Pietta or Uberti revolver?

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I don't know about all the little differences, if any, but I've got guns made within the last 20 years from both Pietta and Uberti and frankly I rank them just about dead even. There's obviously going to be some little niggles and quirks but overall they both do a great job.
 
I'd say with a couple of minor exceptions they're the same quality, which is to say that 90% of them are very nice and you get the occasional one with some issues that make you think somebody was having a bad day. Probably the one I have with the worst fit and finish is a Uberti, go figure.

The minor exceptions are that Uberti ditches some of the mandatory writing under the loading lever and they have a cleaner look. Also there's the occasional model (the 1862 pocket leaps to mind) where the Pietta maybe is a little less historically accurate than it might be. And of course there are only guns where one company or the other makes them and you don't really have a choice.
 
I have owned both. For BP shooting there is no practical difference* IMO.

If you want conversion cylinders and the like, Uberti seems to have an edge.

* The main difference from my point of view is that Uberti makes some guns that Pietta doesn't, even when both companies list the same models in their catalogs. E.g. a Uberti 1862 is a small frame five shot .36 that is scaled to the caliber. The Pietta 1862 is a larger overbuilt .36 that really has none of the 1862 charm. Years ago I saw a repro 1862, wanted one, and ordered...and then had a big disappointment when I realized the Uberti and Pietta 1862 models were totally different. The Pietta .36 revolver worked fine and there is nothing wrong with it for shooting, it just isn't what I expected. I have since bought an Uberti version.
 
My new (Christmas '13) Pietta Remington '58 had several small fitting issues, things that needed filing. I bought it due to a Cabela's sale, though I really wanted an Uberti. After filing this and that and the other, as well as sanding and refinishing the grips, along with having the chambers reamed and chamfered, it's an OK pistol. I second guess myself though...
 
A few years ago the bolt on Pietta's was too wide to fit in the cylinder slots and needed trimming. The arbor on Uberti's was too short and needed a fix to make it proper length.

I don't know if either of those issues are still a problem.
 
Nothing wrong with THIS Pietta, one of my more fun guns and have been working it out with both cap and ball and Howell .45ACP conversion. It was the best $179 I ever spent on a handgun. :D

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I've yet to own a Uberti. I may yet get a Cattleman in .45 Colt some day. However, I understand the Heritage Rough Rider in .45 Colt is an all steel gun, parts made by Pietta and assembled by Heritage in the USA. It's got a transfer bar so you can load six, but it's got the 4 click lockwork and has to be half cocked to load. I've been thinkin' a lot about that one.
 
As far as new stock goes,I would say that the most noticeable difference is not in quality, but that Pietta grips are larger than Uberti.Some folks who claim to have llarge hands seem to prefer larger grips and Pietta has them.
If you at looking at 10 or especially 15 or more year old examples I think you will find uberti to generally be superior.
 
If you think you may go with a gated conversion one day (Kirst Konversion), then you'd want a Pietta. The Uberti Konversion cyl. is too short for factory ammo (hand loads only).
 
Piettas are beefier than Ubertis. To me, the Piettas felt clunky and heavier than the lighter and slightly smaller gripped Ubertis. The Euroarms & Santa Barbara Remingtons are both much smaller in the grip and lighter weight overall. I'm talking 44s w/8" barrels. I no longer have any Pietta Remingtons. The external appearance of the Uberti is closer to the originals with it's smooth transition from the top of the frame to the barrel. In other makes there is a step down to the barrel from the frame. As to frame size, my Euroarms will fit into a Colt Army/Navy holster but the Uberti & Pietta Remingtons need a larger holster.
 
Buying new of recent manufacture, it is unlikely that you will be disappointed by either. Buying older? Get the Uberti. Want a replica that is more representative of the original, it's likely to be an Uberti.
 
38 C&B pistols later I have only had one sight ever fall off and that was on a Colt Navy. Never lost a loading lever lug. If anything like that gets loose then I'd use epoxy or JB Weld on it or carefully stake it in place.
 
Not a bigger frame, slightly longer cylinder (by a few thous.). One like it was my carry for a couple of years. They work very well and Kirst makes a fine product!! I have them in a Walker, two 1st mod Dragoons and the '60 Army mentioned above. With a correct set up, they are as reliable as any modern S.A.
 
I own and shoot both and shoot them along with a few ROAs. Uberti's cost more upfront and later if you want an additional cylinder, nipples etc.
Is the additional cost worth it? Still not sure.
 
The nipples on both brands are awful and possibly identical - they very well get them from the same Italian supplier. Go ahead and try them but most people are happier getting aftermarket nipples.
 
I have a Uberti 1851 Navy that when the bolt drops into the cylinder slot the cylinder rings like a bell...very strange.
I have lots of 1851's and the grips of my first Uberti are fabulous, out of the box however the action would jam and I had to send it out for repair, they asked if I wanted a new gun but the grips are so nice I said no..fix this one.

BPDayatrangeFeb2011003.jpg
 
Skinny, the ringing is the arm of the bolt vibrating after it falls off the cam. You can stop it by spreading it (the left one) out slightly. Doing that may also ensure that it won't fall off early. Early fall off sets up a bad wear pattern that may require a new cam. The ringing is a sign of no contact and some clearance.
 
The Ubertis are prettier out side and the Piettas are prettier inside.
It has reached the point of this becoming a chocolate and a vanilla question.
I shoot Piettas, prefer chocolate and have always liked Mary Ann.
 
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