Pistols - Uberti Versus Pietta and Everybody Else

[guad42]

Happy New Year!

I've been reading some somewhat recent posts regarding pistols, and while a pistola is not part of my LH kit, I do own a couple of the Italian Repop percussion revolvers. In fact, for some reason I've been wanting to add a '60 Army to my collection, but have been torn as to whether I should purchase a Uberti or Pietta model. I'd be interested in hearing the thoughts of others on this subject.

I just like to shoot BP weapons, other than what we use in the hobby on a regular basis.

I have a Uberti Dragoon (2nd Model) that I once had to replace the trigger guard on because it cracked (!) during a shoot, but have since fixed that. Also have a Pietta Navy which is just fine, and an ASM Walker that I have no intention of firing.

So my question - 1860 Army - Uberti or Pietta?

-Sam Dolan

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Pistols - Uberti Versus Pietta and Everybody Else

My thought on this is rather than any certain brand--the Italian gunmakers are a bit lax on quality control--it would be better to pick out the best weapon regardless of manufacturer by selecting the revolver in person.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Pistols - Uberti Versus Pietta and Everybody Else

Hallo!

I echo Herr Craig's advice...

Even within "makers," the Italians are (seemingly) randomly lax on Quality Control.
I have my own hypothesis that various importers contract with the Italian companies for certain price ranges that then reflect the amount of QC present dictated by the importers' desired selling price. (An example being say Cimarron Arms versus Cabela's.

On the other hand, though, it may just be a crap shoot.

IMHO, over the years, and within the range of QC and stories to the contrary, Uberti has NUG shown itself to be well-made in terms of fit, finish, and function.
Pietta has had a mixed history. Initially their products were REALLY bad, but about 8-9 years ago or so, they realized a growing problem and kicked that up a notch so NUG one does not receive a gun whose internals are filled with oil and metal shavings, or a gun that cannot be cocked or the cylinder rotated, etc., etc.,

As Her Craig has shared, IMHO as well, the BEST way is to be able to view and handle the Italian revolver, and make the ebst choice from what it is hand.

Others' mileage will vary...

Curt

[guad42]

Re: Pistols - Uberti Versus Pietta and Everybody Else

Curt and Craig,

Excellent advice and I greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

-Sam Dolan

[Kace]

Re: Pistols - Uberti Versus Pietta and Everybody Else

Since the discussion in on repro pistol manufactures, I would like to toss EMF into the ring to get folks opinion. I just ran across them the other day and had never heard of them.

Kace

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Pistols - Uberti Versus Pietta and Everybody Else

Hallo!

Early Modern Firearms (EMF) have been around a long time.

IMHO...

They are importers not makers, so the items they offer are Italian reproductions made by Uberti, Pedersoli, Pietta, etc.

To my knowledge, and opinion, they are at the "higher QC end" of Italian imports, perhaps second only to Colt/Colt, USA, and Cimarron.

They have received favorable reviews, and one of their (Pietta) M1873 Colts was named "SASS Product of the Year" for 2008.

IMHO still, "Italian QC" is a strange creature. NUG, the more one pays for the gun, the higher (the range) of QC or perhaps better said the less the range of lower QC.

BUT, due to the incredible demand for these guns (such a reported backlog of 75,000 metallic cartridger conversions a year or two back), ALL of the Italian companies are rushing things off the assembly line a little faster than they should be doing.
Soooo, it is best to handle and examine BEFORE purchase.

That being said, ALL of the guns (the last nine or ten guns) we purchased from Cimarron were excellent- with no problems, complaints, or issues (well other than rosewood wood, and spurious modern markings... ;) :)
And they were bought on-line.
(Roll the die, takes da chances...)

And last but not least, one, IMHO, needs to be aware that reviews will vary as a gun made for reenacting is not seen the same as the same gun used by the rapid fire and high number of shots put through it at breakneck modern speed in the CAS/SASS hobby). SO, if the CAS/SASS folks like it, aside from the historical issues, the mechanical issues are a testament...

Others' mileage will vary...

Curt

[guad42]

Re: Pistols - Uberti Versus Pietta and Everybody Else

I agree with Curt on EMF. Their 1873 Colt SAA revolvers were pretty much always reliable guns and must have been QC'd thoroughly.

What Curt says about the CAS/SASS crowd is also quite true. While not really a part of our hobby, they put a lot of those later model guns, many from the same mfg'ers as our muskets, etc, through hard use and can testify to the quality, or lack thereof, of the product.

-Sam Dolan