New Build Pietta ....... interesting

[Coffinmaker]

Step right up Folks, See Little Egypt do his famous Dance of the Pyramids.  Or ....... Just some interesting stuff about Pietta.

I like Pietta guns.  They respond really well to "tuning" to play the CAS game.  In fact, Piettas respond VERY well.  My favorite.  There
have been some changes however.  ALL of the changes are GOOD.  

It has been discussed ad nausium about Pietta's version of the 1851 Gripframe and the rather pronounced "Trombone Bell" or "tail"
as Pietta's signature ..... thing.  Folks either like it ....... or hate it.  No grey area here.  It's GONE (whew).  As we have been discussing
here and on some other threads, the Pietta 1851 grips have gone "Colt."  Wonderfulness.

Now for some new news about Pietta.  I just accepted a new commission to build up a set of Pietta 1851s that are obviously "new build"
as evidenced by the "new" grip shape.  The New News however, is about what's inside.  
Pietta has changed the Hand Spring.  Completely.  In the past, Pietta's hand spring was a thin, flat, brittle little doo dad with a hook
sorta bend at the end.  Snap right off.  I have immediately snap'd em off and installed Coil Springs and Plungers to insure the guns
are reliable.
The New Build guns I am working on changed all that.  The new spring is a completely different shape.  It's thicker and made from
more resilient stuff.  Very Very resistant to breaking.  I had to really work at breaking the first one.  Realized too late I probably didn't
need to replace it at all.  Just polish up the bearing surface and stick it back in the gun.  The spring also appears to have been "staked"
in with a press, rather than some ham hock with a hammer and punch.  After having broken the first one, I did continue with the
second one so the "feel" of the guns would be the same, but in the future, I think all that will be needed is a quick polish and run
what ya brung.  Cool Huh??

Back to Regularly Scheduled Programming

Coffinmaker

PS:  I forgot.  Pietta in now adding a nice tasty little bevel to the backside of the trigger.  Improves the "Break."  

[Thumb Buster]

When I went up to Cabela's and tried one I was really surprised at the grip, the action and the lock-up.  Nice to hear about the hand spring being beefier and better.  Now, I've gotta' go get one so I have an even two 1851 Pietta's...or rather that'll be my excuse.  Pathetic, isn't it?  No!!  NO, it isn't.   

[Pettifogger]

Alessandro Pietta is a CAS shooter and he listens to other shooters.

[john boy]

What's the trigger pull in pounds or ounces with the new innards?

[Coffinmaker]

Thumb Buster ......  Pay close attention.  Stay focused.  Concentrate >>>>> Ready??  OK!!  There is no such thing as a "Pathetic"
excuse to acquire ..... more.  Simple concept.  YOU  CANNOT  HAVE  TOO  MANY  CAP GUNS!!  WHAT???  Your not already on the
way to Cabela's??  Get a move on Bub!!

Pettifogger,
Alessandro Pietta (aka: Alcamista) is a really fun CAS shooter.  Have had the pleasure of meeting him.  Fun Guy.  And Tall.  Did I mention
really TALL.  And yes, he certainly listens to CAS shooters.

John boy,
Nada Clue.  In all the years I've worked as a Gunplumber, I've never used a trigger pull gauge.  The trigger, when I'm done, has to "Feel"
right, have a little creep and a nice break at the end of it's travel.  I'll give a WAG (Military acronym for Wild Ass Guess) that with a
reduced Main Spring it runs around 3 - 4 pounds.  In this game, I personally think a real light trigger with no creep is a hazard.  Seen
way too many ADs from "too light" trigger pull.  Hand Spring doesn't affect trigger pull.  Just the Main Spring, Trigger/Bolt Spring and
Sear engagement.

[Thumb Buster]

Okay Coffinmaker, okay.  I just had a lapse there.  Hadn't had my fourth mug of coffee yet.  Called ahead and they were out but expecting more "anytime"...whatever that means.  I was gonna' ask about what you thought of the lock-up and cylinder gap?

[Cliff Fendley]

Good news! Pietta has gradually stepped up their quality and appears they are continuing to do so.

[Major 2]

I met the man himself at the 2007 & 09 Shot Show.

Aside from 6'4 height, I was impressed by the fact having met little old me at 2007 show
he genuinely remembered me 2 years later by name....
Very personable fellow....     

[Coffinmaker]

Thumb Buster ...............

Ahem.  Well.  Ah .... Two very good questions.  The timing was perfect.  The Bolt still does not "quite" fit the cylinder notches.  Close,
but just a little too tight for my liking.  Although I didn't have to remove as much metal as in the past, some relief of the back (trailing)
aide of the bolt was necessary to insure the bolt would seat properly.
WHAT ...... Cylinder Gap??  There wasn't any.  Well, the cylinder would turn, but just.  Held up to the light, you could not "see" any gap,
and my feeler gauge gave up.  I had to open them both up to .006 which I feel provides the best compromise.  I have learned to
remove the cylinder between stages and wipe down the cylinder face and the breach of the barrel.

There are those who feel the cylinder gap should be as small as humanly possible, but I'm not one.  The cylinder scrapping  it's way thru
the buildup on the cylinder is not my idea of "prime" function.  Since I load "off the gun" on a cylinder loading press (Shameless plug for
The Tower of Power) the wipe down is absolutely no hassle.  Just part of my loading routine.  Of course, since my Main Match guns
are ALL Snubbies, the loading press is du rigger.

Coffinmaker