You failed to note that the Pietta has replaceable cam on hammer, stud to mount extractor housings, and replaceable bushing in recoil shield - like Colt.
You are absolutely correct, I likely could have doubled the in depth analysis of these, it was my first video I made was concerned it would be too winded!
Both of these companies got started in the replica business through association with Val Forgett of Navy Arms Company. He took new machine drawings made from the best museum examples that could be found and brought them to Italy and contracted them to be made by them (Armi San Marco as well). Initially the Italian gun companies were reluctant to commit because they did not think there was a market for them. Val was not asking them to build them on spec, he reminded them that all the guns he was requesting were already sold, he was buying them. The rest is history, the replica firearms industry was born. He also introduced them to using lost wax casting for making firearms parts (he worked on this with his friend Bill Ruger). This technique keeps costs down, minimizes fitting and increases uniformity of parts.
That is true with many replica firearms. An important thing to remember though is the quality of steel and processing abilities have advanced so far that it doesn’t make a large difference.
I don't see that as a bad thing. I've tried original case hardening, and it is difficult to achieve for me. The level of workmanship in these new firearms is amazing for the cost. @@OutlawExtreme
I totally agree with you on the Pitta on the cylinder pin. It’s a pain in the neck to line up to notches, but I have a question for you if you read this in the comments are the cylinder pins interchangeable if so will the notches in the pitta gun work with the other pin. Great video to very informative. Just what I was looking for. Thanks 👍🏻
I have a Pietta, and I changed the Cylinder Pin to a Uberti model on the first day. I have to say it's a much better design and they do fit the Pietta without any problems. Switch yours out and you'll be happy you did...
Thank you from Austria! That was interesting. Now I am going to replace the basepin of my Pietta with the basepin of the Uberti. Then it can no longer come loose when firing the Pietta SAA.
I hate the flats on the Pietta cylinder pin. I wonder if I can machine the flat into a round to be more like the Uberti? Other than that I really like the Pietta.
I having issues deciding between an actual Colt, Pietta, Uberti and Cimarron. I read on multiple places that Pietta makes the closes clones to Colt without spending $2K. I’m looking into the nickel Pietta. What would you recommend?
I am thinking of a Pietta GW2 Californian. It says on EMF website that ''guns feature hammer forged steel barrels and frames that are drop forged and then CNC machined''. Does anyone know if that is special in anyway?
All they are describing is the Forging processes used. Hammer Forged is the same as drop forged to my knowledge. A large striker is used to hammer the steel into a die that is later machined. The other option I am aware of is press forged.
Cimarron has higher import standards than some other importers and will tune the guns before resale in many instances, each importer has different requirements, I have Uberti’s from several importers and they work fine, my brother has a pietta cimarron that has a much smoother and lighter action out of the box.
On all of them though, the bolt springs have a tendency to be weak or break and the mainsprings are usually fine but a little bit overly strong. I recommend getting a spring kit when you buy one of these. It's a very small price for a nice overall upgrade.
Ive got a question - is there any different in functionality in differetnt drum catch part? Is these part is changeble? I have old Uberti 1860 and need a conuterparts but have no idea what to buy
What are the interchangeability of the grips? I have a pietta 1873 gen ii and want to get some wood grips. What would be the best way to go about that?
No two are alike. You will have to fit the grips to the frame. The Uberti guns are all over the place as far as grips fitting from one gun to the next.
There are some revolvers such as the judge that are chambered for them. However pull up a ballistics spec sheet on the .45LC and you’ll see why they are discontinued. You can run hot loads in a modern non replica, but original loads do not compare in muzzle velocity, impact inertia or accuracy. Also the lack of extractor lip on the casing makes it a revolver only ammunition. From the data I was reading earlier in 2021 13 semi automatic pistols were purchased to every 1 revolver. I enjoy shooting them, but not my idea of a daily carry. I no longer even carry my J frame.
From what I understand, Taylors does not make their SAA pistols. That are made by Uberti, who also make SAA'S for Cimarron. Pietta makes them for Cimarron as well.
@@OutlawExtreme Uberti makes most all reproductions and Pietta is the other company. Most everyone else like Armi San Marco is long out of business. Armi San Marco made a very accurate 1860 Army Richard's conversion with the sight on the cylinder ring a spring loaded frame mounted firing pin and a flat face hammer like the original.
