Big hands on small grips problem with Pietta Colt 1851

Anything muzzle loading in here. Old and new, rifles, shotguns, pistols and even cannons!

Moderator: dromia

Post Reply
Message
Author
User avatar
Dark Skies
Posts: 2824
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2014 11:02 am
Home club or Range: NRA
Contact:

Big hands on small grips problem with Pietta Colt 1851

#1 Post by Dark Skies »

I have, apparently, larger than average hands. I find my Pietta 1851 grips never really sit comfortably in my hand - with the pinkie finger underneath and the next one up awkwardly wrapped right on the edge of the bottom. I have heard that Pietta's 1860 Army has slightly longer grips. Is this true? And if so are the trigger guard and back strap a straight swap or is that where I'm likely to come unstuck in an otherwise cunning wheeze?
"I don't like my job and I don't think I'm gonna go anymore."
User avatar
bradaz11
Sporadic Site Supporter
Posts: 4714
Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2014 1:23 am
Home club or Range: The tunnel at Charmouth, BWSS
Location: Bristol
Contact:

Re: Big hands on small grips problem with Pietta Colt 1851

#2 Post by bradaz11 »

yes. 1860's are usually bigger, but depends on manufacturer. same answer for swapping
When guns are outlawed, only Outlaws will have guns
User avatar
Sim G
Past Supporter
Posts: 10726
Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2010 9:09 pm
Contact:

Re: Big hands on small grips problem with Pietta Colt 1851

#3 Post by Sim G »

Yes, the Army frame is about 1/4” longer than the Navy frame, which is also used on the 1873 actually.

The problem you’re probably going to have is that Italian manufacturers have such subtle detail changes even within the same model, never mind two different ones. It can be done, people have been doing it since the inception of the 1860, but how feasible it will be with Piettas is the issue.
In 1978 I was told by my grand dad that the secret to rifle accuracy is, a quality bullet, fired down a quality barrel..... How has that changed?

Guns dont kill people. Dads with pretty Daughters do...!
User avatar
Dark Skies
Posts: 2824
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2014 11:02 am
Home club or Range: NRA
Contact:

Re: Big hands on small grips problem with Pietta Colt 1851

#4 Post by Dark Skies »

Thanks everyone. Suitably armed I'm going to see if I can get further clarity from Pietta (and try an unsubtle blag for parts gratis).
"I don't like my job and I don't think I'm gonna go anymore."
FredB
Site Supporter Since 2019
Posts: 969
Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2010 8:33 pm
Home club or Range: stourport
Location: Wolverhampton
Contact:

Re: Big hands on small grips problem with Pietta Colt 1851

#5 Post by FredB »

Holding with the little finger under the grip ensures that you always pick up the pistol in the same way. I have very large hands and this method has always worked for me.
Fred
User avatar
Dark Skies
Posts: 2824
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2014 11:02 am
Home club or Range: NRA
Contact:

Re: Big hands on small grips problem with Pietta Colt 1851

#6 Post by Dark Skies »

FredB wrote:Holding with the little finger under the grip ensures that you always pick up the pistol in the same way. I have very large hands and this method has always worked for me.
Fred
I too always pick up the pistol in the same way. Unfortunately that same way feels uncomfortable in the hand and results in me kind of squirming about for a better purchase that I know I'm not going to achieve. I want to pick up my pistol and have it just feel right - as if I'm instinctively pointing a finger at the target. At present I'm not getting that.
"I don't like my job and I don't think I'm gonna go anymore."
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests