Just wanted to make this post for those interested in buying and shooting the 1859 Sharps from Chiappa or Pedersoli to prevent them from making a possible purchase they regret.
They have changed the breech block to be better suited for the brass loading tubes. Shooting paper cartridges with these breech blocks is now a pain. In the case of Pedersoli, there is nothing that can really be done. Chiappa didn't completely change the block, they did however change the gas plate. So if you can find a plate that was constructed in the original way, shooting paper cartridges will still be possible with the system doing what it is intended to do.
The Sharps always starts leaking at a certain time during shooting. Mine for example doesn't leak at first but starts to the more gunked up the plate gets. This is normal. The originals weren't completely gas tight either. It has never burned my arms.
The new breech block however, will make sure that your Sharps will ALWAYS leak. Where originally the gas would expand and push the plate forward, it will now push the plate back onto the breech block. The result: No gas seal can be achieved at any level. I also believe that it gunks up way worse and more goo and fouling will get into every part of your rifle.
Why did Pedersoli do this? Simple. Because a lot of Sharps-Shooters prefer brass tubes nowadays. I personally don't and I also believe the brass tubes will ruin your breech block over time. But there are people that do. Chiappa naturally decided to follow suit.
Will Pedersoli or Chiappa ever change this: No.
My advice if you want a percussion Sharps (that fires paper cartridges): Palmetto/Garret or Shiloh. Maybe the old Chiappa manufacture if you can find it. Even if it is more expensive, you will get a rifle that you are more satisfied with. I personally shoot a Palmetto. It didn't need any work done to have 100% ignition.
Hope this helps those that didn't know about it to not make a purchase they later regret.
