Cabelas Rem Arrived - I need advice

[eagle24]

Well, I received my Pietta .58 Rem from Cabelas an hour ago. I need some advice from you folks who know what to expect. I'll either send this one back for a swap or keep it, but I would like your opinions. Here is my initial inexperienced review of the gun:

First off, Now I know why you recommend complete disassembly and washing, I may never get all the oil off my keyboard. Overall, I really was surprised at what a good looking gun this is. I also love the way it fits my hand and feels. The grips on my gun are very nice, much better quality walnut than I expected and the fit is very good. The shaping is a little crude but the sanding and finish are excellent. The timing seems to be good, as best I can check it here at work. A 7/16" dowel fit well in the barrel and slid right through into the cylinders without a snag. I will better check the timing tonight. Overall the finish of the steel looks good. Better than I expected. There are a few nicks and rough edges, but nothing that can't be fixed especially since I'm sure I will antique the gun. Loading lever works smoothly and latches good. Cylinder removal and cylinder pin seem to work smoothly.

Now the bad stuff. Before I even pulled the gun from the plastic bag, I noticed the bore was off center in the octagon barrel and it was not crowned. At first I thought the bore was off to the shooters left, but after inspecting a little more, It looks like maybe the outer shaping of the octagon barrel is what is off. The front sight blade is directly centered over the bore, the outside of the barrel is not. Had the barrel been crowned it might not have been noticeable. The brass trigger gaurd fits smooth on the left side but on the right side it is flush at the rear but about 1/64"+ off at the front. Definitely the machining of the trigger guard is the culprit. Not much can be done about that without a new trigger guard. Are they available? The action is not too good, but I should be able to make it a lot better. It is fairly light, but far from smooth and has 2 stages of noticeable creep.

What do you folks think? Should I keep it or ask for a replacement? I really don't know how to evaluate these guns and what level of quality to expect.

 

[bs32]

58 Remmy from Cabelas

Well - I suspect I'll be able to help ya a bit, as I expect mine to arrive in today's mail as well. Probably be at home when I get there. I'll look at the "off-center" barrel cause that definitely sounds suspect from the start. I'd say that no matter what, If the barrel was drilled off-center from the barrel blank then I'd send it back! I can't say about whether or not the bbl is/or should be crowned. With the otagon bbl. I'd say not to the outer edges of the bbl, but the actual bore edges at the front should be cut back /relieved a bit I would think- rather than just bein straight cut?

More to come!
bs32

 

[Low Key]

I would be very suspicious about the bore being off center, might just send it back on that count alone but someone more knowledgable than me will surely jump in here.

I can tell you a little about the action though. It's normal to have some creep in the trigger and you can smooth the action up nicely by some light stoning of the parts to smooth them up and take off any burrs that may be there. A light coat of epoxy on the sear where the trigger contacts it should also take some of the creep out of the trigger pull. I've been meaning to make that change to my 58's also but haven't gotten around to it yet.

Don't make any alterations until you decide if you're sending it back for a trade. If it was me, I'd call Cabela's and talk to one of their gun people and tell them about the problems. They will most likely tell you to return it for another one. They are very good about customer service.

 

[eagle24]

My thoughts exactly Low Key. The trigger is a non-issue to me. I'm sure I can fix it. I might also be able to fix the trigger guard by building it up with brazing and then re-filing it to fit (cosmetic problem, but a little worse than I would like). The barrel is my biggest concern. I can take some better measurements when I get home tonight. I definitely won't do any mods unless I decide to keep it. I want to see what feedback I get from those who have seen several of these guns and are more familiar with the quality.

 

[Old Dragoon]

I would be leary of the off center bbl too. The fact that the cylinder doesn't lock up tight would bother me.the fact that the tg doesn't fit same thing. the roughness in the internals can be worked out.
I'd call Cabela's and talk to a gun tech and the tech will more than likely want you to return the gun for a replacement.

 

[eagle24]

Thanks Old Dragoon, not sure where you got "the cylinder does not lock up tight". Maybe you are confusing another post. The cylinder lock up is good. I wasn't sure about the trigger guard since it is cosmetic, but it is a pretty bad fit that leaves a sharp ledge. Barrel has me concerned. Would hate to shoot the guy on my left behind the firing line. What about crowning? Do these guns come with the barrels crowned? This one had definitely not been crowned at all. Not even chamfered in the least.

 

[Beartracker]

I'm really sorry to hear that you received a Remington Lemon but it happens even with the best of gun manufacturers. There is no reason for you to have to fix the trigger guard or anything else on the gun. The smoothing of the internals is par for the course for just about all of them including Uberti but not the ascetics your talking about.
It sounds like the guy who built your Remington had to much wine and was watching the Olympics instead of paying attention to what he was doing
Send it back right away but call Cabelas and ask if you can talk to one of there techs about your Remington revolver. Tell him all the problems with the gun and that you are sending it back and ask him if he can check another to send you if you mark his name on the package. It sure can't hurt to ask and Cabelas are really good about making things right
Sending an email to Pietta will really help also. They want to know when there is a problem with there product. The wedge didn't fit my new 51 Navy Colt as tight as I wanted it to and I sent an email to Pietta and they sent me a new right away from Italy at no charge, Mike

 

[Old Dragoon]

Yepper I confused posts. about the lockup.

