Persussion Revolvers?

[HogRider]

I have been bit by the Black Powder bug and have been reading a lot about this subject lately. Have a 1851 Navy Colt in .44 on order.

Now with all the reading I am getting a little confused about all the brands of percussion Revolvers out there.

So far I know of:

Uberti
Pietta
Palmetto
Traditions
CVA
Colt
Navy Arms
..and it also seems that some on line stores have their own special editions made by one of the manufacturers above (Cabela's, Dixie Gun Works etc).

So far I understand that Uberti is the top of the line product and also that most Black Powder Revolvers are made in Italy. Are there maybe only 2 or 3 manufacturers and the US distributors just put their name on it?

Can someone please enlighten me a little? Is there an American brand (except the Ruger Old Army)? How about quality? Which ones to avoid?

BTW - the one I ordered is made by "Traditions", which I assume is also made in Italy and has just an American name put on it. Finding the right one for a good price is not an easy task. Most web page don't tell ya who makes the stuff they are selling....

I have seen a 47 Walker for 249.00 and another one for 399.00 - what's the difference? Just marketing? In both cases I was unable who makes the gun. I actually called one on-line retailer and was told "all their guns come from Italy". well, that wasn't very helpful either.

Thanks in advance for any advice I can get.

 

[blfuller]

Typically the American Importer, like Cimarron, has a contract with Uberti (which is now owned by Beretta) and the guns said importer brings in has their own specifications that Uberti builds to. The cost is mostly in the fit and finish. Some bring in the unfinished parts and assemble and finish them in the US.

I have had 2 different 1860 Colt replicas, Uberti imported by Uberti USA and an Armi San Paolo (Euroarms), imported by EMF. The Uberti was better finished but it cost more too. IMHO I would stick with the Uberti manufactured revolvers. Another manufacturer is Armi San Marco which I have had no experience with.

I think you will find the revolvers sold by Traditions and CVA will be not as nicely finished as one from Navy Arms or Cimarron, but you will pay more for them. Some of the cheaper ones also have a brass frame, which I would avoid. The only production domestic manufactured black powder revolver I know of is the Ruger Old Army. Hope this helps.

 

[Mark whiz]

I'll bet a dollar to a DoNut that your "Traditions" pistol will say Pietta on the Barrel when it comes in. My CVA did and just about any of these pistols (Except the Ruger) are imported from Italy. The Ubertis are typically a little better, but there is nothing wrong with the Piettas either.

And to be Honest, I don't think that even Colt makes their BP revolvers anymore either. The Ruger IS "home-grown", but that's about it.

 

[Gatofeo]

I own an Uberti-made Remington .44 Army. It is very well made and accurate.
About a year ago, I bought a Traditions Colt 1860 Army .44.
The Traditions gun was, indeed, made by Pietta. But I was amazed at the quality. The fit and finish were excellent, as good as the Uberti.
Since then, I've read a number of posts from others who have bought guns made by Uberti and Pietta.
Some say that Uberti's quality has suffered in the past 18 months or so, while Pietta's quality greatly improved. Others say that Pietta has simply caught up to Uberti.
I do know that my $140 Pietta is every bit as well made as my $250 Uberti.
Did I get a fluke?
Not according to others who have posted in other sites. I'm new here, just registered tonight, so I don't know if others in here have stated the same.
Anyway, I'd look a little closer at Traditions or Pietta. I might not be so trusting as to order through the mail, but I'd sure look one over at the local gun store. Then I'd compare it with an Uberti.
You might just be pleasantly surprised.

 

[HogRider]

OK - here is what I bought. A 1851 Colt Navy Steel Frame cal 44. The box and Manual says "Traditions" but the gun is made by Pietta. Disassembled it twice for checking, did a little polishing here and there and so far it looks pretty good.

Now I have to get some balls, wads etc and then I'll be ready to shoot.

Pics:

 

[Gatofeo]

See my post entitled, "How to best use a cap and ball revolver." Lots of good info in there, acquired through over 30 years of shooting these beasts.
I've posted it in other sites and received very favorable comments.

Regarding your revolver. I had a brass-framed .44 Navy like yours many years ago. It was a good shooter but wouldn't take much of a powder charge, since it used the same cylinder as the .36 caliber.
Colt never made the 1851 Navy in .44 caliber, so your revolver is historically inaccurate but that certainly doesn't detract from the fun of shooting it.
For beginners, I usually suggest they buy the .36 caliber. You use less lead and powder and the accuracy is as good as the .44 caliber, if properly loaded (well-lubricated felt wads under the balls, wad and ball seated separately, etc. --- see my other post).
Though many of the black powder books suggest using a .451 inch ball, I suggest you use balls of .454 or .457 inch. They will give a better seal in most chambers and --- more than that --- provide a wider bearing surface for the rifling to grip the ball. This enhances accuracy.
Watch for my other posts for more tips, and don't be hesitant to ask questions. None of us were born with this knowledge; every single one of us at some point had to figure out where the ball and cap goes.
Adios!

 

[blfuller]

Hog Rider,
That's a nice lookin' hog leg.

 

[foghornl]

Hog Rider:

Yep, that looks like my Traditions Brand Navy Colt, plainly marked F. LLI Pietta, Made In Italy {or words to that effect} on one side of the barrel.

I haven't looked at all of them, but I suspect that the Ruger is about the only USA-made BP handgun out there.

One thing I did notice, though...The Pietta instruction sheet and the Traditions sheet had differing charges for the BP. Don't have them in front of me right now, but as I sort of vaguely recall, the Pietta sheet said 20Gr of Blackpowder MAX, while the Tradtions said 30Gr MAX.

Shoots pretty good, too....although I hear lotza grumbling from other lanes when I shoot indoors........ *&&%&** blackpowder *&%%^&* smoke! Whaddya doin'??? tryin to gas us all? ? ?