Pietta or Uberti 1858 new model army?

[45D]

#3 first. Check out forum rule #10. We do not discuss metallic cartridges or conversion cylinders on this forum. While I understand your opinion on this subject, like I said before, I personally could not care less about them or the use of them. BP with round ball or conicals in paper cartridges only. And it's the forum rules.

Concerning Remington replicas, no I don't know for a fact Pietta is better. My sample size of 1 Pietta 1858 in my collection is not enough to form a solid opinion. However it is a great shooter with a smooth action compared to Uberti 1858's I've shot and handled. When it comes to Colt replicas, yes generally speaking Pietta is superior out of the box comapred to Uberti.

#1 Forged is not ALWAYS better than cast. There are too many variables at play to make a blanket statement like that. However in the ever on going debate of Uberti vs Pietta, I will agree that if comparing similar models, Uberti frames are ultimately stronger.

That said, Pietta frames are certainly strong enough for a long life with BP and sensible loads. If someone insists on cramming as much T7 into the chamber AND still being able to seat a heavy conical, then the Uberti will likely be the better choice. However MOST cap and ball shooters do NOT do this.

Pietta's MIM parts does not bother me in the least. Most unmentionables actions these days are comprised wholly of MIM parts. Seems to work just fine for them. Pietta's also seem to generally work just fine out of the box. Could they be improved by tuning, well sure. But they work well out of the box for most folks. Uberti's seem to need work to function well. They certainly look better. I'll give anyone that. Most folks will NEVER have their revolvers tuned, so the whole idea that Uberti's are easy to tune than Pietta's is lost to MOST shooters. If you are a competitive shooter then tuning I would imagine is something that IS very important to you. Most folks just want to plink, informally target shoot, or hunt. And they want the revolver to work right out of the box to a reasonable standard without a further outlay of cash to 'fix' imperfections in the action. Pietta's fit that bill perfectly.

Well sir, I'm sorry you took it personally anyway. You admit that you're not an expert and have a whole example to expound on. I'm not claiming to be an expert but I've tuned a few hundred of them so . . . I'm familiar with them.

I doubt Pietta uses a casting process the likes of Ruger so I'll defer to the forged product for "upper end" testing. Of course both manufacturers products are perfectly fine for black powder. The op was wondering if the Uberti was worth waiting for. Obviously a question of differences in the two.
The thing about the MIM parts and being thick can be seen in another thread concerning a first time broken part.

And just for the heck of it, the op asked about "conversion " cyls and you decided to let him know you don't care for them in the least. Folks here for the most part know all my bp revolvers are conversions and I use them as test beds for the "platforms" they're in. It's an excellent way to do so since one can fire max bp loads in any of the offerings.
So, that makes me the 3rd one to mention the "you know what" cylinders so I'll try and control myself in the future.

Mike

 

[Nameless Hunter]

A really good video (IMO) on methods for making gun parts.

Gun Parts: Forged vs. Cast vs. MIM​

 

[45D]

Nice video. I agree with his descriptions of what each process is and the results. So, to my point, I like forged frames better than simple cast frames. But as I pointed out, either is more than adequate for shooting bp. The MIM bolts are a hard and thick part . . . which isn't what you want in a part that is supposed to flex. The hand is another part that is fine as a MIM part until you need to stretch it. Re-heat treating it is a little different.
The overall time spent on tuning a Pietta is about the same as an Uberti. The parts take longer on the Pietta but the arbor just needs final adjustment. The parts are easy on the Uberti but the arbor length needs to be addressed so it's a "wash" as far as which is easiest to tune.

Mike

 

[Carl in France]

Hello MrMystery02. My opinion is that you should get the Pietta. I bought mine in 2020 and it now has 3000 rounds through it. It runs flawlessly and I clean after each shoot and fully strip every thousand. I would say the quality is there.

 

[Vtmountaindeerhunter]

Pietta is definitely a better product if you plan on actually shooting. If you want a cartridge gun by a black hawk or emf California. I have both manufacturers in colts and Remington. Pietta always outperformed. MOST IMPORTANTLY EMF company is owned by pietta and they provide the best customer service experience. The only US importer owned by pietta. They stand behind their products and have the most knowledgeable gunsmith ..
Avoid Dixie, midway or any other sources for imported Pietta guns. They don't have the same relationship with manufacturer and you will loose out on a direct connection to pietta if you dont purchase from EMF. Shot some more. 38 777 fff in 45 colt brass with 250 rnfp lead.

