Why i won't buy a Pietta: Open Letter

[jmar]

Simple. Piettas markings that go across the barrel, why do they think it's a good idea? Why not make it hidden like other brands, Only reason they're used is to identify the gun, and also to know to use "black powder only" 'more on that later'. Well those are both things that need to be done only ONCE, after that its just a huge cosmetic flaw.

About the black powder only, why can't this just be in the manual? It's common sense, anybody new to the hobby has to do their research anyways, you cant just go buy cartridges. You need powder, a measuring tool, flask, primers, and projectiles at the minimum! If you haven't learnt or consulted your manual by then, it's entirely your fault not the companies. Of course if this is a legal issue then fine but make it hidden like Ubertis!

Again the markings are something that is used once per owner, after that its completely irrelevant and just makes these guns ugly. The manufacturer mark is something that should be on the gun but is there a reason its right on the side of the barrel in the largest lettering possible? Pietta do you think you get free marketing this way? I think this gives you less sales personally. Why not again... hide it!? Even putting it somewhere completely hidden like covered by the trigger guard would put you steps above the competition. If someone is curious what brand it is they'll ask the owner.

The reason this is a big deal is some people want to use their guns in films, reenactions, pictures, etc. Even people who like to age and weather their guns have no chance on making their guns look classic.



So to sum it up, please change your markings Pietta. You make good quality guns that no other brands make, but i refuse to buy for the reasons stated and many others agree. Thanks



This is essentially the letter im sending Pietta
If you feel the same way please contact them to tell them how you feel, this is the olny way there will be a change! Here is their email, EMAIL THEM!: [email protected]

 

[drband]

It's a lawyer/legal thing. Maybe they have been sued. Just look at Ruger products to see the extreme effect lawsuits have on barrel markings.
BTW, I agree with you!

 

[Armored farmer]

I also agree with you.
.....however, Pietta makes fine revolvers.

 

[jmar]

Maybe, but maybe not still worth an email. They could at least change the size of the markings if it is in fact a legal issue. Here's an example of just how bad it is.

 

[M-Cameron]

5 minutes with a file and some cold blue will solve that problem......probably less time to fix the issue than it took you to gripe about it..

 

[zimmerstutzen]

By Italian law, they are required to include certain markings on their guns. Manuals get separated from guns and fools, in their eager ignorance, will use what ever powder is handy. There was an incident near here that a man accidentally killed his brother when a c & b revolver exploded. There are far to many beer swilling bubbas lacking the gray matter of fruit flies who would injure them selves and sue the company putting them out of business.
Ya can't fix stupid. Stupid will find a way around the fix. I never understood why folks get so upset by manufacturing labels on black powder guns, yet never make such complaints about cartridge guns, whether bpcr or modern.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Pietta revolvers are great. There is nothing wrong with them, and the markings look sharp. They are just their for legal reasons and to prevent someone from getting hurt.

 

[mec]

I doubt they will be moved by an email campaign. they have marked up their products with an obstreperous amount of Pietta literature for decades and must not find this a problem when it comes to their bottom line Some living history performers go to considerable effort "defarbing" them Nothing in Italian law prohibits careful placement of what ever proof marks and warnings are necessary- NOTHING. For example, A Uberti Colt Replica 60 Army has the full Uberti name and black powder only language on the bottom of the barrel under the loading lever. The box with the date code as well as proof marks are unobtrusive on the right side of the frame.
Cimarron imports often have significant markings in the same location and style as on the original arms requiring close inspection to tell them from originals
Even PIetta has produced the Le Mat revolver The Smith Carbine and the problematic Starr Replicas with a minimum of anachronistic schlock and they could do so on their more widely distributed replicas if they chose to do so.

 

[mgmorden]

I've never really gotten the railing against the "billboards" that so many seem to hate. It's a gun. Guns typically have writing on them. It serves as quick identification and protects the maker form lawsuits.

For that latter you PARTICULARLY don't want those markings "hidden". Warning markings are supposed to be in an obvious place otherwise you defeat their purpose, and it could certainly be brought up in a suit that even if an market was there it wasn't obvious enough.

 

[expat_alaska]

jmar:

If you don't like 'em, don't buy 'em.

Just spend 10 times the amount of money on a REAL Colt/Remington/et al that has not much finish, probably well-worn (both internally and externally), banged-up wood, pitted bore, and you'll be proud as punch!

At least you won't be bothered by a few proof marks, manufacturer's logo (gosh, didn't Sam put his name on the top of the barrel/Colt's Patent on the left side of the frame), and other distracting markings.

BTW, Pietta's website, at last glance, has not been updated since 2008 and they do not respond to many emails (personal experience when asking for info on certain parts).

Good luck on your campaign.

Jim

 

[JN01]

You could just buy a Uberti with much less obtrusive markings.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

OR you could start a campaign to remove all warning labels so that Darwin could once again thin the bad genetic material from the gene pool.......

