M1860 Army Sheriff .44 revolver

[27th NCT]

I am considering getting a M1860 Army Sheriff model revolver.   This particular weapon is made by or at least marketed by EMF.   I have seen another one of their pistols and the fit and finish were not bad but not super great either.   I have not fired one of their revolvers however.

Does anyone here own an EMF cap and ball revolver?   Or had any experience with this particular sheriff model?    Looking for the good, the bad, and the ugly with EMF weapons.

Thanks in advance!

[Cowpox]

27th NTC,  I do not currently own an EMF cap and ball revolver, but did have a EMF .36 caliber, brass framed 1858, about 30 years ago. As you noted, the fit and finish was inferior to my other BP revolvers, but it was very accurate and dependable.  As I recall, the action was a little rough, but about 40 minutes of stoneing parts helped that situation, and it was my "go to " sidearm for about 8 years.  Countless full loads finally streched the brass frame to the point it was almost as dangerous to things along side of it, as it was in front of the muzzle !!   
    I gifted it to a friend who wanted to display a cap and ball revolver with an old musket he had picked up.   Long and short, it was well worth what it cost, and had I fed it light loads, I have no doubt it would still be in my pistol case.
     Pietta also lists a 1860 Army with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, but it lists for $75 more than the EMF Sheriffs model. However, the picture of the EMF you posted has an impressed marking on the bottom of the grip that resembles the marking Pietta puts on their grip ?
     If you have a chance, I would handle one before purchasing. If you can't find one to look at, you have two choices.  Spend an extra 75 bucks for the Pietta, or save 75 and plan on using a little fine sand paper and an Arkansas stone to smooth up the EMF, one evening, while watching TV.

[27th NCT]

Thanks for your reply Cowpox!
I am pretty certain that these sheriff models are made by Pietta.    This would not be my first cap and ball revolver but I like the barrel length of this particular one.   

I searched around Graybeard a bit and it seems EMF is well respected.   It also seems it is hit and miss with Pietta revolvers, you get what you get.

I will probably go ahead and get this one since it appears Uberti (or anyone else) does not make a M1860 with a 5.5 inch barrel.   I will post a SITREP and pictures of course!

[FourBee]

Hey 27th NCT  :
 Got my EMF 1860 .44 cal. by PIETTA just last week, and was able to try it out day before yesterday.    'Fantastic'.    Man these guns not only look good, they are well put together.    Don't know if EMF tweaked it up after they got it, or if it comes from PIETTA that way, but someone did a good job on the working parts. 

After shooting it, I stripped it completely down, pulling all the innards out of it, and gave it a good cleaning.   Looks like PIETTA is doing a good job of keeping up with the competition.
     
 

[FourBee]

Oh; forgot to post its pic.     
 Maybe past guns showed inferior properties, but this one looks good to me.  Guess cause its mine.