This has been an interesting read after going through it all. I have an Uberti (1993) and a Pietta GW II(2010) and they are both superb firearms and extremely accurate when shot with a load that is tailored to each gun. Reliability has proven to be excellent with a few thousand rounds through each with full power (36 gr. Swiss) BP loads and some quite stout smokeless loads under heavy bullets. Both are chambered for 44 WCF with .429 barrels. I have also owned Colts that were outshined by both of these(go figure). I also do alot of "longrange" shooting with handguns, ie out to 500 yds and been quite successful at it. NOW, having said all of that (which does not impress me at all and hopefully neither does it you), none of these brands can hold a candle and pale in comparison to my working gun which is a J.P. Sauer .44 mag made in the early 70's and cost me less than a Colt or Ruger. It is more precisely made, stronger, much more accurate and the action from the factory is smoother than either a Janis, Turnbull or Munden worked action (as Eddie Janis told me 13 yrs ago). I can shoot .44 Russian, .44 Colt, .44 Spl, .44 Mag and with another cylinder, .44 WCF in this gun with no leading (think velocity and BHN). I have a smokeless load that will shoot to the same point of impact at 100 yds with either a 200gr. cowboy bullet or a Keith SWC in 265 gr. (think velocity, trajectory and especially practice).
As I said, I read this entire thread with great interest and IMO, buy what trips your trigger and enjoy it. Don't let anyone belittle your tastes in guns, women, hunting dogs or cars because they are just voicing their opinion or experiences which are subject to change. Enjoy yourselves, and if you just have to flame this post, go ahead as I can provide either paper, witnesses or exhibit exactly what has been posted (but you will have to call me: 417-359-8880). God Bless and shoot safe.