Pietta Great Western II My First Single Action Revolver

[KO]

Well, it’s been a very long time since I’ve posted on CGN, I guess I really hadn’t had anything to post about for a few(several/many years haha).
Since I was a kid I’ve always wanted a Colt SAA style revolver, but as the years past I’ve bought and sold and traded many different firearms. I’ve got a few on my list I wish I could have back and a few I was ok to be rid of. Well anyway, I’ve had a few hand guns but I’ve never Scratched that Sam Colt “Peacemaker” itch. I came across Marstar’s Black Friday that featured the “replica” 1873 Pietta Peacemaker. At the price point I figured it was wort the gamble so p pulled the proverbial trigger and made the order around Boxing Day. I didn’t realize at the time they were closed until the new year so I likely drove them a bit nuts with messages and order changes once they got back at it lol. In the end I settled on the 5.5” .357 “peacemaker” on their site. I was as impatient as a kid at Christmas but also not expecting much from a $480ish revolver. After mostly patiently waiting, the UPS delivery came mid January. Finally getting a chance to see it I gotta say I’m more than impressed. The fit, finish and feel of this gun is at the least on par with guns I own that cost 3x as much. Everything lines up, everything is smooth, the action feels smooth and trigger crisp. I haven’t gotten a chance to shoot it yet but very optimistic.
Anyone have any advice or experience with them?

 

[Nibe]

I've had a couple, just bought the one immediately below off EE. Will shoot it for the first time this week - it's a 357 mag 7.5" bbl. The one at the bottom I bought new in 45 colt 5.5" bbl. I also own a 45 Ruger NV and recently sold a Uberti Cattleman.

Anyway, really like Pietta's and think they compare well with the Uberti's in fit, finish, and accuracy. The Vaquero is in a class of it's own IMO.

 

[Alex McKr]

KO: Pietta revolvers are about as close as any reproduction gets, to an original 1873 Colt. Very simple to work on and maintain. Fit, finish and function....all first rate. Timed perfectly. I own several(not this model though).

First thing I usually swap out on these revolvers, is the bolt-trigger return spring. The stock, two-legged leaf spring, though delivering a very crisp trigger break, is not as reliable as it could be. They have a nasty habit of breaking. Not the Pietta revolver's fault. The 19th century spring design is the culprit. Luckily, its an easy fix.

Should you choose to replace yours....an aftermarket wire replacement spring is the answer. Easy to install. Makes the revolvers very reliable, even under hard use. Site sponsor: Rusty Wood Trading, is a good place to look for one.

Though Pietta generally does a pretty good job of polishing the internal parts of their revolvers, I also like to reduce any potential friction spots, too. Includes polishing the hammer and trigger pivots. Sides of the bolt, hand and trigger. Hand slot. Camming lobe on hammer. Plus polishing out any spots(if any) where the hammer and frame make contact(small scratches appear on hammer). That`s about it.

I like the speed and crisp hammer drop delivered by the stock mainspring, so leave it in place. There are reduced tension springs available should you wish to replace yours, though.

The .357 is a good caliber choice for these revolvers. Versatile and works well with .38 Special, too. The front sights of mine have been filed and regulated to shoot point-of-aim with my competition loads. But not necessary, unless you choose to do something similar.

Not much else to add. Nicely balanced in your barrel length. Point and shoot very naturally. Overall, in my opinion, a lot of gun for the money.

Enjoy!

Al

 

[Alex McKr]

Nibe: Your opinion and mine are identical, when it comes to the Vaquero. Definitely in a class of their own. Super reliable. Built like tanks. Hold up exceptionally well under very hard use. I run a pair of these(with a third as back up) as my main match revolvers in cowboy action competition. As you likely already know, in any given year these cowboy competition revolvers endure more use, wear and tear than most see in the average shooter`s lifetime. So speaks volumes about the durability of the Rugers.

Only problem I encountered was a broken transfer bar . Bought that particular gun in 2012. Transfer bar broke, October 2021. No idea how many rounds(plus a lot of dry fire practice) the revolver went through before it broke...but in the many thousands. Replaced the transfer bar and the gun was back in service.