 

[eagle24]

I called Cabelas and they were very courteous. I am sending the gun back and they are shipping a replacement. For reference here on the forum, they were not able to meet my request of having a tech inspect a gun before shipping. However, they were kind enough to explain that they shipped from different warehouses and there were not techs available at every warehouse to meet my request. They did add that if for any reason I was not satisfied with the replacement I could return it for refund including shipping both ways. I thought that was fair enough.

Also, out of curiosity, I mic'd the barrel thickness on each side of the bore it measured .120" on the shooters left side and .136" on the right side. I also learned that the muzzles are not crowned from the factory. That's something I can handle myself if needed. Other than the bore of the barrel and the fitment issue with the trigger guard I would have been pleased with this gun. I sure hated to lose the walnut grips, they were really good pieces of wood with a lot of burl.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Well, thank you for sharing that problem with us Eagle24. I'm glad Cabelas will do you justice in accepting the gun back for a replacement. Please keep us updated. Like Beartracker said, too much vino with the workers' lunch or breakfast. Where can I get a job like that (making guns, not drinking wine or listening to whine)?

 

[gmatov]

I only have 5 BP C&Bs, 2 Colts, 3 Rems, 2 .44, 1 .36, none has any crown.

My Colts do not have ANY crown, either, flat, straight cut muzzles.

I do not think that crown is a Colt thing. I think crown is a latter part of the century thing, when they shot for tightest group with Sharps, Sheutzen, and the like

If your barrel is cut perpendicular to the bore, a crown is not needed. If it is angled, yes. If it is dinged, yes, to clean it up. If it is angled and a rebate, or a decent crown will not do, the barrel needs refaced.

Today you will not find a flat muzzled anything, they all have the muzzle cut with a radius tool. Whether the tool cuts true or not, some put a rebate in the muzzle to true it up and get a better group.

BS? You be the judge. We are shooting at 15 to 25 yards. What in the heck are you looking for?

Cheers,

George

 

[Howdy Doody]

I shipped one back to Cabela's about 4 years or so ago. I had bought a pair of the 58 Remmies. One had been dry fired to beat the band. The nipples were near bradded over. The other one was perfect. They sent a UPS pick up order and to my surprise the day the UPS man arrived to pick the one up, he had the replacement. I have always liked Cabela's for service.
I played with my Rems and got them shooting pretty well. I have seen some folks hour glass the hammer spring, but Brownells has springs called EMF/Colt springs and they are a lot lighter. You do need to install a small piece of leather in the channel the bottom of the spring rides in and back off the tension screw to not put any pressure on the hammer spring. That is if the hammers feel to strong for your liking.The nipples were an issue for me and I bought some Uncle Mikes, they are no longer available, but Treso nipples are and they are just as good. The thing with the replacement nipples is that for one thing they are pretty uniform in length and second the fire hole is smaller. That helps keep the caps from blowing back and or course jamming. #10 Remington caps is the ticket for the standard Pietta or the replacement nipples. I thinned the grips on mine for a better feel for me, shooting one handed. I found the blade front sight too high for my purpose ( cowboy action shooting) and had to file to adjust to POA. I had tinkered with the trigger spring by doing some bending and tweeking, but then they got so light I tended to AD. I went back to stock trigger/bolt springs. I had some indexing issues and I had to file a tad on the hand, especially on one of the pair. They really shot great. They are fun to shoot. I shot mine with a 30gr load of Goex, a home made wonder type wad and a 454 ball rammed on top. I never have greased on top of the ball. Not needed with 30 gr and good sealing ball and figure that most chain fires start at the nipple end anyways. They have cylinder loading stands available to load the cylinder out of the gun also. There is no C&B that you can swap cylinders out so quickly with. Take them out from the right and install from the left pushing the hand back.
Eagle24, I think you will really enjoy shooting yours once you get a good one in your hands. They are pretty and they are stout. Smoke it up. If you need any parts there is a company called VTI that has them and you can do an online search and they should come up.

 

[Old Dragoon]

I suggest buying the spare parts kit from Cabels's it isn't advertised, but they have it. I used to know the part no. Beartracker has the P?n I think.

 

[bs32]

Cabelas Rem arrived

Eagle24:

Sure enough, my 58 was waiting at home when I got there. Opened it up and mopped off the shippin oil, wrung out the cloth and had enough to change the oil in the truck Anyway - the bore is centered in the bbl and is straight cut not crowned. The pistol looks nice overall with a good, servicable (not excellent) fit and finish. About what I had expected. I have no problems. As to the crown -I might put a very slight rebate on the bore edge just to protect the rifling at the end of the muzzle. Took it completely apart, hosed it out with brake cleaner and will be goin over all the contact surfaces VERY, VERY lightly to smooth them out. Probably will also lighten up the hammer spring a bit and will likely work the trigger side of the trigger/bolt spring just a tad as well. Probably antique it and redo (strip and re-stain darker then oil finish) the grips. Goin to polish the forcing cone a bit as I noticed a metal "burr" on the edge that needs to go. These are nice guns but as you'd expect for the price, it is obvious very little hand work goes into them before they are put in the blue tank and put in the box. Nothin a little patience won't take care of though!
bs32

 

[eagle24]

We are shooting at 15 to 25 yards. What in the heck are you looking for?

