Pietta or Uberti

tbrwlf

tbrwlf

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Sudbury Ontario
I am interested in getting into cowboy action and don't have the money for Rugers or Colts.

I can afford either Uberti or Pietta level guns. I am not sure what the true differences are between them

I personally like the feel of the Uberti better but would like the opinions of those who have handled both.

I am looking at the 1873, blued, in 45 LC.

Please be polite to each other but I would appreciate your opinions.
 
OH MY POOR SON! first gather several thousand dollars, then look very carefully and decide if this is really for you. Look hard before committing time and thousands of dollars. So many start down this path and fall short or change there mind after investing half enough money.
The EE has many once fired revolvers or Marstar for Piettas. Most shooters use 38 s due to cost and the need for speed. Cheap Marlin rifles are 1000 dollars, shotguns 500 plus, leather 250 for crap and another 500 a year later to get the right gear. Then hat is 100 and boots 200 and one set of cloths 200 to start.
Reloading 500 plus supply's. 25 dollars per match. From Sudbury you may look at a cross border to USA Permits and fees, two day matchs 150 dollars ,hotels gas, time off work. Have fun, it is a costly ride.
 
I am personally partial to the rugers. They are built like tanks and you can find them used for less than either the Uberti or Piettas. If you need to choose between the two, I think Uberti is the better choice (I shoot with people that have them and like them). My suggestion is find a local CAS group and go hang out with them. Most CAS shooters are willing to let newcomers try their equipment. You will find them to be very friendly and willing to discuss pros and cons.
 
VICIOUS said:
OH MY POOR SON! first gather several thousand dollars, then look very carefully and decide if this is really for you. Look hard before committing time and thousands of dollars. So many start down this path and fall short or change there mind after investing half enough money.
The EE has many once fired revolvers or Marstar for Piettas. Most shooters use 38 s due to cost and the need for speed. Cheap Marlin rifles are 1000 dollars, shotguns 500 plus, leather 250 for crap and another 500 a year later to get the right gear. Then hat is 100 and boots 200 and one set of cloths 200 to start.
Reloading 500 plus supply's. 25 dollars per match. From Sudbury you may look at a cross border to USA Permits and fees, two day matchs 150 dollars ,hotels gas, time off work. Have fun, it is a costly ride.
Click to expand...

Well that answers it for me..
 
VICIOUS said:
OH MY POOR SON! first gather several thousand dollars, then look very carefully and decide if this is really for you. Look hard before committing time and thousands of dollars. So many start down this path and fall short or change there mind after investing half enough money.
The EE has many once fired revolvers or Marstar for Piettas. Most shooters use 38 s due to cost and the need for speed. Cheap Marlin rifles are 1000 dollars, shotguns 500 plus, leather 250 for crap and another 500 a year later to get the right gear. Then hat is 100 and boots 200 and one set of cloths 200 to start.
Reloading 500 plus supply's. 25 dollars per match. From Sudbury you may look at a cross border to USA Permits and fees, two day matchs 150 dollars ,hotels gas, time off work. Have fun, it is a costly ride.
Click to expand...

So what you're saying is the Umberti has the traditional firing pin attached to the hammer but the Pietta's do not because they have a transfer bar safety? And that in CAS the distinction is irrelevant because the rules make everyone load to 5 instead of 6 anyways?

Because I thought the question was about which gun to get.
 
I think it is safe to say that most people don't spend thousands up front to start CAS. My home club is very lenient in terms of a "run what you brung" policy. Over time, like any shooting sport, one builds up an assortment of gear and goodies. Most cowboy shooters are very welcoming and most have some castoff guns for newbies to borrow as well. Don't be discouraged...

As to the original question, uberti and pietta both make a good SAA. Watch the EE, because they do come along. I like the authenticity of 4 clicks over a hardy, reliable transfer bar anyday:)
 
It all depends on what you buy and when they were made. Ruger's are very well built and will give you years of trouble free use.I myself, use Uberti's and have had problems of ejector housings and cylinder pin screws ejecting into the wild blue yonder with my 1873's. My wife shoots Uberti Schofield's and they are rock solid and have never failed .Peitta's to me are the third choice,a bit more gritty in the internals and not as nice a finish.If I was able to do a do over just for CAS I think I would buy a pair of Ruger New Vaquerios,Half the price of my wifes Schofield's and just as reliable.
 
I am just getting stared in CAS and haven't been to a match yet, so my pistols have only been to the range a couple of time and each pistol only has a couple hundred rounds through it.

I have a Uberti 1873 in .45 LC, nice pistol, good fit a finish and everything is very smooth. Although I wanted to go with .45 LC it is too expensive. Some far I have really enjoyed the Uberti and if I am showing off my SA's this one comes out first.

I bought 2 Pietta 1873's in .357. I shoot mostly .38 out of them. Mechanically there have been no problems but the fit and finish is not even close to the Uberti. There are tool marks visible, some of the stamped markings are not consistent, numbers are not straight and are not the same depth, looks like each number was done individually with hammer and stamp. The trigger is a little gritty and the ejectors are a little rough and seems to bind a little. I haven't polished the cylinders or done anything to the action to clean it up (yet).

Right now I am happy with my Piettas, but they haven't really been tested and I will have to see how they hold up once a couple 1000 rounds are down range. The price was right at $369 a pistol.

