Suggest a tuner?

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mostholycerebus

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For christmas my father has briefly mentioned an interest in a black powder revolver. I looked into it, and intend to purchase him two Navy 1851 blue/white Hicock model from Cabelas. Now, my father misses deer every fall, and barely hits targets at the range maybe once a month, so he's not as avid as some or wholely commited to the Civil War/Black Powder mystique. In all likelyhood, he just wants to load some powder, make some smoke, clean the pistols and look at how purty they are.

As such, I don't want to give him pistols that need any working over. My father is near retirement and would rather play with his grandkids than tool on a toy. So, I would like to immediatly after purchase, turn these pistols over to a professional tuner to make them 'be all they can be'. I'm not looking for a hair trigger or fanning mods, no CAS intended, just occasional target shooting. But I want them to run well and regular with as few hiccups as possible.

Any suggestions on a good gunsmith who can tune a pair of these up well, maybe even for a decent price? I welcome you comments, questions and suggestions, thanks.
 
robhof

Don't know any tuners, but if you can find a pair of stainless ROA's; they're ready to go out of the box and the stainless cleans up real easy with water and soap. I've had mine for 5+ years and it shoots great, the Rugers were the Cadillac of the B/p revolvers. Even though Ruger stopped making them, they still honor their warranty and there's plenty of new in the box ones that come up on auction sites regularly, the only negative is the price has gone up since production halted. The positive is that the price is still less than a professional tuner would charge for one of the Italians.:D:rolleyes:
 
He wants something more historically accurate, and since he retired from the Navy, pretty much requires a Navy model. I feel the engraved Hikock model is the most beautiful at a reasonable price, as well as being exclusively from the Improved Pietta Era (IPE).

However, for the reasons you state, I may be getting myself a ROA for christmas. :D
 
In the Traditions Bargain Bin is a Pietta .44 1860 Army with white grips for $249, and it comes with a 1 year warranty.

http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/p...d=562&osCsid=602757646a3068defc810428969d2ecc

They also have a highly polished Old Silver 1851 with white grips for $339 that will turn anyone's head.

http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/p...d=158&osCsid=602757646a3068defc810428969d2ecc


See their entire Bargain Bin offerings:

http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/specials.php?osCsid=602757646a3068defc810428969d2ecc
 
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For the casual shooter, an untuned revolver will be adquate. I have several that get shot only once or twice a yea(or decade) that have remained as they were purchased. I also have some that I tweaked to give me better results. Some shooters who are into competition have their revolvers completely reworked but it is not necessary for the non competitiors. About the only thing I recommend is to replace the nipples on whatever revolver you purchase with a good set and buy the caps that fit those cones.

If you are serious about a Navy revolver, the Colt 1861 is about the best looking one that was made.
 
I now have three of the Pietta Hickoks and none have "required" any tuning whatever. I did pin the full cock notch to improve the trigger pulls but that is a personal prediliction. For the casual shooter they will be fine from the box and certainly pretty. All three shot to point of aim also.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I will probably get them and see if they need tuning first. I read alot of posts from people saying these BPs need work out of the box though. Dads a Navy Captain (ret) so any Army model is no-go.
 
Army and Navy refer to the caliber of the revolver, not who used them. During the Civil War many Navy caliber revolvers were used by Army troops and many Army caliber revolvers were used by the Navies.
 
My understanding is that the Navy was issued the 'Naval Caliber' .36, which was also physically smaller to be easier to carry aboard ship. So, it seems to me that, while an officer could get his hands on what he wanted, the .36 Navy is more historically accurate, and would be carried by a traditionalist, like my dad, and in fact, most Navy guys I know.
 
I am former Navy and I've got 5 C&B revolvers in .44 and only one in .36, so I think (at least for me) majority rules! :cool:
 
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