ASM Connecticut Valley Arms 1860 Army-Replacement Parts or Substitutes

[Virginia Gentleman]

I am in the process of restoring one of these and need to replace the grip/backstrap screw, the arbor/cylinder wedge and screw, ramrod screw and front mounting piece and possibly the rammer itself since it is frozen right now and possibly the cylinder nipples.  My question is if I can not find ASM parts, can I substitute Pietta or Uberti 1860 parts?

My thanks in advance....

[Goody]

These guys have the last of the ASM parts, I believe. They also have a young lady named Lisa, who can help immensley if you don't see someting listed.

http://www.vtigunparts.com/store/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=84&cat=ASM+1860+Army+

[Coffinmaker]

Virginia Gentleman,

Uberti ...... Probably not.  Pietta is a strong probably.  I've been using Pietta lock works parts to rebuild ASM SA copies.  Aside from a few triggers, there aren't many ASM parts left.  Do call VTI though.  There "it" for ASM parts and Pietta parts.

Coffinmaker

[Virginia Gentleman]

Thanks and I did see that VTI has most of the parts listed as "check stock" so I will call them tomorrow.  If I can not get an ASM part then I will try to substitute a Pietta part.  I am curious if all three makers of these Colt replicas really have that much variation and why if they are supposed to be built to factory spec per se?

[Coffinmaker]

Virginia Gentilman,

Yours is a well put question.  The manufactures do not necessarily build to actual Colt Specs.  Close but no Cegar.  Always been that way.  That said, in the past, ASM built the closest copy to a Colt, the only problem was ASM had not quality control and their guns were a crap shoot to see if they would even work.  Today, next closest is Pietta, followed by Uberti and USFA.  USFA used Uberti guns as a pattern in their beginnings.  Things change.
As you travel in the land of Cowboy Action you'll hear the term "Clone" misused to death.  These guns are not even close to being clones except with general appearance.  Close copies would be a better description.  Good luck finding parts.

Coffinmaker

[Montana Slim]

Agree...if you can't get ASM part, try the Pietta.
Another tip is to get yourself a metric tap/die set...should be less than $20 at Harbor freight....and a thread-pitch gage.
I've used mine to recut/chase threads ....saved me a few times.

Note that some of the ASMs have more authentic features than lots of the other production "replica" revolvers. The hammer on my older ASM 1873 is way more "Colt-looking" than current Colts.

Regards,
Slim