More authentic SAA, Uberti or Pietta?

[Virginia Gentleman]

Which of these two manufacturers makes a more authentic single action army compared to a first or second generation Colt, Uberti or Pietta?

[Coffinmaker]

Authentic ....... How?  Cosmetics??  Dimensions???  Fine from the Freeway (technical evaluation term).  I think "authentic" is in the "opinion" of whom ever happens to be holding the gun in hand.  There are those who will argue the font, position and depth of the patent dates stamped in the frame.  Those who will argue the barrel markings, argue the CCH treatment, argue the grip finish, etc.  Dimensionally, the Pietta Great Western II is a ringer for a 2d Gen Colt but isn't marked the same.  Some time, look at the barrel address on an 1860.

Here's the thing.  NONE of the reproductions are perfect copies.  Truth be told, the closest, best copy of a Colt was done by Armi San Marco.
But, this question can start some GREAT arguments over meaningless minutiae.  All of those arguments are based on personal bias as none of the reproductions are completely "authentic."

Coffinmaker

Fun to watch though.  A lot like WWE wrestling was 40 years ago when Georgeous George was king

[Mike]

I have two ASM one in 44 WCF and the other in 38WCF, sold my Uberti's. I prefer the grips on the ASM.
I do have other Uberti modles also.

[Virginia Gentleman]

Ok, but to stay on topic which one today is closest in your option?

[Abilene]

Didn't you already ask the question in a previous post with numerous answers?

[Virginia Gentleman]

There are new models from each manufacterer and newer versions that are now being offered by the importers, that is why I am asking. Small details are relevant to the question, so which is more authentic to a SAA, Pietta or Uberti offerings?

[Blair]

VG,

I think what folks are telling you is that each potential subject, as has been offer to you so far, are impotent to various individuals for quite different reasons.
Perhaps you might want to address the "potential subjects" individually (from your prospective)? Rather than trying to an "all" encompassing single response to a complex answer?
Just a suggestion on my part.
My best,
Blair

[Mean Bob Mean]

What is most important to you? Research the pieces, buy the one you want, hang what anyone else thinks.

Oh, and have a damn fine time!

[Coffinmaker]

OK.  NONE.  Not one.  Uberti and Pietta have gone to wide front and rear sights.  Uberti and pietta have wisely gone to a spring and plunger for the hand.  Uberti and Pietta have gone to lighter main springs.  In overall dimensions, Pietta is closer, but, I'd challenge anyone to "see" the difference from 3inches away.  You need a mic. and a lot of patience measuring.
Best value for dollar in current Single Actions is Pietta.

Coffinmaker

[Blair]

Coffinmaker,

Agreed!
But price was not one of the considerations offered by the Original Poster.

Price is truly a consideration.
Perhaps, we should wait for the O P to reply?
My best,
Blair

[Virginia Gentleman]

Coffinmaker: That was the kind of information I was looking for and thanks.  So the Piettas, made today would be the closest thing to a 1st or 2nd generation Colt all things being considered.   

[Abilene]

Pietta may be closer in parts interchangeability with a 2nd Gen Colt.  Their markings are way off, although that does vary by importer.  The Uberti is a reproduction of a 1st Gen Colt, though the cylinder and frame are enlarged by a few thousandths.  The "Old Model" (or BP frame) Ubertis still have the tapered front sight and v-notch rear sight.  Markings and other visual features are more authentic on the Uberti but vary depending on importer.

[Pettifogger]

Coffinmaker: That was the kind of information I was looking for and thanks.  So the Piettas, made today would be the closest thing to a 1st or 2nd generation Colt all things being considered.   