That's precisely why I stated that I needed some advice and wanted your opinions. I really did'nt know what to expect for what these import guns cost. If you folks had told me to keep the gun and "live with it" I would have done that, but having read Mec's book and many posts on these forums and TFL, I had a feeling the gun that I received was not the norm. As for the barrel crown, I just wanted to find out if they came uncrowned or if the gun I received had somehow slipped through QC without it. It's pretty obvious that nobody inspected the muzzle on the gun I received.

Dragoon, thanks for the advice on the parts kit. I have one from Cabelas. Beartracker had made the same suggestion and I ordered the kit.

bs32, Glad you got a good one. I would have been very pleased with mine were it not for the bore problem and the trigger guard. Without those issues it would have exceeded what I was expecting. I'm sure the replacement will be fine.

Greg

 

[Old Dragoon]

That is onre thing I noticed on my Euroarms '58 Rem. I got from Gunbroker.
The bbl has a crowned, not very much but just enough, and I noticed that the inner surfaces were very, very smooth before the frame was put into the blueing tank. Shines like glass, I could not believe it!, but it is a sure plus. pistol was pretty smooth when I recieved it. I did do some stoning but it really didn't need much. it it had been defarbed, but not fired or dry fired, still had the factory goo in the innards, bbl and chambers. The hammer is quite hard and has excellent case colors. If they all are like that I like them even more. The Chamber mouths are chamfered also, and the chambers are larger than the bore(grooves).
I have a second one on the way and am trying to trade for another.

 

[Low Key]

eagle24

Sorry you got a lemon from Pietta. They are for the most part good quality and can be adjusted with a little home gunsmithing into a fine firearm. But you can get a bad individual piece from any manufacturer and I hope it doesn't turn you off on the Pietta brand. They have been making good improvements over the years.

 

[mec]

"If your barrel is cut perpendicular to the bore, a crown is not needed. If it is...."

Exactly. It's as much to protect the end of the bore and maybe to remove burrs as anything. I just checked several of my Ubertis. Colt and Remington types do have crowns but it takes a magnifying glass to verify the bevel.

 

[eagle24]

It's as much to protect the end of the bore and maybe to remove burrs as anything.

Agree 100%. Just curious if they normally came crowned since this is new to me. I bet all will be good when the next one gets here. I talked to a dealer who sells both Pietta and Uberti this morning. I was considering also ordering a Uberti and comparing them for myself, I have a feeling I will eventually end up with 2 anyway. He said that he had been impressed with the improvements in quality from Pietta of late and personally could'nt say one was better than the other. Based on that, I decided to wait til the replacement gets here from Cabelas and shoot it before doing anything. I may love it and want another Pietta.

 

[Beartracker]

One thing you want to keep in mind here is that some people just don't know what the real truth is about these Revolvers because they don't understand how it works.Here's what i mean by that:
Someone orders a Pietta .44 Rem from Cabelas and they pay, say $250.00 for it and they notice that the finish on it is not the best and that it needs tuning and stoned to make it run really smooth. Then they may have to time it a little and maybe the grips are not perfect but it's still a well made and good looking Revolver and shoots beautifully. This person is proud of this gun because he did tuning himself and feels like he could shoot the wings off a Nat at 50 yards and now that it's done it looks great!.
His buddy buys a .44 Rem Uberti from someone like Cimarron for $375.00 and shows it to the guy with the Pietta. The Uberti is really great, smooth out of the box, grips fit perfectly, action is really smooth and metal finish is really great. Now they decide that the Uberti is the better made Revolver......
WRONG!! It's not an Uberti right out of the box it's a Cimarron built from the ground up using Uberti parts that have been spit and polished and assembled and tested by Cimorron. Bottom line, your friend paid for that spit and polish and you did it yourself. Uberti the better Revolver? Not in my opinion and not from what I have seen of the "real" Uberti's. Mike

 

[eagle24]

Good point Beartracker. What I was considering was a "factory" untouched Uberti. I did find this interesting though. This particular company carries the Pietta as well as the Navy Arms 58 Remington. There is a difference in price of $115 with the Navy Arms being the higher priced gun. Both guns are manufactured by Pietta. I'm thinking that the NA gun has had some tuning, inspection, smoothing or something to make it a premium gun over the "stock" Pietta. Wrong! According to the salesman they are exactly the same gun except the Navy Arms goes through a middle man. OK, next I ask him why they would carry the higher priced gun if there is absolutely no difference. His reply was that some people just want a Navy Arms.

 

[Leatherbark]

I''l bet the Remington Pietta bbl was drilled from round stock,threaded and then milled octogon and finished. Probably the bore was OK,but it wouldnt look right.........And one would always wonder if it did affect accuracy................Good you sent it back......................Bob

 

[Low Key]

Beartracker,

+1, good point and absolutely true.