Because of that retractable firing pin I'll not be buying Uberti any longer it ruined the gun. I was understand that isn't going to be put in the 1851 Navy 1860 Army or the open tops only the SAA 1873s. Hope that's true.
Can the Uberti with single base-pin notch , take the Uberti 2 notch base-pin ? It seems they still left the whole in the back of the frame . I really like the idea of the safety in the base-pin.
I'm more interested in which one is closest, dimensionally, to the original Colts. I have a 1990's vintage Armi San Marco that is supposed to be 100% interchangeable with Colts, and every Colt part I've tried to put on it (including screws!) has fit.
Finally a useful video. But when you get older and more experienced you may find stamping the name Colt on something doesn't make it better just more expensive.
You are absolutely right. The only point I was making was that these are clones of the Colt, and like all clones there is varying levels of quality. I will say colt has gone downhill, especially with their 1911s
Uburti cylinders are 20 thousandths of a inch larger in diameter than Pietta or Colt. Also Pietta cylinders due in fact have removable base pin bushing.
I'm looking for a birdshead model to EDC but find the prices a little out of range. Is there a way to convert a plow handle Pietra or Uberti to a birdshead style?
I nickel plated 3 black powder revolvers two Uberti and one Pietta. With nickel I find that brightness is dependent on polish of the metal before plating. The guns looked pretty good until I stripped teh blue off em. The brass grip frames were pretty much rough The first cylinder I plated was just stripped and lightly polished and I was not happy with the way it came out.
I have a Pietta with the smaller Navy Grip, will that Larger Army Size Grip- Back Strap and Trigger Guard from the Uberti fit on my Pietta? I really want a larger grip than the Navy provides.
Okay... I just received the Uberti 1873 cattleman- 1860 Army Sized Grip, backstrap and Trigger Guard parts to try and swap out on my Pietta 1873 Great western II- Navy Size Grips. These Uberti and Pietta parts have too many Fitment issues between them to make a conversion possible, so don't try it. I'm having a very difficult time finding the correct Pietta parts to do the conversion myself.
Hello, I have an Uberti Cattlema and I'm having troubles with some short of plumber and spring that don't belong to the gate but that were, apparently, inside of the Cattleman., I don't know whether it would be possible for you to help me out or not. I disassembled the gun but those two pieces (a plumber and an spring) came out from the trigger zone not belonging to the gate, because I didn't disassemble it. Fortunately I have both of them but I don't have the slightest clue about how to assemble them if there are any pieces like that. And unfortunately the diagram doesn't show it... Thanks in advice.
@@OutlawExtreme thank you brother, it is driving me crazy, apart from the gate and the hand spring I do really belive there is no other little spring in it but I have no clue, perhaps there is something in the trigger bolt/short stroke zone but I cannot identify it.
I believe that you are referring to the Handspring and Plunger. On a Pietta, they can fall out when removing the grip and Back Strap and can be lost easily because they are small. On the Uberti, they are held in place with a Cap Screw which I think is a better design.
Thank you, great video, best I seen on these type of shooters, learned alot. I'm leaning towards getting the Pietta 1873 45LC 4.75" gunfighter with the color case & octagon barrel. I here it is not correct, but I think it looks nice. I like the round barrel of course also. What's your opinion on this pistol I mentioned?
Did I miss the disassembly part you have in your description? I had a spring left over I did not intentionally remove. I can see it on your towel, but without the disassembly mentioned in your description I have no idea where it came from. I don't see it in Uberti exploded views.
next time show reinstalling parts/ the uberti will go together faster the pietta cylinder to close tolerances its hard to get lined up with the pin or get past the gate.
Personally I think it's stupid to have a six-shooter if you're not gonna load six. I load six rounds, stick it at half cock, and then twist the cylinder and drop the hammer between case rims. The case rim prevents the cylinder from twisting the live round in front of the pin. But hypothetically if somehow the pin did get behind a cartridge, the chance of the hammer detonating the primer is low and thanks to Alec Baldwin there's plenty of proof videos that the hammer dropping from half cock is not sufficient to detonate a primer.
