Video - Modifying the grip frame on Pietta's 1851 Navy

[duelist1954]

I think Pietta is making good cap and ball revolvers these days. But their 1851 Navy grip drives me crazy. The shape is all wrong. I've talked to Alessandro Pietta about this several times, but things aren't going to change. So, I can show you how to improve that situation yourself.

We can pretty easily re-contour the grips and back strap of a Pietta 1851 Navy rcap and ball revolver to eliminate the Pietta "Tail" and give the grips a more historically accurate appearance. All you need to do this are a few hand tools and patience.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9VoItoqSYE

 

[BCRider]

Nicely done video that should take a lot of the worry away for other folks.

I'm looking foward to seeing the next two on the sights issue and the innards.

 

[CraigC]

Very cool. I didn't know the Pietta grip frame was so different. Looking forward to the next installment.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

The quality of workmanship I've seen on recent Pietta's and the low prices available make them quite appealing. I however have been turned off by the large grips and "Tail" but never gave much consideration to trying to modify them or clean them up. I think you made quite an improvement, and a nice informative video. Thanks!

 

[Prairie Dawg]

Thanks for the video.
Larson Pettifogger has talked about the Pietta grips, but seeing it done makes a big difference.
--Dawg

 

[Legionnaire]

Great video, Mike; thanks. Looking forward to seeing the remaining segments on reliability.

 

[kBob]

I had been thinking about this and now Mike did the scary part for me, the original work to show it can work. My COM marked mystery gun (The Clunker)has a grip like the ASM gun in the earlier video (went to Mikes vids and found it) it feels much nicer than the Piettas so I had been thinking about this sort of thing.

Thanks for sharing and thanks for doing, Mike!

-kBob

 

[Busyhands94]

Nice video! Thanks for posting it!

 

[scrat]

Excellent video Mike

 

[arcticap]

But their 1851 Navy grip drives me crazy. The shape is all wrong. I've talked to Alessandro Pietta about this several times, but things aren't going to change.

Mike, I'm glad that you were able to get that monkey off your backstrap!

 

[Blue Hill]

Mike;
You mentioned in the video that it would have been nice to build up the top of the backstrap. Years ago I used to use a brazing rod that was made for building up the teeth of brass and bronze gears. I'm fairly sure you can still get it, I think the last stuff I bought was a Eutectic product, or maybe UTP. We called it gear brass, you could build it up vertically real easy and then dress it with a grinder and files.
For what it's worth.
Great Vid, as always Mike.
Blue

 

[Pancho]

Another nice video Mike, Thanks. I sure wish you'd catch the 62 Colt Police virus like I have.