Pietta Quality Control (or lack thereof)

H

hongrn

New member
The FedEx folks just delivered a Traditions Pietta 1860 to me, the antiqued model, so let me point out the atrocious QC method at Pietta. Good thing I learned a few gunsmithing tricks from you folks on these forums.

Pic 1: See the teeth on the frame? What's the deal with that?

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Pic 2: Damage to the cylinder stops. Luckily, I saw this before cocking the gun.

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Pic 3: Unmodified bolt, undoubtedly thicker than cylinder stops.

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Pic 4: Lousy finish on the loading lever.

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I absolutely don't doubt what you've got on your hands. I also know that a sample of one isn't enough to draw a conclusion.

It doesn't ease the sting, I know. If it's that bad, I'd send it back.
 
Nevertheless, how can they let this one escape the QC room? I have two other Piettas, 1851 and 1860 with steel frames that look quite decent.
 
I never had one from Traditions but I've had several from Cabela's that were just fine. I even have one imported by Pioneer that was made in 76 thats really nice.
 
hongrn, what makes you think they have a QC room?
I'll bet my bippie they dump parts out of the castings, hit with a wheel to get rid of casting marks, assemble and ship.
Everytime I see something like this I am reminded of when I had my gun shop in the 1970s. I specialized in muzzle loaders and got on a lot of mailing lists.
One in particular offered European made C&B revolvers. One solicitation I got offered Rem. Armys in .44 cal. The price, including all shipping and import fees was $575.00 a GROSS. That worked out to under $4.00 each.
Even translated into current day dollar values that isn't much. Now figure how much went into manufacturing each one after profits, shipping, etc. is subtracted.
I doubt much has changed.
BTW, dealers who bought them sold at retail for $50.00 to $150.00. I should have, woulda made a killing.
If you get a good one, consider yourselves lucky.
 
Pietta got new CNC machinery around 2000. Their quality is on a par with Uberti now, maybe better mechanically. Everybody lets a lemon thru once in awhile even S&W and Ruger.
 
My Pietta, purchased with an action job through BP Stuff, is flawless. On the other hand, my 1862 Uberti Pocket Navy had cylinder drag marks, came with broken safety pins, and is harder to cock than my Pietta. So who knows--maybe it's like the old saying on Detroit Iron--don't buy a car made on a monday!
 
I'm not buying a collector's gun, so I don't mind small flaws here and there, like scratches or blemishes. But, what are the odds of getting a frame that looks like Tony snatched out of the cast with his jaw, and a loading lever with machining marks as if it was done by a 12 year old? This should have gone straight to the reject basket, unless Traditions bought the reject basket and put it on sale (I'm just being facetious here).

Unhappy Hong
 
Hong

You have a good reason to complain about the specimen you received. And if it is your only evidence of Pietta quality, you have a good reason to suspect other work from Pietta.

Hawg plus one....Send it back.
 
The cylinder notch peening is unacceptable IMHO. The rest is typical Italian revolver, from any manufacturer. I've received crappy "new" revolvers from ASM, Pietta, Uberti and Colt blackpowder arms (3rd gens) You have to think of these as semi finished kit guns and you well not be as disappointed.
 
SEND IT BACK!

I am a Pietta fan and I would have that puppy in the mail in a heartbeat. No excuse for that.

Try to contact Alchemista on this forum. He is Pietta.
 
I am a HUGE Pietta fan, and I think you have gotten a rare lemon right there. Send it back, and I bet the replacement one you will get will be flawless like a Swiss watch.

The Pietta Remington 1858 that I have right now is built so well that just cocking the hammer and listening to the bolt click into position is as satisfying as shooting it. Kirst ungated (Pale Rider) cylinder dropped right in without any modifications. I have taken 300 yard shots with it, and it supplied me with antelope, elk, and whitetail meat for the dinner pot too:)
 
is it cosmetic or functional issues?

1. does it make it look ugly or unpleasant? cosmetic
2. does it make it unsafe to use? functional
a, does it cut your finger when you try to use it?
3. does it keep the weapon from being used as a weapon? functional
a, does it still shoot when loaded, capped, hammer pulled back and trigger pulled in such a manner as to cause said cocked hammer to fall forward upon a cappend and loaded chamber?

or

are the chambers round circles? in line with hte bore when fully indexed/
if so its not too bad.
 
is it cosmetic or functional issues?
Click to expand...

When I pay for a used gun, I understand that it may have cosmetic issues related to the years of abuse by the previous owner. However, when I pay for a new gun, I expect it to be cosmetically and functionally perfect. It's like buying a new car that runs well, but it got a big scratch on the hood. Would you settle for that? It's functional! Geez...
 
I never got a bad one however you're not paying the price you would if QC was as high as it could be.
 
Pietta makes good guns it's just who you buy them from. Cabella offers great prices but Hum---if the shoe fits-wear it.
 
Pietta makes good guns it's just who you buy them from. Cabella offers great prices but Hum---if the shoe fits-wear it.
Click to expand...

Sorry to disagree with you Billy, but a company that makes good products, does so across the board, no matter who they sell to. Your statement doesn't make sense.
 
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