@@jerichosamurai no, but it makes marks or dents in the cylinder or drag marks and most people like to keep these guns looking nice rather than all the shots or performance from. They’re kind of nice looking toys to play with. If someone wants the highest performance they would get a semi automatic pistol.
@@quickturn66 "Engravings... have no tactical advantage whatsoever." Cosmetic flaws have no tactic disadvantage either. If it was less than $600 I don't care if it gets beat to hell, so long as it shoots in a straight line and doesn't hiccup when I need it most. That's why I bought myself an AK and called it a night.
Growing up around crime I remember guys handing their (someone's long gone gun) single action pistol and shooting themselves. My advice to you collectors is to keep an unloaded s a out so if someone steals from you they are highly likely to shoot themselves for you
Cimarron Firearms owner, Mike Harvey, started ordering guns from both Pietta and Uberti, and because he saw a difference between the Italian clones and the Colt 1873, he sent Colts from his collection to both companies. He also has his own employee stationed at both companies to oversee the production of firearms being sent to Cimarron. Taylor’s does their own business with the Italians and has no interest in Cimarron. I have a 1902 Colt SAA that’s factory engraved nickel finished and I have a blued and case colored Pietta made Cimarron Frontier. The Colt is a collectible and the Cimarron is to shoot. In my opinion the Pietta made Cimarron is better quality than Uberti. I don’t know whether Mike Harvey plans to keep selling Uberti SAA.s when they completely get away from one to one clones which they have pretty much done already, because Mike is a stickler for authenticity. If you haven’t seen Mike Harvey talk about Cimarron and his relationships with both Uberti and Pietta, then you should watch Cimarron’s RUclips channel.
You would be wise to pull the hammer back one click and let it rest in that notch on a four click model. That first click was designed as a safety to carry all the chambers loaded. The safest way is to load only five and let the firing pin rest on an empty chamber. When I was younger I always loaded six and relied on the first click notch, but as I got a little older I realized one accidental discharge in the holster and if it didn't kill me, I would spend the rest of my years hobbling around on one leg.
Majority of my experience is with hammer fired semi-auto. I hobby gunsmith and have done a few mods to these guns but by no means consider myself to be any kind of expert. When I originally posted this video it was because I saw nearly no postings describing this. I’m happy to learn more. However the term “Long Colt” was coined in the 1880s to differentiate between the Schofield 45. Many people thought it was because of the ACP cartridge, but the term was in use before this was developed. The more you know… I also know many people get highly enthusiastic about either side of this nickname.
@@OutlawExtreme Yeah. I'm sure the different names (Schofield, Colt), different lengths, and different rims made them difficult for stupid people like Army supply officers to tell the difference. It seems that these people still exist.
You failed to note that the Pietta has replaceable cam on hammer, stud to mount extractor housings, and replaceable bushing in recoil shield - like Colt.
You are absolutely correct, I likely could have doubled the in depth analysis of these, it was my first video I made was concerned it would be too winded!
Both of these companies got started in the replica business through association with Val Forgett of Navy Arms Company. He took new machine drawings made from the best museum examples that could be found and brought them to Italy and contracted them to be made by them (Armi San Marco as well). Initially the Italian gun companies were reluctant to commit because they did not think there was a market for them. Val was not asking them to build them on spec, he reminded them that all the guns he was requesting were already sold, he was buying them. The rest is history, the replica firearms industry was born. He also introduced them to using lost wax casting for making firearms parts (he worked on this with his friend Bill Ruger). This technique keeps costs down, minimizes fitting and increases uniformity of parts.
Great video illustrating the differences, even between models of the same manufacturer.
I have both Pietta and Uberti and both are nice. Nice pick on the Sig 229 BTW! Great video!
I know many of the "casehardened" parts are in fact dipped in a dye solution to appear as true case colors.
That is true with many replica firearms. An important thing to remember though is the quality of steel and processing abilities have advanced so far that it doesn’t make a large difference.
I don't see that as a bad thing. I've tried original case hardening, and it is difficult to achieve for me. The level of workmanship in these new firearms is amazing for the cost. @@OutlawExtreme
all of them
thank you for this info. There is so much confusion especially with Uberti and Pietta 1860 and 1851 grip interchangability.
