Pietta 1851 Navy price

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leeharrysouth

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I sure could use a little help on getting into BP. I am a long time shooter but this will be a first for cap and ball. I guess this is a two part question.
First. My most trusted gun shop owner has a not used Pietta 1851 Navy in 36 cal. and he wants $450. for it. Now I know that is about twice what the gun is worth new. Here is the catch. The revolver has had the trigger worked by the most noteable gunsmith in my area of the country. The trigger is smooth as silk and has a pull of no more than two pounds. It has never been fired. Comes with an extra cylinder, balls,caps,flask and a few other maintenance items. It looks good with only a few light scratches. It is probably five to ten years old. I took a look at the cabelas web site and found that the above listed items would run about $315.. So I guess I would be paying $135 bucks for the trigger job. This is far less than the gunsmith noted charges for his work. Is this price too high. Or given the above is it an ok deal.
Now for the second question. Is the Pietta a good gun? I have tried to reserch this on the internet and it seems that Pietta and Uberti are about tied with the exception of finish. Finish seems to be on Uberti's side. Ruger Old Army was my first choice. But, it concerns me that repair parts like cylinders and nipples are no longer available. Again I am new to the cap and ball world but, sure do think I will like it. Any help will be apreciated.
 
Right now Cabela's has the 1851 Navy on sale for $199.00. I ordered one two weeks ago and other than nipples needed to be changed the Pietta is great. And they had a deal going for free shipping, which off set total charge. Then if you need you could have the trigger worked and have a new gun too boot. Here is link to their website http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t.../en/common/search/search-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=0
 
That is way way way too much for a Pietta 1851 even with the extra cylinder and goodies. Also any gunsmith that charges that much for a trigger job on an 1851 is a thief.
Better is to order the 1851 Hickok model that Cabela's has on sale for $249 the reason I suggest these is first they are a beautiful gun at a bargain price and they are all 2010 production after Pietta's big quality upgrade. Out of the box they will be almost perfect. A second cylinder is only $50 and will drop in with no fitting.
If you want the plainer version at$200 you will need to go to a Cabela's and look over several to find a 2010 model. On the right side of the frame there will be a small square box with two letter in it. You want to see CF which is the proof codes for 2010.
 
I think that at one time or another we've all wanted to "pull the trigger" and purchase a gun that was higher priced then what we wanted to spend which gave us enough of a pause to want to go home and take a cold shower. It doesn't matter much if the item was a gun, car, computer, expensive ammo or any other item at all. A manufactured item has as much sentimental and asthetic value as it has monetary value to the potential buyer.
That Pietta probably had more done to it than just a trigger job, maybe other enhancements were performed on it too.
Generally Pietta .36's do take the smaller .375 balls that are easier to find locally compared to the .380's for the Uberti which is in Pietta's favor.
There will always be differences between a Ford and a Chevy, but which brand is better is usually determined on a gun by gun basis. Will an inch or two make much of a difference on the target?
Maybe if it was my choice it would be but then I don't have any money earmarked for an 1851 burning a hole in my pocket.
Just yesterday I saw an unfired 2nd Generation Colt Pocket .36 in the display case of my local gun shop for $500. It looked great but I walked away without giving it a second thought and bought something else that appealed to me more.
So all I can suggest is to purchase that item which you want more. If in a week or month that Pietta is still there and it's meant for you then buy it. It's all about how much that you really want to be the one to enjoy "pulling the trigger" on a hunk of steel that was machined into a work of fine art. :)
 
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All points well taken. And yes, I also think $450. is a great deal of money to pay. This 1851 Navy has been in the gun shop for a long, long time. I have looked at it in the past and decided it was just too much. But, now I have relly got serious abot BP and so gave it a second look. I know the owner of the gun (and shop) paid over $150 for the trigger work. I have known him for many years. He is very astute about such things. It is just allot of expence to pass on to me. The more I think about it, the more I feel it is not for me. And as far as trigger jobs, I know a good local gun smith that can give me a fair one for a great deal less money. Now. What is this about Pietta's big quality upgrade! This is something I need to know a little about now that I am in the market. Thanks
 
The trigger job will really only help if your shooting competition or sass or something but just for plinking I would just buy the cabelas one
 
I just checked EMF Company and they list their steel frame for $215. Made by Pietta. I have one of their pistols and it is stamped Hartford on top of the barrel. It shot good out of the box
 
In late 2009 Pietta did a major upgrade of their percussion revolver what was OK to good before is now great.
 
