another 1858
- Thread starter Delmar
- Start date
There have been quite a few reports that Dixie is not the most expensive place to buy revolver parts even including the shipping.
Although they do have a huge selection, I always thought that VTI was one of the most expensive places to buy revolver parts from including the shipping.
Although they do have a huge selection, I always thought that VTI was one of the most expensive places to buy revolver parts from including the shipping.
My two cents
About eight or ten months ago I rehabbed an 1863 Remington from ASM(CVA). It was basically a shell and needed a lot of parts. I went to VTI, Deer Creek, and Dixie. I did a one for one comparison between Dixie and VTI and found that after you consider shipping and cost for parts, there was very little difference.
Some parts were more expensive at one rather than the other but it was not consistent. At VTI, the sales person actually asked me what the catalog quoted for a price.
I think if you do comparative pricing for a small job like the repair of one pistol, you will not see much advantage in using one or the other. It is fun doing the comparison so my recommendation is that you do take the time. Also you may find that my experience is unique...that there is good reason to go to one or the other for all of the parts.
I also think you will learn a lot about availability. ASM parts are getting rare enough that you may have to make use of multiple sources in order to get everything you need. On that 1863, I had to do considerable adaptation of Pietta parts. ASM parts simply are not available in some cases. That 1863 is not a popular pistol but that could be both a good or a bad thing when it comes to finding parts in a logistic support system that no longer has an input.
About eight or ten months ago I rehabbed an 1863 Remington from ASM(CVA). It was basically a shell and needed a lot of parts. I went to VTI, Deer Creek, and Dixie. I did a one for one comparison between Dixie and VTI and found that after you consider shipping and cost for parts, there was very little difference.
Some parts were more expensive at one rather than the other but it was not consistent. At VTI, the sales person actually asked me what the catalog quoted for a price.
I think if you do comparative pricing for a small job like the repair of one pistol, you will not see much advantage in using one or the other. It is fun doing the comparison so my recommendation is that you do take the time. Also you may find that my experience is unique...that there is good reason to go to one or the other for all of the parts.
I also think you will learn a lot about availability. ASM parts are getting rare enough that you may have to make use of multiple sources in order to get everything you need. On that 1863, I had to do considerable adaptation of Pietta parts. ASM parts simply are not available in some cases. That 1863 is not a popular pistol but that could be both a good or a bad thing when it comes to finding parts in a logistic support system that no longer has an input.
This Remington was made in 1973 if the date code is XX9 or '72 if XX8, not so clear to read from the mark, in the rough '70 production or replicas was at the top for quantity of small factory, but in many case at the bottom for quality
Without a clear factory mark i think is impossible to understand who made it!
One way is compare the revolver with other with well knowed producer, like mr Pietta said me during a telephone call where i asked him spare part for an old remington, the difference from makers depends for first from what original they examine for cloning, and than fron the tooling capability of the workers and the goodness of tool machine!
By the way, many small parts, like spring, were made not at home but from small workshop in the area and could be a high compatibility even in different production factory (or best to say, small family workshop where they finish rough cast, barrel and other part buyed outside and only fitted toghether).
About numbers, besides the serial numbers, often, there is an assembly number, hand fitted part need to be knowed during the building process
Rusty
Without a clear factory mark i think is impossible to understand who made it!
One way is compare the revolver with other with well knowed producer, like mr Pietta said me during a telephone call where i asked him spare part for an old remington, the difference from makers depends for first from what original they examine for cloning, and than fron the tooling capability of the workers and the goodness of tool machine!
By the way, many small parts, like spring, were made not at home but from small workshop in the area and could be a high compatibility even in different production factory (or best to say, small family workshop where they finish rough cast, barrel and other part buyed outside and only fitted toghether).
About numbers, besides the serial numbers, often, there is an assembly number, hand fitted part need to be knowed during the building process
Rusty