Model 1860 Army Uberti vs Pietta

[Truly Grits]

The title says it all. I want to get an 1860 Army for CAS. Which one is better, Uberti or Pietta? Why? Which feels most like the original (I have an original by Colt)?

Cheers!

[Grapeshot]

I have two Pietta 1860 Armies.  I also owned an A.Uberti 40 years ago.  Never saw a difference in the two.

[hellgate]

Take a look at how much room there is under the rammer. The originals have a lot more room than the repros. I've never been able to get the LEE conical to load in a Pietta 1860 but have in my Hartford Model ASM 1860. I owned a Cimarron (Uberti) briefly about 20 years ago and IIRC there was more room under that rammer than on the ASM. As for feel, I couldn't tell you. The current batch of Piettas are better made than about 5+ years ago so there is less difference. The old Cimarron/Uberti seemed to be of harder steel than the Piettas of that day. If you are talking older made guns then it is a slam dunk, get the Uberti. I can't tell from feel any difference between the different makes as the grips are pretty much the same (unlike the wierdo flared Pietta NAVY grips which are different than everybody else's).

[Roosterman]

I only own Ubertis so I can't compare. I ave looked at Piettas and haven't been impressed with their quality and finish.

[treebeard]

If you go to the Dark Arts archive there is an article on tuning the Pietta for competition that
Also makes some interesting  comments and comparisons to Ubertis.

[Fingers McGee]

I like the Pietta 1860s with 5 1/2 inch barrels.  The pair I have are set up to be fast & smooth.  All my 1851s/61s are Uberti.  I don't like the Pietta grip shape.

[Long Johns Wolf]

If you look at current production
# the Uberti is closer to the original dimensionally. Particularly the shape of the Pietta grip is off.
# the Pietta gets the notch as a shooter because the diameters of the chambers are already adjusted some to the rifling groove dia.
If the objective is a competition pistol and out of the box both pistols will benefit from a complete overhaul by a gunsmith who is specialized in tuning jobs for 1860 models.
This includes the adjustment of the arbor to proper length, exchange of nipples, hardening of critical parts of the lockwork., etc.
Long Johns Wolf

[Navy Six]

If your criteria is similarity to originals, I believe Uberti still gets the nod. Not only overall lines, but the fact that Uberti at least tries to hide the proof markings, etc. under the rammer where it is out of sight. This is not to knock Piettas, the current ones have a lot going for them in many ways. But you did mention a comparison to originals. As for CAS usage, flip a coin as they both need attention, usually in different areas.

[Noz]

i have owned both but not only own Piettas.

[Dick Dastardly]

My brace of 60s are Piettas.  They are now equipped with Kirst Konverter cylinders and Kirst ejectors.  They fit my big hands very well and are the most natural pointing pistols I've ever shot.  They are more fragile than Rugers, but what isn't?  Walt fitted the parts to my Piettas and he said that Pietta had improved their quality to the point that he now feels that both Pietta and Uberti were equal.  So, buy what fits you and look to price.

DD-MDA

[Coffinmaker]

Actually, I'm just piling on some other comments.  Sort of.  I spent 16+ years working on and setting up CAS guns for competition.  A direct comparison is a moot point.  Neither gun, Uberti nor Pietta are ready for a CAS match out of the box.  Unless your a masochist.
Both guns will suck caps and neither will run reliably.  Each have similar faults and each have good points. 
If your main concern is semi authentic looking markings, Uberty is the way to go.  After you get your prize out of the box, you will need to fix the arbor/barrel fit before you do anything else.  Then comes the rubbin, buffin, spring changing, wedge fitting, timing and what ever else you find not quite right.
If your looking for a gun that is easier to set up for CAS, Pietta is your bet.  Throughout the Pietta line, there is standardization and interchangeability you won't see from Uberti.  Also lots of really fun "never was" guns that are just plain KOOL!!
There are "how to"s" available for one who is handy with tools,  but since I lost my mind and dove into Cap 'n' Ball, I've personally really enjoyed Pietta guns.
YMMV

Coffinmaker

[Pettifogger]

They each have their pluses and minuses.  For CAS shooting both require some tuning to make them competition ready.  I find the Pietta's to be easier to set up for competition.  The best 1860s I have are a pair of Pietta 1860s.  I've have originals, Belgium Centare's, Ubertis and Piettas.  For CAS competition the Piettas are my go to guns.

