Question about the Pietta 1860 snub nose

[Dreadnought]

I am considering purchasing a used pietta 1860 army snub nose. I remember cabela's used to sell these. Does anyone remember how much these were sold for?

Also, I would like to state that I am pleasently surprised how nice and well made the pietta firearms now seem to be. I had one maybe 20 years ago and to be honest it was a piece of crap. The pietta mentioned above appears very well made. Fit finish looked great. the timing right on the money, and it locked up tighter than a clams ass at low tide.

I just might have to take another look at those pietta's now.

Regards,
Dread

 

[Yankee John]

I bought mine in late 2005 for $149.99 on-sale. They were discontinued shortly after that- You'll have to find a used one now.

Mine is one of my favorites- it is a slick shooter & surprisingly accurate at 25-30 yards. It's a honey!

Good luck in your search,
John

 

[Phantom Captain]

Hi Dreadnought,

Let me first say welcome to the board!

I can't speak for the snub but I have a Pietta 1860 Army that I am very happy with. Mine too is timed right, locks up and shoots very nicely! It's pretty accurate too. I think you will be pleased with the Pietta's these days. All the Italian replicas have tiny little things that you have to tinker with but that's half the fun in my opinion. I've not had a lemon with either the Pietta or Uberti's.

 

[Gunfixr]

I have a pair of the Pieta full sized 1860s and use them for CAS. I have done some work to them for competition, but all in all they are fine weapons, and work great.

 

[mykeal]

Good to hear another anecdote about improving Pietta quality. Nice to see that happen.

I have 4 Pietta's, 3 made before 1981 and one in 2001; the 3 earlier guns are significantly better quality than the 2001, although it's not too bad. I think I got a little lucky on that one.

I also have 4 Uberti's, made in 1981, 1997, 1998 and 2006. All are very well built, but needed some smoothing on the action parts to approach perfection.

And 1 Colt 3rd Generation (Signature) - it is virtually a work of art.

 

[ArmedBear]

Does black powder work okay in a large caliber snub nose? Stuff burns awfully slow. Still-burning powder grains can be seen in most photographs of 8" barrel .44 BP revolvers, coming from the muzzle.

 

[mykeal]

Does black powder work okay in a large caliber snub nose?

Try this thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=285574

 

[ArmedBear]

That's a .38 Special with a 4" or 5" barrel.

The Pietta is a .44 with a 2" barrel if I remember correctly.

HUGE difference in diameter and length, when you're talking about slow powder.

 

[Coyote Rider]

If the snub nose is the same as the "pocket" models, Thunder Ridge Muzzleloading has some by Uberti

www.thunder-ridge-muzzleloading.com/ revolvers.htm

 

[Dreadnought]

My Pietta snub has a 3 1/2" barrel.

 

[subgunner]

VTI Gun Parts have 3" barrels. Made one up, but had to fit a new wedge in the barrel. See link for some Real snubnose, Avenging Angel colt's http://www.ugca.org/ugca1099/ugca1099main.htm