858 from DGW for the simple fact I own several of their reproductions and they are excellent quality and performance wise.

I know the Uberti 1858 dimensions is allegedly closer to the specs of the original. What I would like to know why is there such a big difference in the Pietta 1858 and the Uberti? Why wouldnt Pietta want to make a replica as close to the original as possible? I just don't understand why there are so many differences in the replica versions. Also which do you prefer more?

This is not a Pietta bash thread, I own a Pietta 1851 Navy replica, my first handgun back in 2003. It has performed well enough, but even that replica is not consistent with the original Colt Navy. Go figure!!

 

[BullSlinger]

I own and shoot both Uberti and Pietta New Model Army replicas aka 1858 Remington.
Both brands shoot well and I really enjoy both. The biggest difference is the Uberti cost me about $ 75 more to purchase. I purchased additional cylinders for the Pietta at $49 each. When I wanted to purchase additional cylinders for the Uberti they wanted $89.
Stock nipples are also less expensive for the Pietta.

 

[Hellgate]

I used to own three different stainless Pietta NMAs. All had poor alignment between the chambers and barrels and two would unexpectantly wrench the cylinder out of the bolt stop and freeze up the gun when fired. I no longer have a Pietta NMA. The Ubertis' profile is more like the originals with its smooth taper from the top of the frame to the barrel and general lightness compared to the more beefy Piettas. I found the Euroarms/ASM Remingtons to be overall smaller in grip size and lighter than even the Uberti. The difference in feel/heft between the ASM NMAs and the Piettas is almost as much difference as between the Colt Navy and Colt Army. I have Two Uberti NMAs, 3 ASM NMAs and two ASM NM Navy Remington (repros). No Piettas. I have heard that Pietta has improved its quality control since I owned any of them. That's good but I still wouldn't have one for myself because they are "klunky" compared to a Uberti or ASM. I describe Piettas as overbuilt, which is not all bad and they are more affordable too. They just don't fit me.

 

[BowerR64]

Around here the pietta is more common ive yet to see a uberti could be because no one wants to let them go? So far ive only seen them online in pictures ive yet to see one or hold one so i couldnt even tell you their quality.

If i was a better shooter or shot compitition or something it might make sence but i just shoot paper so i dont mind the cheaper versions.

 

[mec]

a gun who posts as Slow Hand has an original remington. He shot it a few years ago with either .454 or .452 balls and got cross fires. Measuring the chambers showed him that .457 balls were a better option and they did fit very well.

Piettas and armi-sports work well with .451 (and larger) balls while .454 is usually a decent minimum in the Uberti chambers. We have a nicely engraved stainless Pietta froma couple of decades ago. It took some home gunsmithing to make it functional but it is very accurate now. I understand that Pietta has acquired cnc machinery and quality is greatly improved.

local engraver

 

[loose noose]

I've got two '58s by Pietta and haven't had a problem with either of them, I've shot well over a 1000 rounds thru both of the revolvers so far and they just keep coming back for more. I bought both at the same time from Cabela's, around 2002 for CAS, and the only thing I did was an action job on both guns right after I got them and had shot about 3 cylinders thru both guns.

 

[Crawdad1]

I’ve had both and had excellent Piettas and Ubertis, but the one thing I’ve noticed beside the obvious physical difference between the two is you have a better chance of getting a better tuned action and a smoother trigger on an Uberti built Remington then you do on a Pietta built Remington.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I don't own a Pietta. I do have a Stainless Uberti and my old EuroArms Remmie, actually made by Armi San Paolo, that I bought in 1975.

It seems that most today seem to think the Uberti is closer to the original dimensions. I don't know if that is true or not, but I can tell you that my Uberti is larger than my EuroArms. I can feel the difference, and the Uberti weighs about four ounces more than the EuroArms. Usta be that shooters claimed the old EuroArms guns were closer to the originals in size. I have not checked that out, but a friend has an original and I should compare them sometime.

As to why they are different, part of the reason is these things were being made before modern 3D CAD programs existed. You took an original, you measured the dickens out of a bunch of places, you drew your 2D drawings from that and had your tooling made from the 2D drawings. I suspect some errors might have crept in.

Or perhaps maybe they simply beefed them up on purpose to make them stronger. Like was done with the old Hawes Western Marshall revolvers.

 

[Hellgate]

They may have purposely made some dimensions and locations of front sights, loading lever latches, grips, etc. a little different to distinguish them from originals to avoid counterfeiting. I suspect that is a very minor reason but possible.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

The new Piettas are just fine, although they are slightly larger than the Uberti's. I personally like the Uberti's for feel, but I don't think they are worth the extra money over a Pietta.

 

[ZVP]

I own 2 Piettia '58s but also own a Uberti Colt replica and a Piettia Colt. No doubt, the Uberti is a much nicer finished and smoother operating gun.
I have herd the Remington dimension debate for years and "if" the Piettias are larger, it dosen't deter from the revolvers appearance or operation. They are solid accurate shooters.
My '58s shoot .452 balls well though one seems to prefer filler to move the ball closer to the forcing cone (for accuracy's sake). I don't know why but it;s no hassle.
I'd love to shoot an origonal!
I can see why the Remington is and was so popular! The solid frame gives a sense of security when shooting heavier powder charges. Probablly just a personal hunch but I feel better with the solid frame.
I load 35 gr of powder in mine (pyrodex) with no adverse effects. The power is awsome and accuracy is best with the 35 gr load.
ZVP

 

[BowerR64]

If im not mistaken the newer piettas have a faster twist rate. I bought 3 new ones from cabelas just a few months back and they have a different twist rate then the previous from years back. Im not sure what uberti is doing

Some speculate that the faster twist rate could be to help the cartridge conversion bullets stabalize better.

I have 1 remington that has a left hand twist (shooter model) and and 2 1860s with left hand twist also pietta not sure if this is new either.

 

[RPRNY]

Pietta don't seem to place much value on proximity to authenticity. They have created some real Frankenvolvers over the years. But they make some pretty revolvers and some that work really well. Rumor has it you can even get both in the same revolver these days.

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

When Val Forgett originally approached the Italian's for producing black powder revolvers he supplied an original Colt revolver, I think it was an 1851 as a pattern. The revolver had a dent or some bent part and the prototype they received had the same exact thing. It is kind of humorous when you think of it, they faithfully made an exact reproduction warts and all.

 

[swathdiver]

In 2007 the Uberti NMA received a forged frame more accurately sized to the originals and a tighter twist rate.

As far as I know, Pietta is still running a 1:30 Twist in all of the their Colt and Remington and Spiller and Burr revolvers. If there has been a change, I would love to know exactly what twist they're running now.