 

[Mike in FL]

I've had my nephew (a man of high character who charges me only his dealer price, not even shipping) searching his distributors for a Pietta. Can't find one to my specs. But he will. As far as P vs U, I've done so many hours researching online that I've decided on Pietta. That's based on actual owner/shooter/forums reviews. Pietta is by far the winner when looked at from that perspective.

 

[Stantheman86]

There are many points and a lot of noise on this topic

Take what some of the people here that are all about "tuning" with a grain of salt , because these guys will gladly take your $$ to "fix" your out of the box cap and baller

I'd honestly wait for a Uberti. Every single one of my Ubertis is just a better gun. My many Piettas are fine too, they'll range blast with my Ubertis but the Ubertis just are overall higher quality

I have a Uberti 1858 Carbine on the way too, I'm looking forward to getting it

 

[45D]

Funny how the "tuned" ones don't break though.

Mike

 

[ZUG]

If I was into being a competitive pistolero I would buy Uberti and have it "tunned" by a professional who deals in black powder revolvers. I own more Uberti's than Pietta's. In my opinion if you have the extra cash go for the Uberti if not a Pietta will serve you well. I do LIKE the overall finish and looks of the Uberti.

 

[springfield art]

A recent article in Firearms News (usta be called Shotgun News) details Italian gun laws, and how they are often more 'free' than other European countries. I think we all agree that we love the way Italy has been a manufacturing source for our beloved replica black-powder guns! Tradition!

 

[springfield art]

#3 first. Check out forum rule #10. We do not discuss metallic cartridges or conversion cylinders on this forum. While I understand your opinion on this subject, like I said before, I personally could not care less about them or the use of them. BP with round ball or conicals in paper cartridges only. And it's the forum rules.

Concerning Remington replicas, no I don't know for a fact Pietta is better. My sample size of 1 Pietta 1858 in my collection is not enough to form a solid opinion. However it is a great shooter with a smooth action compared to Uberti 1858's I've shot and handled. When it comes to Colt replicas, yes generally speaking Pietta is superior out of the box comapred to Uberti.

#1 Forged is not ALWAYS better than cast. There are too many variables at play to make a blanket statement like that. However in the ever on going debate of Uberti vs Pietta, I will agree that if comparing similar models, Uberti frames are ultimately stronger.

That said, Pietta frames are certainly strong enough for a long life with BP and sensible loads. If someone insists on cramming as much T7 into the chamber AND still being able to seat a heavy conical, then the Uberti will likely be the better choice. However MOST cap and ball shooters do NOT do this.

Pietta's MIM parts does not bother me in the least. Most unmentionables actions these days are comprised wholly of MIM parts. Seems to work just fine for them. Pietta's also seem to generally work just fine out of the box. Could they be improved by tuning, well sure. But they work well out of the box for most folks. Uberti's seem to need work to function well. They certainly look better. I'll give anyone that. Most folks will NEVER have their revolvers tuned, so the whole idea that Uberti's are easy to tune than Pietta's is lost to MOST shooters. If you are a competitive shooter then tuning I would imagine is something that IS very important to you. Most folks just want to plink, informally target shoot, or hunt. And they want the revolver to work right out of the box to a reasonable standard without a further outlay of cash to 'fix' imperfections in the action. Pietta's fit that bill perfectly.

Good commentary! BTW, shooters who are persnickety about their UM guns, (not the general public), don't care for MIM parts, and product reviews will always point such parts out to would-be buyers. Thanks for your post!

 

[springfield art]

#3 first. Check out forum rule #10. We do not discuss metallic cartridges or conversion cylinders on this forum. While I understand your opinion on this subject, like I said before, I personally could not care less about them or the use of them. BP with round ball or conicals in paper cartridges only. And it's the forum rules.

Concerning Remington replicas, no I don't know for a fact Pietta is better. My sample size of 1 Pietta 1858 in my collection is not enough to form a solid opinion. However it is a great shooter with a smooth action compared to Uberti 1858's I've shot and handled. When it comes to Colt replicas, yes generally speaking Pietta is superior out of the box comapred to Uberti.

#1 Forged is not ALWAYS better than cast. There are too many variables at play to make a blanket statement like that. However in the ever on going debate of Uberti vs Pietta, I will agree that if comparing similar models, Uberti frames are ultimately stronger.

That said, Pietta frames are certainly strong enough for a long life with BP and sensible loads. If someone insists on cramming as much T7 into the chamber AND still being able to seat a heavy conical, then the Uberti will likely be the better choice. However MOST cap and ball shooters do NOT do this.

