OK, well I have yet to read a really good thorough review of the new-ish Pietta 1873 Colt clones Marstar started carrying about a year ago now. Having owned and shot a Pietta 1860 Army for quite a bit longer than Marstar has been selling them, I had few qualms about trying out one of these new offerings.
Since I found virtually ZERO in the way of first hand reviews and even less in terms of good pictorial documentation of the fit, finish and look of the Piettas (Uberti stuff is EVERYWHERE), I decided to fill that gap
Hope you all enjoy the pics and as a result have a better idea about if you want to buy one of these or not.
These are pretty faithful reproductions of the 2nd Generation Colt. Pietta also makes a 1st Gen clone, but I haven't seen one in-hand to comment on it. Like the originals, there is NO transfer bar safety (and yes, you can hold the trigger down and slam fire the hammer using the palm of your hand). The only safeties are a half-#### and a second position on the cylinder pin that prevents hammer falls far enough to strike the primer, but this is more of a "riding in the saddle" safety, not intended for things like CAS shooting.
I really like that Pietta kept all the stupid Italian stamping to discreet parts of the pistol for a change (unlike on the Ubertis or on the Pietta cap and ball offerings). The frame proofs are over-struck by the serial in front of the trigger guard and the cylinder is proofed on the back face where you cannot see it when assembled. The serial number is on the frame, cylinder and loading gate stamped in a font reminiscent of the original Colt stamps. The action is slick and my guns trigger is breaking clean at about 4 lbs out of the box. I'll bet with a little work I could get it to break even lighter, but 4 lbs will do
I got the "blued steel and walnut" gun b/c I just like it (actually, the frame is color case hardened) Tiffany grips and faux-ivory are available, as well as a bird's head grip on the Thunderer-like model, and the finish is available in nickel and stainless as well. The walnut is mercifully not glossy and seems to be oil finished - bonus! One less thing to change The 4.75" model REALLY balances well and draws FAST. 'Nuff said.
Of course, the gun was bought at Marstar (now a contributing dealer! Yay!) www.marstar.ca Service was courteous and prompt. Marstar DOES honor their Ironclad Guarantee too. I had gotten a defective gun (not a Colt clone) from them just before ordering this one. They took it back, were very apologetic, and threw in some nice extras (like the snap caps in the pics) due to all the hassle I had gone through with that other item. A class act of a business in case you didn't know already
So enough chatter, here are the pics. I shot one pic next to an 1860 Army Model to show the relative size. The serial number has the last 2 digits " starred out"
Discrete "farb" markings:
Notice how the Italian proofs are nicely overstamped with the serial number
The snap caps are so I can play cowboy... lol.
Easy as pie to disassemble...
Pretty good interior machining.
The final verdict? Uberti clones cost generally about $100 more. Berrettas are about $200 more and Colts cost so much that I can't bring myself to tell you the price.
The Uberti is not any better made than this Pietta. Yes, I have shot Uberti many times and know those revolvers well. Uberti is just NOT worth the extra money any more. Pietta has their act together I will not be buying another Uberti peacemaker unless the price can match Pietta's prices. The Beretta offering is just an Uberti with the hated (by me) transfer bar safety. Would I like a Colt? Yes. But I can buy FOUR Piettas for the price and not be scared to use them lest they get holster wear
I give this gun 4 and a half cartridges out of 5. I have to admit I am more impressed by it than I thought I would be and will likely buy another
Thanks Marstar and Pietta for making a great product available at a fair price (for a change when it comes to Colt clones...)
Since I found virtually ZERO in the way of first hand reviews and even less in terms of good pictorial documentation of the fit, finish and look of the Piettas (Uberti stuff is EVERYWHERE), I decided to fill that gap
Hope you all enjoy the pics and as a result have a better idea about if you want to buy one of these or not.These are pretty faithful reproductions of the 2nd Generation Colt. Pietta also makes a 1st Gen clone, but I haven't seen one in-hand to comment on it. Like the originals, there is NO transfer bar safety (and yes, you can hold the trigger down and slam fire the hammer using the palm of your hand). The only safeties are a half-#### and a second position on the cylinder pin that prevents hammer falls far enough to strike the primer, but this is more of a "riding in the saddle" safety, not intended for things like CAS shooting.
I really like that Pietta kept all the stupid Italian stamping to discreet parts of the pistol for a change (unlike on the Ubertis or on the Pietta cap and ball offerings). The frame proofs are over-struck by the serial in front of the trigger guard and the cylinder is proofed on the back face where you cannot see it when assembled. The serial number is on the frame, cylinder and loading gate stamped in a font reminiscent of the original Colt stamps. The action is slick and my guns trigger is breaking clean at about 4 lbs out of the box. I'll bet with a little work I could get it to break even lighter, but 4 lbs will do
I got the "blued steel and walnut" gun b/c I just like it
(actually, the frame is color case hardened) Tiffany grips and faux-ivory are available, as well as a bird's head grip on the Thunderer-like model, and the finish is available in nickel and stainless as well. The walnut is mercifully not glossy and seems to be oil finished - bonus! One less thing to change The 4.75" model REALLY balances well and draws FAST. 'Nuff said. Of course, the gun was bought at Marstar (now a contributing dealer! Yay!) www.marstar.ca Service was courteous and prompt. Marstar DOES honor their Ironclad Guarantee too. I had gotten a defective gun (not a Colt clone) from them just before ordering this one. They took it back, were very apologetic, and threw in some nice extras (like the snap caps in the pics) due to all the hassle I had gone through with that other item. A class act of a business in case you didn't know already
So enough chatter, here are the pics. I shot one pic next to an 1860 Army Model to show the relative size. The serial number has the last 2 digits " starred out"
Discrete "farb" markings:
Notice how the Italian proofs are nicely overstamped with the serial number
The snap caps are so I can play cowboy... lol.
Easy as pie to disassemble...
Pretty good interior machining.
The final verdict? Uberti clones cost generally about $100 more. Berrettas are about $200 more and Colts cost so much that I can't bring myself to tell you the price.
The Uberti is not any better made than this Pietta. Yes, I have shot Uberti many times and know those revolvers well. Uberti is just NOT worth the extra money any more. Pietta has their act together
I will not be buying another Uberti peacemaker unless the price can match Pietta's prices. The Beretta offering is just an Uberti with the hated (by me) transfer bar safety. Would I like a Colt? Yes. But I can buy FOUR Piettas for the price and not be scared to use them lest they get holster wear I give this gun 4 and a half cartridges out of 5. I have to admit I am more impressed by it than I thought I would be and will likely buy another
Thanks Marstar and Pietta for making a great product available at a fair price (for a change when it comes to Colt clones...)
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