Colt Peacemaker Clones...What Would You Pick??

[Nalapombu]

Hey all,

If you were going to get a Peacemaker Clone and you couldn't get a US Firearms....what would you get and why?

Is there one that is better than the others or are they all about the same quality and durability?

Thanks

Nalajr

 

[bannockburn]

Love my Beretta Stampede. Looks great with a very high quality fit and finish, handles nicely (like a SAA should), and performs to perfection.

 

[tpelle]

I really like the Cimarron line of revolvers. The basic revolver is made by Uberti, but they are finished to Cimarron's specs - for example, they put the "weasel words" inconspicuously on the bottom of the barrel.

The action is exactly like the original Colt, but they do have a "safety", of sorts, that consists of an extra-long two-position cylinder base pin which, when set to it's rear position, protrudes through the back of the frame and blocks the travel of the hammer to prevent the hammer-mounted firing pin from touching the primer of a cartridge should it be loaded and under the hammer.

(Mine is a reproduction of the early Colt "blackpowder" frame where the base pin is retained by a screw that enters at a diagonal through the front of the frame. As a consequence the "safety" could not be applied or removed without a screwdriver! Not very convenient. I restored mine to the original form be either replacing the base pin or by shortening the original - I forget now which I did.)

Like all original SA revolvers it can only be safely carried with five rounds loaded and with the empty chamber under the hammer.

I prefer the authentic action over such abominations as transfer bars and hammer blocks, and especially dislike the Rugers without a half-cock notch on the hammer, and where the bolt is withdrawn for loading by opening the loading gate. If you are buying a "retro" single-action then go for authentic operation.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=610008

I do have, though, an EAA .22LR/.22Magnum revolver that DOES have a transfer bar. It's a fun plinker:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=600240

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Ustabe the revolvers made by Uberti were of better quality than those made by Pietta. I wouldn't look twice at a Pietta in those days. It seems that more recently Pietta has put a lot of effort into improving their quality control and a lot of CAS shooters are swearing by the new Piettas imported by the various importers.

 

[Pilot]

Are the Beretta's really made by Uberti? Did I hear that Beretta bought Uberti some time ago, or do I have that wrong?

 

[tpelle]

Now that you mention it, I do believe that I heard the same thing.

I too believe that for the most part that Pietta has improved their quality, but a year or so ago I bought a Pietta 1851 Navy cap and ball revolver that was a real POS. I had to practically use a sledghammer to get the wedge out to remove the barrel and cylinder, and when I tried to reassemble it the pins that were supposed to align with the holes in the bottom of the frame were off and needed to be filed to get it back together. They must have used a hydraulic press or an even bigger sledgehammer to assemble it at the factory.

With the cowboy action thing getting so big, it wouldn't surprise me that Beretta wanted to jump in, and what better way to do it than to buy Uberti? They're probably made in Uberti's factory, but since they're owned by Beretta they can rightfully put Beretta's name on the revolvers and not have Uberti stamped anywhere.

 

[CraigC]

A Uberti, pick your importer. Apart from markings, there's not a lick of difference between them. The late model Pietta percussion guns are very good but I have yet to handle one of their recent SAA's. They have some interesting laser engraved models in the latest Guns of the Old West.

After Aldo Uberti died, his children had not either the ability or the desire to run the old man's company. So it was sold to Beretta.

 

[BobWright]

I have several Uberti revolvers, from both Stoegers and Cimarron. My Cimarron Model P is somewhat better finished than my Stoeger guns, also slightly better action. All are first rate guns.

As to modifying a Ruger Vaquero, anything is possible if you throw enough money at it. But practicaly, no, it can't be modified to the Colt "four click" action.

Look around and find a Three Screw Ruger Blackhawk for the best of the best aside from an original Colt SAA.

