Were you intrigued by Otis Earle’s write-up of the 1858 Remington yesterday, but were a little intimidated by the whole black powder, cap-and-ball thing? Here’s an easier way to get into the single action revolver thing. Traditions Performance Firearms is updating their Frontier (premium) and Rawhide (more affordable) series of Pietta wheel guns. We’ve asked for one to review to see if its the right piece to let you channel your inner Marshall Dillon . . .
Old Saybrook, CT (March 2013) – Traditions™ Performance Firearms introduces into their 2013 lineup single action revolvers by Pietta. The single actions will be available in two series – the Frontier series and the Rawhide series.
The Frontier Series showcases all our top quality features and finishes. This series is available in many different calibers and barrel lengths including 4.75”, 5.5”, and 7.5”. While they all have steel frames, a selection of finishes are available including color-case hardened, blued, and nickel. Grip options are walnut or white PVC. Traditions™ always put safety first and has equipped their single actions with a transfer bar safety system which provides the highest level of safety offered on an 1873 single action firearm.
The Rawhide Series offers today’s single action shooters quality and features at an affordable price. The revolver’s matte black finish is attractive and provides excellent corrosion resistance. The transfer bar safety is also incorporated on the Rawhide series single actions. This series is available in a selection of calibers and barrel lengths as well.
“The highest lever of safety”
Old Saybrook!!?? You mean someome was making guns in my neighboring town and I never knew it? Well that just sucks.
Pietta makes them. Traditions is the importer and distributor.
That’s a very handsome piece.
I like it. The ol’ lady will probably kill me if I bring home another gun for awhile but she’ll get over it
Question would be will you? lol
Personally I don’t care for the matte finish, but the guns run about $400 msrp, which is a pretty good deal for a .357 or .45lc. The regular blued with case colored frames start around $600. The nickel (and stainless from some importers) run considerably more. Uberti is also offering a transfer bar system, but as far as I know, it is advertised on its site but not available to dealers yet. The transfer bar is to allow you to load six safely, unlike the original design, which allows the hammer to rest on a cartridge if fully loaded. Both Pietta and Uberti offer a slicked up model (tuned action) that is very very nice.
I thought my Uberti 1873 Cattleman purchased back in ’09 had the transfer bar safety. I’d better double check!
And this is better than a Ruger Single-Six with the magnum cylinder installed… how??
Cause the Single Six, which I own and enjoy, is .22mag. These revolvers are available in .357 and .45lc. If you’re a serious prepper, and not everyone is, having a basic single action revolver in a caliber that can be reloaded with either modern quality components or a garage industry level of ammo that even includes black powder and home cast lead bullets is a plus.
The same reason anyone that is truly concerned about long term shtf should have some break action double barrel and single shot shotguns. Simple robust guns that can function well under adverse conditions and can be reloaded with modern factory fresh ammo or home rolled reloads that include black powder.
I’ll put in a vote for the Ruger Blackhawk. Built like a tank, adjustable sights, available in serious calibers, and in a SHTF scenario, can shoot the same ammo as your lever-action rifle if you’ve planned ahead. What’s not to like?
I concur on the Blackhawk. I love mine, and being able to shoot 45lc and 45acp is awesome. Looking to buy a 45lc lever carbine in the near future.
Which brings us to the Ruger Blackhawk convertible: .38, .357, and 9mm.
I think these look pretty damn cool, but if you’re approaching it from a prepper’s standpoint, the Ruger seems the better choice IMO.
I go with the Ruger also. I was just amking a point about the simplicity and usability of the big bore single action. I would go for the blackhawk in .45lc with the extra cylinder for .45acp. Both rounds work well with modern loads and if you had to resort to improvised, home rolled ammo they both would work well with lead bullets and black powder.
When you use black powder in the smaller cased rounds like the .38-357, 9mm you will get a lot less hitting power. The larger calibers have case capacity and bullet weights that work in their favor.
Suggested retail…?
Ignore prepper stuff and go with the sass angle, it’s the only time you can dual wield without bing called a call of duty wannabe. Everyone needs to engage their inner cowboy.
Frontier living on homesteads and ranches was pure prepper lifestyle.
It is still unknown how good of an importer Traditions will be. While Pietta makes good guns, state side support is important for when they screw up of have an issue.
I took one of these to the range last fall; after 7 rounds, the entire ejector assembly fell off. I was sent a replacement about a month ago and need to get it to the range and test it out. These are beautiful revolvers on the outside but not sure about accuracy and durability in the long run. Both revolvers had scratch marks on cylinder from what I believe to be rough spots on the inside of frame.
I have 3 Piettas, One conversion to 45Lc and 45 ACP..I use any ammo thats less than 1000 ft.ps and have no problems. I load 40 grains of Pyrodex and .454 lead balls in my C&B and have no problems.Pietta and Uberti make great replicas.
BTW I am 78 years old and have been shooting for 66 years.
Remember gun control is being able to hit what you aim at.
Gary, USMC Vet