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