Cabela's was having a sale on their cap/ball replicas. I was originally intending to purchase a Remington, based on the recommendations of others, but truth be known I've always been a Colt fan. I have an original 1860 and wanted a twin that I could shoot and use and ding up without feeling guilty.
I first checked out the 1851 steel frame Navy (Pietta) but it was out of time and they didn't have any others in the store. So I asked if they had any 1860s and the clerk said he thought there were some in the display. I informed him that there weren't, and he looked up the stock number and discovered there were 2 of them in the back. I asked him to bring both out. I unwrapped them with his permission and compared them. Both were well-finished and well-timed; the second I examined had a possible, very slight timing issue with one chamber but certainly nothing dangerous. The grip on that one was better finished but I selected the first for purchase as the color case hardening (fake but pretty) on that was nicer, and it was perfectly timed.
He looked up the price and it showed as $269.99, but I informed him that they were on sale on the Cabela's website for $199.99, which he confirmed (the regular web price showed as $239.99 I think). They said they'd match the web price at the register.
I also had a "club card" coupon of $30 off a purchase of $199.99 or above, so I grabbed a box of .454 balls and headed to the register.
I had saved up $165 in Cabela's points on my Club Visa card, so the out of pocket cost of the pistol was about $15... most of which was tax. Can't beat that with a stick, says I. :D
I'm quite impressed with the finish and fit on this piece, particularly considering that Pietta is considered the "budget" line of the Italian replicas to my knowledge. The bluing is deep and even, the frame to grip fit is excellent, the clockwork seems quite perfect, and the grip is almost perfectly finished, the only exception being a bit of sandpaper marks on the left side which will likely polish out. The rollmarks on the cylinder are crisp and fine. Overall a beautiful replica, and one that I won't feel bad about using.
pics below, click for larger:
