Special Interests - Groups & Societies > Uberti, Pietta and other SAA Clones
Question for Pietta 1873 Owners
45 Dragoon:
Hmmmmmmff !!
I got my first Pietta '73 copy about 6 mos. ago. It's a Cimarron import (Frontier), great looking blued with steel bs and tg., 4 3/4" bbl. My local gun shop held it for me ( it was a consignment) . . . they set the trap and I jumped right in !!! It feels great they said . . . riiiiight . . . The cylinder had some tell tail marks on it so something was amiss. It's a 2020 production btw so, "latest greatest " . . . riiiiiight . So I get it home, open it up and it's what I figured . . . modern made '70's parts . The "great feeling action " turned out to be a hand that barely touched the ratchet and thus allowing some cyl throw-by from time to time ( marks on cyl). After "adjusting" (whittling) the hand for more engagement with the ratchet, I realized the real problem was the hand slot! Way off spec ( or "normal spec"). Correct that and with a new hand on the way it got put aside. I also had noticed the return bevel on the left bolt arm was so severe there's almost no way the arm can drop straight off the front of the cam . . .so a new bolt (anna spare!) heading my way ( these are pulled production before the bevel is cut!! Wooo hooo!!) With a replacement cyl in stainless (45C) and a blue 45acp to add, it all came together in a beautiful crescendo!!! All coils in the action, bolt block, action stop, interference pins, cyl bushings shimed for "0" endshake . . . It is a "dream machine "!!!
But!!! What it took to get there!!! Holy Cow!!!
It's also the shortest barrel '73 I've ever had . . . LOVE IT !!!!
Beat by a mile ?!!!!! Not even close!!!! (But I do love it !!!)
Mike
Galen:
Dragoon your Frontier sounds like a 3rd generation "Colt".
45 Dragoon:
Well, at least if one shows up here I'll know what to do. Pietta open tops are fine for what they are . . . I know some here think they are tops but I disagree. The action parts are much too '70's (bolts with way too thick arms) which impede hammer fall ( multiplied by cam height). . . which means heavy main spring . . . making user friendly revolvers more "involved" than the Uberti variant which has EXCELLENT action parts that are much easily "readied" for the intended process. These characteristics carry over to the cartridge variant as well . . .
Personally, it would be easier to take an Uberti cattlemen ( run of the mill) to the extreme (El Patron's are an excellent starting platform!!) rather than having to replace parts to do the same to a Pietta version. Point is though, it can be done and I now know WHAT is needed to bring the Pietta along ( Thanks EMF !!).
The EL Patron Competition that I had was not only a "testbed" for me but was the "ultimate " for a'73 copy. My new Pietta Frontier is NOT a testbed and is a "culmination" of years of learning, instruction and this example is the "pinnacle" of a "73 for me.
I checked this afternoon and the hammer draw is just under 3lbs. with a matching trigger pull.
So, my preference would be an Uberti but I'm definitely not opposed to the Pietta!! Knowing what I know now I can can go either way.
Mike
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