1851 pietta navy 36 cal question

[Slowhand]

3 Virgins

Doc

No bet on the unfired weapons.

I have 2 that I acquired this month. A Ruger Old Army, made in 1976. A Pietta 1858 Remington both were sold by sons who inherited them from their fathers who had never fired them. No screw driver marks or nothing. Unless some one was real careful or knew their stuff they'd never been opened. The Remmie still had the manufacturers grease in her.

I also acquired a Pietta 1851 Colt Navy that the owner said he fired once, since he bought it 2003. This one was an education in removing the wedge pin. It was stuck in there. I checked the alignment and had at it. I broke 2 cheap brass punches and tore up a piece of wood that I had used on some other weapons. I went ahead and took the wedge it all the way out and checked eveything out. I lubed it all up and got things loosened up. Getting the wedge pin back in though takes a bit of doing. It has be angled in due to the spring. This one now has some marks.

Piettas are great to learn on when it comes to disassembly and reassembly. I'd hate to mess up on a more expensive piece. This one was a $142.00 purchase. I'm ordering some spare parts, I have a feeling I'm going to need them. This one needs some range time. She has been sitting around too long.

Also I have a Uberti 1847 Colt Walker, made in 2007, that I bought looked like it was new and from looking at it the thing might have made one or two trips to a range. No powder burns or marks. She was broke in well, like the Dragoon I bought. I popped the wedge on that one out with finger pressure.

I'm not complaining mind you. But I can't guarantee how long these ladies are going to remain unfired.

 

[Noz]

Shoot "em. Chances are that the repros will never appreciate much in value.

They're too much fun to leave in the safe.

 

[Fingers McGee]

I don't know what "large" is but as you go to gun shows or to the auction sites it is not all that difficult to find examples that are 20 to 30 years old and are unfired.

In January I purchased a stainless steel Uberti 1860 Army off of GB that was made in 1985. It was described as used, probably unfired. I put it up when I got it, and just this past weekend had the opportunity to take the barrel off and the cylinder out. It was definitely unfired. Still had the original packing grease (that had hardened up) in the barrel, chambers, and on the arbor. It's now been cleaned and lubed - and put back up. I'll get around to shooting it sometime.

 

[Slowhand]

Stainless Colt

Very nice Fingers. I love those old Colt and Remingtons. I'd wager you have acquired a few over the years.

I got up this afternoon and cut some 3" wooden dowels and tapered the end to fit the slot for the wedge. 5/16s ought to be sturdy enough for any future use. This weekend I'm taking her down completely. VTI is out of stock on wedges and spring until Oct/Nov. I'm going to lay in some extra parts just in case.

Part of fun in owning these old Gals is getting them, cleaning them up and of course a range trip. Each one is unique in its own right. One thing is for sure I'm not sitting on them waiting for their value to go up. A friend of mine sold his entire collection of replicas to buy one original. His choice of course. But I'd rather be shooting while I'm still capable of getting around to do it.

 

[Doc Hoy]

Fingers

That Uberti is byoot!.

I have an ASP that likes like it but yours shines better'n mine.

There is a show this week end and I am hoping to pick something up. I am not hoping too hard because the pickins been mighty slim.

 

[Fingers McGee]

I've got an ASM also. Barrel shines as much; but the cylinder is a little dark. Havent been able to polish it out yet.

 

[Zathras]

I followed the advice of some of you here, and called cabelas about the grip blemish issue, since I noticed on the other side of the blemish side there was a deep long dent scratch there..they were very nice, and shipped me out a replacement gun, and made sure it was inspected first...the only pain in the neck, is that now "all of a sudden" an adult signature is required to get the package..since I am never home when UPS shows up, I have to tell them to hold it at the ups hub for me..should see it next week..I miss the piece already! lol

 

[WALKERsD210]

Cabela Shipping

Placed the order for my 1851 on Sunday night, the information about shipping time and required adult signature was there. No problem because expect for a few trips to the grocery store I am home most of the time or my wife is here. Anyway on Wed morning I went to post office and had notice of package. It was the 1851 shipped through the U.S. Postal Service, and on the label in bold letters was a statement that if there was no one at home to just leave it at the door. In this small bump on the road we don't have door to door delivery. Not that I'm complaining or anything but if they say adult signature required why would it be labeled to just leave it ?? The biggest surprise was how fast it was shipped.