Italian Made Guns

[Eutycus]

Isn't it true the todays Italian clones have better metal in them than the Colts of yesteryear?

 

[Carbon 6]

Better everything I think.

 

[Capnball]

Isn't it true the todays Italian clones have better metal in them than the Colts of yesteryear?

Go to YouTube and watch the Pedersoli factory tour. Nobody had that kind of gear back in the 60s let alone the 1860s

 

[Mulebrain]

I have Uberti Hawken, and older one like the Santa Fe. Good luck getting parts for it, been a real hassle for me

 

[Capnball]

I have Uberti Hawken, and older one like the Santa Fe. Good luck getting parts for it, been a real hassle for me

I can't imagine it's any harder than restoring an 1861 musket. I'd try and find a gunsmith. Is there anything a good Smith can't make for a gun?

 

[Philip Lebow]

Gents, re Uberti 1873 revolvers. Yes, better steels than old Colts. And, the cylinders are 1 mm
(.040 thou) bigger in diameter. This is to leave more metal in the bottom of the locking notches
on .45 Colt models. Smart thinking. I have been a pro gunsmith for 30 years, and on Colts that were shot with hot loads, the bottom of the locking notch would bulge outward, ruining the
cylinder. Not so on Ubertis. Then the customer would be upset with me when i told him why his
revolver didn't lock up anymore. Nobody likes being informed they made a mistake.
The extra diameter adds .020 thou to the thickness of the bottom of the locking notch, making it
about .035 thou thick. In addition, the cylinders are chrome-moly, instead of carbon steel, adding
some safety factor. I can rattle on more about revolvers, but enough for now on this ML site.

Phil Lebow

 

[Capnball]

Gents, re Uberti 1873 revolvers. Yes, better steels than old Colts. And, the cylinders are 1 mm
(.040 thou) bigger in diameter. This is to leave more metal in the bottom of the locking notches
on .45 Colt models. Smart thinking. I have been a pro gunsmith for 30 years, and on Colts that were shot with hot loads, the bottom of the locking notch would bulge outward, ruining the
cylinder. Not so on Ubertis. Then the customer would be upset with me when i told him why his
revolver didn't lock up anymore. Nobody likes being informed they made a mistake.
The extra diameter adds .020 thou to the thickness of the bottom of the locking notch, making it
about .035 thou thick. In addition, the cylinders are chrome-moly, instead of carbon steel, adding
some safety factor. I can rattle on more about revolvers, but enough for now on this ML site.

Phil Lebow

I was doing some research on black powder gun failures. And the overwhelming cause for gun malfunctions and accidents is user error. Too much powder, wrong powder, bad loading, poor maintenance to name a few. In very rare instances it's just a bad gun design or some kind of freak metalurgical failure. Best defense against an accident? Know your gun, know your guns recommended powder and ball load. Keep it clean and rust free and if something is broke? Fix it or have a qualified Smith fix it. Be safe, have fun, shoot straight!
Neil

 

[nkbj]

Can you imagine buying an American made cap & ball revolver again?

I'd like a five shot .577 Webley made in USA.
Or a scaled up 1858 inspired revolver shooting .53 ball.
Shazzam, I'd like to have a well made revolver designed to use .357 molds.

 

[Capnball]

I'd like a five shot .577 Webley made in USA.
Or a scaled up 1858 inspired revolver shooting .53 ball.
Shazzam, I'd like to have a well made revolver designed to use .357 molds.

Colt Navy or Army cap and ball made with today's advantages of technology. They couldn't make them fast enough.

 

[jan_buchwald]

After all, remember, the italiens built Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, De Tomaso and Bugatti

 

[Capnball]

After all, remember, the italiens built Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, De Tomaso and Bugatti

Not to mention, pizza, calzone and cannoli

 

[TNGhost]

After all, remember, the italiens built Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, De Tomaso and Bugatti

Made some great movies too.

Which came first, the Italian "spaghetti" western movies, or the Italian reproduction firearms industry?

 

[Capnball]

Made some great movies too.

Which came first, the Italian "spaghetti" western movies, or the Italian reproduction firearms industry?

OMG, those were my first westerns. I loved those three octive gunshots and slightly akimbo lip movements to the voices.

 

[user 34300]

Ruger could bring back the ROA with ease.

IF there was a market for it... just saying.

A new blackhawk cost $669 MSRP, a ROA would be in that price range. I'd buy one, but I am more willing to pay up for quality gear than most others. A $250 pietta remington 1858 is probably good enough for most shooters.

There may be another issue, safety. Is Ruger willing to make a revolver that does not have a transfer bar? It may be their lawyer's have them afraid to make a ROA these days.

 

[Boston Bill]

I'd buy one, but I am more willing to pay up for quality gear than most others. A $250 pietta remington 1858 is probably good enough for most shooters.

Funny you say that.
My Old Army came with a pretty heavy trigger pull. My Pietta Navy came with a great trigger pull. Right out of the box the Old Army had a heavy trigger pull, needed a trigger job. The Navy grouped pretty decent for a "cheap" gun. I had sent out the Old Army for a trigger job. After the trigger job, got it to group much better.
For a modern bp revolver that was made from a current production revolver, whats up with the sights? Why does the gun shoot so friggin high? The repro c & b's have a reason, not the Old Army.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the Old Army. But I think I enjoy the repro's even more. With the added bonus they cost less.

 

[user 34300]

I'd buy one, but I am more willing to pay up for quality gear than most others. A $250 pietta remington 1858 is probably good enough for most shooters.

Funny you say that.
My Old Army came with a pretty heavy trigger pull. My Pietta Navy came with a great trigger pull. Right out of the box the Old Army had a heavy trigger pull, needed a trigger job. The Navy grouped pretty decent for a "cheap" gun. I had sent out the Old Army for a trigger job. After the trigger job, got it to group much better.
For a modern bp revolver that was made from a current production revolver, whats up with the sights? Why does the gun shoot so friggin high? The repro c & b's have a reason, not the Old Army.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the Old Army. But I think I enjoy the repro's even more. With the added bonus they cost less.

My Pietta 1858 took a lot of work to get squared away. The chambers were .448" and the bore was .453". After opening the chambers the accuracy was excellent. The trigger was poor, had to fix that. The hammer nose is soft. The nipples sat too high and were smashed my the hammer in about 100 shots. The trigger had huge overtravel. I address all those items and it shoots straight and works properly. Maybe all Piettas are not created the same?

If I can find an old abused ROA I will repair and tune until it suits me. I have been looking for an beat up one with a messed up bore. I would install a modern 38/357 barrel and bush the chambers.

 

[Zonie]

It looks like cabin fever has set in among our members. I just deleted 21 posts in this thread that were unrelated to it or testy towards someone else.

Please, try to stay on topic and be nice or I'll close this topic.

 

[BrianL]

There’s no reason to throw our hands up and go on a spending frenzy. There will be Italian products and toilet paper Despite this virus

Are you willing to bet your arse on that toilet paper prediction? Hey, it is April fools, no?

 

[Boston Bill]

If I can find an old abused ROA I will repair and tune until it suits me. I have been looking for an beat up one with a messed up bore. I would install a modern 38/357 barrel and bush the chambers.

Is there even such a critter out there?

 

[Dcrockett]

They do serve a purpose.