new 1860 army

yip · March 17, 2011, 07:51 PM

i got my 1860 pietta today from cabelas, ain't bad for $200.00,needs a little tuning on the sear, it locks up nice(no slop in the cylinder) feels good, nice balance. now i hope all i read here helps. gotta get a bullet mold and give her a whirl. any help would be grrrrreat.

Doc Hoy · March 18, 2011, 10:30 AM

Should be available through Cabelas under twenty bucks plus shipping.

Some folks are satisfied with .454s. I am not.

I have a vacuum packed selection of three size balls. (.451, .454, and .457) ready to send which you can have for free if you give me your address. I think there are around 30 balls in each pack. These are balls I cast with Lyman or Lee molds. This way you can decide which size is right before you spring for a mold.

Hawg · March 18, 2011, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Should be available through Cabelas under twenty bucks plus shipping.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoot...3Bcat104218380

yip · March 18, 2011, 02:20 PM

doc; i have a .457 mold i have for my ruger old army, think that will work?

Doc Hoy · March 18, 2011, 02:38 PM

Tubular!

(Do they still say "tubular?")

Hawg · March 18, 2011, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Tubular!

(Do they still say "tubular?")

Your age is showing Doc.

yip · March 18, 2011, 02:50 PM

okay; whats tubular mean? don't forget i'm a old timer.

Fingers McGee · March 18, 2011, 02:58 PM

Methinks Doc is having surfer/valley guy flashbacks

Hawg · March 18, 2011, 02:58 PM

Ummmm I think groovy is a loose translation.

Hardcase · March 18, 2011, 03:08 PM

Gag me with a spoon.

Hawg · March 18, 2011, 03:15 PM

Narly dude.

junkman_01 · March 18, 2011, 03:24 PM

Far out.

Hawg · March 18, 2011, 03:43 PM

Grody to the max.

BConklin · March 18, 2011, 06:46 PM

That's Boss!

yip · March 18, 2011, 06:47 PM

Ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaa

**4V50 Gary** · March 18, 2011, 07:19 PM

While I was around in the '80s, I certainly never heard tubular or grody to the max. I'm not sure if its appropriate and we should be learning from HardCase's thread the proper vernacular for the period.

MEATSAW · March 18, 2011, 09:44 PM

I grew up in the 80s. Watch a few episodes of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and you will certainly hear "tubular" among many other adjectives that are more or less dead and replaced.

The next percussion I get may be a new 1860: why do you think the Pietta from Cabela's needs tuning on the sear? Sure seems like a good deal for 200 bucks.

Doc Hoy · March 19, 2011, 12:45 AM

It is a good deal.

I can't say this with conviction but it would be my thought that the revolver would be acceptable to many shooters out of the box. (Notwithstanding the occassional lapse in quality control.)

I am no gunsmith, nor is my shooting honed to the fine edge that many here on the forum have achieved. But I have worked on sears for two reasons.

1. Revolver failed to go to or remain at half cock or full cock
2. Revolver did not have a nice trigger pull. (Too rough or too heavy)

I am with you in that I am interested in learning other reasons for working on the sear.

Hawg · March 19, 2011, 01:55 AM

Maybe I'm more tolerant than most but I never felt the need to work on the sear of a new Pietta.

Doc Hoy · March 19, 2011, 06:12 AM

I failed to mention that I have little experience with new Piettas. The one I purchased doesn't need any work (1863 Reminton Pocket)

I have only worked on triggers on used pistols.

madcratebuilder · March 19, 2011, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEATSAW

why do you think the Pietta from Cabela's needs tuning on the sear?

You very seldom need to touch the sear. Most Pietta revolvers I have had my hands on suffer from a deep sear notch cut in the hammer. This gives you a lot of creep that can feel very gritty. Two quick solutions are fill the back of the notch with some JB to limit how deep the sear resets. The best method is drill and tap for a set screw. That gives you an adjustable sear stop.

enyaw · March 20, 2011, 08:36 AM

Madcrate,when you drill and tape for a set screw are you concerned with the possibility of it backing out and causing an unsafe hair trigger? Loctite? Blue?
With the hammers being hardened do you have any trouble drilling and taping?
I diamond file the front portion of the full cock notch at an angle annd that creates a new sear let off point. A line across the notch surface wwhere it changes angle so when the sear gets past the line the angle of the surface lets the sear go. Gets rid of the creep(most al of it).
The angle of the Pietta full cock notch is usually already good to go so I seldom change that.
Anywhoooo....I leave the rear most part of the notch as it was and as deep as the tip of the sear(trigger) is thick or 3/4's as deep as the sear is thick.

Gatofeo · March 20, 2011, 11:48 AM

I wouldn't work on smoothing the action much. See how the action settles in after at least 100 shots. Just learn the basics and enjoy it for now.

