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Posted: 10/8/2013 2:51:53 PM EDT
| Im thinking of getting one of the Pietta kits from Dixie Gun Works, either a New Army or a Navy. Ive never done one and thought it would be cool to build it with my daughter. Any recommendations ? What to look for, steer away from ? Am I wasting my time ? |
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Do NOT get one with a brass frame.
Not only are brass-framed revolvers weaker than their steel-framed brethren, they are usually of inferior workmanship and materials. Brass frames wear out from the effect of the cylinder, upon firing, bearing against the recoil shield. Eventually, the ratchets of the cylinder leave their impression in the softer brass, and the gap between cylinder and barrel increases to the point of damage or danger. Steel frames stand up to this and don't have this problem. If you take your time, you can build a fairly nice revolver. Don't rush, use the proper tools and follow the instructions. This also gives you an opportunity to apply a non-standard finish from the beginning: slightly worn to look to like an original that's lost its bluing or ... browned. I saw a browned Colt Navy at a gun show once, built from a kit. It was uniformly brown, not made to look like an old gun. The late gun writer Elmer Keith wrote of encountering a Colt Single Action Army that was copper-coated! He said the older copper was dark brown or nearly black, but where the holster rubbed against, a nice hue of copper shone through. I've often wondered about doing this. An inexpensive revolver would give you this option, without fear of ruining an expensive gun. Any major city would have a plating business. Copper would wear off the steel fairly quick, I would think. Perhaps bronze, being harder than copper, would be another plating option. If you and your daughter finish that revolver, take the opportunity to have a jeweler engrave your names and year of completion along the backstrap. It will mean a lot to both of you in later years. Lots of options to think about. But first, get the thing built! 
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