Pietta 1858 Problem

[Franco2shoot]

anecdotal Pietta versus Uberti

I own one of each.. the Remmy is Uberti, the Pietta is an Open top Colt and both are very fine. One thing to keep in mind is that the two companies have been in business for many years. Early Pietta's were not nearly as fine as Uberti's, but over the years, the Pietta's have improved their quality control to equal or exceed Uberti. My Uberti has a much finer trigger, much better trigger break, and the finish is better than the Pietta. Still the Pietta, with its round barrel is pretty stinking nice. It required a small amount of filing to get the wedge tuned where it can be easily removed.

The biggest problem I had was that there is no vendor that stocks both Uberti and Pietta in the same store location making comparison very difficult. I think the key is to find two stores and then visit each. You will need to really closely inspect and disassemble in front of the clerk prior to leaving the store. Cabella's stocks Pietta, but I don't know which Bass Pro stocks, and can't think of a store that has the Uberti's off the top of my head.

KKKKFL

 

[glen walker]

suggestions

I have been sitting here with my cigarettes and my coffee with some good bourbon (all bourbon is good) poured in it, reading over very closely some of these posts. I do not consider myself an 'expert' in anything or at anything, except for my rifle while I was in the Marines, and that was a long time ago....That said,..What I know, I know, and I either learned it the hard way, or had some real good people who worked with me, like my Uncle and my Grandpaw...Pietta's Remington 1858 New Model Army, .44, 6 shot revolver, 2 pounds and eleven ounces, with an eight inch octogonal barrel, fixed sights or adjustable, is, for a cap and ball shooter, one of the finest handguns on the face of this planet. I don't know anything about a Uberti New Model. Never had my hands on one. Have never even tried to find out if Uberti make's one...Don't care...Don't know anything about the Pietta New Model .36 caliber; or the Pietta New Model .31 pocket. Don't care...I know Pietta make's what I consider to be a fine 'Cattleman's Carbine' .44 caliber on the same action as the '58, and I know it's real pretty, and I know that if you have some dry powder behind that .451, and those number 10's are in good shape, it will shoot first time and every time. I will admit that when you first get the carbine, you may (that's a MAY) have to tighten up the rear sight...Stay away from Dixie Gun Works except for replacement parts, and maybe for their big catalog, which is super nice. It's very complete and highly informative. (At least their 'Salute to Teddy Roosevelt' catalog is. That's the only one I ever got from them, so that's the only one I can speak for. Be savvy. Pick out whatever you like in their catalog, then buy it from someone else) 99.99% of the Pietta 58's, .44 caliber, sold by Cabela's, are excellent, considering both 'technical' and 'cosmetic' aspects. "Fit for purpose' if you will. Their accuracy is entirely acceptable. As a matter of fact, if you will take the time to work out the proper powder load for your particular gun, you will find that it is extremely accurate. You will also notice, after some time has passed, that the 'balance', and 'handling', and 'swinging', and 'settling' aspects are nothing short of absolute genius of design....Go to 'www.midway.com' and visit them. They keep a very close eye on the quality of their Pietta's, and will strive to see that your handgun is of good quality and workmanship. Cabela's will sometimes buy certain things from Dixie Gun Works if they run low on their stock, but it will never be a Pietta or Uberti actual and complete handgun. However, they WILL buy the actual handgun from Midway....Well, I'vd only been hooked up with this website for two days, and I'vd already probably irritated and alienated 25 million people. I didn't mean to...Just saying what I know to be true...Well, I'll make me another drink...Ya'll be good, and may God Bless...Glen

 

[Steve499]

I have two Ubertis and one Pietta. I just traded a Euroarms off. The two Ubertis were finished better than the Pietta, but then the Pietta was one of those 'distressed' finished ones so I don't know how valid comparing finishes can be. The Euroarms was equal to or maybe a touch better than the Ubertis to my eye.

I have replaced hand springs and trigger/bolt springs in one of the Ubertis and in the Pietta. The Pietta had an inordinate amount of wear to the hammer cam after a year or so of use. I hardened the hammer and am still using the original as the wear seems to have stopped.

Both Ubertis were well timed when they arrived. The Pietta was also perfectly timed. The Euroarms was not but then I got it at a gun show, used.

The Pietta is the most accurate of all four, in fact is the most accurate handgun I own, believe it or not!

