I a, looking to add a 7 1/2” .45 SAA copy to my collection. I have owned quite a few Italian imports over the years but it’s been awhile since I’ve been deep into them. Back when I shot CAS, the general consensus was to stay away from Piettas and ASM’s as they just were sub par compared to the Uberti’s. I have heard they have gotten batter in the past few years but was looking for first hand experience of anyone who has owned both of a fairly recent vintage. I’m having zero luck finding anything used locally, so I’m pretty close to just having a shop order me a new one. I contacted cimmaron recently as I know some of the Uberti’s have gone to a new lock work and I have zero desire to own one of those. They gave me some model numbers to stick with for the four click Uberti’s and said all Piettas are still original style lock work.

Thanks for any experience you guys can share,
Doug K

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I can share this.

EMF Firearms is owned by Pietta. I bought an 1851 Navy .36 from them earlier this year. I had read that the Pietta guns had a different grip shape than the originals and also about the internal finish. The price was good so I bought it. When I got I was pleasantly surprised. The article I had read was more than several years old and none of it fit the gun I just bought! It was finished internally better than an older Uberti that I have, the parts polished and smooth and no casting boogers anyplace. The grip shape is just like the Colt.

From EMF's website

EMF's Great Western II single action revolvers are manufactured by FAP F.LLI Pietta. Our Great Western II (GWII) line is period correct with the floating firing pin in the hammer, not a transfer bar.

For those wanting a transfer-bar revolver .. EMF's 1873-Maverick-Revolvers

https://www.emf-company.com/

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Ele era velho.
Ele era corajoso.
Ele era feio.

I appreciate the personal experience. I do a lot of buying and trying and selling but this one will be a (hopefully) lifetime purchase. That being said, a part of me says I should just buck up and find a real Colt, second generation preferably or a USFA, but prices on both make me kind of queasy!
I just wish I cilanfet one in hand to look it over before plinking down my cash.
Thanks again!

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I was looking at some the other day and none are under 2K and most are over 3K! For a shooter I hate paying those kinds of prices. Italian guns these days are over $500, even for used ones. I don't expect things to get any better either. I was wanting to get an 1849 Wells Fargo .31 caliber percussion pistol but they are priced high enough I can pass on them easily. Some places are asking over $400 for them now.

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Ele era velho.
Ele era corajoso.
Ele era feio.

https://www.elliscountyfirearms.com/product/taylors-uberti-old-randall-4-75-matte-blued... I have been looking at one of these for a project I have in mind.

I've been thinking about this one but I really don't care to pay that much ... however .. it is in really nice shape from what I can see.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/101491135

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Ele era velho.
Ele era corajoso.
Ele era feio.

Doug, I know and have shot with Alejandro Pietta. Their guns had a bad rep for years. When AP started shooting CAS seriously, he went back and told the family the quality had to improve. The new guns are great!

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Ele era velho.
Ele era corajoso.
Ele era feio.

I saw that one the other day, not in person, but I was looking at their used inventory online and that the closest cabelas to us, just the other side of town.

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That’s good to hear!

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I was gifted a "Traditions" 1860 by Pietta. VERY nicely made. I just cycled it a few (QUITE a few) times and it smoothed down nicely. Didn't break it down until after the first trip to the range. After shooting and cleaning a few times it's even smoother and I've not done anything with stones/files/sandpaper to the internals, just handled it a lot and shot it a bit. Unfortunately I can't speak to their 1873's from experience, but as posted in this thread there's been a lot of improvement. I keep holding out for a 5 1/2" in 38 spl but no one seems to make them, and the last I checked the 357's were not yet back in the pipeline either.