Uberti and Pietta are so close, like Coffinmaker said, the average person couldn't tell one from the other or from a Colt at three feet.  (He actually said three inches, I backed up a bit because my eyes won't focus that close  )  Actually, this is an impossible question to answer as your premise that you are looking for a clone that matches a 1st and 2nd Gen Colt is a loaded question.  There were many changes and variations in the SAA throughout its various production runs.  A 1st gen made in 1873/74 isn't the same as one made in 1883, 1893 or 1903.  The sights, cylinder flutes, hammers, etc., all changed though out the years.  Same with the second gens.  I have a 1958 2nd Gen that has several differences from the ones made in the late 1960s and 1970s.  In fact, I would rather have a current production 3rd gen than a late production 2nd Gen.  If you want an "authentic" Colt, you'll have to buy one.  If you want a good 100% serviceable Colt clone to shoot and have fun with the Uberti and Piettas are both well made.

[Four-Eyed Buck]

Another thing to consider here. If the other makers get too close to authentic( markings, dimentions, etc.) they risk getting sued by Colt for patent infringement.AWA is a good example, they got too close to Colt using the Peace Keeper name and Colt just about ruined them. They didn't last too long after the suit was settled

[Virginia Gentleman]

Uberti and Pietta are so close, like Coffinmaker said, the average person couldn't tell one from the other or from a Colt at three feet.  (He actually said three inches, I backed up a bit because my eyes won't focus that close  )  Actually, this is an impossible question to answer as your premise that you are looking for a clone that matches a 1st and 2nd Gen Colt is a loaded question.  There were many changes and variations in the SAA throughout its various production runs.  A 1st gen made in 1873/74 isn't the same as one made in 1883, 1893 or 1903.  The sights, cylinder flutes, hammers, etc., all changed though out the years.  Same with the second gens.  I have a 1958 2nd Gen that has several differences from the ones made in the late 1960s and 1970s.  In fact, I would rather have a current production 3rd gen than a late production 2nd Gen.  If you want an "authentic" Colt, you'll have to buy one.  If you want a good 100% serviceable Colt clone to shoot and have fun with the Uberti and Piettas are both well made.
[/quotes

My original post said closest, never did I mention being an exact copy, only which one is closest to the originals.

[RRio]

Here are the dimensional difference between Uberti and Colt:

[Virginia Gentleman]

It appears in many respects that Uberti and Colt are closest in dimensions, how does Pietta compare to the Colt?

[llanerosolitario]

the rifling is different in UBERTI and COLT, clockwise in one, anticlockwise in the other. The chambers are bigger in UBERTI, around 11,62 mm versus less than 11,60 in the COLT. The bore is 450" in Uberti, and 451/452" in colt.

That rifling in Ubertis seems more thought for smokeless powder as it is not as deep and crisp as the original first generation Colts, with a wonderful rifling that allows optimum results when shooting pure lead and BP.

the steel is very good. The Piettas use softer steel.  I have engraved the 3 makers. The easiest to engrave was the Pietta, the modern Colts, were the hardest, with the more refined steel, with clean brigth burrs at every cut.

the finish in UBERTI  is also away from the original XIX century Colts, with  a poorly made fake case hardening  and nitre blueing with very forgettable sanding and polishing in parts. The original Colts  were heat blued, and some army issue revolvers,  were even rust blued in military arsenals and had a superb finish.


in my opinion most Pietta/Uberti/Chiappa replicas  are  a step behind  the originals when it comes to accuracy performance. It is just personal experience, specially, with muzzleladings, but it also applies to SAA´s.

Everytime I shoot an original with BP, I realise how good guns were in their time for just one reason:

most, with average condition bores, shoot like true champs without much effort!

Armi San Marco made a great replica long ago, with a beautiful finish,  that was a great shooter with anything, black powder and smokeless.  I was fool enough to sell mine many years ago.

Piettas are nicer guns when it comes to finish, though nothing comparable to the original Colts. I have no experience shooting them. The frame seems to be either  a casting or maybe just fully  CNC  machined from steel block. The Uberti and Colts are forged frame guns.

Probably Pietta is the best buy today, with a beautiful finish made with more attention to detail than Uberti, with better sanding, polishing and case harden...and in general, , well made guns, and affordable. That is probably one of the reasons why they are sold in larger quantities than the Ubertis.



all the best.