I ordered one Uberti and the Pietta from Dixie. The other Uberti came from Taylor's, I believe. It is a .45 Colt and had to be funneled through my gun store is why I'm not sure.

The bottom line is I would have no qualms buying any of the three in the future. The company I have a lot of hopes for is Pedersoli. They have a president or C.E.O. who apparently is really concerned with quality. They only make two revolvers as far as I know, a Rogers & Spencer and an 1858 Remington. It will be interesting to see if the market really wants quality and is willing to pay for it or if the cheaper pistols will continue to capture the majority of it.

Steve

 

[glen walker]

For Mr. Steve

Steve, you are right on! You hit smack in the middle of the black, ol' son! No Maggie's Drawers for you today. Pietta's (the New Model Army, .44 anyway) are (as far as I'vd ever seen) very accurate. I'm sure that with the amount of guns that they are producing, a few lemons get through here and there. Some quality control inspector was tired, or half asleep or something. It can and does happen now and then with any consumer product...I know Uberti make's a real nice Walker and Colt 1849 .31...I'vd also heard several other people speak highly of Uberti here and there over time. I have never shot the Walker a whole lot, relatively speaking. Usually, if I ever decide to go out with it, I have to go to the un-employment office and hire me a couple of people to carry it around! (joke!)..But it is a big piece of iron, no doubt...I never had that problem about the loading lever dropping because of the shock and recoil, but over a period of time, considering normal wear, I could see where it might happen. I considered that even before I saved my money and bought one. I have arrived at the conclusion that if it ever happens (it probably won't. I don't hardly ever fire it) I will loop a small rubber band around the barrel and lever. That should hold it in place without interfering too much. (maybe)...Well, have a good day, Steve, and be careful and all out there...Glen

 

[Ed Gallop]

I used the lubricated wads and found that if you seat the ball hard against it the lube will saturate not only around the ball it will also saturate the powder. I loaded about 15 grains in my 36 and some of the shots sounded like it barely pushed the ball out of the barrel, with each shot sounding a little different. I also used them on my 44 cal with 25 gr. with tight rams and didn't notice varying discharges in sound but I am certain it was enough to effect accuracy. I started ramming lighter with the 36 at 15 gr. and didn't notice the varying discharges but am confident is makes a difference in accuracy.
Loading the .454 balls, rather than the .451, in the .44 results in a complete ring of lead shaving. If using good quality balls (no bubbles or deformity) I don't see how there could be a crossfire, unless from the nipple end, and the wads wouldn't help that. I no longer use wads or grease the cylinders when using good quality balls and loading properly.

As for Pietta... I look at it as buying a Chevrolet instead of a Lincoln. I expect them not to be as good. There is a reason they cost less. The deciding factor for me is if they meet my safety standards and if they are comfortable. That will vary from gun to gun, even within the same model. I wouldn't buy one until I feel and inspect it or if there is a good return policy.

Although Cabelas tried to pass off a complete junk 1860 Army, they sent a nice one overnight as a replacement. I've fired it hundreds of times and still very satisfied with it. Ed.

 

[glen walker]

Ruger Old Army

I'vd been on the computer looking at the Rugers. Of course, everyone know's that Ruger make's excellent firearms. Good steel, good piano wire springs and what have you. Those black powder Old Armies of his call for a .457 ball. I read some of his Instruction Manual on screen, but evidently I either missed or couldn't find the load data sheets. Judging from the pictures of them, those revolvers just dosen't appear to me to have a very large powder capacity. Those.457 balls are pretty heavy. That's what feed's my Colt Walker, but those chambers in a Walker cylinder will hold enough powder to blast a satelite into orbit. I'm just guessing, and I mean just guessing, that Ruger's recommended powder load would be no more than than the standard recommended load for the Uberti or Pietta .44...I don't know...I do know that little things can make a big difference. Like I am satisfied in my own mind, that everything being equal, the Colt Navy will give you the first shot. I know for a fact that the eight inch barrel (just a half inch longer) on the Pietta New Army models will carry better down range, and have more foot pounds when it get's there, ('knock down power' if you will) and are a lot more accurate down range. I guess it all depends on what a person likes. I probably won't ever buy a Ruger. I don't need one anyway. I'm getting to be an old man. I'vd been helping to feed myself and take care of myself for near all of my life with my Pietta's and Uberti's, and the've always done by me just fine. But what I'm saying is, with a seven and one half inch barrel, and what I consider must be (from the picture of the cylinder) a relatively low charge for a .457, I don't see that the Ruger Old Army would be all that much more impressive, (at least for the prices he charge's) other than the fact that you could maybe drop it off of a cliff, and then climb down there and pick it up, and it would still shoot. I might be wrong; it wouldn't be the first time, but the way I see it in my mind: I'm not wasting my money on a Ruger. If any of ya'll own one, or know much about them, I would be happy to read your posts. I won't make any kind of smart aleck reply. I'm just interested is all, and would appreciate the input.. God Bless...Glen...

