Info on Pietta Starr Revolver?

[LibertyHallVols]

Hey, Folks!

Curious what folks know about these repro revolvers and historical accuracy, etc.? Also, no on-line pics show the markings. I was wondering how they are marked and what level of "defarbing" is required.

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=3539

http://www.marstar.ca/gf-pietta/Pietta-1858-Starr.shtm

Thanks!

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Info on Pietta Starr Revolver?

Hallo!

Just IMHO...

"Fratelli Pietta" had gotten into trouble a few years ago, IMHO, by trying to undercut the Uberti pistol line with a lower priced and lower quality product- further complicated by the American importers' ability to contract for that price by purchasing a sliidng scale of Quality Control (which on Italian products can very form high to very low within the same company and product line).

One particular "importer" contracted very low, and customers reported receiving their catalog and on-line ordered revolvers that would not cock, cylinder revolve at all, or revolve out-of-time, with numeorus fit and finish problems, and some lads reported receiving revolvers with the internal spaces filled with oil and metal shavings.
But at half the cost or less pricing, and with that company's excellent "No questions asked, we'll cheerfully send you another and another and another until you are happy." policy they did okay- but Pietta took a financial nose dive.

However, in the past few years, Pietta seems to have recognized the errors of their way, mostly, and turned things around. IMHO, while a board or forum is not always the best place to go for opinions, the Cowboy Action Shooters generally have been speaking well of them in the past 3 or 4 years or so- and they shoot high volume at high speed.

Pietta's M1858 DA Army revovler is imported by several USA companies, and the Price-QC "thingy" still plays out- just not at the aforementioned dismal level.
Meaning, some appear to be stamped on the frame with the modern "Pietta" info while others are stamped "Starr Arms Co., New York." and "Starr's Patent Jan. 15, 1856." And the fit, finish, and function can be found to vary.

The Italian repro features modern bluing, and the cocking lever (trigger) and loading lever are blued and not color case hardneed as were the originals.

A parallel to the original lies in the power or stiffness of the cocking lever (trigger) spring making it hard to "squeeze off" well-aimed shots. And, the mechanism is complex and subject to the whims of how well the Italian workers formed, hardened, and/or tempered key internal parts.

Historically, the cost of the little over double ($25.00) plus the complexity, saw Starr "remake" the M1858 as the single action M1863 priced at $12.00.

IMHO, all things considered.. the Starr DA is an attractive revolver, and I eyed them up several times before settling for a London Colt Navy... but I would prefer to examine the one I was buying first as to fit and function. But that is just me...

Others' mileage will vary...

Curt