gtrgy888
Member
Nothing beats a July 4 antique gunshow. I headed up early, had some coffee with eggs, hashbrowns, and venison brats then got to see some vendor tables with replica revolvers. I found lots of Piettas preowned (some 1851’s, 1860’s, 1858’s, Walkers, 1862 faux-pockets in .36 with Navy size frames).
I also found a used Navy arms 1858 NMA that had a suspicious ziptie blocking the hammer. I asked the vendor if I could inspect the action and he reluctantly cut the tie. I found the hand needed replacing, since the cylinder no longer rotated fully to engage the bolt at full cock on 3/6 chambers. The trigger also sometimes failed to catch at full cock, indicating a hammer or trigger and hand replacement were needed at minimum. The problem was also not consistent across chambers indicating uneven wear. I passed on it, especially since resizing oversized parts to the action would be too much hassle, even for a bargain. The previous owner evidently loved that gun and shot it to death. A fitting end for a good piece, but not fitting condition for my holster.
I didn’t find a single Uberti. Owners tend to keep those I guess. By contrast, piles of Piettas were being sold at a loss in like new condition ($200-300). They handled kind of like toys: undersized little grips and chambers, thin metal, miniature brass dot sights, and chintzy little loading lever latches further soured my opinion of them. They all looked physically smaller than the Uberti 1851 I carried with me. And none had any obvious wear. The previous owners probably shot them once or twice and never bothered to load or shoot them again, not that I can blame them considering the rough actions.
I also learned just how well tuned my guns actually are. My perfectionist standards polishing the parts made a big difference. I handled more than one gun with hammers that pulled so rough I wondered if they could detonate caps when released.
The ammunition market is dire right now. Remington #10’s were marked up to $45 per 100. I’m seriously considering making caps at home, even though I still have a small stash. For powder, only old Goex 3f cans were available for $40 a pound. It’s a tough time and manufacturing seems to be entirely shut down for BP guns and accessories. I hope the used market doesn’t become the only option considering what’s currently out there.
All considered though, nothing beats a weekend around old guns and good people who collect and shoot them.
I also found a used Navy arms 1858 NMA that had a suspicious ziptie blocking the hammer. I asked the vendor if I could inspect the action and he reluctantly cut the tie. I found the hand needed replacing, since the cylinder no longer rotated fully to engage the bolt at full cock on 3/6 chambers. The trigger also sometimes failed to catch at full cock, indicating a hammer or trigger and hand replacement were needed at minimum. The problem was also not consistent across chambers indicating uneven wear. I passed on it, especially since resizing oversized parts to the action would be too much hassle, even for a bargain. The previous owner evidently loved that gun and shot it to death. A fitting end for a good piece, but not fitting condition for my holster.
I didn’t find a single Uberti. Owners tend to keep those I guess. By contrast, piles of Piettas were being sold at a loss in like new condition ($200-300). They handled kind of like toys: undersized little grips and chambers, thin metal, miniature brass dot sights, and chintzy little loading lever latches further soured my opinion of them. They all looked physically smaller than the Uberti 1851 I carried with me. And none had any obvious wear. The previous owners probably shot them once or twice and never bothered to load or shoot them again, not that I can blame them considering the rough actions.
I also learned just how well tuned my guns actually are. My perfectionist standards polishing the parts made a big difference. I handled more than one gun with hammers that pulled so rough I wondered if they could detonate caps when released.
The ammunition market is dire right now. Remington #10’s were marked up to $45 per 100. I’m seriously considering making caps at home, even though I still have a small stash. For powder, only old Goex 3f cans were available for $40 a pound. It’s a tough time and manufacturing seems to be entirely shut down for BP guns and accessories. I hope the used market doesn’t become the only option considering what’s currently out there.
All considered though, nothing beats a weekend around old guns and good people who collect and shoot them.
