I am old and retired, but my last 3 Pietta 1851 Navy .36 type BP C&B revolvers were purchased online, sight unseen, in the last 3 years, delivered to my door via UPS or FedEx.
The pistols are all excellent, especially considering the price difference between them and a Uberti pistol. Uberti pistols have always had a short arbor (unlike Pietta) and, unless the Uberti arbor is shimmed to fit the barrel recess lug, there is no way that one can consistently maintain a proper barrel/cylinder gap.
That is a serious accuracy/function thing with BP.
@realgun
The Piettas I saw at Cabela's were not the grade of gun I would want to own, even a beater.
Even a beater? It seems that you were looking at 1873 SAA repros, which I have no experience with. My advice is to buy a used Ruger Blackhawk. Good fit, good finish, better design.
The C&B revolvers are very good, fit and finish.
Evidently you had a bad day then or your Cabela's store should be reported to HQ.
Jim