Pietta .45 reviews
- Thread starter Csinn
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ontarget
Member
Wouldn't be my first choice for your stated purpose. I'd go DA for that. Faster follow up shots and all that.
For a range gun or general woods gun where bears and cougars don't reside, the Italian 1873 clones are wonderful.
45 Colt is my favorite cartridge.
1KPerDay
Member
^agree with this. Depending on the finish $525 could be too high or too low or just right
Who makes a good DA .45colt? I’d prefer not to spend over $700. It’d be more cougar than bear but even then would be rare hopefully never. More of the if it happens and 6 250 grain rounds seemed pretty good in general but DA would be better. Currently take a 9mm but was told that’s not much protection at least with bears even though they’re black bears.
1KPerDay
Member
You might get a used Ruger redhawk for that. If you want new you need to add a couple more bills
Tallinar
Member
I had one experience with a Pietta-made Cimarron revolver. It was a poor one, as I chronicled in another thread here.
My experience may not have been reflective of Pietta in general, as I read a lot of good things about them before, but my experience with Cimarron was fairly off-putting.
My experience may not have been reflective of Pietta in general, as I read a lot of good things about them before, but my experience with Cimarron was fairly off-putting.
Last edited:
Barbaroja
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Well, in all the time I’ve spent In the woods, I’ve encountered only one bear up close and as soon as it knew I was there it has headed for the next county in the opposite direction. I believe this is the typical encounter. I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable carrying a single action at all. In fact I do.
ontarget
Member
For the well practiced gunslinger I might agree. Most are not well practiced with firing a SA quickly.
I have a pair of nickle Pietta 1873's in 45 Colt.
No issues with them at all. Except the bottom one has 4 clicks of the hammer with a hammer mounted firing pin. The top only has 3 clicks w/ a transfer bar safety.
Theoretically you can carry 6 rounds in the one with the transfer bar safety. I believe in only carrying 5 in SAA style revolvers.
As far as sub $700 DA 45 Colts - the Taurus Judge and Charter Arms come to mind. I don't care for either company.
I have a Ruger Redhawk in 45acp / 45 Colt:
No issues with them at all. Except the bottom one has 4 clicks of the hammer with a hammer mounted firing pin. The top only has 3 clicks w/ a transfer bar safety.
Theoretically you can carry 6 rounds in the one with the transfer bar safety. I believe in only carrying 5 in SAA style revolvers.
As far as sub $700 DA 45 Colts - the Taurus Judge and Charter Arms come to mind. I don't care for either company.
I have a Ruger Redhawk in 45acp / 45 Colt:
I read your thread and think your time, $, and frustration would've been better spent on shipping it to a gunsmith that specializes tuning Italian SAA revolvers.
@45 Dragoon tunes Italian Black Powder Revolvers. You might ask him if he works on FFL guns.
http://www.goonsgunworks.com/
There are a few good places out there that tune Italian cowboy guns. I have a Stoeger Coach Gun that was tuned by:
https://www.longhunt.com/web/index.php
They also tune Italian SAA clones:
https://www.longhunt.com/web/index.php?page=models-colt-sa-colt-clones
My Piettas SAA clones work just fine. However, I'm not that picky. Neither seem gritty to me. I also have 3 Uberti 357 mag revolvers.
If Bear are a consideration for a carry gun, I'll bring the above mention Ruger Redhawk or my 10mm:
James K2020
Member
Here's a Cimarron/Uberti 1875 Remington Outlaw clone with dual cylinders 45 Colt/45ACP.
Personally, I may choose a .357 magnum for bears and such like this Pietta 1873- if you want single action. A DA Ruger may be a smarter choice.
Personally, I may choose a .357 magnum for bears and such like this Pietta 1873- if you want single action. A DA Ruger may be a smarter choice.
Choctaw
Member
I live in North Texas so I don't know the first thing about bears. I do know quite a bit about Piettas and have never had a problem with one. I do pop surly pigs with mine and have had good results. But I do like the suggestion above about looking for a Redhawk although I doubt you will find one for $700 or under. For pigs and deer you just don't need a lot of umph out of 45 Colt to do the job. For bears I might want to upload a bit.
i would think that a well-practiced 9mm semiauto pistol with which you can consistently hit your target in a mag dump, then reload, would be fine outside of brown bear and moose territory. and i write so as a fan of ruger single action revolvers and not a deep-woodsman.
but, if you are looking to get a single action revolver, i’m here to applaud. get a ruger two-cylinder, convertible model in 45lc/acp or 357/38/9. use the 45acp or 9mm cylinder for cheaper fun, use the 45lc or 357mag cylinder for serious business.
i have an italian 357/38 single action revolver. it shoots ok but is nowhere near the “built like a brick outhouse” dependable quality of a ruger. used ruger single action revolvers, due to their stoutness and ruger’s superb warranty, are great values. there is no way i would buy a used italian clone.
but, if you are looking to get a single action revolver, i’m here to applaud. get a ruger two-cylinder, convertible model in 45lc/acp or 357/38/9. use the 45acp or 9mm cylinder for cheaper fun, use the 45lc or 357mag cylinder for serious business.
i have an italian 357/38 single action revolver. it shoots ok but is nowhere near the “built like a brick outhouse” dependable quality of a ruger. used ruger single action revolvers, due to their stoutness and ruger’s superb warranty, are great values. there is no way i would buy a used italian clone.
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.45Coltguy
Member
You'll be fine with either a Pietta or a Uberti/Taylors 1873 SAA replica in .45 Colt. I have both and handload 250gr rnfp coated and 8.0gr Unique. It's at 925 fps MV and it will do just about anything your asking of it. Don't worry about the Italian replicas; they're fine revolvers. My Taylors looks exactly like the matte finished one that drobs posted. Excellent shooter.
Roverguy
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This unfortunate information is widely bandied about. It is an attempt to address pressure ceilings with a velocity restriction. The revolver in question is suitable for any SAAMI standard 45 Colt load.
My bro in law said to get a 10mm instead but I’m much more partial and accurate with revolvers. Plus I’ve been told 10s can be quite the buckers (thinking for my wife if I’d for some reason be unable to shoot) and believe it or not 45 ammo is easier to find out here
.45Coltguy
Member
IMO, you'll enjoy the .45 Colt . Low pressure round that is comfortable to shoot. Besides, it's old school!
.45Coltguy
Member
Side note here: That Pietta also come with a .45 acp cylinder? Mine did. Lots of fun there.