Have many shooters noted a big change in Pietta quality control since the upgrade. I saw on utube where one fellow received his 2010 model revolver. It was fine, but the inside of the trigger guard was not finished. Still ruff ground. Do Pietta's come with any type of warranty. Thanks for all the good info.
 
For $450 you might be able to pick up a used ROA that won't break down and will not lose value with time as they are no longer made and shoot forever. Having said that, I do not and likely will never own a ROA but they last and last. If you are in to more historical shooting then the ROA is not gonna give you the sense of history the reproductions will do.
 
leeharrysouth. If you buy it from Cabela's you will receive a return label in the box. If there is nothing wrong with the gun you just don't like it use the label to return it and they will deduct $7 from your refund. If there is something wrong call Cabela's and they will eat the return shipping and either refund or send you another. Can't beat that.
I have bought three of the Hickok 2010 1851 revolvers. Each one is perfectly fit, perfectly timed, perfectly finished even the wedges come out and go in with thumb pressure. They would make you want to throw rocks at Uberti they are that good. I never thought I would be saying that comparing Pietta to Uberti.
 
All good advice, I can't add to it. But there is one thing I want to mention.
Ruger Old Army was my first choice. But, it concerns me that repair parts like cylinders and nipples are no longer available.
Click to expand...
Repair parts for ROA's are very rarely, if ever, needed; the guns are rugged and very dependable. However, spare parts are readily available from Brownell's.
 
My opinion is this. Figure out which black powder revolver you like first. Maybe a 1851, a 1860, perhaps a 1858? Don't purchase a BP revolver because that particular model just happens to be behind the glass at your local gun dealer. Do you want a .36 caliber or a .44 caliber? Do you care if you have to learn how to be a gunsmith. The saying goes: "Italian BP replica revolvers make gunsmiths of all us". If you are uncomfortable doing minor gunsmith tinkering then go with a ROA. For $450 I personally would find a ROA. If you want to get in at a much lower cost then take a look at what is on sale at Cabelas.

A great entry point for a beginner to BP is the Pietta 1858. Great price and good quality. For the BP hunter perhaps a ROA. Its more money but the quality is unsurpassed. Very rugged, durable and accurate. But maybe you really want to have a taste of the historic old west. The ROA isn't a part of that.

How about you tell us what is important to you? Caliber, history, ease of use....etc.
 
Have many shooters noted a big change in Pietta quality control since the upgrade. I saw on utube where one fellow received his 2010 model revolver. It was fine, but the inside of the trigger guard was not finished. Still ruff ground. Do Pietta's come with any type of warranty. Thanks for all the good info.
Click to expand...

I have a July 2009 purchase of the Pietta 1851 Hickok model. I don't know if it qualifies as a "quality control upgrade" revolver or not. In March 2010 I bought another one. For the most part the 2010 model (CF) was identical to the 2009 model (CD). I sent the 2010 model back to Cabelas because it had a slight timing problem that I did not want to deal with. I did not notice a quality difference between the two. Same fit and finish.
 
leeharrysouth said:
Do Pietta's come with any type of warranty.
Click to expand...

Traditions sells Pietta revolvers that are backed by Traditions own 1 year warranty and that's why they often cost more than Cabela's revolvers.
Traditions offers some special deals on their website and their Pietta revolvers are also sold by many retailers including Deer Creek Products, Waldron, Indiana (765-525-6181) and Bass Pro.

http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/specials.php?osCsid=3c3bfe3ff196d844c9d0c4ebbf34b6ce
 
