Uberti va Pietta

Status
Not open for further replies.
Too bad Uberti can't make their arbors a hair longer.

Too bad Pietta won't stop crapping up nearly every surface of their guns with stampings.

While it is true that Uberti does not put their black powder only warning on the side of the barrel but under the loading lever, I find that the proof stamps, date and company codes stamped on the side of the frame where the barrel is, to be deep clear and obvious. From a distance it looks like an Asian symbolic language.

On the Pietta it's more faded despite the black powder warning, but I am not sure if that is because it is older. I can live with either but I wish they were all under the lever.


The Ruger Old Army (very highly recommended) has got to be one of if not the safest, strongest, most forgiving cap and ball revolvers made. Even though it's not historically correct it's style does resemble a 19th century cap and ball revolver and no one can see what is inside (modern coil springs) but you can sure feel it when you cock it and pull the trigger.
 
Last edited:
A THR member [named fineredmist] who I know from my local gun club bought a new Uberti Paterson that could not fire more than 2 rounds without binding.
He sent it to Uberti to be fixed but they said that they couldn't fix it at a reasonable cost and because it was discontinued, they sent him a Dragoon as a replacement.--->>> https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/uberti-paterson.444805/#post-5539583
He was very happy with the Dragoon, but the Paterson was a bit of a disappointment.

The EMF website shows that Pietta still makes the Paterson revolver and lists it as "temporarily out of stock" & "coming soon".--->>> https://www.emf-company.com/store/pc/1836-Texas-Paterson-c531.htm
 
Last edited:
Uberti vs Pietta---

414087946.jpg


There is this typical brass frame .44, from 1969 in this case. It's kind of stretched out a bit and the locking bolt is digging a canal in the cylinder...kind of a crude piece...

414087947.jpg

...but it's a Uberti. So all the makers are following the same path, heh? The ones that are still with us, anyway.

We have a current Pietta SAA replica at the shop, the kind with the screw securing the cylinder axis pin, and it is every bit as nice as the Uberti "El Patron" I got two weeks ago.
So Uberti vs Pietta = Dead Heat maybe?
-----krinko
 
Regarding the Paterson reproductions, the problems are inherent in the original design and not so much in whether they are made by Uberti or Pietta. At one time Patersons were made by both. Uberti wisely gave up on this project first. Pietta is still supposedly making them, but they are hard to find. Judging from existing examples, the Ubertis were better made, and sell for a premium. This is not a gun you want to shoot unless you like nonstop aggravation.
 
Regarding the Paterson reproductions, the problems are inherent in the original design and not so much in whether they are made by Uberti or Pietta. At one time Patersons were made by both. Uberti wisely gave up on this project first. Pietta is still supposedly making them, but they are hard to find. Judging from existing examples, the Ubertis were better made, and sell for a premium. This is not a gun you want to shoot unless you like nonstop aggravation.

There's some good reviews of the Pietta Paterson and they did perform well despite the flaws with the original Colt design.
Duelist54 did a video review of the Pietta Paterson [not the Uberti].
And this reviewer claims that he shot a 1.5" group with the Pietta version:--->>> https://www.guns.com/news/review/colt-paterson-reproduction-by-pietta-is-a-worthwhile-experience

The Paterson was the 1st model Colt ever produced and has historical interest which is why collectors still want them despite problems with the original design.
And unlike Uberti, it appears that they're at least willing to do their best to continue to make working models of it for those so dedicated.
And it also speaks to the perseverance of Pietta.

 
Last edited:
20181213_014528.jpg This has been an interesting thread for sure!! As far as working on them, it takes just as much time for either (we're talking new offerings here)! Both manufacturers have their "in house" problems. The time it takes to correct the arbor on an Uberti is offset by the extra time it takes to deal with the action parts in the Pietta. The parts in the Uberti are probably the finest ever offered in a C&B revolver whereas the Piettas are closer to modern versions of the '70s parts. With Pietta's though, you can "mix and match" barrel lengths (make sure you stay "in caliber"!) to make your own " fantasy " revolver. Also, you can't ignore the price of Piettas. When you keep your line of products to a "one size fits all" configuration, you can keep prices low. On the other hand, Uberti offers Walkers, Dragoons, pocket revolvers in various models in pretty much the correct scale (all with excellent action parts) so, the cost reflects the parts quality and the variety. Sorta "you get what you pay for" thing.

If you want to throw in ROAs, they are without question the finest C&B revolvers ever produced but of course, copies of nothing (except maybe a C&B version of a Blackhawk). But, like all things mechanical, they can be improved substantially!! Like removing the spring and plunger from behind the trigger and using a torsion spring in the frame for it. A redesign of the bolt spring allows for easier installation of a bolt block. And, an adjustable action stop completes the additions/redesigns on top of tuning/adjusting the action. The result is an even more robust and mechanically accurate ROA!!
Of course, the previously mentioned Uberti and Pietta revolvers (sorry, no Paterson's) can also be brought up to the coil spring reliability and action toughness of the Ruger. This includes Remington's which is a first for a coil hand, bolt and trigger spring (this extends to the '75 and '90 cart. guns as well!)