Pietta's MIM parts does not bother me in the least. Most unmentionables actions these days are comprised wholly of MIM parts. Seems to work just fine for them. Pietta's also seem to generally work just fine out of the box. Could they be improved by tuning, well sure. But they work well out of the box for most folks. Uberti's seem to need work to function well. They certainly look better. I'll give anyone that. Most folks will NEVER have their revolvers tuned, so the whole idea that Uberti's are easy to tune than Pietta's is lost to MOST shooters. If you are a competitive shooter then tuning I would imagine is something that IS very important to you. Most folks just want to plink, informally target shoot, or hunt. And they want the revolver to work right out of the box to a reasonable standard without a further outlay of cash to 'fix' imperfections in the action. Pietta's fit that bill perfectly.

I think many of us have both makes! If you're an OCD target shooter who measures groups to the 1/16th of an inch, tuning and such makes sense. Most of us, I bet, are "minute of paper plate" plinkers; the competitive, true target shooters are a technical sub-set who enjoy their hobby and need to sweat over every detail in order to excel in their sport.

 

[French Colonial]

MIM parts MAY have been suspect back in the dark ages but not any more.

Ruger has perfected the process and you would be amazed at the number of different manufacturers in the firearm and other industries that use MIM parts made by the Ruger factories.

But, old myths die hard.

 

[Stantheman86]

A recent article in Firearms News (usta be called Shotgun News) details Italian gun laws, and how they are often more 'free' than other European countries. I think we all agree that we love the way Italy has been a manufacturing source for our beloved replica black-powder guns! Tradition!

I hope this never changes , Italy is like the "last frontier " of blackpowder firearms production.

It is what it is, if someone isn't willing to roll the dice on Pietta or Uberti manufacturing or maybe have to tweak something, then explore another avenue of the shooting world.

 

[45D]

MIM parts MAY have been suspect back in the dark ages but not any more.

Ruger has perfected the process and you would be amazed at the number of different manufacturers in the firearm and other industries that use MIM parts made by the Ruger factories.

But, old myths die hard.

That's true except for the fact that in open-top revolvers, Remington and SAA type revolvers have a bolt with two arms. The left has to flex ( bend) to allow the cam to pass by. MIM parts don't like to flex. And THAT is one of the main reasons why folks have a tough time with lighter main springs. They slow the hammer down too much for reliable ignition.
But hey!!! These are "throw away" revolvers so who cares right?

Mike

 

[Stantheman86]

MIM parts MAY have been suspect back in the dark ages but not any more.

Ruger has perfected the process and you would be amazed at the number of different manufacturers in the firearm and other industries that use MIM parts made by the Ruger factories.

But, old myths die hard.

I remember when S&W went to MIM parts, and all the crying and gnashing of teeth from Smith fanbois.....

My MIM Smiths were the most accurate revolvers I've ever owned.

 

[Mike in FL]

There are those whose lives are entwined with Italian reproductions, because Italy is about all we have to choose from in revolvers. I'm guessing the vast majority of BP reproduction revolver fans are not so very into finite details of the very best revolver to be had. I certainly am not. My passion is m/l stuff in general, history, and flint lock rifles. My rifle is "close enough" to the gun and time period I'm in love with. Regarding revolvers, they came along later than my real interest lies, but I still like 'em a lot. But I simply want what seems to be right for me, although I love to hear about the slight differences between the two. Let us feed our passions to the extent in time and money that is in line with our creators love of us leading lives in His honor, and not get all hyped up about stuff outside that. This is I think the very best Internet forum in existence for keeping the old ways special within this so very changed world. My regards to each of you; I see all of you as brothers, regardless of the technical aspects of our deep interest.

 

[Stantheman86]

I'll never forget emailing Pietta about a lemon 1851 Navy, and the PR rep mocked me in broken English and basically told me to pound sand

It is what it is, the Italian gunmakers have a different culture and business mindset . If you have issues, hopefully you bought from a "good" distributor

If you buy from a reseller like Midway , you pay a bit or a lot less and you takes yer chances

The percussion repro revolver rabbit hole.....or any Italian repros in general. Muzzleloaders are not subject to the same laws or policies as cartridge guns. You are buying a "non firearm " , at least in America. Pietta and Uberti promise they'll try their best to make guns that fire but they have bad days.

 

[ernbar]

Love my Pietta. This was the first BP I purchased at Bass Pro. They had both Pietta 1860 and 58 Remington and the wife chose the Remington so no argument there. Well made, very accurate and super happy with it.

 

[Jedidiah]

I have found that years ago, the Uberti was a better firearm than the Pietta. In the last 10-15 yrs there has been no difference in quality as far as I am concerned.