I`ve owned Uberti revolvers in the past, too. Excellent build quality and reliable. Have to admit I like the Piettas more. Mine are all chambered for .357, too.

Al

ps: I like to replace the stock Vaquero cylinder pin latch spring with a stronger aftermarket spring. Greatly reduces the chance of the latch bolt ever popping out of the notch on the cylinder pin. Had it happen once, during a major match. Made it through the stage alright....but `sweating bullets` all the way. No worry, now. Maybe not necessary, but something to consider. Anything that improves function or reliability.

 

[NAA]

Pietta SAA

I've had a few Pietta SAA's over the years. Decent SAA copy for the money.

Last Pietta SAA .357 I owned [top] with 2nd gen Colt SAA .357



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NAA.

 

[calmex]

My wife and I each have a Pietta Peacemaker. I put some Vintage Grips on mine (the Cavalry model) and hers is just as we got it. I did modify the cylinder base-pins on both so that I can easily remove them like on a 1st Generation Colt and have one genuine Colt cylinder base pin and modified a Pietta base pin to duplicate the Colt pin. We shoot them with a 260 grain 452190 grain cast slug from an Arsenal 5-cavity mould lubed with Lyman B.P. Gold over generally 35 grains of FFFg Black Powder. I do have a B.P. Compression die I got from Buffalo Arms so I have loaded up a few of the 40 grains of FFFg loadings but they sometimes split my (brand new) Starline brass cases. A quick clean-up with Ballistol and Moose Milk and the guns are as good as new. (It was me that got Ballistol into Canadian Tire, although I'm sure that comment will irritate some people but it's true). At the 2016 North Sylva show I ran into the Ballistol guys and convinced them to work with me to get the basic Universal Oil accepted in Canadian Tire and now several of their products are regularly available there. I get the odd WhattsApp from the Ballistol crew from time-to-time.

It's a real thrill to shoot the 40 grain B.P. load for sure, but the performance really isn't that much better at the end of the day over the 35 grain loading to justify the extra steps required to make it.

Because the recoil on the 35 and 40 grain loadings is pretty objectionable for my wife, she doesn't generally like them for casual shooting. I got some .45 Colt Cowboy casings from Rusty Wood and load those with 25 grains of FFFg using the Compression die and the Lyman 225 grain Lead RN Bullet. This load gives about 720 fps from my wife's 4 3/4 inch Peacemaker and is a lot less intimidating to fire. Here is one of those loads compared to a Lee 250 grain cast bullet loaded above 5.8 grains of Trail Boss powder. Trail Boss is pretty low powered but not much chance of a double-charge either.

 

[KO]

Thanks for the info guys! It’s nice to hear some opinions and see the pics. Initially I wanted to buy a Vaquero, still on my list for one one day. An actual original Colt is on the “someday, when the kids are on their own” list haha. I still have my Colt LW Commander, which is on the keep forever list, but I’m really in a single action phase now. Especially after seeing all yours, lots of different options! Haha.

Off topic but here’s my only Colt

 

[NAA]

^^^^^^^
Also, a nice one!

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NAA.

 

[Tudenom]

Pietta has come a long way with their revolvers. I have an 1860 Army built in the 60's (I think) and one of the newer ones built post 2000 and the difference in build quality is really noticeable. The 60's built one has off centre holes and oddities like not quite symmetrical screw placement and a wiggly hammer that could use a shim or two. The fitment and finish on the new ones are so much better.

 

[8ball]

Very nice gun KO congrats!

 

[whiskeywillow]

What does that 40grains of black load chronograph?

I've read all sorts of quotes from different people, anywhere from 900 to 1000fps... so pretty curious to hear what you get. That old original load has always intrigued me vs modern ones.

 

[Arcosdad]

I waited years for a Pietta '73 Tombstone .357 in 5.5 inch. This is the one with brass frame and checkered grip. Grabbed one from Marstar when they restocked. Beautiful thing to look at as most Italian things are. Wouldn't group on a dinner plate at 10 yards. On closer examination it wasn't a maligned front sight as suspected but a barrel that was not turned all the way on! Now that was a new on me. So our relationship ended prematurely, sadly. , Hopefully you have better luck with yours.