So, no matter what flavor, none are necessarily perfect but they are all worthy of a place on the shelf or in the holster. I'd hate to ever loose Uberti or Pietta!!
The photo is an ASM action with a coil/ torsion spring conversion.
Mike
 
Last edited:
45 Dragoon, you are talking for the ones of us that want one tuned and right. For the everyday Joe that just want's a gun to go play with from time to time is what I was referring too when I said Pietta. At least even though some are rough the Piettas are usually shootable right out of the box. I've seen more Ubertis that were not and really ALL Ubertis should have the arbor fixed right before even shooting them to expect them to function as they should and get good repeatable accuracy. For the life of me I can't understand why Uberti doesn't address the arbor issue, they have been making them wrong for 40 years or more and continue to do so.
 
Cowhide, I was :

A- really trying to show that no matter what one chooses, they all have their deficiencies but they can all be made into very reliable shooters.

B- really posting a shameless plug for myself.

C- A & B

( it's "C" ! Pick "C"!!)

But really, Uberti's may eventually tear themselves up because of the arbor problem (depending on loads used) but they my last a very long time because the action parts are more forgiving. Cowboy Action shooters shoot very light loads which gives their Uberti's a better chance at survival.

Pietta's may eventually tear themselves up because the thick action parts will typically grind themselves to pieces but they may last because the cam may be shorter than the norm. It won't be because the arbor is too short.

The ROA will last because it was made like a Blackhawk but it will typically cost 2-3 times as much.

Of course (commercial begins here*) the Italians can be appointed to give the equivalent life and reliability of the more expensive Ruger and maybe still have less expense than the Ruger (the action is actually more like a Freedom Arms action).

Mike
 
For years, Pietta was rough as a cob, inside and out and Uberti made a much better gun. Both companies have made strides in quality over the last 20yrs but Pietta has seriously upped their game in the last several. Uberti has upped theirs since and today their case colors are almost as nice as the real thing. If you buy a new production gun, it's a tough decision to screw up. I would buy the individual sixgun for its configuration, not one brand over the other.
 
My Uberti Pocket Navy barely would fire before I stoned every surface (not to mention the short arbor etc.). It's been a total PITA! But it's beautiful and I love it! (a model not made by Pietta).

My Pietta 1851 Navy came with a broken trigger spring, but otherwise fired perfectly out of the box. My Pietta 1858 Remington shot perfectly out of the box. Didnt even feel the need to slick it up or anything!

Maybe I got a Monday morning Uberti, but *my* Piettas were way closer to a finely functioning firearm out of the box...
 
Last edited:
For years, the gouge has been that Pietta did a better Remington, Uberti a better Colt. Although both makers entry-level guns were made to a price point. They delivered a lot of gun for the money, but not the best work they could do. Pietta did a "Shooter's Model" Remington that was much superior. The Pedersolis are excellent. And the Hege-Remingtons are magnificent performers...although the best shooting I ever did was with an original.
 
I have 4 Piettas
2 1858 remington sheriffs in 44 with a Kirst 45 colt conversion and 2 1873 thunderers in 45 colt
jChUrGt.jpg

And one Uberti 1871 Navy in 38spl
FjVRrfL.jpg

I have not had an issue with any of them other then losing the wedge on the 1871 on the second to last stage at a cowboy action match earlier this year and that was my fault for not double checking it.
 
Nice collection KMD. I really like that 71. I want a pair of those in .45

The 1871 was my first single action that is not a 45. I have have had to cut back on my loads due to nerve damage in my hands an 30 grains of holy black and a 250 grain bullet were to much for me to shoot a match so I switched to 45 cowboy specials and 38 special and now I am still able to compete.
Still slow but still competing
 
I'm interested in a cap and ball revolver. Both these companies make the common varieties, Colt and Remington. Is there a difference in quality?
Easy. Pietta is what I'd choose every time, unless it's something Pietta doesn't offer. Piettas are cheaper, tend to hold more powder, the hammers have more power behind those for better ignition, and although you might get a lower quality finish and need to replace the hand and spring a couple times before you get 1 that works longer than a dozen or so shots, I still think Pietta's better value for the money. I mean, would you rather have a failure to fire every few shots or possibly replace a part after a dozen shots? Then there's the form VS function debate. Do you prefer prettier looks or something that just works better?
 
.75 Kal,
You start off promoting Pietta but end up on the side of Uberti!? You talk about having to replace parts until you get "one that works" which increases the "cost of" which is basically the main reason for spending a few bucks more for one that is "prettier" (typically) and comes with the finest action parts ever put in a cap gun of any generation. Cool.

Mike
 
Last edited:
Expat-Alaska: beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, IMHO the R&S is as good looking as a Remington. Unfortunately they are out of production. Based on my experience with my R&S I consider them to be superior to both the Colt and Remington and surpassed only by the Ruger.
 
First, I've been shooting my Piettas for a while now without having to replace the fore mentioned parts. They've shot fine right out of the box.
KMD, have you ever thought of using a RB in place of a bullet ? You'd have a lot less recoil and I don't think a accuracy would suffer.
I'm hung up on a traditional looking pistol.
 
Tell me why.

I will get one when I want an ugly gun. I know it is a version of the Whitneyville gun, but still not an eye pleaser.

Glad to know some folks like them.

Jim
The other thing about the Rogers & Spencer is they are not prone to binding up due to fouling. I have three of them and they seem to run all day long without any attention. Just keep loading up and shooting.
 
The other thing about the Rogers & Spencer is they are not prone to binding up due to fouling. I have three of them and they seem to run all day long without any attention. Just keep loading up and shooting.
Just like a Uberti Colt! Happy New Year!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top