1873 SAA Clones - A couple questions by a newbie

I saw quite a few Pietta revolvers at a Pietta display during the North Sylva show in late 2016. The bright nickle revolvers were bright nickle revolvers. I have some photos on my Cel phone (I think) of that display table, maybe tomorrow I will dig them up. Gorgeous guns. Sorry, I forgot to copy your Quote, but I am replying to Brianma65.

You said:
Are the bright nickel model, on Marstar site, bright silver or black?
I can’t tell from looking at the pics.
They look like a black nickel finish, in the pics.
 
Gundoggy said:
4.75". Classic gunfighter length.

Although .45LC is traditional, .357 gives you flexibility of .38 special and share ammo with .357 lever action rifles.
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This is a good option.
I'm guessing that switching from .357 to .38 (or vise versa) in the SAA will change your POA vs POI?
 
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calmex said:
I saw quite a few Pietta revolvers at a Pietta display during the North Sylva show in late 2016. The bright nickle revolvers were bright nickle revolvers. I have some photos on my Cel phone (I think) of that display table, maybe tomorrow I will dig them up. Gorgeous guns. Sorry, I forgot to copy your Quote, but I am replying to Brianma65.

You said:
Are the bright nickel model, on Marstar site, bright silver or black?
I can’t tell from looking at the pics.
They look like a black nickel finish, in the pics.
Click to expand...
I understand the diff between the two, but these are described as bright nickel, but appear to be a black nickel finish,
Which I think would look awesome.
 

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Brianma65 said:
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I understand the diff between the two, but these are described as bright nickel, but appear to be a black nickel finish,
Which I think would look awesome.
Click to expand...
Bad pic I think but take the part number and google it, pietta site should come up and you will get better pics and description, black chrome/nickel would be awesome, I was thinking of getting an antique Revolver done that way, ( Belgian short) and call it Black Betty!!! ,,, Bam A Lam!
 
freddyfour said:
Curious why everyone is saying 45 Colt is the tradition and not the 44-40?
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The original SAA was a .45. In 1877 (?) Colt started production of the Frontier (Six Shooter) so people could use the same ammo than in their 73's (an later 92's). Colt produced SAA's in many calibers, the second most popular was the 44-40.
 
First I have to say that I think the OP has got some soul! Semi autos are great and I have them but a couple or more SAA clones in the family really rounds out the side arm experience! I have two Ubertis in 4 3/4" A Cattleman in 44-40 and a Stallion in .38 SPL. I liked the history and uniqueness (read PITA to re-load) of the 44-40 and wanted to have a round that reflected the early history of these revolvers I love the felt recoil and performance of this round. The little Stallion simply uses the same round as I already reload for my S&W 686. The Stallion is a great piece for beginners to try as well.

I'd love to buy a real Colt and one day I might but for now the clones are just fine. The case hardened frames are eye candy!
 
That's kind of what I thought. The army requested the 45 Colt. I wonder what the civilian popular choice was?

I didn't think Winchester made 45 Colt 1866's of 1873's so I would imagine the 44-40 would be probably pretty popular
 
I bought a Pietta 4 3/4 in .357 mag. A few reasons for my choices.
1 caliber. I chose .357 as it offered the diversity of .38 Spl or .357 and the greater availability of both.
2 4 3/4” for balance in my hand. Perhaps a sacrafice in accuracy? I wouldn’t be he best judge of that as I have limited use of any longer barrel lengths.

The Pietta is a decent quality firearm, a few rough edges. That being said the fit of all the metal parts is perfect, I have no forcing cone gap issues. The only fit issue I have is the grip not being perfect but in no way effecting the comfort of the hold. I will suggest locktight on your screws if firing .357 regularly as no matter how tight you set them they will work their way loose. If asked if I would purchase another I would say yes.

