I expect that this has been gone over several times before, but I'll ask anyway! Is there a back strap and grip available for the Pietta 1851 that has the original Colt shape, or close to it? I like the feel of the Uberti grip over the Pietta. The front of the grip looks the same, but the back is short of material near the top, as I'm sure most everyone knows.
Pietta tail
- Thread starter logeorge
- Start date
I am only addressing Pietta 1851 Navy "type" revolvers made from ~2000 (when Pietta started to use CNC machining) to 2019.
The "tail" gripstyle was manufactured from at least 2001 [BP] through 2014 [CM]. The "non-tail" gripstyle was manufactured from 2015 [CN] through 2019 [CU].
The "tail" 3-piece grip assembly pieces (backstrap, triggerguard, wood) are not interchangeable between the "non-tail" pieces, but as an assembly will easily fit on any revolver in the range I am speaking of (above).
Pietta "tail" 1851 Navy Second Model with a part round/part octagonal barrel (my belt size Dragoon .36):
Pietta "non-tail" Leech & Rigdon (made from swapping Pietta parts as it is not produced by Pietta):
A comparison of the butt of both styles which shows the large difference between the two. In the photo, the "tail" is the top revolver, and the "non-tail" is the bottom revolver.
There is no such thing as a standard "original" Colt 1851 Navy grip. The photo is from " '51 Colt Navies", Nathan L. Swayze (1967), which also has many other photos of original guns showing many grip variations.
I have 9 different Pietta 1851 Navy "type" revolvers (to include a G&G, R&A, Augusta Machine Works, Columbus Firearms Manufacturing Company, et al) and Pietta Navy .36 guns are almost the "Legos" of the replica BP revolver world insofar as parts interchangeability. I like the "tail" as it fits my hand better than the "non-tail".
If you have a "tail" gun and don't like the gripstyle, I have a 3-piece "non-tail" assembly that I will sell.
Regards,
Jim
Fingers McGee
New member
Sorry! I received your PM. I've been having computer problems, which I just got straightened out(I think), and have had some other things going on. I didn't mean to ignore you, just been busy. I'll send you a PM later today. Just got back from the dentist, got a temporary crown on a molar. The first serious dental work in many years, other than a filling about three years back.
Your post on the grip shapes was very informative. I knew there was some variation in them, but had never looked at it as closely as you have. I wasn't so much concerned with the side-to-side shape, which can be controlled by replacing or reworking the wood, as in the profile of the back strap near the top of the grip. Also, I'm not hung up on authenticity, either. I know that an Italian clone, which might be a fine revolver in it's own right, will never be a real Colt. I do prefer the Uberti profile, as it just fits my hand better. My feeling is that every hand is different and one should try for the best fit for his hand and shooting style. I suppose that is why some say the 1911, or whatever pistol, is a natural pointer and others say it's not.
Your post on the grip shapes was very informative. I knew there was some variation in them, but had never looked at it as closely as you have. I wasn't so much concerned with the side-to-side shape, which can be controlled by replacing or reworking the wood, as in the profile of the back strap near the top of the grip. Also, I'm not hung up on authenticity, either. I know that an Italian clone, which might be a fine revolver in it's own right, will never be a real Colt. I do prefer the Uberti profile, as it just fits my hand better. My feeling is that every hand is different and one should try for the best fit for his hand and shooting style. I suppose that is why some say the 1911, or whatever pistol, is a natural pointer and others say it's not.
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