Pietta Spiller & Burr Question - Good Deal?

hongrn · June 26, 2011, 06:06 PM

It's on sale at Traditions for $135.95. I'm trying to stay away from brass frames, but the price is irresistible. I know many of you have this gun. Can you please advise? Good shooter? Thanks.

Hong

http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/pr...dc5cce78507070

Hawg · June 26, 2011, 06:25 PM

it's a factory second. Depends on what's wrong with it.

OutlawJoseyWales · June 26, 2011, 09:45 PM

We'll see, I just ordered one.
I'll report back when I get it.
OJW

Missionary · June 27, 2011, 05:30 AM

Good morning
The brass frame revolvers will last a good while IF the shooter stays away from max chages especially with conicals. RB loads are much less streesful and as you will find max loads seldom give the best accuracy.
If you really want a max load BP revolver save the money and get a Riger Old Army...
Mike in Peru

kadima · June 27, 2011, 06:23 AM

Anyway, all the Italian made weapons are proof tested and therefore safe. Maybe they will have cosmetic defects or will be horrible to fire, but they won't blow away your hand (unless you were doing something seriously stupid, of course).

K.

Hawg · June 27, 2011, 07:58 AM

I'm sure the defects are cosmetic but for the money you can probably live with whatever it is.

Andy Griffith · June 27, 2011, 10:36 AM

I don't think a person could load a .36 hot enough with holy black to hurt a brass Remington/Whitney frame style revolver. I'd also be willing to bet the Colt style in brass last much longer in .36 with full loads too.

I just hope Pietta gets their Whitney steel frame up and going here soon.

Hawg · June 27, 2011, 10:38 AM

Quote:

I don't think a person could load a .36 hot enough with holy black to hurt a brass Remington/Whitney frame style revolver.

Oh yeah and you can do it very quickly.

Andy Griffith · June 27, 2011, 03:44 PM

I honestly didn't know that. I always figured that .36's in brass, especially ones with a topstrap- would be fairly indestructible.

I guess I've been lucky buying them used so far then.

I never have shot one "hot"- always for accuracy.

All I know is that my Spiller & Burr is LOUD!!!

pohill · June 27, 2011, 04:10 PM

I bought this Spiller & Burr in this condition. Someone used too much powder at some point.

Hawg · June 27, 2011, 04:28 PM

Looks like my Remington Navy.

OutlawJoseyWales · June 27, 2011, 06:44 PM

At $136 new, I think it's a pretty good deal. I shoot brass at very low loads, just enough to make it make a nice little amount of smoke.
I wanted it for a display anyway, I've got enough other things to shoot.

Guys, if you want a gun to jump up and holler-shoot a .44 mag.
Black powder is for fun.

I would hope by now that most of us know to NOT put maximum loads in a brass frame. At least by the folks that visit this wonderful site.
Great place.

OJW

bedbugbilly · June 29, 2011, 09:52 AM

You mean they actually make a revolver with a brass frame?

I'm shocked!!! I'm gonna hold out for one of the newer BP revolvers with the aluminum frames and polymer grips!

On the serious side - I had an older Navy Arms 36 - basically it was a copy of a Griswold & Gunnison with a short barrel. I enjoyed it and it was fine with light loads - a lot of fun to shoot and make smoke with. I traded it off in a gun deal and now wished that I hadn't. The Spiller & Burr looks like a nice revolver and if I add a brass frame to the herd, it would probably be the one I would pick first - I just like the history of it and the looks of it.

If someone buys one of these "specials" - please give a report on what you think of it. I could live with a "cosmetic" blemish as I would "antique" it anyway. Thanks!

OutlawJoseyWales · June 30, 2011, 10:39 PM

Just got my Spiller and Burr from Traditions. Got here pretty fast.
First revolver from them so I guess I'll add this box to my collection.

It is smaller than I thought it would be, a little smaller handle also.
With the top strap, it feels and looks similar to one of my '73 clones.

