Heritage/Pietta Nickel Quality

GrandpaMarkley · October 15, 2012, 10:06 PM

I have my eye on a Heritage Big Bore .357. It's finished in nickel. So I am wondering if it is actually finished in nickel? Or if it's some other sort of metal (not that I have any idea what other metal it could be)? Does it hold up to regular use? Any special care needed?

Jim March · October 16, 2012, 08:30 AM

Hmm. They're doing that? Those guns are made by Pietta in Italy and then Heritage does the final finish, fitting and assembly. It's entirely possible they're doing real nickel. I haven't seen one...

Odd thing: this is the only known example of a Pietta with a transfer-bar ignition (read: modern drop-safe system for six-up carry).

bedbugbilly · October 18, 2012, 09:18 PM

the easiest way to answer that question is to give heritage a call and talk with them - they of all people ought to be able to answer your questions/concerns. I have a Heritage RR and love it. A lot of folks knock them but mine is accurate and well made for the price. I son't have any experience with the big bores but based on my experiences with my RR, I wouldn't have any hesitation in trying one.

L_Killkenny · October 19, 2012, 09:22 AM

The only thing I know concerning Heritage and their plating is that on their rimfires you can count on it peeling off the cylinders fairly soon . Seen it more than once. Are their centerfires the same? Hopefully someone will chime in with first hand experience.

Jim March · October 19, 2012, 07:58 PM

The rimfires are made of "pot metal" (with steel cores in the barrels and cylinder chamber linings) so I would suspect that platings could indeed peel.

The centerfire guns are made of real gunmetal by Pietta, who are capable of making pretty good guns - at least to the same standard as a recent-production Uberti/Beretta wheelgun.

YARDDOG(1) · October 19, 2012, 08:23 PM

I got a Heritage 22-22Mag combo R/Rider, The only thing steel on it Is the cylinders, No Inserts but the frame is Pot metal ; )

Y/D

Jim March · October 20, 2012, 11:51 AM

Ah. Yeah, I'd forgotten that their rimfire cylinders are all-steel. Sorry.

Vic · November 14, 2012, 09:01 PM

Heres my Heritage 45LC and yes, its nickle

Master Blaster 2 · November 17, 2012, 08:32 PM

LOL

Taurus®, the world's foremost manufacturer of firearms announces the acquisition of Heritage Manufacturing, Inc.

http://weaponsman.com/?p=2613

October 15, 2012, 10:06 PM	#1
GrandpaMarkley Junior Member Join Date: October 15, 2012 Posts: 1	Heritage/Pietta Nickel Quality I have my eye on a Heritage Big Bore .357. It's finished in nickel. So I am wondering if it is actually finished in nickel? Or if it's some other sort of metal (not that I have any idea what other metal it could be)? Does it hold up to regular use? Any special care needed?

October 16, 2012, 08:30 AM	#2
Jim March Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 1999 Location: Pittsburg, CA, USA Posts: 7,015	Hmm. They're doing that? Those guns are made by Pietta in Italy and then Heritage does the final finish, fitting and assembly. It's entirely possible they're doing real nickel. I haven't seen one... Odd thing: this is the only known example of a Pietta with a transfer-bar ignition (read: modern drop-safe system for six-up carry). __________________ Jim March

October 18, 2012, 09:18 PM	#3
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 1,320	the easiest way to answer that question is to give heritage a call and talk with them - they of all people ought to be able to answer your questions/concerns. I have a Heritage RR and love it. A lot of folks knock them but mine is accurate and well made for the price. I son't have any experience with the big bores but based on my experiences with my RR, I wouldn't have any hesitation in trying one. __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

October 19, 2012, 07:58 PM	#5
Jim March Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 1999 Location: Pittsburg, CA, USA Posts: 7,015	The rimfires are made of "pot metal" (with steel cores in the barrels and cylinder chamber linings) so I would suspect that platings could indeed peel. The centerfire guns are made of real gunmetal by Pietta, who are capable of making pretty good guns - at least to the same standard as a recent-production Uberti/Beretta wheelgun. __________________ Jim March

October 19, 2012, 08:23 PM	#6
YARDDOG(1) Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: GATOR COUNTRY HA HA HA! Posts: 610	I got a Heritage 22-22Mag combo R/Rider, The only thing steel on it Is the cylinders, No Inserts but the frame is Pot metal ; ) Y/D __________________ There's a GATOR in the bushes & She's Callin my name >Molly Hatchett<

October 19, 2012, 09:22 AM	#4
L_Killkenny Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,556	The only thing I know concerning Heritage and their plating is that on their rimfires you can count on it peeling off the cylinders fairly soon . Seen it more than once. Are their centerfires the same? Hopefully someone will chime in with first hand experience.

October 20, 2012, 11:51 AM	#7
Jim March Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 1999 Location: Pittsburg, CA, USA Posts: 7,015	Ah. Yeah, I'd forgotten that their rimfire cylinders are all-steel. Sorry. __________________ Jim March

November 14, 2012, 09:01 PM	#8
Vic Member Join Date: January 20, 2006 Location: San Angelo, Tx Posts: 31	Yep, Nickle Heres my Heritage 45LC and yes, its nickle

November 17, 2012, 08:32 PM	#9
Master Blaster 2 Junior member Join Date: May 29, 2011 Posts: 895	LOL Taurus®, the world's foremost manufacturer of firearms announces the acquisition of Heritage Manufacturing, Inc. http://weaponsman.com/?p=2613