 

[cpt-t]

NALAJR: I know it is not a Colt or a Colt clone, but what is wrong with the Old Ruger Vaquero. My Son and I have several of them and so do most every one of the guys and girls we Cowboy Shoot with. Can`t speak for the New Ruger Vaquero, for I have never shot one of them. Neither my Son or I have ever had any problems, what so ever with any of our Vaquero`s or for that matter any of our BH`s or SBH`s. And we shoot them alot Plinking, Hunting, and Cowboy Action Shooting. And I truly belive that my Son or I would really have to go out of our way to damage, one of our Ruger Single Actions. You might just try handleing and shooting a Ruger Vaquero. That just might change Your mind. But we are, if You had not noticed, Major Ruger Fan`s. Good luck on Your choice.
ken

 

[BCRider]

The Piettas I've got are every bit as good in quality as the Uberti guns I've got. So it comes down to small things in the look and faithfulness to the originals. Also in choosing the particular model you want. For example I wouldn't give a plugged nickel for the matt finish guns that are now a popular slightly lower cost option. For me it's the nicer colour case hardened frames and glossy blued cylinder and barrels. Although despite not knowing if the brass grip frames are authentic or not I do like the look.

I've read a lot of stories about how the Cimmaron versions are doctored up a little over the basic Italian brands. There's also Taylors for similar doctored up models. For the additional cost you are supposed to get the guns directly out of the box doctored up to perform well in the popular cowboy action shooting. This means slicked up actions, reduced power mainsprings and tuned triggers. All stuff that would make ANY session at the range a delight. So if you're looking for a true Colt replica, which it strongly seems like you're after, then a Cimmaron or Taylors model would likely be the way to go.

 

[CraigC]

I know it is not a Colt or a Colt clone, but what is wrong with the Old Ruger Vaquero.

Question asked and answered. The Rugers are excellent guns and I have a bunch of them. However, they are not Colt's. The Old Models were close but the New Models are just a different breed. The Vaquero and New Vaquero look similar to the Colt SAA but the similarities end there. If you want the Colt-style action, no Ruger New Model will do.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Are the Beretta's really made by Uberti? Did I hear that Beretta bought Uberti some time ago, or do I have that wrong?

The history of Uberti and Beretta is a bit confusing. Beretta is one of the oldest companies in the world, founded in 1526 (yes, 1526), when Maestro Bartolomeo Beretta built 185 arquebus barrels for the city/state of Venice. Beretta has been controlled by the same family ever since.

Aldo Uberti started the company that bears his name in 1959. He worked closely with Val Forgett II to produce a replica of the 1851 Navy Colt. Because the Navy Colt was the first replica revolver sold by Val's import company, he named his new import company Navy Arms. Uberti continued in the replica arms business for many years, expanding their line to include replicas of the Colt Single Action Army as well as rifles such as the 1860 Henry, the 1866 Winchester and the 1873 Winchester. The latter two are the most popular rifles used in Cowboy Action shooting. In honor of those early 1851 Navies, the Uberti trademark is a representation of the business end of the Navy revolver.



Aldo Uberti died sometime around 1998 I believe. His daughter Maria ran the company for a while, but sold it to Beretta. Maria was involved with Uberti USA, which became VTI gunparts after the sale to Beretta.

To further confuse things, Beretta sold Uberti to Benelli, but Beretta Holdings owns Benelli now too. Beretta also owns Stoeger, Franchi, and Sako.

So that is why you may see an Uberti firearm with the Stoeger roll mark on it, as well as one with the Beretta roll mark. As far as I know, these Uberti guns are still manufactured at the Uberti plant in a suburb of Brescia called Gardone.

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

Has anybody tried one of Heritage Bg Bore revolvers since they got bought out by Taurus? They used Pietta parts and assembled them in the US. I heard the reason Taurus bought them to have a CAS revolver since they stopped making their own, the Gaucho. I have had mine in .357 for over 10 years and haven't had a problem with it yet.

 

[Nalapombu]

Thanks all for the info.

I don't have anything against the Vaqueros. In fact I'd like to have one. I don't think I have handled one of the "NEW" Vaqueros though. I've never heard anything bad about them in all the stuff I have read about them over the years.

I have just always wanted a Peacemaker. I'd love it to be a COLT, but there are too much money for me right now. USFA is no more, so that removes them from the equation. They did make some very beautiful pistols when they were a Cowboy gun company and many say that they made a BETTER Peacemaker than Colt does. I know they are just about as expensive as a Colt, if you can manage to find one.
The most affordable was the Rodeo and Rodeo 2. I don't know how much those are selling for now, I never see them for sale.