 

[barman]

I also have a Pietta rem58. I have the Uberti version as well.

I agree that the steel used by Pietta seems to be softer than Uberti's.
After a year of normal use, I had to change the hand and the trigger spring on the Pietta due to abnormal wear.

 

[glen walker]

Well, I ordered some pistol wads.

 

[superdave47]

Pietta Revolvers

Brand new guy to the site. I too recently recieved a Pietta revolver.
I am not at home now but believe it to be a 1858 Remington. I am not
impressed. The guy I bought it from told me he had to return the first one
to Gander Mountain because it would not always lock into the fully cocked
position, letting the hammer fall. Cool. Anyhow the one I got from him seems
fine, shoots well and all in all is a pretty smooth action. Except.. I cannot
disassemble the gun. I have heard they have had some quality issues in this area, but I am very close to damaging the gun in order to merely clean it. I have tried to take a precision screwdriver and wedge it carefully in to get the tang well below the latch. It refuses to budge. Am I missing something here?

 

[Voodoochile]

Take a look at this exploded view.
1858 New Model Army

Is this the gun you have?

If so what part are you trying to diss assemble?

 

[mykeal]

superdave47 - if your gun matches the exploded view provided by Voodoochile, go to the top of this forum and open the thread entitled, "Black Powder Essentials". Then open the link to disassembling the 1858 New Army. Those two resources should provide all the help you need.

Revolvers don't have tangs, so I don't understand what you are describing, and can't help much beyond that.

 

[pohill]

Glen Walker, I am a Ruger convert. Never thought I'd own one, glad I do. Easiest gun to load in very cold or very hot weather due to the large chamber sizes. But, to each his own.
Are you related to Gentleman of the Charcoal in any way? You have alot of his mannerisms and writing style.

 

[mykeal]

I own 4 Piettas and 5 Ubertis. The oldest Pietta was made in 1981, the newest in 2006. The oldest Uberti was made in 1981, the newest in 2007.

The quality of the Ubertis has always been very good to excellent. The Piettas were initially below average but have improved greatly and now compete with Uberti. Having said that, it is still possible to get a lemon from either company, so neither one has reached Colt status yet. I should say that my definition of quality is based on an assessment of fit, finish and function, with function including reliability, smoothness of the action and how often I have to repair/replace parts.

I cannot reasonably say that one manufacturer's guns are more accurate than the other's. That metric depends more on the model and how the particular gun fits my physical traits than who built it.

This thread has gotten well away from the original thesis. I also own Ruger, Colt, Euroarms (Armi San Paolo) or Armi San Marco; but I don't wish to hijack the thread any further. I'll just say that the Ruger is well above any of the others, except perhaps the Colt, in quality. It's the finest bp gun I've ever owned, handled or seen for that matter. If we wish to continue this we should open a new thread.

 

[chaoszen]

Pietta is just fine..

I bought a Pietta 1858 a couple months ago from Cabelas. And it is perfect in every regard. High quality and no complaints. I have fired over 200 rounds through it after converting it to .45 Long Colt and it is as tight as when new. And accurate. I shot and old laid out hen right through the eye at 25 yards... Take what you hear with a grain of salt round here...

 

[Red Beard]

f.llipietta

I'm bought this pistol through private sale:





I compared it to Urberti and the finish looks really nice! If its ate up I'll send it to Traditions.

 

[madmike]

My (2004) 1858 Pietta had minor trouble locking the hammer when new. It wore in with a few dozen cycles. I adjusted the spring to make cocking easier.

After a few hundred balls, the hammer did gall and locked. A little stoning fixed it. I haven't hardened it, but might.

Otherwise, fit and finish are exceptional, and accuracy is good.

I haven't tried an Uberti but may for an 1860.

 

[BHP FAN]

Glen, the 1858 Carbine is an Uberti. Almost all of the rest of your posts remind me of my own almost forty years of muzzle loading.Welcome aboard!