I hope what ever you choose you enjoy as I have
 
OP here,

I purchased the same as you in the end; Pietta 1873 - 4 3/4" in .357 Magnum with the traditional-style walnut grips and steel finish. Model 1873-006. It feels great in my hand despite the grip being a little on the small side. The weight and balance feels just right for me and I just love the finish. I much prefer the .357 bang and recoil but I've had fun shooting .38spl as well.

Real happy with my purchase, thanks everybody for your thoughts and inputs!

SL




awesomeMcawesome said:
I bought a Pietta 4 3/4 in .357 mag. A few reasons for my choices.
1 caliber. I chose .357 as it offered the diversity of .38 Spl or .357 and the greater availability of both.
2 4 3/4” for balance in my hand. Perhaps a sacrafice in accuracy? I wouldn’t be he best judge of that as I have limited use of any longer barrel lengths.

The Pietta is a decent quality firearm, a few rough edges. That being said the fit of all the metal parts is perfect, I have no forcing cone gap issues. The only fit issue I have is the grip not being perfect but in no way effecting the comfort of the hold. I will suggest locktight on your screws if firing .357 regularly as no matter how tight you set them they will work their way loose. If asked if I would purchase another I would say yes.

I hope what ever you choose you enjoy as I have
Click to expand...
 
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okcorral1881 said:
The original SAA was a .45. In 1877 (?) Colt started production of the Frontier (Six Shooter) so people could use the same ammo than in their 73's (an later 92's). Colt produced SAA's in many calibers, the second most popular was the 44-40.
Click to expand...

No production lever action rifle manufactured in the 1800's was made in .45 (Long Colt) as the rims on the cartridge cases at that time in .45LC were so thin that problems were caused by the rims being ripped of when it was experimented with.
 
Garand said:
No production lever action rifle manufactured in the 1800's was made in .45 (Long Colt) as the rims on the cartridge cases at that time in .45LC were so thin that problems were caused by the rims being ripped of when it was experimented with.
Click to expand...

That is true.....but I think you quoted the wrong person or you misread my post!:)
OK
 
freddyfour said:
That's kind of what I thought. The army requested the 45 Colt. I wonder what the civilian popular choice was?

I didn't think Winchester made 45 Colt 1866's of 1873's so I would imagine the 44-40 would be probably pretty popular
Click to expand...

The '73 Colt SAA was first chambered in .45 Colt for the US Army. In 1877-8, they got smart and offered it chambered in 44-40 to use the same ammo as the popular Winchester '73. These guns were marked - "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER", the only Colt product to have it's own name at that time. Source - "Shooting Single Actions" by Mike Venturino.

The term "Long Colt" came about as a result of the Army having other .45 cartridges in inventory for the top break S&Ws.

If you're into CAS, it makes sense to follow this dictum, simplifying the ammo supply. It's not uncommon for shooters to load the wrong calibre in their rifles at the loading bench. The 44-40 throws a 200 gr bullet which is more than enough for any application, then and now. Many in CAS load 180 gr bullets.

Over the years I've had all the SAA barrel lengths except the "Sheriff's Model". Currently I'm shooting a pair of 7-1/2" guns, one a Pietta, t'other a Uberti. The Pietta is a superior gun and more authentic. As for what barrel length, many find that the shorter barrel lengths offer a sharper sight picture. If you're a "point & shoot" type, that doesn't matter. The longer barrels will definitely give more velocity.

My wife shoots a pair of 44-40 Pietta's, with 7-1/2" barrels. She shoots them better than any other guns she's owned, and like me, she's gone through a few.

If ammo costs are a consideration, .357/.38 might be the way to go. The guns weigh slightly more. Almost all of the top guns use them with 'pop gun' loads that don't register on timers when shot in rifles and carbines. The bullets barely mash on steel targets at close range.

Loading the 44-40 presents one extra step in requiring case lubing due to the bottle case. If you go with the .45, the cases don't expand as well and you get case smudging, especially with BP. The cure is annealing.

You pays you money - you takes you choice.
 
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