Pietta cap & ball model of Colt 1873

[avatarshots]

Anybody have experience with the Pietta copy of the Colt 1873 pistol? Your thoughts? Is is a good shooter?

 

[rodwha]

I've not seen any that were cap n ball percussion guns. I can't seem to find them on their website either.

 

[avatarshots]

I ordered one today from Dixey

 

[avatarshots]

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=879&osCsid=af7b7kf9lfrumgf6gou3q37cs5

 

[avatarshots]

 

[rodwha]

Interesting!

I'm curious how the loading ram works. I can't tell how it operates, though it doesn't appear as though it's a typical lever. If not I wouldn't think much pressure could be applied.

The cylinder also looks a little shallow. I'd guess it doesn't have quite the powder capacity as an 1860 or 1858.

Still cool though!

Please do report back on what you find!

 

[avatarshots]

It has a functional ejector for looks only. Cylinder has to be removed from the frame for loading. I should get it tomorrow and I'll post actual pics

 

[BowerR64]

These were onsale at cabelas in nickel for $399. in the black friday add.

It says available in long colt or 357/38 special.

Wich one are you guys getting? The LC or the 357 mag.

After owning the repros i have ide be a little scared of their steel.

 

[rondog]

Isn't this the cap and ball model?

 

[avatarshots]

Yes. I'm talking about the CB model

 

[rondog]

Wouldn't mind having one of those, but one of the replica cartridge conversion models of the what is it - 1860 Army? - would come first.

 

[EljaySL]

I saw those at Taylor's a while back - kind of cool but I'd rather just get a cartridge version in this case.

 

[BullSlinger]

I like the looks of it. Think I may add this to the list of guns to buy next. Funny when I think of modern guns priced around $400 I consider them inexpensive/cheap but in Cap and Ball $400 is expensive.

 

[J-Bar]

I have not owned one. As I recall these were intended for the European market. They are not legal for SASS cowboy action competition, just in case you were considering using one for that purpose.

 

[avatarshots]

The 1873 just arrived. Here are some pics. As you can see it dwarfs my Dragoon But the feel is pretty good. Can't wait to put some rounds through it and see how accurate it is.

 

[CraigC]

Don't care for them personally. If I want to shoot a percussion revolver, I want a replica of a percussion revolver. If I'm shooting an SAA, I want it to shoot cartridges.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

I have not owned one. As I recall these were intended for the European market. They are not legal for SASS cowboy action competition, just in case you were considering using one for that purpose.

That is correct. They were intended for the European market, many countries do not allow private possession of cartridge revolvers but will allow these because they are percussion revolvers. Before anybody asks, they are specifically designed so that they cannot be converted to fire cartridges.

I was surprised to see they are not allowed in SASS, but I looked it up and it is true. At least not allowed in the percussion categories.

 

[CraigC]

Before anybody asks, they are specifically designed so that they cannot be converted to fire cartridges.

And it would be way too difficult and costly to even attempt. The phrase, "you can't get there from here" certainly applies.

 

[BowerR64]

This is the one in the cabellas catalog i seen, it was in the section for the cartridge guns also not in a seperate section of the add with the black powder stuff.

So the revolver a few posts up is black powder? or does it use cartridges? im kinda confused.

 

[avatarshots]

It's black powder

 

[rodwha]

I'm guessing it has a brass "ram" that you use a mallet with to load? Something like what is often seen with the super shorty percussion guns?

 

[avatarshots]

I tried to take a clear picture of the nipple with the loading gate open, but you really couldn't see it

 

[avatarshots]

it has to be loaded with the cylinder off the gun with a loading tool

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

So the revolver a few posts up is black powder? or does it use cartridges? im kinda confused.

It is a Cap & Ball revolver. It does not take cartridges. Look carefully at the third photo. You will see one of the nipples at the rear of the cylinder.

I'm with CraigC. These have been around for a while, but I am not interested in them. If I want to shoot Cap & Ball, I will shoot a traditional design. If I want to shoot cartridges, I will shoot a cartridge gun.

 

[rondog]

Bower - it's essentially another clone of the Colt 1873 Single Action Army, except it's made for cap and ball use, not for cartridges.

"Black powder" isn't necessarily how to define it, because the original SAA and its clones can also be used with black powder in the cartridges instead of smokeless powder. It's messier, but a .45 Colt cartridge full of FFF black powder or equivalent with a 255gr. lead bullet works just fine, and is actually the authentic load for the period, I believe.