Black Powder Revolver Durability? (Pietta)

Vireye · September 17, 2012, 07:55 PM

Hey all,

A few of my coworkers and I have regular debates regarding firearms. My captain, for example, is a die hard Glock lover. It's all he owns, and all he claims he'll ever own.

I, on the other hand, prefer the "old school" firearms, though I do of course own a few semiauto's, my personal favorite being my Sig p228r.

We also like talking about scenarios, from realistic economic collapse/chaos to the pretty unlikely zombie apocalypse.

During one of these discussions, we were talking about firearms being confiscated by the gov't, for whatever reason. Then say there's some sort of disaster, and it's an TEOTWAWKI scenario.

My black-powder revolver, for example, not having to have been registered, would likely still be in my possession. Not only that, but it'd be the only firearm I'd be likely to own.

So, this is sort of a fun hypothetical thing. How durable, in all of your experiences, are the Pietta's? I'm looking to get the .44 1851 Navy Civilian from Cabela's.

Naturally I'd try to have spare parts for it... but is there anything else those of you who have owned these revolvers for years have experienced?

Roshi · September 17, 2012, 08:10 PM

The most vulnerable parts to breakage are the hand spring and the bolt and then the bolt spring. You can replace the hand spring with a coil spring sitting in a hole in the frame if you are handy with a drill press.

I suggest you also get a hammer.

Beagle333 · September 17, 2012, 08:17 PM

They're pretty reliable most of the time. And they're like anything else... you might get one that'll work flawlessly for 20 years, and the next one will go through 4-5 springs the first month. My first 1860 (bought in 1990) broke a spring in the first 25 shots, and then hasn't missed a beat since then. And I got a 2010 Pietta '60 that has used about 4 springs so far. Ya just never know.

brazosdave · September 18, 2012, 12:37 AM

Guess I've been lucky. My 1860 I've had for 3 yrs, and I got what they call a 51 confederate navy sheriff this spring. I hit the range about once a week and haven't had any problems with either.

Noz · September 18, 2012, 09:31 AM

Roshi is correct.

Order of breakage would be:
Hand Spring
Trigger bolt spring
Main Spring
Bolt
Hand
Trigger

The hand spring is easily corrected with a drill press and some Ruger parts that move its breakage point to the bottom of the list.
The flat trigger bolt spring can be moved down by replacing with a wire spring.
The life of the hand and the trigger c an be greatly extended by a mild heat treatment.

The remainder of the gun is built like a tank and should not wear out in many years.
Like anything they are subject to breakage when mistreated.

Roshi · September 18, 2012, 07:24 PM

Do you have directions for the "mild heat treatment"?

North East Redneck · September 18, 2012, 08:35 PM

As far as SHTF guns go, a sidelock percussion rifle, an inline 209 rifle, repeat with the shotguns, 1858 Remmie and a Ruger Old Army. Plenty of spare parts for all. A couple of flint guns could only help.
Just my .02

Hawg · September 19, 2012, 05:32 AM

Guess I've been doing something terribly wrong cuz I've only replaced one hand and the spring was still good. That was on a revolver over 40 years old.

Noz · September 19, 2012, 08:50 AM

Roshi, Heat part to red with propane torch and dip in used motor oil.

Hawg, I'm talking about running these guns far harder and faster than they were ever expected to run. My 1860s will frequently see 100 rounds a month or more, each.

brazosdave · September 19, 2012, 09:37 AM

I go through about a hundred box a month for my 2 pistols, so I expect I'll start seeing some of the wear or tear sooner or later. When that happens, any good books out there on cap and ball pistol repair? I shoot colt replicas (at the moment....

Noz · September 19, 2012, 02:30 PM

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?board=82.0

This will take you to "The Dark Arts".
Scroll down to "Tuning the Pietta"

Will work for Pietta and Uberti revolvers. Ubertis need a little more help than the Pietta, especially on the arbor.

brazosdave · September 19, 2012, 06:30 PM

Thanks Noz!