I think I have narrowed my choice to a Uberti 1861 Navy rather than the 1851 Navy. From what I understand the Uberti has a little better fit and finish. But, this is novice speculation. I only know what I have read. Choosing the 1861 over the 1851 is simply a matter of looks to me. I just think it has very nice lines. I read on the Uberti web page that this revolver has a five year warranty if it is imported by Stoeger ind. Which is a holding of Benelli. Are all new model Uberti's iported by stoeger or do I need to shop with a certain distributor? I have also heard that Taylor's & Co. provides a hand picked firearm that is pre-inspected before sell. Is this correct? Is this the reason that their 1861 is about $60. more than Cabela's? Thanks
 
The Uberti 1861 is nice. It will have a short arbor that you will need to make a plug for. The difference in price between Pietta from Taylors and Cabelas is that Cabelas has them currently on sale. I like my 1851 Hickoks but when Cabela's put the 1861 on sale I bought one. The 1861 has to be the sleekest revolver Colt ever put out.
 
Thanks denster. You say that the Uberti will have a short arbor and must use a plug. Why is this. Is it a matter of volum of target load as compard to full load. I have read the the 1861 was designed with a stronger ram (arbor) is the correct?
thanks
 
Stoeger Industries is a Benelli company; Benelli also owns Uberti. Stoeger is not the only importer of Uberti firearms, so if you want the 5 year warranty you need to find a retailer that uses Stoeger to import the guns. You might need to contact Stoeger directly to find out who Stoeger imports for; Stoeger does not sell Uberti guns at retail.

I don't know if Taylor's 'hand picks' Uberti firearms. I have heard that people have (rarely) returned Uberti guns to Taylors for alleged quality problems, had them replaced and were satisfied with the service. I have also heard similar stories about Cabela's customer service. As to why Taylor's price is higher, any statement on my part would be pure speculation.
 
Leeharrysouth. The arbor is the shaft that the cylinder rides on and the barrel unit slides onto. Ideally the arbor should bottom out in the barrel unit at the same point that the lug of the barrel unit meets the frame so that the barrel will go on no further when the wedge is installed. Pietta uses a straight arbor and virtually always it will bottom out as it should. Uberti arbors are slightly tapered about .005 and the arbor hole is tapered to receive it but the arbor will lack about .050 of bottoming out in the barrel unit. In new guns and if you never use more than thumb pressure to seat the wedge this works OK but too much force on the wedge can over ride this fit in short order. It is just a safety precaution to make a plug to take up the extra space so that can not happen.
 
Thanks denster. I guess the end result of suth a problem would be decreased cylinder to chamber endgap. It concerns me that this problem exist. One would think that Uberti would correct such an issue. I have done a little machine work over the years and taperd fitt's are a very common way of joining parts. Could it be that some people force the wedge in further than disigned by using excess force. Like a mallet? Or, does one normally use a mallet?
 
Uberti arbor

I have made plugs ike Pettifogger described in one of his articles, made from a Dillon brass pin used to retain cartridge cases in their slots of the shellplate. I have a lathe, so have also made my own pins. They have to be set into a hole drilled into the end of the arbor, and the head adjusted in thickness to bottom the arbor out when the barrel lug just barely touches the frame up where the two index pins are found.

With that spacer in place, the wedge can be driven tight without closing the cylinder/barrel gap and clamping the cylinder.

I did this to a few guns, but I have decided it is just as well to leave as is and be careful of how far you insert the wedge so that you don't close the cylinder/barrel gap past about .010.

Uberti leaves the space loose, I am sure, to eliminate hand fitting each and every arbor and barrel. Colt did hand fit the originals at the factory, but in the 19th century, about everything was hand fitted. Pietta can get the arbor set up in CNC machining, but I don't know what they do when the tooling wears, perhaps they also hand fit to fine tune the barrel location, we do note their prices have gone up.
 
leeharrysouth...you can request a customer associate (tech/cust service guy) at Cabelas to inspect the gun you are purchasing for defects of any kind...including cosmetic...prior to shipping. They will gladly do it for you. The first one I ever received from them had scratches in the finish, so from then on, when I ordered, I asked for an inspection...never received a gun with any problems of any kind after that!!!!!!
Cabelas customer service is one of the best in the industry...right up there with the top two...RCBS and Lyman!!!!!!!!
 
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