Hello ernierod, First off, let me stress that I am no expert, but do have an opinion. While Piettas quality has improved to the point where they are about as good as Uberti, I still have to give the nod to Uberti, as well as the few extra dollars they cost. In the group I shoot with, there are two Uberti 1858s, and four Piettas. After a couple years of roughly the same amount of use (we pretty much shoot together most of the time), the two Ubertis have remained tighter, and have not developed the small amount of end play and rattles that the Piettas exhibit. Now, this is after each gun has burned in excess of 5 pounds of powder, and the Piettas are in no way worn out junk or dangerous, and will remain serviceable for a good long time yet. To be sure, this is only six of the thousands of 1858s from both makers, but they are the only yard sticks I have, it is apparent that the Ubertis seem to be holding up a little better.