I totally agree with you on the Pitta on the cylinder pin. It’s a pain in the neck to line up to notches, but I have a question for you if you read this in the comments are the cylinder pins interchangeable if so will the notches in the pitta gun work with the other pin. Great video to very informative. Just what I was looking for.
Thanks 👍🏻
I have a Pietta, and I changed the Cylinder Pin to a Uberti model on the first day.
I have to say it's a much better design and they do fit the Pietta without any problems.
Switch yours out and you'll be happy you did...
It’s absolutely interchangeable, and personally I think a great modification if you plan on actually using it!
Thank you from Austria! That was interesting. Now I am going to replace the basepin of my Pietta with the basepin of the Uberti. Then it can no longer come loose when firing the Pietta SAA.
Glad I could be of service!
Excellent video!
Thank you!!
I hate the flats on the Pietta cylinder pin. I wonder if I can machine the flat into a round to be more like the Uberti? Other than that I really like the Pietta.
Just get a Uberti Pin, they ARE interchangeable...
You'll be glad you did.
I having issues deciding between an actual Colt, Pietta, Uberti and Cimarron. I read on multiple places that Pietta makes the closes clones to Colt without spending $2K. I’m looking into the nickel Pietta. What would you recommend?
I am thinking of a Pietta GW2 Californian. It says on EMF website that ''guns feature hammer forged steel barrels and frames that are drop forged and then CNC machined''. Does anyone know if that is special in anyway?
All they are describing is the Forging processes used. Hammer Forged is the same as drop forged to my knowledge. A large striker is used to hammer the steel into a die that is later machined. The other option I am aware of is press forged.
@@OutlawExtreme thanks man!
Cimarron has higher import standards than some other importers and will tune the guns before resale in many instances, each importer has different requirements, I have Uberti’s from several importers and they work fine, my brother has a pietta cimarron that has a much smoother and lighter action out of the box.
On all of them though, the bolt springs have a tendency to be weak or break and the mainsprings are usually fine but a little bit overly strong. I recommend getting a spring kit when you buy one of these. It's a very small price for a nice overall upgrade.
Question for ya; I have heard pietta's are just better than Uberti's, fit and finish, what are ur thoughts?
Ive got a question - is there any different in functionality in differetnt drum catch part? Is these part is changeble? I have old Uberti 1860 and need a conuterparts but have no idea what to buy
What are the interchangeability of the grips? I have a pietta 1873 gen ii and want to get some wood grips. What would be the best way to go about that?
No two are alike. You will have to fit the grips to the frame. The Uberti guns are all over the place as far as grips fitting from one gun to the next.
.45 Colt not used in any modern guns? I ve got 2 S & W Model 25s that say you are wrong.
There are some revolvers such as the judge that are chambered for them. However pull up a ballistics spec sheet on the .45LC and you’ll see why they are discontinued. You can run hot loads in a modern non replica, but original loads do not compare in muzzle velocity, impact inertia or accuracy. Also the lack of extractor lip on the casing makes it a revolver only ammunition. From the data I was reading earlier in 2021 13 semi automatic pistols were purchased to every 1 revolver. I enjoy shooting them, but not my idea of a daily carry. I no longer even carry my J frame.
I have the .45 pietta and I put a uberti cylinder in her no problem. It is the transfer bar style.
From what I understand, Taylors does not make their SAA pistols. That are made by Uberti, who also make SAA'S for Cimarron. Pietta makes them for Cimarron as well.
It’s a constant learning experience!!
@@OutlawExtreme Uberti makes most all reproductions and Pietta is the other company. Most everyone else like Armi San Marco is long out of business. Armi San Marco made a very accurate 1860 Army Richard's conversion with the sight on the cylinder ring a spring loaded frame mounted firing pin and a flat face hammer like the original.
Because of that retractable firing pin I'll not be buying Uberti any longer it ruined the gun. I was understand that isn't going to be put in the 1851 Navy 1860 Army or the open tops only the SAA 1873s. Hope that's true.
@@ronrobertson59 You can buy the old model hammer and trigger and change out the stupid retractable firing pin hammer.
