EMF Californian by Pietta

[jgh4445]

Bought a .45 Colt Californian at a gunshow. Had no box or papers but was unfired. Got a good deal and thought, oh well, it will look good with my Colts, Rugers and Ubertis. Got home and cleaned it up. Sure enough, no signs of having been fired other than one time at the factory. The fit and finish was really, really nice. The color case work was really well done. Brilliant colors contrasted by the dark walnut grips. It looked like a nicely finished revolver. Compared it to my Uberti El Patron and I do believe it looks better. Colors are brighter than on my Colt. Action is really smooth, no grit, no creep but the trigger pull is north of 3-4 lbs. Breaks crisply, but still heavy.
Loaded it up with 250 grainers over 7 grains of Herco. Shot 3-4 or so inches left and about the same low. Tried 250 gr laser cast and got the same good group in the same location. Switched to Fiocchi 250 gr 45LCCA LRNFP and got a 2.5 inch group. Still 3-4 inches left. Started filing the right side of the rear sight and walked it over to center and a 2 inch group dead center. Then shot 255 gr Keith style. It loved 'em. Of course this was off a sandbag at 25 yds, but man, this revolver that I thought wouldn't be much count due to not being a "MAJOR" name brand sure surprised me. There's room for more of them in my safe.

 

[bannockburn]

jgh4445

Sounds like you've got the makings there of a sweet shooting Single Action! Would love to see some photos of your SA revolvers when you get a chance.

 

[Fiv3r]

I picked up the same gun in .357, and it's more accurate than either of my Ruger SAs. Love the coloring, love the 4 clicks of the hammer, balances well in my hand, and shooting one hand you just sort of "feel" where the shot is going. I have had a few Pietta revolvers, but this one is the nicest of the bunch.

I didn't fire mine past 12 yards, but it put 6 shots center mass in a fist sized group. Mines a woods gun, not a target shooter. 158gr lswc. 38 special is a pussycat to shoot, accurate, and will put enough thump on what I'm going to potentially run into (No bears or other internet critters).

I'd love to get one in .45 colt, but I'll have to commit to reloading before then. Until then, .357 will scratch my itch.

 

[Armored farmer]

I chased a ruger old army fixed sight 5.5 inch cap and ball up to nearly $1000 and had to let it go.
Shortly afterwards I ordered a 5.5 inch pietta '58 Remington from cabelas. .....man, am I ever glad I didn't win that ROA! That pietta is my favorite shooter!

Congrats on yours too.

 

[Fiv3r]

I chased a ruger old army fixed sight 5.5 inch cap and ball up to nearly $1000 and had to let it go.
Shortly afterwards I ordered a 5.5 inch pietta '58 Remington from cabelas. .....man, am I ever glad I didn't win that ROA! That pietta is my favorite shooter!

Congrats on yours too.

Those "short" 1858s hang nicely in the hand. They are my BP revolver of choice too. Their cartridge guns are a step above their BP guns, imho. The fit of the teeth have no slop and a fitted really tight. Where you can kinda wiggle the 1858, or even a Ruger Vaquero for that matter, to get the cylinder to seat, the Californian will only go together one way and drops in their like a bank vault door.

I used to look down on the Italian single actions as completely inferior to Ruger. Now, I am a Ruger fan, but the forged and hand-fit Italian SAA clones are every bit as nice in their own way. They are just built differently with more importance put on how the action works and authenticity than being brick outhouse indestructible.

A guy can do much worse for a weapon.