Pietta 1860 colt repro

[david]

Would appreciate any information you folk have about the Pietta 44 repro. as to its quality, reliability and shootability.

[John Traveler]

David,

I've not owned or examined the Pietta 1860 .44 Repro you mentioned.

Please be advised that most ALL Italian reproduction gun makers are located in the industrial regions of Gardone, Val Trompia (VT).  

There are only a few compaies that actually manufacture complete guns.  There are literally dozens of small shops that forge, cast polish, assemble, and finish parts for Colt cap 'n ball reproduction ball revolvers and supply the parts to gun makers.  Quality can range from so-so to superb in fit, finish, and function.  The main advantage of buying a "name brand" gun is that quality is more likely to be consistent from one specimen to the next.

You have to look at the individual piece and judge for yourself how good it is.  Points to examine include:

Fit, quality of machining & polish, bluing & case hardening, attention to detail, timing, lockup, etc.

All repros by Italian law, are proof fired to industry standards.

Have fun and best of luck in your new repro revolver.

 

[Flint]

I have a Pietta 1860 and 2 Colts, a second and a third generation, and Uberti Navies.  The Pietta is not finished as well as the Uberti, but it works well, and lots of shooters use them in CAS.  Some of the shapes are less authentic around the barrel near the loading port, and the grip frame.  The Pietta Remingtons are fine, but again, not as clean as an Uberti.  However, if what I've heard is true, Uberti is ceasing production of percussion guns  (Beretta wants to sell higher profit guns only??), so Pietta may be all we have left.