EMF Great Western II Californian review

chucksolo1 · February 21, 2020, 03:26:10 PM

I did what you suggested and mine is perfectly timed!

RUSS123 · February 23, 2020, 01:24:26 AM

Great!

chucksolo1 · February 24, 2020, 01:55:58 PM

The newest edition of "Guns of the Old West" magazine has reviews on the EMF Grande Californian, The Californian and the US Marshal SAA replicas. Great reviews and great reading all the articles in the magazine. Check it out.

medic15al · May 27, 2020, 08:30:02 PM

Quote from: Cholla Hill Tirador on February 18, 2020, 03:07:13 AM
I have been sore tempted to order one of these. They're beautiful revolvers and I have not read a single disparaging remark about them.

That said, I HATE the "improved" coil spring. I mean good grief....in this day and age with our improved metallurgy, how often do those leaf springs break??

If/when I buy one of these revolvers, I will purchase two hands with leaf springs; one to install and a spare!

CHT

Is it just a simple swap? I want to do this.

Coffinmaker · May 27, 2020, 08:50:10 PM

Oh Good Grief

medic15al · May 27, 2020, 08:54:18 PM

Coffin, any tips on making the coil easier to deal with? I have nerve damage in my fangers and the Uberti with the tiny screw was a bit tense trying to get back in.

Abilene · May 27, 2020, 10:18:08 PM

Leave the screw out. You will have a little less hand tension. You can adjust that with the coil spring if you need more.

medic15al · May 27, 2020, 10:25:49 PM

Didn't think of that... Thanks Abilene!!

Coffinmaker · May 28, 2020, 10:28:49 AM

PLUS ONE too Abilene

Medic15al, Yep. Abilene be spot on. That tiny little screw is unnecessary. In fact, I have several of them in the dust bunnies under my benches (Don't ask how that ever happened).

Neither Ruger nor Pietta use a retaining/tension screw for the coil spring. The only consideration is to remove the Back Step carefully rather than just "ripping it off." Going back to that flat spring on the hand is not so Bueno.

medic15al · May 28, 2020, 11:01:58 AM

Thanks Coffin! I appreciate y'all taking time to learn me on this. I was asking about the leaf due to ease of assembly, as I have neuropathy from being tied down too tight in hospital.

Gotta be honest, this was my first venture in the action and was terrified I was gonna mess up. Videos I watched all had the leaf spring in Colts and Piettas being shown.

Coffinmaker · May 28, 2020, 06:38:13 PM

Medic15al

Not a problem. Tip number one. Get a small dish sort of thing (I use empty Cap Tins) and as you take it apart, put the screws in the small dish thingie. Put the Bottom Back Strap screw in its hole. Put the Main Spring Screw back in it's hole. Put the screws for the Trigger and the Bolt IN THE PARTS as they are a different length. Order up a "Lee's gunsmithing gunfighter spring set from Brownells. Then set the OEM Mainspring back in the box. Put the OEM Trigger/Bolt spring back in the box. I also use a magnetic door sign, upside down on my bench to help keep track of small parts. Do NOT get in a hurry. Do NOT PANIC. It's all fixable.

powderhombre · July 27, 2020, 05:03:39 PM

I just bought the Pietta Grande Californian. Nice gun. The lock up is very good. The action is very smooth. The grips are great. I found it to be a few ounces light compared to the Uberti Cattleman. One very disappointing thing is on firing the very first shot the color case hardening color blew off the frame at the forcing cone revealing bare metal. very noticeable. I guess I'll touch it up every now and again with some Birchwood Casey blue. For $660.00 gun I would expect better.

Coffinmaker · July 28, 2020, 09:12:39 AM

I am somewhat miffed it the "Color Case" blowing "off" I have never seen that!! You got some pictures you could/would Share??

You would also be well served to contact EMF about the issue. They may want the gun back and replace it. Under Warranty.

Hide and Watch

powderhombre · July 28, 2020, 04:25:01 PM

try to post some pics

Coffinmaker · July 29, 2020, 10:32:56 AM

WOW!! I am really amazed. Even now that I have seen it.

More than ever, you REALLY NEED to send photos to EMF. EMF is now owned by Pietta. I would think they would be very interested in sending your sample example back to Pietta and send you and brandy new gun.

DO NOT "dab" it with cold blue if you wish to send it back.

Hide and Watch

powderhombre · July 30, 2020, 09:56:48 AM

I contacted the dealer and he told me it was very normal. That the Case Hardening is a chemical wash and not a true color case hardening . He showed me some pictures of his guns and it looks be the way it is.

RRio · August 07, 2020, 07:21:06 AM

Quote from: medic15al on May 27, 2020, 08:54:18 PM
Coffin, any tips on making the coil easier to deal with? I have nerve damage in my fangers and the Uberti with the tiny screw was a bit tense trying to get back in.

I have a special little screwdriver just for that. I magnetized the hell out of it, and now it the screw will stay put on the screwdriver until I can get the screw started.

paperchaser · August 13, 2020, 02:42:23 PM

Quote from: powderhombre on July 30, 2020, 09:56:48 AM
I contacted the dealer and he told me it was very normal. That the Case Hardening is a chemical wash and not a true color case hardening . He showed me some pictures of his guns and it looks be the way it is.

Pardon my saying so but that sounds like a bunch of B.S. !! I have two Californians (older ones) and two GW2 Stainless. Shot thousands through them with zero issue.
Call EMF direct or contact Pietta direct and explain issue.
Also, I highly recommend you contact Nate Kiowa Jones ( a.k.a. Stevesgunz.com)