Pietta question

[gunauthor]

I am interested in a Colt Single Action clone made by Pietta and in 45 Colt caliber. Any thoughts to the quality or comparisons to Ruger, etc. would be appreciated.

[HABCAN]

My Piettas (4-3/4" & 7-1/2") in .44-40 are far superior to the Colt's I had and massively superior to any Rugers I've handled lately. I had a pair of Ruger 3-screw .44 Mag SBH's that were fine, but that was 25 years ago. The minimal tolerances in fit and the superb finish of the Piettas speak to a lot of careful hand work. The cylinder throats are exact and the bores are highly polished. My Colts' case hardening was black and gray: that on the Piettas is in glorious colors. I am completely sold on these Italian jobs, and would recommend them far in advance of any other make. The fact that they cost 1/2 a Ruger's and 1/3 of a Colt's 'asking price' is the bargain of the century. <Enthusiasm OFF>

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Maybe you should give us a little more information, such as what do you want to use it for? Hunting, target shooting, cowboy action shooting, etc?
Also, how much do you want to spend? At present I own one Pietta, and wouldn't turn down a couple more. I agree with HABCAN that the Pietta's fit, finish and dimensions have come a long way and they are giving Uberti serious competition. One thing to consider, though, is that they are basically an 1873 Colt in design, although doubtless constructed with improved metallurgy. But the basic design is 142 years old, and not as strong as the modern Ruger design which is made to take stiffer loads like you might wish to use for hunting. Also, the Ruger Blackhawk has adjustable sights, a point in favor of hunting or target use. There is nothing that feels and balances quite as well as the old Colt design, and if nostalgia is what you are after then go for the Pietta. Could be that if the general appearance is important, strength is important, but adjustable sights not important, then a Ruger Vaquero might be the way to go as a good compromise. I have both the original Ruger Vaquero and the New Model, and actually prefer the original. Admittedly, it doesn't feel quite as good as the old Colt design. No one can really tell you which one to get, it has to be your decision. We can just point out some of the pluses and minuses. My personal very favorite is a .45 L.C. Uberti Evil Roy model, 4 3/4" barrel.150295150296
1st photo: Pietta Improved Sheriff, Uberti Evil Roy, both .45 L.C.
2nd photo: Cimarron (Uberti) .44-40, Ruger N.M Vaquero .45 L.C.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

I have a Cimarron Frontier made by Pietta in 357mag. Really sweet looking and handling pistol. Hammer is butter smooth and trigger is light and crisp. Only thing I did was exchange the factory base pin for a belt mountain one in order to get rid of that stupid hammer block "safety".

[ReloaderFred]

My wife has been shooting two Pietta Great Western II's for about 6 years now in SASS matches and has had zero problems with either of them. She (and I) shoot an average of about 20 matches per year, so they get a good workout.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[gunauthor]

Thanks for all the input, I appreciate it. My plans are for lots of plinking with the occasional paper target. I like the 45 Colt round for what it is, not to try to turn it into a 44 magnum (already have a Ruger SBH).

[Beagle333]

Pietta 1873 45 Colt. And they're pretty!!!!!......

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt214/shutupandjump/1873/Pietta002_zps13c0af7f.jpg

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt214/shutupandjump/1873/Pietta017_zps9f4cd6f8.jpg

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt214/shutupandjump/1873/Pietta013_zps5771db27.jpg

[Markbo]

Man that is gorgeous!

[blueeyephil]

Yes the are.

[bedbugbilly]

I really don't think you'd have any issues with a Pietta. I saw a brand new Pietta yesterday and it was very nice. As far as I'm concerned, Pietta and Uberti are both doing an excellent job and the fit and finish is excellent. I have one Pietta (cap and ball) and it is very nice and I have three Ubertis - a 51 Navy, a 357 Bisley and a 45 Colt Cattleman. They all are excellent shooters and I'd have no problem buying a Pietta.

And yes Beagle . . . that SAA is a beauty!

[opos]

I have a Pietta "Millenium" 45 Colt clone and it's a great revolver....I really enjoy shooting it with a 200grain softer lead (bhn 12) projectile and Trail Boss powder (very light crimp)..it's accurate, easy on the old man body and just fun to shoot. It does have one 'issue"...the cylinder pin has a "notch" cut in it where the release rides...the pin can rotate as it's pulled out and if you don't get it back in proper position it makes for a little "fumble finger" time...also the pin has 2 notches in it and one of those is for a safety that locks the action up....got to make sure to get the pin installed right and the release in the right notch or nothing happens...only takes one time to realize what happened and it is no issue after that.

Well built gun...pretty with the brass and walnut and well balanced..Mine was with a tooled holster when I got it and I think I paid $300 for the whole deal...what a bargain.

150363

150364

[Kevinakaq]

Pietta 1873 45 Colt. And they're pretty!!!!!......

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt214/shutupandjump/1873/Pietta002_zps13c0af7f.jpg

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt214/shutupandjump/1873/Pietta017_zps9f4cd6f8.jpg

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt214/shutupandjump/1873/Pietta013_zps5771db27.jpg

Beagle you just cost me $432 plus FFL fees with those great pictures...lol! I have been on the fence a few days on one of the Traditions (Pietta) 4.75 inch models in 44-40. And well you knocked me off on the 'get it' side of the pasture. Started loading for first time this weekend for my 1875 in 44-40 and found I need to size my boolits down to 428 instead of the 430 die I had (were not fully seating in cylinder though I could pass the boolit through by itself)....oh well, will have new sizer Wednesday.

So to the OP, get it! I just did based on comments on your thread! And I prefer the balance of the clones to the Ruger. Ymmv...

Below is my collection of six shooters (add a Cimarron SAA Calvary to the list which is on layway at Buds). I was just itching to feel the gap with a 4.75.

150444

[Beagle333]

You'll like it. It's my favorite to wear around here now. It even replaced my trusty GP100 as the one I grab when I'm getting dressed to head outside.8-)

[Love Life]

Are they case hardened or chemically colored?

[Kevinakaq]

Are they case hardened or chemically colored?

Colts ofcourse are bone charcoal case hardened. Uberti's take the shortcut and are chemicaly done. Can't imagine the Pietta's at their price point done any method other than chemical. From what i 'read' online Pietta is using a cyanide solution....no confirmation on this...

[Texantothecore]

The Piettas are terrific guns. I love my 1851 navy.

[bedbugbilly]

I'm thinking that Beagle ought to get a commission from Pietta just for posting those photos . . they are enough to put lust in a man's heart for one . . .

[Beagle333]

:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen::drinks:

[Beagle333]

Are they case hardened or chemically colored?

I would imagine it is chemical. I don't really know enough about em to tell. I wouldn't think they could afford to case harden it for 350 bucks.