[Slowhand Bob]

Remember that sometimes it is the non-standard that reeeally makes something personal for the individual.  Sometimes I think I am the only one who really appreciates the Navy grip frame as designed by Pietta.  Just something about that bell shape that makes it fit almost perfectly.  Even old Samuel Colt got a touch of that non-conformist  attitude and mix-matched a Pietta style model, or perhaps it was the other way around??  At one time there was an article, with photos, posted here that showed a pair of the earliest Colt 1860 prototypes made.  These were a pair made to be tested by the Govt for the military and they were slightly different from what was eventually accepted.  Those first 1860 Colt Armys were made up with the Navy grip frames and 7 1/2" barls but the Yankee generals called for those two elements to be changed.  In the end Colt was more in tune with the better design elements than were the generals who turned that first prototype down, those two features were returned to with the 1873 SAA.   

[Roosterman]

Remember that sometimes it is the non-standard that reeeally makes something personal for the individual.  Sometimes I think I am the only one who really appreciates the Navy grip frame as designed by Pietta.  Just something about that bell shape that makes it fit almost perfectly.  Even old Samuel Colt got a touch of that non-conformist  attitude and mix-matched a Pietta style model, or perhaps it was the other way around??  At one time there was an article, with photos, posted here that showed a pair of the earliest Colt 1860 prototypes made.  These were a pair made to be tested by the Govt for the military and they were slightly different from what was eventually accepted.  Those first 1860 Colt Armys were made up with the Navy grip frames and 7 1/2" barls but the Yankee generals called for those two elements to be changed.  In the end Colt was more in tune with the better design elements than were the generals who turned that first prototype down, those two features were returned to with the 1873 SAA.   

I worked for a short time at the largest gun auction house in the world. One day I came across an 1860 army #0002. It had a fluted cylinder and navy grips. Pretty cool.
Most of my Uberti 1860's have fluted cylinders and I always put Navy grips on them, even before I handled ol' #0002.

[Abilene]

I worked for a short time at the largest gun auction house in the world. One day I came across an 1860 army #0002. It had a fluted cylinder and navy grips. Pretty cool.
Most of my Uberti 1860's have fluted cylinders and I always put Navy grips on them, even before I handled ol' #0002.

Roosterman, do you happen to recall how much ol' #0002 sold for at the time?

[Roosterman]

Roosterman, do you happen to recall how much ol' #0002 sold for at the time?

No, only  worked there for 30 days and it was still being processed for a future auction by the time I left. It probably brought big bucks as it was in really good condition. This was probably 10 years ago or more.
I got to play with John Wayne's guns plus a whole bunch of historical guns too. Pretty cool job, but I couldn't see sitting in front of a computer for the rest of my life making 1/3rd of what I usually make.

[sail32]

I have a Pietta 1873 I am very happy with.

I bought a 1860 Uberti last year, and sent it back as 4 of 6 cylinders did not line up with the barrel, and the trigger guard casting had an error.

[Truly Grits]

Thanks so much, Pards, for all the great advice, as always in the Den. Funny how sometimes "the best laid plans" and all. After all the great advice, I went down to my favorite Gunshop, to inquire about cost and how long for delivery, for both brands. As you might know up here above the 49th, getting handguns is a might more difficult. Getting a specific brand and model is sometimes....harder. I was looking in particular for two model 1860's and one model 1849, 'Baby'. Apparently, if you are "lucky" and the Canadian distributor has just received a new shipment, it takes between 2 and 6 months to get the item. If you are between orders it can take between 12 and 24 months. Yes, 1 to 2 years! Needless to say I was beginning to feel sad. As I was getting ready to go, I just wandered over to the display case and............there was a brand new Uberti 1860 army, it had been in the store for quite some time and they had almost forgotten about it. I believe it was a reward from the big guy. Needless to say I adopted this poor forgotten gun and now at least have one out of three. It's going to be a great weekend! Time to make some smoke!
Cheers!

[Truly Grits]

Quick question, Pettifogger? Are you the same guy that wrote the 4 part article on "Tuning the Uberti Open Top Revolvers"? I found some references to it in the archives and found a copy. Thanks, Pard.

Cheers!

[wildman1]

Yes he is. wM1