FunnyRunner Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Looking at the EMF "Californian" in .357. Can anyone volunteer opinions on E.M.F.'s pistols as far as quality, shootability, smoothness of action, durability, etc? It will be strictly for target/fun shooting, not competition by the way. Thanks for the assist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 The EMF Californian is made by Pietta and is part of their Great Western II series. They are fine reproductions of the Colt SAA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Whiskers Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 I've had a GW2 for about 6 years and had had no problems with it.It's had a couple of thousnad rounds run through it and still keeps going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bull Skinner Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 I have a pair and do use them in competition with no problems. Dang good pistols. Ps. They are the pistols I am firing with full bp loads in the picture on the left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tucson Jim Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Pietta revised their factory and tooling in 2000-2001 and current production has a very good reputation. At least as good as current Ubertis, some say better. I've not handled one personally but the rep says "good guns" - assuming you want something lacking a transfer bar safety. Odd thing: there's actually a Pietta-built transfer bar gun being made as parts by Pietta in Italy, assembled and finished stateside as the Heritage Big-Bore series. These are not near as cheesy or "pot metal" as the Heritage small-bore guns. I've not seen any reports on this Pietta variant except for the Gunblast review: http://www.gunblast.com/WBell_HeritageBigBore.htm This pic shows what looks like a very "Ruger-ish" transfer bar but some minor differences in the hammer face shape and frame: http://www.gunblast.com/images/WBell_HeritageBigBore/45-Rough-Rider-032.jpg I don't think Heritage has assembled very many; I've never seen one and I don't know anybody shooting one. I think if I wanted a transfer bar I'd go with a Ruger . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curley Cole, SASS #56849 Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 I have EMF guns dating back to the 1970's. I still have 2 Dakotas from the 1980's. I have 7 Great Westerns, 2 1875 Remingtons, 1 1866 Yellowboy, 2 1892's and 1 1873. I have only had one issue with the first Great Western, and they fixed it while I stood visiting with Debbie. Yes I can say the guns are very good. And their customer service is second to NONE. good shootin and we expect to see pix. curley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyenne Culpepper 32827 Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 My match pistols are GWIIs and were excellent out of the box! Cheyenne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckhorn Woodie Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Pietta revised their factory and tooling in 2000-2001 and current production has a very good reputation. At least as good as current Ubertis, some say better. I've not handled one personally but the rep says "good guns" - assuming you want something lacking a transfer bar safety. Odd thing: there's actually a Pietta-built transfer bar gun being made as parts by Pietta in Italy, assembled and finished stateside as the Heritage Big-Bore series. These are not near as cheesy or "pot metal" as the Heritage small-bore guns. I've not seen any reports on this Pietta variant except for the Gunblast review: http://www.gunblast.com/WBell_HeritageBigBore.htm This pic shows what looks like a very "Ruger-ish" transfer bar but some minor differences in the hammer face shape and frame: http://www.gunblast.com/images/WBell_HeritageBigBore/45-Rough-Rider-032.jpg I don't think Heritage has assembled very many; I've never seen one and I don't know anybody shooting one. I think if I wanted a transfer bar I'd go with a Ruger . I am shooting the Heritage Big Bores ...I have 3 of them 2 case harden & a nickel in 357 with 4.75 barrels...I have put around 500 rounds through each of them. There fit & finish is good and they are smooth with a light crisp trigger and they lock up tight If you were to blind fold me I can not tell one from the other. The only complaint I have with them is the grips are a bit thick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willy Whiskers Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 My match pistols are GWIIs and were excellent out of the box! Cheyenne Same here. Got the 4" birdheads and they are just great. WW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michigan Rattler, SASS#70590 Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 My 92 from EMF is the only '92 I kept after cleaning out the safe to make room for marlins and 66's. Course it might be the job Fireball did on it that made it so slick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colts A Blazing Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 Guess I'll have to add my 2 centavos. A couple of months ago, I called Debbie @ EMF and asked her to send me two GW II .45 Colt 4 3/4" CCH/Blue Californians. Have to say they are both excellent guns. I'm actually quite impressed that the high level of quality is available at this price. Tight tolerances, great finish, well timed and smooth. Took the pistols apart and the innards are smooth and well finished. I will also say that I've dealt with Debbie over the years and she's a top drawer Cowgirl. The very few times I've had a problem with an EMF gun, she was Joannie on the spot getting it taken care of. I'll just say, Debbie & EMF highly recommended. CAB aka SAAJim Looking at the EMF "Californian" in .357. Can anyone volunteer opinions on E.M.F.'s pistols as far as quality, shootability, smoothness of action, durability, etc? It will be strictly for target/fun shooting, not competition by the way. Thanks for the assist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 Odd thing: there's actually a Pietta-built transfer bar gun being made as parts by Pietta in Italy, assembled and finished stateside as the Heritage Big-Bore series. These are not near as cheesy or "pot metal" as the Heritage small-bore guns. I've not seen any reports on this Pietta variant except for the Gunblast review: I don't think Heritage has assembled very many; I've never seen one and I don't know anybody shooting one. I think if I wanted a transfer bar I'd go with a Ruger . I've had one for about two years. It's a very nice pistol and the action is as smooth as others I've held with action jobs. The only thing I didn't care for was the cheap finish on the wood grip, so I refinished it. Other than that, fit and finish are excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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