Can the Uberti with single base-pin notch , take the Uberti 2 notch base-pin ? It seems they still left the whole in the back of the frame . I really like the idea of the safety in the base-pin.
I'm more interested in which one is closest, dimensionally, to the original Colts. I have a 1990's vintage Armi San Marco that is supposed to be 100% interchangeable with Colts, and every Colt part I've tried to put on it (including screws!) has fit.
Can the Pietta take the ejector rod housing of the uberti? You didnt take it off in this video.
I should have included this, they are in fact interchangeable. I did not try the barrels themselves however
Finally a useful video. But when you get older and more experienced you may find stamping the name Colt on something doesn't make it better just more expensive.
You are absolutely right. The only point I was making was that these are clones of the Colt, and like all clones there is varying levels of quality. I will say colt has gone downhill, especially with their 1911s
Uburti cylinders are 20 thousandths of a inch larger in diameter than Pietta or Colt. Also Pietta cylinders due in fact have removable base pin bushing.
They are a "Press Fit" and not really removable for cleaning like the Uberti's.
I'm looking for a birdshead model to EDC but find the prices a little out of range. Is there a way to convert a plow handle Pietra or Uberti to a birdshead style?
I have a friend with a birds head, I’ll borrow it and see the handle interchangeability for you
How about the hand and the bolt, is the pietta bolt prongs longer than the uberti
I don’t really know, next time they come out for cleaning I will check for you!
I nickel plated 3 black powder revolvers two Uberti and one Pietta. With nickel I find that brightness is dependent on polish of the metal before plating. The guns looked pretty good until I stripped teh blue off em. The brass grip frames were pretty much rough The first cylinder I plated was just stripped and lightly polished and I was not happy with the way it came out.
I have a Pietta with the smaller Navy Grip, will that Larger Army Size Grip- Back Strap and Trigger Guard from the Uberti fit on my Pietta?
I really want a larger grip than the Navy provides.
Okay... I just received the Uberti 1873 cattleman- 1860 Army Sized Grip, backstrap and Trigger Guard parts to try and swap out on my Pietta 1873 Great western II- Navy Size Grips.
These Uberti and Pietta parts have too many Fitment issues between them to make a conversion possible, so don't try it.
I'm having a very difficult time finding the correct Pietta parts to do the conversion myself.
Hello, I have an Uberti Cattlema and I'm having troubles with some short of plumber and spring that don't belong to the gate but that were, apparently, inside of the Cattleman., I don't know whether it would be possible for you to help me out or not. I disassembled the gun but those two pieces (a plumber and an spring) came out from the trigger zone not belonging to the gate, because I didn't disassemble it. Fortunately I have both of them but I don't have the slightest clue about how to assemble them if there are any pieces like that. And unfortunately the diagram doesn't show it...
Thanks in advice.
I will try to post a video on full disassembly for you, will definitely take a few days
@@OutlawExtreme thank you brother, it is driving me crazy, apart from the gate and the hand spring I do really belive there is no other little spring in it but I have no clue, perhaps there is something in the trigger bolt/short stroke zone but I cannot identify it.
I believe that you are referring to the Handspring and Plunger.
On a Pietta, they can fall out when removing the grip and Back Strap and can be lost easily because they are small.
On the Uberti, they are held in place with a Cap Screw which I think is a better design.
Thank you, great video, best I seen on these type of shooters, learned alot. I'm leaning towards getting the Pietta 1873 45LC 4.75" gunfighter with the color case & octagon barrel. I here it is not correct, but I think it looks nice. I like the round barrel of course also. What's your opinion on this pistol I mentioned?
It’s enjoyable to collect these, and always a conversation piece
It's a bummer that the triggers are cast/MIM and so are the backstraps. Sad to see how prevalent this has become just since the early 2000s.
Did I miss the disassembly part you have in your description?
I had a spring left over I did not intentionally remove. I can see it on your towel, but without the disassembly mentioned in your description I have no idea where it came from. I don't see it in Uberti exploded views.
I will try to post a disassembly/reassembly video
@@OutlawExtreme Or just edit the description :)
Good video thank you.
next time show reinstalling parts/ the uberti will go together faster the pietta cylinder to close tolerances its hard to get lined up with the pin or get past the gate.
