Another One?

[DevilsLuck]

Yes. Another one.... So I went to the local supply shop to get some supplies for this weekends shooting. Having just recently recieved my replacement Uberti 1860.; I needed patches powder, and ball to put this pistol through its paces. Need to tune me up a bit as well if I’m being honest...

So while I have everything up on the counter; what do I see..? A shiny, sexy, short version of another 1860. (I think). And wow what a looker! Modern laminate grips, polished shiny finish that shows off the fancy scroll work, and it just so happens to take the same ammo as my Uberti 1860 Army. Only... This... Is a Pietta.

I was told by a member here that the Pietta/Uberti fan wars could be contentious. So... Being new... I just had to find out for myself. So this weekend there’s going to be a “shootout” here at the “Triple S Ranch”. I can’t wait to see who comes out on top!

 

[Grenadier1758]

We can't wait either!

Take pictures of your targets and give us a full report.

I'm not too thrilled about the modern laminated grip. Replace it with a good walnut replacement grip and it will look a lot better. At least to me.

 

[Zonie]

Sounds like your in for a day or two's worth of fun.

The shiny pistol with the engraving is a 1851 model. You can tell the 1851's by noticing they don't have the streamliked look of the 1860.
They also have a pivoting loading lever that rotates around a screw and it has a screw that connects the ram to the loading lever. The 1860's have a "creeping" loading lever that uses teeth engaged with holes in the barrel to make it move the ram.

Colt never made a 1851 in .44 caliber. All of the 1851's were .36's.
The engraved .44 caliber 1851 is something dreamed up by the Italians.
Don't let that get you down though. The .44 caliber 1851's with a steel frame like yours are excellent guns and great fun to shoot.

Their slightly smaller grip and balance in my opinion makes them even a bit better than the big 1860 Army.

Actually, my first cap and ball revolver was a steel framed Colt 1851 in .44 caliber. I really liked that pistol!!! Unfortunetly, my brain took over my common sense and convinced me to sell it because "it wasn't like the original Colt 1851". ( I was getting into the "everything MUST be just like the original" mind frame.)

That's the only reason I sold it and after it was gone and I had a proper, .36 caliber 1851, although the .36 was fun to shoot I missed my big "44".

Anyway, I can see your on the road to ruin. First one, then two, then........ It never ends.

 

[DevilsLuck]

Correction. Pietta is an 1851. Newb mistake...

 

[DevilsLuck]

Sounds like your in for a day or two's worth of fun.

The shiny pistol with the engraving is a 1851 model. You can tell the 1851's by noticing they don't have the streamliked look of the 1860.
They also have a pivoting loading lever that rotates around a screw and it has a screw that connects the ram to the loading lever. The 1860's have a "creeping" loading lever that uses teeth engaged with holes in the barrel to make it move the ram.

Colt never made a 1851 in .44 caliber. All of the 1851's were .36's.
The engraved .44 caliber 1851 is something dreamed up by the Italians.
Don't let that get you down though. The .44 caliber 1851's with a steel frame like yours are excellent guns and great fun to shoot.

Their slightly smaller grip and balance in my opinion makes them even a bit better than the big 1860 Army.

Actually, my first cap and ball revolver was a steel framed Colt 1851 in .44 caliber. I really liked that pistol!!! Unfortunetly, my brain took over my common sense and convinced me to sell it because "it wasn't like the original Colt 1851". ( I was getting into the "everything MUST be just like the original" mind frame.)

That's the only reason I sold it and after it was gone and I had a proper, .36 caliber 1851, although the .36 was fun to shoot I missed my big "44".

Anyway, I can see your on the road to ruin. First one, then two, then........ It never ends.

Yeah, seems like an addiction is brewing. Lots to learn. And so many to shoot. I was pretty sure that there wasn’t much historically accurate about it. But dang it was pretty. I’ve always been a sucker for good looks.
P.S. As a shooter... I pretty much bet I’ll prefer the .44 over the smaller caliber. And indeed, it does seem to have more ergonomic pointability, and better balance. Which hopefully will translate into better accuracy. We shall see...

 

[DevilsLuck]

We can't wait either!

Take pictures of your targets and give us a full report.

I'm not too thrilled about the modern laminated grip. Replace it with a good walnut replacement grip and it will look a lot better. At least to me.

Or just buy another one! Lol!!!

 

[rodwha]

View attachment 9869 View attachment 9871 View attachment 9870 Yes. Another one.... So I went to the local supply shop to get some supplies for this weekends shooting. Having just recently recieved my replacement Uberti 1860.; I needed patches powder, and ball to put this pistol through its paces. Need to tune me up a bit as well if I’m being honest...

So while I have everything up on the counter; what do I see..? A shiny, sexy, short version of another 1860. (I think). And wow what a looker! Modern laminate grips, polished shiny finish that shows off the fancy scroll work, and it just so happens to take the same ammo as my Uberti 1860 Army. Only... This... Is a Pietta.

