Experience with Sharps sidehammer replicas

[Naphtali]

To the best of my knowledge there are several Italian manufacturers of Sharps sidehammer rifles. In alphabetical order they are: Armi Sport, IAB, Pedersoli, Pedretti, and Pietta.

If you have experience with any of these rifles, please help me out here. What knowledge I seek Includes the following.

1. Quality control. If there are substantial differences among these brands, ESPECIALLY for percussion cap lock rifles, what is good -- and why it is.

2. Quality of materials. If there are substantial differences among these brands, ESPECIALLY for percussion cap lock rifles, what is good -- and why it is.

3. Quality of factory double set trigger. If factory offers different double set triggers on different price levels, try to identify what is better -- and why it is.

4. How closely does any percussion cap lock Sharps replicate Lawrence gas check patented mechanism? I include the blow-forward reaction plate and the barrel-chamber collar.

5. How efficient is the brand's support structure? That is, are warranty parts and service promptly available? Is non-warranty service promptly available?

[KING]

I have several of these rifles..............Pedersoli makes some very attractive and very good shooting rifles.  I have them from the Tryon models to the flintlocks in .32.  I also have several Traditions of several calibers that I shoot and all seem to do a good job.  So far I never had a problem getting parts for them or getting one fixed due to something out of my control.  .............stay safe.King

[Naphtali]

A piece of interesting information: IAB is Pedretti. Mauro Pedretti responded to a query from IAB. In the last couple of years, He acknowledged there had been a problem with abnormal wear. IAB, he wrote, has changed manufacturing procedure on their Sharps reproduction lock work to improve durability.

[quigleysharps4570]

Go with the Pedersoli.