"Last I checked, Gatofeo liked Pietta. Did he have a change of heart?"
--- Simonkenton
<Gatofeo rouses from a sound sleep> <blink> <blink> Did someone mention cap and ball revolvers?
Actually, I have a copy of the 1860 Colt, made by Pietta and marketed by Traditions. It's well made and finished. Accurate too.
I also own an Uberti copy of the Remington .44, with steel frame.
The Uberti is very slightly better made than the Pietta, but you have to scrutinize to find it.
For the beginner, I think a recently made Pietta would work fine. But if you can afford an Uberti, go for it.
For the beginner, I like the Colt 1851 or Colt 1861, both in .36 caliber, or the Remington Army in .44 caliber. All are easy to load, maintain and clean.
Either caliber is good for plinking or target work, though the sights on most cap and ball revolvers are crude by modern standards. An exception is the Ruger Old Army or copies of the Remington bearing modern Patridge sights.
I don't think a beginner can go wrong with the Colt 1851 or 1861 Navy. I'd lean toward the 1861, as it is basically an improved 1851 with a better loading lever and more clearance to load conical bullets should you desire.
But like any handgun, I concur that it is far better to get it in your hands to see how it feels, before you purchase. Years ago I was all hot to buy a Ruger P89 semi-auto pistol - until I actually picked one up. Felt like a chipped brick in my hands. I bought a Kimber Custom Classic Target instead, on the classic 1911 frame. It just felt better in my hand.
And therein lies much of the accuracy of handguns --- if it feels good in your hand, and you're comfortable with it, chances are you'll shoot it better than a handgun that somehow doesn't feel right.
However, never met anyone who complained about the feel, balance or pointability of the Colt design. The 1851 or 1861 Navies are particularly good in this respect.
This said, let me go back to sleep. Now, where was I? ... oh yeah ... I won the Lottery, opened a gun store and hired Playboy Bunnies as employees ... ahhhhhhhhhh ... :lol:
