Modding a Pietta New Model Army .44
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 9:20 pm
I've never really got on with my 8" barrelled Pietta .44
It was my first BP revolver and I got it for a knock down price that eventually included a Pietta parts kit to make it function properly. Can't grumble at that. However, I find it uncomfortable to shoot as I have clunky big hands that run out of grip. Worse than that the knuckle of my big sausage-like digit rubs against the rear of the trigger guard which is made even more uncomfortable by the weight of that long barrel.
So ... what I want to do is cut down the barrel to 4 3/8" which would bring the end of the muzzle down to just in front of the 'B' of Black Powder Only. Then I will re-work the existing stainless ramming lever to create a shorter proportioned version. I'm not worried about the practicalities of a much shorter lever as I have a bench press for reloading with the cylinder out of the gun. It will really only be there to keep the cylinder pin in place and to look in keeping with the original design.
Then I plan to locate / make or have made larger grips to accommodate my hand.
I was planning to cut the barrel down using the stainless steel cutting disc from my nine inch grinder mounted to one of my bench circular saws - so I can be sure of getting a true straight cut (cue horrified looks and comments).
So, my questions are these:
Has anyone done this before? How did it go?
Does anyone know how the pillar foresight is held in place? I'm guessing soldered but it may be screwed into a tapped hole.
Same goes for the latch retainer for the ramming lever - soldered or screwed?
And finally, anyone know of somewhere that makes larger grips for this model?
Cheers in advance.
It was my first BP revolver and I got it for a knock down price that eventually included a Pietta parts kit to make it function properly. Can't grumble at that. However, I find it uncomfortable to shoot as I have clunky big hands that run out of grip. Worse than that the knuckle of my big sausage-like digit rubs against the rear of the trigger guard which is made even more uncomfortable by the weight of that long barrel.
So ... what I want to do is cut down the barrel to 4 3/8" which would bring the end of the muzzle down to just in front of the 'B' of Black Powder Only. Then I will re-work the existing stainless ramming lever to create a shorter proportioned version. I'm not worried about the practicalities of a much shorter lever as I have a bench press for reloading with the cylinder out of the gun. It will really only be there to keep the cylinder pin in place and to look in keeping with the original design.
Then I plan to locate / make or have made larger grips to accommodate my hand.
I was planning to cut the barrel down using the stainless steel cutting disc from my nine inch grinder mounted to one of my bench circular saws - so I can be sure of getting a true straight cut (cue horrified looks and comments).
So, my questions are these:
Has anyone done this before? How did it go?
Does anyone know how the pillar foresight is held in place? I'm guessing soldered but it may be screwed into a tapped hole.
Same goes for the latch retainer for the ramming lever - soldered or screwed?
And finally, anyone know of somewhere that makes larger grips for this model?
Cheers in advance.