I was told by a member here that the Pietta/Uberti fan wars could be contentious. So... Being new... I just had to find out for myself. So this weekend there’s going to be a “shootout” here at the “Triple S Ranch”. I can’t wait to see who comes out on top!

I actually like the looks of the grips with the stainless. It’s not historical but who cares? And that’s not to say I don’t care about the historical aspect, but not everything need be.

I’ve also contemplated the .44 cal “1851” as I continually read how the ‘51 is about the best pointer, and I actually like the looks of the older Colts over the streamlined ones (though I have a soft spot for the Police model). But I am a hunter and am just not as thrilled with the idea of a .36 over a .44.

Do you have a means to measure the chambers and bores?

 

[DevilsLuck]

I actually like the looks of the grips with the stainless. It’s not historical but who cares? And that’s not to say I don’t care about the historical aspect, but not everything need be.

I’ve also contemplated the .44 cal “1851” as I continually read how the ‘51 is about the best pointer, and I actually like the looks of the older Colts over the streamlined ones (though I have a soft spot for the Police model). But I am a hunter and am just not as thrilled with the idea of a .36 over a .44.

Do you have a means to measure the chambers and bores?

I have a cheap caliper.

 

[Rat]

Don't under-rate the .36"/.375". It's an excellent caliber and packs more punch than the "paper ballistics" indicate. I often carry an Uberti Remington Navy as a sidearm while hunting, and it has no problem going through the back of a large animals skull if a finishing shot/put down shot/coup de grass is needed, and she's accounted for more than a few of them delicious little grouse, which the small ball does very little damage.

 

[bang]

That's a nice looking shooter. The engraving is sweet. The grips make it really stand out. If you don't mind, just for shopping info, what did you give for it?

 

[DevilsLuck]

That's a nice looking shooter. The engraving is sweet. The grips make it really stand out. If you don't mind, just for shopping info, what did you give for it?

Thanks. I like it pretty well so far. Though I’ve only had one day of shooting with it. Shoot, file, shoot, file. Shoot some more. File some more...
Until anymore filing on the rear notch would lower the view, to below the plane of the barrel. Any more adjustment is going to require a taller front post. After my file work, and testing. It’s hitting about 5 inches high, at 30 yards rested. Dead center side, to side though. Using 25 grains of 777, a lubed patch, a .454 Hornady ball; all topped with Bore Butter. It’s a bit beastly to ram the ball with that short rammer. And it shears a rather hearty ring of lead from the ball.
As for the price? I sourced it locally, and it put me out at around $350ish? I think. I also bought a bunch of other items at the same time; so I can’t recall with more specificity.
If you do shop for one let me know what you find. I’m curious. While I decided to buy it immediately of my own volition; I was told that this particular set up was a very limited run. And that this vendor had them all. I’d be curious to know how true that actually is...

 

[bang]

Thanks. I like it pretty well so far. Though I’ve only had one day of shooting with it. Shoot, file, shoot, file. Shoot some more. File some more...
Until anymore filing on the rear notch would lower the view, to below the plane of the barrel. Any more adjustment is going to require a taller front post. After my file work, and testing. It’s hitting about 5 inches high, at 30 yards rested. Dead center side, to side though. Using 25 grains of 777, a lubed patch, a .454 Hornady ball; all topped with Bore Butter. It’s a bit beastly to ram the ball with that short rammer. And it shears a rather hearty ring of lead from the ball.
As for the price? I sourced it locally, and it put me out at around $350ish? I think. I also bought a bunch of other items at the same time; so I can’t recall with more specificity.
If you do shop for one let me know what you find. I’m curious. While I decided to buy it immediately of my own volition; I was told that this particular set up was a very limited run. And that this vendor had them all. I’d be curious to know how true that actually is...

Shoots high? Have you checked for proper fit of barrel on base pin? You should be able to put the barrel on with it turned enough to see if it meets evenly with the bottom contact surface. Should it stop short the base pin needs little trim. If it goes past then put equal spacer ahead of base pin. Also inspect the crown.
My walker was shooting 10" high and 10" right at 25ft first time out. I found that the barrel assembly was contacting at the hard stop on bottom of frame too soon, it overlapped. With the wedge inserted it was too much pressure and was pulling up on the barrel assembly. This was evedent by the cylinder to barrel gap being tighter at top of gap than bottom, not much but any degree of angle just multiplies at distance. The fix was to install a spacer equal in thickness of the overlap at the bottm of frame to barrel assembly. When the cylinder to barrel gap is even top to bottom you have hit the spot.
The windage and I'm sure a bit of elevation was an uneven crown at the riflings and grooves. Using a marble and lightly oiled emery cloth I polished the crown untill there was an even light chamfer conecting the riflings and grooves. Next time out it hits on windage and about 4" high. Actually about right for a horse pistol.
Pretty fair price considering the excellent condition. I'll keep an eye out.