 

[Crawdad1]

Uberti puts all their markings under the loading lever where they should be. You could always have the Pietta revolver defarbed, which will take off all the markings including the 'proof' marks.

http://cartridgeconversion.com/

"Italian markings Removal "defarbing"."

http://www.harpersferrycivilwarguns.com/services

 

[Panzerschwein]

jmar:

If you don't like 'em, don't buy 'em.

Just spend 10 times the amount of money on a REAL Colt/Remington/et al that has not much finish, probably well-worn (both internally and externally), banged-up wood, pitted bore, and you'll be proud as punch!

At least you won't be bothered by a few proof marks, manufacturer's logo (gosh, didn't Sam put his name on the top of the barrel/Colt's Patent on the left side of the frame), and other distracting markings.

BTW, Pietta's website, at last glance, has not been updated since 2008 and they do not respond to many emails (personal experience when asking for info on certain parts).

Good luck on your campaign.

Jim

+1

Jmar, their is always Uberti. If not, get an original. There is nothing wrong with Pietta.

 

[jmar]

Defarbing isn't as easy as you all say it is, it always leaves a noticeable indentation, i never said to remove them. Just to put them in a less noticeable place like under the loading lever. If you guys like the large branding than fine, but most people agree that it needs to be streamlined.

 

[4v50 Gary]

So long as it's on the side of an octagon barrel, I'd surface grind it if it bothered me.

 

[Crawdad1]

Defarbing isn't as easy as you all say it is, it always leaves a noticeable indentation, i never said to remove them. Just to put them in a less noticeable place like under the loading lever. If you guys like the large branding than fine, but most people agree that it needs to be streamlined.

Defarbing is not taking a file to the metal. Its a completely different process and does not leave an indentation. Call those guys I listed at their web-sites or look at their guns, there ain't no indentation.

 

[jmar]

So long as it's on the side of an octagon barrel, I'd surface grind it if it bothered me.

My whole thinking process here is that we shouldn't have to grind our brand new guns... I also think it would be most noticeable on a octagonal barrel, for one you'd have to do the whole flat and when that's done it will be much wider than before and the two next to it will be much narrower giving the gun a asymmetrical look.

 

[jmar]

Defarbing is not taking a file to the metal. Its a completely different process and does not leave an indentation. Call those guys I listed at their web-sites or look at their guns, there ain't no indentation.

Maybe so, but i don't want to pay $50 for it when it should come that way from the factory. We can just tell Pietta we don't like it and they'll consider changing it. Without a fight the battle can't be won.

 

[MaterDei]

I never understood why folks get so upset by manufacturing labels on black powder guns, yet never make such complaints about cartridge guns, whether bpcr or modern.

We complain all the time. The Ruger billboard is awful. This is just a part of one.

 

[Crawdad1]

Maybe so, but i don't want to pay $50 for it when it should come that way from the factory. We can just tell Pietta we don't like it and they'll consider changing it. Without a fight the battle can't be won.

I agree!!! Pietta makes a beautiful revolver but their markings and where they put them makes no sense. That's one of the reasons I just buy Uberti revolvers.

 

[jmar]

I agree!!! Pietta makes a beautiful revolver but their markings and where they put them makes no sense. That's one of the reasons I just buy Uberti revolvers.

Yep i'll always buy Uberti over Pietta just for these reasons, but unfortunately Uberti doesn't make tons of guns Pietta does like that little Remington.

 

[expat_alaska]

If you guys like the large branding than fine, but most people agree that it needs to be streamlined.

Define "most people". Guys in your neighborhood?

No one ever said defarbing is easy. Where did you grab on to that?

Insofar as branding, Sam Colt did his best insofar as branding. Look it up: "'51 Colt Navies" (Nathan Swayze) or P.L. Shumaker's treatise on 1848/1949 Pocket Pistols. I think you have a bit of education coming. And, if you have a bit of extra income, Jordan's book is great.

That was at least 150 years ago, and I think that any modern replica C&B manufacturers since the 1950's would put their stamp on their modern production, some ASM pistols imported by Replica Arms to be otherwise.

To think otherwise is folly.

Jim

 

[jmar]

Define "most people". Guys in your neighborhood?

No one ever said defarbing is easy. Where did you grab on to that?

Insofar as branding, Sam Colt did his best insofar as branding. Look it up: "'51 Colt Navies" (Nathan Swayze) or P.L. Shumaker's treatise on 1848/1949 Pocket Pistols. I think you have a bit of education coming. And, if you have a bit of extra income, Jordan's book is great.

That was at least 150 years ago, and I think that any modern replica C&B manufacturers since the 1950's would put their stamp on their modern production, some ASM pistols imported by Replica Arms to be otherwise.

To think otherwise is folly.

Jim

By most people i mean the thousands of guys i've seen that say they dislike it.... There can't be a Uberti vs Pietta thread without people bringing up Piettas markings. I think you are in the minority here, if you can stomach them great! Just think beyond yourself for all the people wanting this change.

 

[LonesomePigeon]

I would like Pietta better if they put the markings underneath but I would still buy one even if they don't.