1861 Navy opinions wanted

[zdc1775]

So I have decided to finally buy myself a replica 1861 Colt Navy.

Right now Midway has both the Uberti and Pietta steel frame 1861's in stock for 339 and 387 respectively.

Which one would you spend your money on and why?

Also open to other brand and model suggestions in 36 caliber but the 1861 just calls to me.

 

[dickydalton]

Oops, found it.

 

[dickydalton]

The Uberti is smaller and the closer size to the original. The Pietta has an 8.5" barrel and looks to be the 1860 frame with a Navy grip. You'll need to fix the short arbor in the Uberti.

 

[Mizar]

There is no such thing as 1860 frame.

 

[AlexanderA]

There is no such thing as 1860 frame.

Then what do you call a frame with a "step" for the rebated cylinder? I agree, though, that this would not be used for an 1861. Perhaps he meant an 1860 sized frame?

 

[hawg]

The 1860 frame is the same as the 1851 frame. It just has a rebate cut into it to accept the .44 cylinder. The repros use the same size frame for both but Uberti is bigger than originals and Pietta is bigger than Uberti. I would get the Uberti and fix the short arbor.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

And get it tuned! Reminder of Holiday special, 20% off for High Road members.

 

[Hikingman]

Would you recommend the temporary washer method for Uberti, or a permanent modification?

 

[hawg]

Permanent would be best but as lazy as I am I just use washers.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

Definitely permanent is better.

 

[Mizar]

Then what do you call a frame with a "step" for the rebated cylinder? I agree, though, that this would not be used for an 1861. Perhaps he meant an 1860 sized frame?

As Hawg already pointed out, there is no size difference in the frames of 1851, 1860 and 1861 models - they are all build on the same frame. The rebated area in the 1860 is of no importance. And if Dicky is meaning, that Pietta is using the rebated 1860 frames for the 1861 model, I can assure you from personal observation that this is not the case - the frame is correct for the model. As for the barrel length of 1861 Piettas and the overall size, this is a different matter. Pietta has several deadly sins and the biggest one of them is their six shot 1862 Police built on 1851 frame, but this is a completely different discussion.

 

[.38 Special]

Pietta usually writes all over the barrel, which ruins the gun for me. I normally go for Uberti because of that.

Either gun will need some fixing before real use. This can be done at home, with some internet assistance, or can be farmed out to a specialist, several of whom post here.

Bear in mind that Midway does not accept returns on guns, no matter how shoddy the product might be.

 

[hawg]

Pietta usually writes all over the barrel, which ruins the gun for me. I normally go for Uberti because of that.

Either gun will need some fixing before real use. This can be done at home, with some internet assistance, or can be farmed out to a specialist, several of whom post here.

Bear in mind that Midway does not accept returns on guns, no matter how shoddy the product might be.

I'm going to disagree a little bit here. New guns do not "need" fixing before you can use them. I have yet to get a new gun that didn't function correctly out of the box. They can all use some work to be better guns but they do function as intended out of the box.

 

[.38 Special]

I'm going to disagree a little bit here. New guns do not "need" fixing before you can use them. I have yet to get a new gun that didn't function correctly out of the box. They can all use some work to be better guns but they do function as intended out of the box.

I've had several NIB BP revolvers which did not function out of the box - not "imperfect" but rather "does not actually function to discharge a lead ball". The latest one came from Uberti by way of Midway, and of course, Midway would not take it back.

Beyond that, I don't think I've ever owned an Italian BP revolver that, fresh from the box, functioned exactly as it should over the long term. Either there was some immediate problem that needed to be corrected before use, or there was some hidden problem that snowballed (or would have if not corrected early on) into real trouble.

At any rate, the key word is "real" use, as in "putting it into your holster and expecting it to be a reliable, useful handgun day in and day out". Yes, a new owner will most likely be able to take his gun out to the range and shoot it a bit, especially if he doesn't expect much. That's about as much as I'm willing to say for them. Otherwise, I stand by my post.

 

[hawg]

I'm not going to argue about it.

 

[Rustmangler]

I'll just say I sent my newest handgun to the rabbit before any use.

 

[zdc1775]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like the Uberti is the way to go.

 

[.38 Special]

I'm not going to argue about it.

Well hell, now what am I going to do with my afternoon?

 

[Rustmangler]

Hmm go yell at clouds?

 

[Black cloud]

I'm happy with both uturdi and pieta pistolas I have purchased and made my own. Sometimes a little deburring , stone work and bending of springs goes a long way lol.

 

[hawg]

Well hell, now what am I going to do with my afternoon?

I dunno. I took a nap.

 

[dickydalton]

There is no such thing as 1860 frame.

I did mean size. Pieta is famous for that. Their 1862 Police is an 1851 size frame with a shorter barrel and a half fluted cylinder.

 

[dickydalton]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like the Uberti is the way to go.

Somewhere here I have a Pietta 1861 that they called an Army but the barrel is 8 inches, made in about 1985 and then I have this 2nd Gen Colt.

My1861

• dickydalton
• Jun 30, 2021

 

[1KPerDay]

As noted the Pietta is cheaper and they are good quality but the barrel is half an inch too long if it matters to you. The uberti barrel is the right length but is still too large in diameter compared to the original. But it looks right.

Here’s mine if interested (Pietta)

 

[zdc1775]

As noted the Pietta is cheaper and they are good quality but the barrel is half an inch too long if it matters to you. The uberti barrel is the right length but is still too large in diameter compared to the original. But it looks right.

Here’s mine if interested (Pietta)

That's the funny thing, the Uberti is the cheaper of the two by $50. Thanks for the video.