.457 balls will be fine with your revolver. You will find them very slightly more resistant to seat than a .451, of course, but as long as the ball is made of pure lead, or nearly so, the slightly larger diameter won't be a problem.

I use .454 and .457 balls in all my .44 cap and ball revolvers. The Ruger requires a ball of at least .457 inches. I've heard of some guys going to .460 inch.

From what I've observed, the slightly larger balls give a little edge in accuracy. Ignition seems to be better too. Because a larger ball will have a wider bearing band against the inner chamber walls, it's more resistant to movement from recoil, and provides a wider surface area for the rifling to grip.
See my sticky, "So You Want a Cap and Ball Revolver" for more information.

Shotput79 · March 20, 2011, 11:08 PM

I'm the newbee to the forum. I always thought .457 rd ball was for the .45 cal pistol's like the ruger old army. I would like to have the cylinder's on all six of my Pietta's chamfered. there's not a smith around me that's willing to do it. If I knew how I would give it a try, than, wouldn't have to shave any rings off the rd ball when there pushed into the chamber. I do have to say, I'm a pietta fan. My seventh pistol is Uberti. I've wanted a walker for a long time, but had to make up my mine as to go with the walker, or one of the dragoon models. I went to a shop here where I could see, and handel the pistol myself. I went with the walker. I must say, this is one heck of a pistol. I must say after looking over all the Uberti's he had in the case, there were a couple in there that made me realize, I will stay a pietta fan. One of my 1858 army model's is over 20 yrs old, and I've fired over 1000 rds through it. that pistol has just started getting broke in good. And I get all my black powder pistol's from Cabela's. you just cant beat the sale's they have. Sorry fellows, this all started over a .457 round ball.

P.S Two of my pietta's are 1860s 8" and 5.5". They have a home.

Doc Hoy · March 21, 2011, 12:52 AM

You came to the right place.

March 17, 2011, 07:51 PM	#1
yip Member Join Date: January 17, 2011 Posts: 19	new 1860 army i got my 1860 pietta today from cabelas, ain't bad for $200.00,needs a little tuning on the sear, it locks up nice(no slop in the cylinder) feels good, nice balance. now i hope all i read here helps. gotta get a bullet mold and give her a whirl. any help would be grrrrreat.

March 18, 2011, 10:30 AM	#2
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Lee .457 Should be available through Cabelas under twenty bucks plus shipping. Some folks are satisfied with .454s. I am not. I have a vacuum packed selection of three size balls. (.451, .454, and .457) ready to send which you can have for free if you give me your address. I think there are around 30 balls in each pack. These are balls I cast with Lyman or Lee molds. This way you can decide which size is right before you spring for a mold. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

March 18, 2011, 02:20 PM	#4
yip Member Join Date: January 17, 2011 Posts: 19	new 1860 army doc; i have a .457 mold i have for my ruger old army, think that will work?

March 18, 2011, 02:38 PM	#5
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Yip Tubular! (Do they still say "tubular?") __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

March 18, 2011, 02:50 PM	#7
yip Member Join Date: January 17, 2011 Posts: 19	new 1860 army okay; whats tubular mean? don't forget i'm a old timer.

March 18, 2011, 02:58 PM	#8
Fingers McGee Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2008 Location: High & Dry in Missouri Ozarks Posts: 2,113	Methinks Doc is having surfer/valley guy flashbacks __________________ Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee - AKA Man of Many Colts - Alter ego of Diabolical Ken; SASS Regulator 28564-L-TG; Rangemaster and stage writer extraordinaire; Frontiersman, Pistoleer, NRA Endowment Life, NMLRA, SAF, CCRKBA, STORM 327, SV115; Charter member, Central Ozarks Western Shooters Cynic: A blackguard whose faulty vision see things as they are, not as they should be. Ambrose Bierce

March 18, 2011, 02:58 PM	#9
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Ummmm I think groovy is a loose translation.

March 18, 2011, 03:08 PM	#10
Hardcase Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Location: Sunny Southern Idaho Posts: 1,909	Gag me with a spoon. __________________ Well we don't rent pigs and I figure it's better to say it right out front because a man that does like to rent pigs is... he's hard to stop - Gus McCrae

March 18, 2011, 03:15 PM	#11
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Narly dude.

March 18, 2011, 03:24 PM	#12
junkman_01 Junior member Join Date: November 9, 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 260	Far out.

March 18, 2011, 03:43 PM	#13
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Grody to the max.

March 18, 2011, 06:46 PM	#14
BConklin Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2010 Posts: 136	That's Boss!

