Pietta 1858 Review

[hylander]

This is my new unfired Pietta 1858 in .44 made in 2011, originally sold by Cabelas. Well it was new/unfired
Bluing is very nice, I would say not as nice as most Uberti's but close.
Metal fit and finish is great, the brass to steel fit is near perfect with no sharp edges. Wood fit is pretty good but could be a bit better, wood is a little proud.
Trigger pull is heavy, maybe #4+ with much creep, actually has a little bit of creep then stops and then creeps until it breaks. For caps, Remington #10 fit perfect,
CCI #10 are to tight and do not seat all the way down, CCI #11 fall right off.
Initially the revolver shot 4" low @ 25yds, a bit of filing on the front sight and elevation is dead on, however it shoots 3.5" left. I will have to have the barrel indexed proper or have the barrel cut for a dovetail front sight. Cylinder locks up frog butt tight and timing is pretty darn good but not perfect.
Grooves Slug .451
Chambers Mic .446 for all 6

This Bad Boy can shoot
At the range other shooters where just amazed that a BP revolver could shoot such good groups, this thing makes me look good.
Overall I am one Happy Camper

Load:
.454 RB, home cast from a LEE mold.
30gr. 777 FFF
Wonder Wad under ball



This is the very first group fired at 25yds.
This was 6 rounds @ 1.45"



This is the last group fired at 25yds.
This was 8 rounds @ 1.27"

[EM2]

Awsome, thanks for the review.
I have been interested in BP for some time now but have yet to "pull the trigger".

[Beetle Bailey]

Beautiful revolver and incredible groups. Congrats!

[wingnut948]

Thanks for the review and pics. Yes, the Pietta BP revolvers at Cabelas seem to be the best BP enjoyment you can get for the money. I have a couple 1860 Colts and a Remington 1858, and they are among my favorites to take to the range.

If you haven't already, I'd recommend making some paper cartridges. This will speed up loading and add to the whole BP revolver experience.

[Enfield47]

That's a beautiful pistol Hylander. Sorry for the dumb question, but does the cylinder come out of the pistol for loading or does it work like a standard revolver where the cylinder remains attached?

[Dutch3]

I have one, 2010 vintage. I will agree the wood fit could be better.
On mine, the metal fit and finish isn't so great. The sharp edges on the loading lever latch have cut me more than once (on cold, windy days...ouch). Out of the box, the front sight did some damage as well.

I couldn't get any caps to seat properly on the factory nipples. Any brand of #10's wouldn't seat completely and #11s would fall off unless pinched.

I bought a set of Treso nipples and #11 Remingtons now fit perfectly.

I also use .454 balls with 30 grains, but am running low on 777. The recoil is like a push rather than a snap.

These things are great fun.

[wingnut948]

That's a beautiful pistol Hylander. Sorry for the dumb question, but does the cylinder come out of the pistol for loading or does it work like a standard revolver where the cylinder remains attached?

Not a dumb question. While the cylinder can easily be removed, there is a loading lever under the barrel so it can be loaded similar to other BP revolvers. That said, there are rigs that can load the removed cylinder as well.

Since these cylinders can be removed quickly, you can perform a relatively quick reload with a spare loaded cylinder, as evidenced by Clint Eastwood in Pale Rider.

[sl0re10]

That's a beautiful pistol Hylander. Sorry for the dumb question, but does the cylinder come out of the pistol for loading or does it work like a standard revolver where the cylinder remains attached?

Like someone else mentioned; yes comes out. Also you can buy spare cylinders and use them like magazines.

I have this exact model and its really fun to shoot.

[Theodore Edward]

Here's my Pietta with aftermarket faux ivory grips...

[Lead Waster]

I have one ... have yet to fire it because all the indoor ranges do not allow BP guns (spilled powder, smoke, etc).

So I bought the Kirst Konvertor for it ... and still haven't shot it.

[Lead Waster]

Not a dumb question. While the cylinder can easily be removed, there is a loading lever under the barrel so it can be loaded similar to other BP revolvers. That said, there are rigs that can load the removed cylinder as well.

Since these cylinders can be removed quickly, you can perform a relatively quick reload with a spare loaded cylinder, as evidenced by Clint Eastwood in Pale Rider.

BUT ... if you do this, DON'T CAP the cylinder off the gun! ... If you drop a preloaded and capped cylinder .... watch out!

[Enfield47]

Yeah, I guess that could make for a bad day!

I really like the look of that pistol. I've never owned a black powder gun, but the price makes it very tempting. I've shot a flint lock many years ago and that was a blast (literally). It's one thing I though would be fun to own, but maybe I'll get a pistol first. It would make a nice Christmas present.

[sl0re10]

Yeah, I guess that could make for a bad day!

I really like the look of that pistol. I've never owned a black powder gun, but the price makes it very tempting. I've shot a flint lock many years ago and that was a blast (literally). It's one thing I though would be fun to own, but maybe I'll get a pistol first. It would make a nice Christmas present.

"people say" they go on sale at Cabela's after Thanksgiving every year.

[Enfield47]

They are on sale now at Cabela's for $229.99 with a black powder starter kit plus you can get an additional $20 off if you order before 11/12. That's what is making it so tempting.

[wingnut948]

"people say" they go on sale at Cabela's after Thanksgiving every year.

Yes, it may be worth the wait. I recall a few years ago I was able to get a Pietta 1860 Colt for $176, including shipping. They were going for about $229, but were on sale for $189, then there was a code to get an additional $30 off of orders over $150.