September 17, 2012, 07:55 PM	#1
Vireye Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 202	Black Powder Revolver Durability? (Pietta) Hey all, A few of my coworkers and I have regular debates regarding firearms. My captain, for example, is a die hard Glock lover. It's all he owns, and all he claims he'll ever own. I, on the other hand, prefer the "old school" firearms, though I do of course own a few semiauto's, my personal favorite being my Sig p228r. We also like talking about scenarios, from realistic economic collapse/chaos to the pretty unlikely zombie apocalypse. During one of these discussions, we were talking about firearms being confiscated by the gov't, for whatever reason. Then say there's some sort of disaster, and it's an TEOTWAWKI scenario. My black-powder revolver, for example, not having to have been registered, would likely still be in my possession. Not only that, but it'd be the only firearm I'd be likely to own. So, this is sort of a fun hypothetical thing. How durable, in all of your experiences, are the Pietta's? I'm looking to get the .44 1851 Navy Civilian from Cabela's. Naturally I'd try to have spare parts for it... but is there anything else those of you who have owned these revolvers for years have experienced?

September 17, 2012, 08:10 PM	#2
Roshi Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 223	Most vulnerable parts The most vulnerable parts to breakage are the hand spring and the bolt and then the bolt spring. You can replace the hand spring with a coil spring sitting in a hole in the frame if you are handy with a drill press. I suggest you also get a hammer.

September 18, 2012, 07:24 PM	#6
Roshi Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 223	Heat treat Do you have directions for the "mild heat treatment"?

September 18, 2012, 08:35 PM	#7
North East Redneck Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2012 Location: Berkshire Hills Posts: 741	As far as SHTF guns go, a sidelock percussion rifle, an inline 209 rifle, repeat with the shotguns, 1858 Remmie and a Ruger Old Army. Plenty of spare parts for all. A couple of flint guns could only help. Just my .02 __________________ NRA Patron Member SAF Life Member GOAL Member Last edited by North East Redneck; September 18, 2012 at 09:02 PM.

September 19, 2012, 08:50 AM	#9
Noz Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Posts: 643	Roshi, Heat part to red with propane torch and dip in used motor oil. Hawg, I'm talking about running these guns far harder and faster than they were ever expected to run. My 1860s will frequently see 100 rounds a month or more, each. Last edited by Noz; September 19, 2012 at 08:57 AM.

September 17, 2012, 08:17 PM	#3
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	They're pretty reliable most of the time. And they're like anything else... you might get one that'll work flawlessly for 20 years, and the next one will go through 4-5 springs the first month. My first 1860 (bought in 1990) broke a spring in the first 25 shots, and then hasn't missed a beat since then. And I got a 2010 Pietta '60 that has used about 4 springs so far. Ya just never know.

September 18, 2012, 12:37 AM	#4
brazosdave Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2012 Location: Crockett, Texas Posts: 363	Guess I've been lucky. My 1860 I've had for 3 yrs, and I got what they call a 51 confederate navy sheriff this spring. I hit the range about once a week and haven't had any problems with either.

September 18, 2012, 09:31 AM	#5
Noz Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Posts: 643	Roshi is correct. Order of breakage would be: Hand Spring Trigger bolt spring Main Spring Bolt Hand Trigger The hand spring is easily corrected with a drill press and some Ruger parts that move its breakage point to the bottom of the list. The flat trigger bolt spring can be moved down by replacing with a wire spring. The life of the hand and the trigger c an be greatly extended by a mild heat treatment. The remainder of the gun is built like a tank and should not wear out in many years. Like anything they are subject to breakage when mistreated.

September 19, 2012, 05:32 AM	#8
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	Guess I've been doing something terribly wrong cuz I've only replaced one hand and the spring was still good. That was on a revolver over 40 years old.

September 19, 2012, 09:37 AM	#10
brazosdave Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2012 Location: Crockett, Texas Posts: 363	I go through about a hundred box a month for my 2 pistols, so I expect I'll start seeing some of the wear or tear sooner or later. When that happens, any good books out there on cap and ball pistol repair? I shoot colt replicas (at the moment....

September 19, 2012, 02:30 PM	#11
Noz Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Posts: 643	http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?board=82.0 This will take you to "The Dark Arts". Scroll down to "Tuning the Pietta" Will work for Pietta and Uberti revolvers. Ubertis need a little more help than the Pietta, especially on the arbor.

September 19, 2012, 06:30 PM	#12
brazosdave Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2012 Location: Crockett, Texas Posts: 363	Thanks Noz!