March 18, 2011, 06:47 PM	#15
yip Member Join Date: January 17, 2011 Posts: 19	new 1860 army Ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaa

March 18, 2011, 07:19 PM	#16
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	While I was around in the '80s, I certainly never heard tubular or grody to the max. I'm not sure if its appropriate and we should be learning from HardCase's thread the proper vernacular for the period. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

March 18, 2011, 09:44 PM	#17
MEATSAW Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2009 Location: Burnet, TX Posts: 727	I grew up in the 80s. Watch a few episodes of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and you will certainly hear "tubular" among many other adjectives that are more or less dead and replaced. The next percussion I get may be a new 1860: why do you think the Pietta from Cabela's needs tuning on the sear? Sure seems like a good deal for 200 bucks. __________________ Veteran OEF (2002) and OIF1 (2003) - US Army Member of the Burnet Gun Fighters, Inc. and of course the NRA Oregon State University alum -- Go Beavs!

March 19, 2011, 12:45 AM	#18
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Meatsaw It is a good deal. I can't say this with conviction but it would be my thought that the revolver would be acceptable to many shooters out of the box. (Notwithstanding the occassional lapse in quality control.) I am no gunsmith, nor is my shooting honed to the fine edge that many here on the forum have achieved. But I have worked on sears for two reasons. 1. Revolver failed to go to or remain at half cock or full cock 2. Revolver did not have a nice trigger pull. (Too rough or too heavy) I am with you in that I am interested in learning other reasons for working on the sear. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

March 19, 2011, 01:55 AM	#19
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Maybe I'm more tolerant than most but I never felt the need to work on the sear of a new Pietta.

March 19, 2011, 06:12 AM	#20
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Hawg + 1 I failed to mention that I have little experience with new Piettas. The one I purchased doesn't need any work (1863 Reminton Pocket) I have only worked on triggers on used pistols. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

March 20, 2011, 08:36 AM	#22
enyaw Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2008 Posts: 134	Madcrate,when you drill and tape for a set screw are you concerned with the possibility of it backing out and causing an unsafe hair trigger? Loctite? Blue? With the hammers being hardened do you have any trouble drilling and taping? I diamond file the front portion of the full cock notch at an angle annd that creates a new sear let off point. A line across the notch surface wwhere it changes angle so when the sear gets past the line the angle of the surface lets the sear go. Gets rid of the creep(most al of it). The angle of the Pietta full cock notch is usually already good to go so I seldom change that. Anywhoooo....I leave the rear most part of the notch as it was and as deep as the tip of the sear(trigger) is thick or 3/4's as deep as the sear is thick.

March 20, 2011, 11:48 AM	#23
Gatofeo Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2004 Location: Remote Utah desert Posts: 224	I wouldn't work on smoothing the action much. See how the action settles in after at least 100 shots. Just learn the basics and enjoy it for now. .457 balls will be fine with your revolver. You will find them very slightly more resistant to seat than a .451, of course, but as long as the ball is made of pure lead, or nearly so, the slightly larger diameter won't be a problem. I use .454 and .457 balls in all my .44 cap and ball revolvers. The Ruger requires a ball of at least .457 inches. I've heard of some guys going to .460 inch. From what I've observed, the slightly larger balls give a little edge in accuracy. Ignition seems to be better too. Because a larger ball will have a wider bearing band against the inner chamber walls, it's more resistant to movement from recoil, and provides a wider surface area for the rifling to grip. See my sticky, "So You Want a Cap and Ball Revolver" for more information. __________________ "And lo, did I see an ugly cat. Smoke. Brimstone. Holes in parchment. And this ugly cat was much amused." --- The Prophesies of Gatodamus (1503 - 1566)

March 20, 2011, 11:08 PM	#24
Shotput79 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: NC Posts: 186	New 1860 Army I'm the newbee to the forum. I always thought .457 rd ball was for the .45 cal pistol's like the ruger old army. I would like to have the cylinder's on all six of my Pietta's chamfered. there's not a smith around me that's willing to do it. If I knew how I would give it a try, than, wouldn't have to shave any rings off the rd ball when there pushed into the chamber. I do have to say, I'm a pietta fan. My seventh pistol is Uberti. I've wanted a walker for a long time, but had to make up my mine as to go with the walker, or one of the dragoon models. I went to a shop here where I could see, and handel the pistol myself. I went with the walker. I must say, this is one heck of a pistol. I must say after looking over all the Uberti's he had in the case, there were a couple in there that made me realize, I will stay a pietta fan. One of my 1858 army model's is over 20 yrs old, and I've fired over 1000 rds through it. that pistol has just started getting broke in good. And I get all my black powder pistol's from Cabela's. you just cant beat the sale's they have. Sorry fellows, this all started over a .457 round ball. P.S Two of my pietta's are 1860s 8" and 5.5". They have a home.

March 21, 2011, 12:52 AM	#25
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Welcome to the forum You came to the right place. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.