Which Remington?

[theredballoon]

I am new to this forum and new to the world of BP but I am going to start in by buying a new .44 1858 Remington. (I think) But which one? Euroarms, Uberti, Pietta? I don't want a target model so that rules out Pedersoli doesn't it? Does it matter who I buy my gun from? (I live in the UK) I'd be grateful for any advice from you dedicated BPers out there.

 

[arcticap]

The Pietta's are slightly more affordable here and their frame and grip is beefier for those with larger hands.
The Uberti's have a slightly better reputation for quality but any comparison is based on each individually made revolver. That's why it's best to closely inspect the prospective choice if it's not easily returnable like when it's purchased from an outfit here like Cabela's.
Only Euroarms has a cylinder with chamfered chambers for slightly easier loading but they don't have a model with adjustable sights.
The Uberti's have forged frames if that matters at all.
And Pietta does offer a more affordable competition target "shooter's" model than Pedersoli.

The Ruger Old Army is reputed to be the strongest & most durable C&B revolver when compared to the 1858's though with tighter tolerances and a larger powder capacity.

 

[theredballoon]

Well, I guess money is no object but quality is. That is, for me, what manufacturer compares best to the original - in size, weight and usability. Does that make sense?

 

[madcratebuilder]

I have a Pietta with the rear sights, not a target barrel, and a Uberti carbine, both are very nice shooters. I did have to do some stone work on the trigger in the Pietta. Do you have any on the used market in the UK?

 

[Hellgate]

It is my understanding that the Euroarms is the closest to the Beals model Remington. I read where an original was measured and copied. If you look at photos of original Remingtons you will see there was not much metal around the frame where the barrel screw into the frame. i.e. the barrel shroud is not very beefy. On the Piettas there is a lot more metal where the barrel meets the frame than on the originals. The Euroarms gun is noticeably lighter in weight and narrower in the grips than the Piettas or Ubertis. I have owned all 3 makes. I shoot the Euros and Ubertis. The Piettas are good guns too but feel too heavy for me. Some shooters with big hands say the trigger guard of the Euros and some Ubertis will rap their knuckle when fired. Not for me but I do not have meaty hands. The Piettas have a post front sight whereas the Euros & Ubertis have a driftable dovetailed front sight which I prefer.

 

[theredballoon]

I guess from what's being said here I'm edging towards buying the Euroarms version - although my local gun dealer (Henry Krank) says the Uberti is more popular for some reason. My dealer also says that getting any of these models new is difficult in the UK at the moment as the Italian manufacturers are preferring to ship to the States! Hence my question about sourcing. Although, so far, I've not found any US dealers willing to ship. I can get used versions through my local gun club but I don't think I'm savvy enough yet to know what to look for with a used BP weapon.