Brass framed 1858 Remington

[EricF]

I recently took a trip our nearest Bass Pro Shop. While I was there I decided to get myself a new 1851 colt navy 44. As I was looking at the steel framed colts my wife spotted a Traditions brass framed 1858 Remington Bison 44 with a 12" barrel and adj. sights. She talked my into buying both guns.

The 1858 is made by Pietta and seems to be very well made. With the 12" barrel and adj. sights it should prove to be a good long range shooter.

It seems to me that the closed brass frame of the Remington would be stronger than the open brass framed Colts. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with brass framed 1858 Remingtons and could tell how well I can expect mine to hold up.

 

[Josey]

Oh, BAD news! I think your Traditions revolver is not that great. Traditions has a poor QC history. They are like Yugos. Traditions imported the absolute cheap pistols. The Piettas have a fair history. The main complaint is their front sight. Uberti has a front sight set in a dovetail. Pietta doesn't. The first thing to do is to learn how to avoid impulse buying. These revolvers are servicable. I would not put any money into anything for them. Do not even think about a cartridge conversion cylinder. The brass will stretch even with heavy BP loadings. This will cause timing issues and locked actions. My choice would be to go back and trade both revolvers for a Uberti Colt Navy 1851 in 36 with a steel frame. I really wish I could say enjoy your purchases, I can't.

 

[EricF]

Normally I would perfer a Uberti or 3rd generation colt, but I did do some checking on Pietta before I got these revolvers and from what I have been hearing is that the quallity of the Piettas have really improved from what it used to be. I bought the Pietta steel framed 1851 colt navy 44 cal. I really cant find anything wrong with this gun. There were no burrs anywhere on it and all the parts seem to match together very well, except for the grips. It also has a very nice clean, crisp action. Of course, I won't know how well it will perform until I get out to the range with it this weekend. I figure for only 130 bucks its worth a try.

As far as the remington goes. I really didn't want to get it, mainly because it has a brass frame and I allready plan to order a Uberti steel framed 1858 to match with the R&D conversion cylinder. My wife loves big handguns and this thing is longer than my forearm. This was my first time in a Bass Pro Shop or any place like it. My brains had turned to mush and I was drooling all over myself from the sheer wonder of the place. While in this weakend state of mind my wife was able to talk me into buying this brass framed monster aginst my beter judgement. Oh well, If it doesnt make for a good shooter it will make a fine display piece that she will be happy with.

 

[4v50 Gary]

It's OK to break down and buy a working replica every now & then. Heck, I just bought an Indian made first model Brown Bess (assembled in Canada). You won't be shooting the Remington that much anyway to worry about it.

 

[Mark whiz]

I bought the CVA version of the brass-framed 1858 Rem Pietta about 3 years ago. It's been a good gun - I can't complain about it at all. My son even used it to take a small boar.