Now I will cipher on whether to leave them as is (much improved from original) or undertake the fitting of all those beautiful new parts (with which I'm a rank armature at best) or send them to someone for professional work. So, all in all disappointing but not surprising given customer reviews I read before purchasing the parts kits, where the majority of users did say the parts would need fitting. He also mentioned those trigger springs are actually too long, but are easily trimmed. Yesterday I ran across a Mike Beliveau video that mentions this point and even shows a special spring packaged for Piettas but no mention of where to find them, and I've not located any via Google. The trigger and bolt spring is a no-go because the trigger leg is too short. The Lee hammer springs are too long to use as is, but trimming won't be difficult. With the 1851, the only thing that worked without fitting was using the new hammer with original parts. With the 1860, neither all new nor any combination of old and new parts created a functioning revolver. Amazing in a product with such a low price point.Īn addendum to my comments re: Pietta parts kits and the Lee's springs, in case anyone cares. Better materials, better machining, and better quality control. And I'm seeing real improvement in pietta. Quality control vs price point is always going to be the defining factor. Colt, Uberti, Pietta, S&W and yes even Ruger have all let crap go out the doors over the years and now I'm seeing every modern brands' issues. And the quality of the parts is a lot better.Īs a gunsmith you mostly just see the problem stuff. Once you rework the old models they are fine but the amount of work on the new ones is greatly reduced. But I've never had to use a backup match C&B in my life, so far. The ones I've seen from Taylors are so good I have one for my backup match gun. I have one very early pietta, one from the 80's, and one 21st century one and the differences are there.
Still using those first 5 1/2 " ruger models I bought but have slicked up new piettas for customers. I used the pietta C&Bs of the 1980's and belgian centennials of the 1960's until the ruger old army fixed sight models came out.
Which of their Main Spring Kits should I select? Thank you and the other fellows for the great suggestions! I've found the parts kits, but the Lee's Gunsmithing kits don't seem to include anything specifically mentioning Pietta Cap and Ball revolvers. As a retired Gunplumber, the difference in the "old" Pietta Cap Guns and "new" Pietta Cap Guns, and Pietta guns in general is as Day and Night. Several have addressed the major differences. With a few bucks invested in some aftermarket parts and a little judicious rubbin-n-buffin, you can have plenty of fun with your current guns. Uberti Cap Guns are more "authentic" in appearance but fall way short mechanically. The New build Pietta guns are very well made indeed. The major components of your current guns may well NOT interchange with new build guns. New nipples from SlixShot will improve ignition greatly. I'd suggest Main Spring kits by "Lee's Gunsmithing" which include a nice wire T/B spring. The New Pietta hand/spring combination will last indefinitely. As a retired Gunplumber, the difference in the "old" Pietta Ca Guns and "new" Pietta Cap Guns, and Pietta guns in general is as Day and Night.Īs long as your current guns fit together right (Check the Arbor carefully), a parts kit will do you fine.