I have a lightened mainspring from VTI gun parts that was made for an uberti reminton 1875, Will it fit into a pietta 1873?
Unfortunately I’m not positive, I believe it would with perhaps a little tweaking and file work.
Are the bolt (cylinder stop) interchangeable ?
How can I tell if my Pietta is stainless or polished nickel ? I bought it used
A magnet would be the best bet. Stainless has low magnetism but nickel is just a plating over a steel firearm
Personally I think it's stupid to have a six-shooter if you're not gonna load six. I load six rounds, stick it at half cock, and then twist the cylinder and drop the hammer between case rims. The case rim prevents the cylinder from twisting the live round in front of the pin. But hypothetically if somehow the pin did get behind a cartridge, the chance of the hammer detonating the primer is low and thanks to Alec Baldwin there's plenty of proof videos that the hammer dropping from half cock is not sufficient to detonate a primer.
The problem with doing that is the lock for the cylinder pops up and makes a mark on the cylinder
@@quickturn66 Does it stop the gun from functioning?
@@jerichosamurai no, but it makes marks or dents in the cylinder or drag marks and most people like to keep these guns looking nice rather than all the shots or performance from. They’re kind of nice looking toys to play with. If someone wants the highest performance they would get a semi automatic pistol.
@@quickturn66 "Engravings... have no tactical advantage whatsoever." Cosmetic flaws have no tactic disadvantage either. If it was less than $600 I don't care if it gets beat to hell, so long as it shoots in a straight line and doesn't hiccup when I need it most. That's why I bought myself an AK and called it a night.
I cant not understand that even somone who disassambled these and see the safety notch still dont trust it.
Interesting just enough differences to plague the home repairer..
Growing up around crime I remember guys handing their (someone's long gone gun) single action pistol and shooting themselves. My advice to you collectors is to keep an unloaded s a out so if someone steals from you they are highly likely to shoot themselves for you
Excellent!
Cimarron Firearms owner, Mike Harvey, started ordering guns from both Pietta and Uberti, and because he saw a difference between the Italian clones and the Colt 1873, he sent Colts from his collection to both companies. He also has his own employee stationed at both companies to oversee the production of firearms being sent to Cimarron. Taylor’s does their own business with the Italians and has no interest in Cimarron. I have a 1902 Colt SAA that’s factory engraved nickel finished and I have a blued and case colored Pietta made Cimarron Frontier. The Colt is a collectible and the Cimarron is to shoot. In my opinion the Pietta made Cimarron is better quality than Uberti. I don’t know whether Mike Harvey plans to keep selling Uberti SAA.s when they completely get away from one to one clones which they have pretty much done already, because Mike is a stickler for authenticity. If you haven’t seen Mike Harvey talk about Cimarron and his relationships with both Uberti and Pietta, then you should watch Cimarron’s RUclips channel.
Uberti revolver is made like Colts gun..pietta is made larger than Colts gun.
👍
I dont think the colts are any better just in price.
Sweet
I have always carried 6 in my single actions. I have never carried 5 don't believe in under changing yourself that one round.
You would be wise to pull the hammer back one click and let it rest in that notch on a four click model. That first click was designed as a safety to carry all the chambers loaded. The safest way is to load only five and let the firing pin rest on an empty chamber. When I was younger I always loaded six and relied on the first click notch, but as I got a little older I realized one accidental discharge in the holster and if it didn't kill me, I would spend the rest of my years hobbling around on one leg.
I thought I'd give this a watch and maybe learn something. Then you started calling the .45 Colt a 'Long' Colt and I knew you were clueless.
Majority of my experience is with hammer fired semi-auto. I hobby gunsmith and have done a few mods to these guns but by no means consider myself to be any kind of expert. When I originally posted this video it was because I saw nearly no postings describing this. I’m happy to learn more. However the term “Long Colt” was coined in the 1880s to differentiate between the Schofield 45. Many people thought it was because of the ACP cartridge, but the term was in use before this was developed. The more you know… I also know many people get highly enthusiastic about either side of this nickname.
@@OutlawExtreme Yeah. I'm sure the different names (Schofield, Colt), different lengths, and different rims made them difficult for stupid people like Army supply officers to tell the difference. It seems that these people still exist.