Getting started I spent $1900 on guns and leather. I know I will upgrade down the road, but then again who doesn't upgrade at some point regardless of what type of shooting you do. My start up for IPSC was $1500 for gun, holster, mags, etc. This does not include the cost of the Black Badge course.

Rugers seem to be very popular with the few shooters I know, but I couldn't commit the extra funds to start off with them.
 
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You can spend it now, or spend it later. Only bought one Pietta,6 Ubertti's and 4 Ruger's and 2 Chapparal's.My vote is for Ruger Vaquerios,second is for Ubertti's third is Chapparal's, believe it or not seeing they are no longer in business, and then Pietta.
 
I thank everyone so far.

I have been around firearms long enough to know that nothing you do is cheap. I shoot long range guns that cost more the CAS will cost me. I am just starting into IPSC, another costly adventure. CAS will be no different.

I was of the same opinion as most of you, Ruger, then Uberti, with Pietta coming in last. I may have another look at the Vaqueros. EPPS has the 38 CAS ones for about 1500 a pair. Not a bad price.
 
The amount of money you will spend, and what guns to get for "cowboy'n" will be directly linked to the amount of competitiveness in your nature. Basically three levels, it can range from "just want to have fun with some very good folks" to " well that was good, but I can do better if I only had that...." up to "git r done, lets play with the big boys".

At the first level buy whatever floats yer boat cost wise or model. They will all work to a certain extent right out of the box. "No practice required"

at the second level I would suggest Rugers first (change springs and go have fun), Uberti's second (change springs and some smithing probably required so could be same price as Rugers "all in"). Third, Pietta, my experience is that they will require considerable smithing to be of good use in this level. "No practice required"

Third level, again Rugers or Uberti's (or Colts), it matters not which as all will require a good gunsmithing to be of any use at this level. "Lots of practice required" so plan on a good progressive reloading press as well and remember .38 is a lot cheaper to reload when considering a caliber choise.
 
fingers284 said:
The amount of money you will spend, and what guns to get for "cowboy'n" will be directly linked to the amount of competitiveness in your nature. Basically three levels, it can range from "just want to have fun with some very good folks" to " well that was good, but I can do better if I only had that...." up to "git r done, lets play with the big boys".

At the first level buy whatever floats yer boat cost wise or model. They will all work to a certain extent right out of the box. "No practice required"

at the second level I would suggest Rugers first (change springs and go have fun), Uberti's second (change springs and some smithing probably required so could be same price as Rugers "all in"). Third, Pietta, my experience is that they will require considerable smithing to be of good use in this level. "No practice required"

Third level, again Rugers or Uberti's (or Colts), it matters not which as all will require a good gunsmithing to be of any use at this level. "Lots of practice required" so plan on a good progressive reloading press as well and remember .38 is a lot cheaper to reload when considering a caliber choise.
Click to expand...

I'm the 1st level and will very happy staying there. That's why I'm looking for 45LC (I reload). What springs need to be changed in both the Rugers and Uberti's?
 
HOWDY; RUGERS spring to be changed? Wolff springs, hammer spring and trigger return spring. 40 oz trigger return and a 18 LB or more hammer spring IF it is a ORINGAL new model. If it is a small frame (made is the last coupla of years ) then get the kit that has the lighter springs.
ORINGAL hammer springs are 23 pounds. Current factory is 17 pounds, it has been redesined angles inside.
AS to what handgun, save the money and get a matched pair of RUGERS in 357. NO they do not need to be consecutive SASS Vaqueros. Get one with lowered Matedo hammers , like the low supper Blackhawk hammers.
IF you are close to EPPS then go to the Barrie gun club, they have twice monthly match. Talk to the match director, A very good hand. Look up the Ontario single action web site for dates.
Yes I do have some firm opinions, after thousands of dollars and 20 plus years at this CAS I earned it.
I wish to save other from doing some of the costly events I have done so they can get a good start. But I realize we all dance to the music we hear.
Good luck, Good shooting to all.
 
I have a New Vaquero and love it, but its shoots left about 2-3 inches at only 7 meters so I'm still trying to work it out. I have a feeling it may be me so I'm still trying variations in trigger pull and grip etc. They are odd grips compared to anything else. Hope you find a gun that you like.
 
I have had a pair of ruger new vaquero's, loved them and never should have sold them.
One uberti it was nice also. I am now running a pair of pietta's NRA commorative models.
Says Charles Daly on the barrels.Fit and finish is very good and no transfer bar safety as
was discussed a few posts ago.
Regards 375rum
 
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Melnibonean said:
So what you're saying is the Umberti has the traditional firing pin attached to the hammer but the Pietta's do not because they have a transfer bar safety? And that in CAS the distinction is irrelevant because the rules make everyone load to 5 instead of 6 anyways?

Because I thought the question was about which gun to get.
Click to expand...

My Uberti and Piettas both have traditional firing pins on the hammer, no transfer bar safeties.
 
The SASS Vaqueros are built for CAS. They have a lower Montado style hammer, lightened springs, wider rear sight and larger front sight for faster sight aquisition and they are Stainless Steel. They also come as a sequential numbered pair.
They are especially nice if you plan on shooting Duelist (one handed).
I shoot a pair of Ruger Vaqueros and I have changed the hammers and swapped the springs, In the case of the SASS Vaqueros they're already done for you.
I would say that you really can't go wrong with a pair of SASS Ruger Vaqueros.
Best of luck,

Frenchy
 
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