Should I return it?

[gw1894]

A few weeks ago, I picked up two Pietta 1858s from Cabela's - a target model and the 5.5" barreled 'sheriff' model. At first I was planning on returning whichever I liked less, but after checking them out I decided I really liked both. Shot the target model last week and it was awesome, though I didn't bring along the shorty.

So anyway, one thing I noticed with the short one right away was that the hammer was significantly easier to pull back than the hammer on the target model. I thought I liked that at first, but now it just feels less solid and kindof 'klinky' to me.

Since then I've also found that the cylinder pin doesn't snap into place in the frame like the other 1858's does. Without the cylinder in place and the loading lever down, it just slides around freely. With the gun assembled, it still clicks around back and forth in the millimeter or two of space it has between the frame and the loading lever. A little annoying.

Last but not least - the trigger is a little creepy and doesn't seem to break as cleanly as the target model's does.

I think the easy hammer pull could be fixed by just tightening the main spring screw a tad, but I wouldn't be comfortable messing with the trigger and the cylinder pin. I'm not all that mechanically inclined and beyond basic cleaning/disassembly I've really no 'smithing experience at all. Would rather not pay for a tune-up.

Aside from these small problems, it's really nice. But these issues just make me feel a bit less enthused about it. Should I have them replace it and hope I get one in better shape, or would you just keep it and not let the minor flaws bother you?

Thanks in advance!

 

[pohill]

I doubt you will ever find a gun in perfect condition - I never have. If it bothers you, return it. I'd keep the gun and learn how to do some minor gunsmithing on it - that's half the fun.
Instead of returning the gun to Cabelas, you could send it to Traditions (they import Piettas, Taylors imports Ubertis). The guns are warranteed for a year (they keep track of the serial numbers). Both are good people to deal with. They will fix or replace defective guns. I'd rather have a gun fixed than replaced because you don't know what will be wrong with the replacement gun.

 

[RoaringBull]

best thing to start would be to email Traditions and let them no what is wrong. Trust me they will work with you alot. I have gotten several free parts, small stuff besides relacing the lock for free, for my son's Hawkins. They are good folks and really care.

 

[Voodoochile]

I agree with the others in that sending the gun back expecting a better one is a shot in the dark.

The trigger creep can be fixed with stoning but unless you know anything about doing it I would send it to a smith to perform a smooth & tune on it.

You're right in that tightening up the main spring screw will make the hammer a little stiffer but that will also make the trigger have that much more pull as well.

My little 5-1/2" barreled '58 has the same issue with the cylinder pin & I've bought a new one to modify so that I can remove it completely from the gun when I want to & when I get around to that I'll just weld a spot on the forward portion "where the lever makes contact with the pin" to tighten it up for me.

 

[arcticap]

I'm curious about whether any of Cabela's revolvers are stamped Traditions?
Do they come in a box labeled Traditions, or is there a Traditions warranty or literature in the box?
IIRC, the fellow at Traditions told me that they don't import Cabela's pistols. He said that Cabela's imports their own just like Taylor's does.
He also said something to the effect that if a gun doesn't say Traditions on it, then it's not one of theirs.
Cabela's and Traditions do seem to sell many of the same exact Pietta models. But Cabela's is such a big outfit that they even import their own Pedersoli guns.

 

[pohill]

Good point. I have never bought from Cabelas. If they import their own then you have to deal with them.

 

[Coyote Hunter]

I've only seen the 1858's from Cabala stores come in the original Pietta Box. That's who makes them.

 

[Voodoochile]

As far as Cabelas having any branding on their C&B Revolvers I would say no because I got my Pietta '58 w/ 5-1/2" barrel from them last year & it only has the normal Pietta markings on it, & For a Christmas gift to a friend of mine I purchased a Traditions/Pietta '60 Army from Gander Mountain & it too did not have any other markings on it other than the normal Pietta markings but it did come in a Traditions box with both Traditions & Pietta manuals.

 

[Omnivore]

I don't see that a cylinder pin moving in and out a little bit is a problem at all. What harm could it do? As long as the cylinder locks up nicely, it's good to go, no? Were the cylinder pins supposed to "snap" into place (I don't see any mechanism for this, such as a detent ball and spring for example, or am I missing something) or is the "snap" effect, as I suspect it is, a result of misaligned holes in the frame?

My '58 cyl pin will slide right out under gravity, and slide right back in. Works great.

Both my Piettas have some detectable creep. If you get one with no creep at all, you're lucky.

 

[gw1894]

Thanks much for your thoughts, gang.

My Piettas both came in Cabela's boxes with only Pietta markings on the guns. I'm not sure by what mechanism my target model's pin locks into place, but the last 1/4 inch or so seems to be grasped by something, somewhere. It just feels better and keeps the pin from clicking around, but I'm sure the loose pin doesn't effect function at all.

If I do anything I'll probably just have a trusted local smith do some minor tuning on it - need a rifle scoped anyway so I'll just bring it along then I reckon.

I do still love the 'little' gun, and cabela's customer service has already helped me out, so I guess these tiny issues aren't worth worrying over.

My target model arrived with a nasty crack in the forward part of the left grip. Totally unnoticeable until I removed the grips for cleaning. Cabela's is paying for a matching set of new grips from VTIgunparts, at a cost of around $60 including ship and taxes, so I guess I can't complain. I crazy glued the cracked grip and it's held up thru about 40 mild loads so far.

As an aside - I really like the 'original' sight picture on the shorty better than that of the target model. While its sights are adjustable, I don't much care for the '3 blocks' looking sight picture. The v-notch and thin front sight seem like they'd be more precise. I think I've got a stainless 1858 with the full length barrel in my future. Should make for a nice trio.

 

[Voodoochile]

Well if he means that the pin locks into place where the loading lever isn't really necessary to keep it there then neither of mine does that, but my newer Pietta '58 does have a little play forwards & backwards when everything is in it's place "maybe a 1/16th of an inch" but that is just a slight machining cut error but nothing that is a major detractor & easily fixed like I'm going to do with my new pin when I get around to it.

 

[jdomin]

cabelas should have a gunsmith that should be able to make it right,or replacement

 

[Jamie C.]

Has it occurred to anybody that the difference between the 5-1/2" gun and the target model may be just that?

Most modern target guns are built to tighter tolerances than the average "working" gun. But it takes those tighter tolerances to get the best accuracy. The cost though is usually that the target gun needs more "babying" and more frequent cleaning.

The working gun may not be quite as accurate, but is generally more reliable, and will usually just chew through the crud and dirt and keep right on going without any fuss.

My own 5-1/2" barreled 1858 copy ( Uberti ) also has a cylinder pin that's loose, and slides around under it's own weight, when the cylinder is out, BTW.


J.C.

 

[TEDDY]

??????

the original remingtons also slid.they were made that way.you carried two to several spare loaded cylinders and dropped the lever and replaced the cylinder.very fast reload in a fight.I had several real remingtons,they were not worth much $10/15.now wish I had them.

 

[Voodoochile]

the original remingtons also slid.they were made that way.you carried two to several spare loaded cylinders and dropped the lever and replaced the cylinder.very fast reload in a fight.I had several real remingtons,they were not worth much $10/15.now wish I had them.

You are correct about the Remington's ability for faster reloads when a spare pre-loaded cylinder was available but don't forget that it was a lucky or relatively wealthy person to be able to afford the extra cylinders & have them at the ready during the 1860's & 1870's.