It came in the regular greasy bag, and looks totally new with grease on it.

The brass finish has some staining and the backstrap is also stained.
So, that must have been the problem.
I can see that someone might have sent it back because the finish on the brass wasn't perfect. Could have been a counter demo, can't tell.

However, if everything else checks out, I feel like I got a really good deal.
OJW

DrLaw · June 30, 2011, 10:43 PM

You're going to also find that the action may be rough. This will be a good time to learn about the innards of the gun if you don't already know.

I took mine apart and found rough tool marks on the cylinder bolt and hand. I smoothed both up with files and emery paper and it is now a nice smooth action.

The Doc is out now.

ZVP · July 1, 2011, 03:59 PM

I have a couple and really enjoy the .44Piettia Navy-style! It's a great plinker and target gun. Load them light, use only round balls and keep them lubed and they'll last a long time! There's no reason to try and "Magnumise" a frame material that won't hold up to it.
Light loads give plenty good accuracy and actually can be quite lethal so be carefull!
ZVP

hongrn · July 1, 2011, 05:24 PM

Well, I missed a big chance of getting a good bargain. The gun is no longer in stock. It went pretty fast!

OutlawJoseyWales · July 2, 2011, 12:31 AM

Well, I guess I'll have to say a big "thank you" for putting this thread together when you did. I got the pistol very quickly from Traditions too.
Great looking little pistol and I'm sure I'll shoot just fine. It's all in good fun anyway.
thanks again,
OJW

giorgio west · July 5, 2011, 10:58 AM

Good choice, Spiller and Burr
I know the company very well. They work very well.
www.georgerosecustomgrips.com

June 26, 2011, 06:06 PM	#1
hongrn Member Join Date: March 30, 2011 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 91	Pietta Spiller & Burr Question - Good Deal? It's on sale at Traditions for $135.95. I'm trying to stay away from brass frames, but the price is irresistible. I know many of you have this gun. Can you please advise? Good shooter? Thanks. Hong http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/pr...dc5cce78507070 __________________ I love the smell of soot in the morning...

June 27, 2011, 10:36 AM	#7
Andy Griffith Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2009 Location: Macon Co. NC Posts: 591	I don't think a person could load a .36 hot enough with holy black to hurt a brass Remington/Whitney frame style revolver. I'd also be willing to bet the Colt style in brass last much longer in .36 with full loads too. I just hope Pietta gets their Whitney steel frame up and going here soon. __________________ Barney Fife: "Nip it, nip it, nip it!" Andy Griffith:"Oh now Barn'...."

June 27, 2011, 03:44 PM	#9
Andy Griffith Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2009 Location: Macon Co. NC Posts: 591	I honestly didn't know that. I always figured that .36's in brass, especially ones with a topstrap- would be fairly indestructible. I guess I've been lucky buying them used so far then. I never have shot one "hot"- always for accuracy. All I know is that my Spiller & Burr is LOUD!!! __________________ Barney Fife: "Nip it, nip it, nip it!" Andy Griffith:"Oh now Barn'...."

June 29, 2011, 09:52 AM	#13
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	You mean they actually make a revolver with a brass frame? I'm shocked!!! I'm gonna hold out for one of the newer BP revolvers with the aluminum frames and polymer grips! On the serious side - I had an older Navy Arms 36 - basically it was a copy of a Griswold & Gunnison with a short barrel. I enjoyed it and it was fine with light loads - a lot of fun to shoot and make smoke with. I traded it off in a gun deal and now wished that I hadn't. The Spiller & Burr looks like a nice revolver and if I add a brass frame to the herd, it would probably be the one I would pick first - I just like the history of it and the looks of it. If someone buys one of these "specials" - please give a report on what you think of it. I could live with a "cosmetic" blemish as I would "antique" it anyway. Thanks! __________________ 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

June 30, 2011, 10:43 PM	#15
DrLaw Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2007 Location: Wild Western Illinois Posts: 559	You're going to also find that the action may be rough. This will be a good time to learn about the innards of the gun if you don't already know. I took mine apart and found rough tool marks on the cylinder bolt and hand. I smoothed both up with files and emery paper and it is now a nice smooth action. The Doc is out now. __________________ General McAuliffe said it best "Nuts."

