Well, it just happened. Went to Cabela's website to look at their 1863 pocket revolvers. I was looking around and saw they had the 1851 brass frame sheriffs .44 on sale for $149.99. I couldn't resist it, had to get one.
Good for you! I know you are new to this BP C&B realm, and I think you just want to shoot the guns. That's not a bad price at all for a new .44 brasser,
really. Just remember to start with 20-22 grains of BP per chamber (I think Pietta recommends far less for their CYA stuff in the paperwork you receive with it). You will still get a nice "boom" and smoke, and the brasser will last a long time at those loads. With the Pietta's proper arbor length concerning the barrel lug arbor depth, the wedge should fit the same way, same depth every time, and the barrel/cylinder gap should remain the same tight tolerance. Should it change you need to check your loads and to see if the cylinder is backing into the recoil shield. While it is new, take some pics of the rear of the cylinder and the front of the recoil shield for comparison down the road for your personal info.
I am pleased that you bought it new rather than some of the beat up, overloaded, overshot guns on GB or other sites for more money. You will have a much better time of it.
If you have cash burning a hole in your pocket, keep checking Cabela's website every other day. Since BPS (Bass Pro Shops) holds a major controlling/marketing interest in Cabela's operation these days, my personal opinion is that BPS wants to get out of BP entirely, and that eventually means Cabela's. I have been to two stores in WA and BPS counter folks, when asked about BP guns, give you the deer-in-the-headlights look: no clue.
And I am not a fan of those fantasy guns, but...
Maint, enjoy and learn. No one learns it in a short while.
Have a good night, sir!
Jim