I'd like to find a place that has some of the Uberti and Cimarron pistols that I can handle. It's hard to get attached to a pistol over the internet. I haven't been in a shop yet that has a good collection of Peacemaker clones in the case that I could check out. I'm sure there are dealers here in Houston that have them, I just haven't walked into one yet.

Thanks all

Nalajr

 

[Red Cent]

Nalapombu, here is a list of the SASS affiliated clubs in Texas. You should pick a match or two and be a spectator. Ask a few questions and duck when they start throwing guns at you.
Just break the ice.

http://www.sassnet.com/clubs/Clubs_list.php?state=Texas

 

[denster]

I would keep an eye on gunbroker for an American Western Arms Peacekeeper.
They had a true bone charcoal color case frame and an action job right out of the box.

 

[Mer2112]

Taylor Smoke Wagon, Deluxe Edition.

http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/the-...walnut-grips-deluxe-edition-model-4110de.html

 

[Panzerschwein]

I am wondering the same ? and am leaning towards the Uberti made Cimarron guns for the more historically correct design vs. most others.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

am leaning towards the Uberti made Cimarron guns for the more historically correct design vs. most others.

With all due respect, that is hogwash. Cimarron has been claiming for years that their guns are somehow different than anything else made by Uberti. It simply is not so. Cimarrons are no better and no worse than anything imported by any of the other importers.

 

[Nalapombu]

I looked at one of the Smoke Wagon Dlx models at Gander Mtn. the last time I was there and it is a beautiful piece. The grips are nice, but I didn't get to handle it. If I owned one I think I would get a set of those faux ivory grips in an off white or yellowish tint and that would make it look awesome.
I have heard the same thing in the past about the AWA Peacekeeper. I didn't know it had a real bone case hardened finish though. I bet that looks great too.

Gonna have to make a list now.

Thanks all.

nalajr

 

[Nalapombu]

One other thing I'd like to ask. We know that most of the clones are made by Pietta and Uberti. I have looked at several of the gun companies that import these pistols and mark them as their own and sell them like Cimarron, Navy Arms, Taylors and so forth. They are all pretty much selling Uberti revolvers that might have had some tweaks here and there to smooth them up or make them look better.
How do you decide between just buying an Uberti from UBERTI or an Uberti from Cimarron or Taylors? Mechanically they are the same....aren't they? If we are talking about the BASIC versions, the ones that haven't had any other work done to them, how are they different from the standard Uberti revolvers?

Just kinda thinking out loud.

In reality I think it really wouldn't matter which one you got as long as you were happy with it and how it looks and feels. There isn't much difference in them other than the ones like the SmokeWagon and Smokewagon Deluxe and the models that some of them fancy up to be competition pieces right out of the box.

Thoughts?

Thanks all.

Nalajr

 

[tark]

Beretta IS the world's oldest corporation that has been in continuous operation ever since the 1500s. Read that in some financial rag.

 

[HexHead]

I read somewhere that Taylor goes through them and smoothed any burrs etc.

I ended up just getting a Colt, fresh out of the Custom Shop. If it don't have a Pony, it's a phony.

 

[Mer2112]

I read somewhere that Taylor goes through them and smoothed any burrs etc.

Yes, that's the Deluxe edition.

"The deluxe edition model also includes custom tuning; custom hammer and base pin springs; trigger pull set at three pounds; jig-cut, positive angles on all triggers and sears for crisp, reliable action; and wire bolt spring. The Smoke Wagon® Deluxe features one of the smoothest hammer and trigger pulls on the market."

I love mine.

 

[Crunchy Frog]

Even if you limit your choices to Uberti or Pietta cartridge revolvers there are lots of variants. Not only level of finish and the so called "competition ready" versions; both companies make a variant with a transfer bar ignition.

I believe the Beretta revolver is discontinued but Uberti has since introduced the "Horseman" line that has a similar transfer bar ignition.

The Colt SAA has a fairly small grip frame (the Ruger New Vaquero was designed to emulate the size of the Colt). Some folks like the longer grip frame of the 1860 Army cap and ball revolver; that longer frame is available on some of the Italian clones.

Something for everyone.

If you like the Pietta revolvers give EMF a call; they are having a sale.