June 26, 2011, 06:25 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	it's a factory second. Depends on what's wrong with it.

June 26, 2011, 09:45 PM	#3
OutlawJoseyWales Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 237	We'll see, I just ordered one. I'll report back when I get it. OJW

June 27, 2011, 05:30 AM	#4
Missionary Member Join Date: June 2, 2011 Posts: 78	Good morning The brass frame revolvers will last a good while IF the shooter stays away from max chages especially with conicals. RB loads are much less streesful and as you will find max loads seldom give the best accuracy. If you really want a max load BP revolver save the money and get a Riger Old Army... Mike in Peru

June 27, 2011, 06:23 AM	#5
kadima Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2010 Posts: 190	Anyway, all the Italian made weapons are proof tested and therefore safe. Maybe they will have cosmetic defects or will be horrible to fire, but they won't blow away your hand (unless you were doing something seriously stupid, of course). K.

June 27, 2011, 07:58 AM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	I'm sure the defects are cosmetic but for the money you can probably live with whatever it is.

June 27, 2011, 04:10 PM	#10
pohill Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2005 Location: northeast Posts: 521	I bought this Spiller & Burr in this condition. Someone used too much powder at some point.

June 27, 2011, 04:28 PM	#11
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	Looks like my Remington Navy.

June 27, 2011, 06:44 PM	#12
OutlawJoseyWales Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 237	At $136 new, I think it's a pretty good deal. I shoot brass at very low loads, just enough to make it make a nice little amount of smoke. I wanted it for a display anyway, I've got enough other things to shoot. Guys, if you want a gun to jump up and holler-shoot a .44 mag. Black powder is for fun. I would hope by now that most of us know to NOT put maximum loads in a brass frame. At least by the folks that visit this wonderful site. Great place. OJW

June 30, 2011, 10:39 PM	#14
OutlawJoseyWales Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 237	Just got my Spiller and Burr from Traditions. Got here pretty fast. First revolver from them so I guess I'll add this box to my collection. It is smaller than I thought it would be, a little smaller handle also. With the top strap, it feels and looks similar to one of my '73 clones. It came in the regular greasy bag, and looks totally new with grease on it. The brass finish has some staining and the backstrap is also stained. So, that must have been the problem. I can see that someone might have sent it back because the finish on the brass wasn't perfect. Could have been a counter demo, can't tell. However, if everything else checks out, I feel like I got a really good deal. OJW

July 1, 2011, 03:59 PM	#16
ZVP Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2009 Posts: 1,102	I have a couple and really enjoy the .44Piettia Navy-style! It's a great plinker and target gun. Load them light, use only round balls and keep them lubed and they'll last a long time! There's no reason to try and "Magnumise" a frame material that won't hold up to it. Light loads give plenty good accuracy and actually can be quite lethal so be carefull! ZVP

July 1, 2011, 05:24 PM	#17
hongrn Member Join Date: March 30, 2011 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 91	Well, I missed a big chance of getting a good bargain. The gun is no longer in stock. It went pretty fast! __________________ I love the smell of soot in the morning...

July 2, 2011, 12:31 AM	#18
OutlawJoseyWales Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 237	Well, I guess I'll have to say a big "thank you" for putting this thread together when you did. I got the pistol very quickly from Traditions too. Great looking little pistol and I'm sure I'll shoot just fine. It's all in good fun anyway. thanks again, OJW

July 5, 2011, 10:58 AM	#19
giorgio west Junior Member Join Date: February 12, 2011 Posts: 1	Good choice, Spiller and Burr I know the company very well. They work very well. www.georgerosecustomgrips.com