Uberti 1861

[Bardo]

So I have been wanting one of these for a long time. I walked into the pawn shop today and they had this sitting in the case. I paided 215.00 out the door for the gun, case and everything in the case. (I think this is a older gun because the flask was full of real black powder) I dont think it has been fired much if any. The one thing that is wrong with it is someone hit the wedge and didnt use a wood dowel, but some cold blue made that look alot better. So I am wondering if there is a load that shoots point of aim. My 1860 shoots high with a round ball and 30gr of powder (which is pretty common). With these being a 36 cal and having a lighter ball do these hit more point of aim?

Bardo

Now the question is do I keep my 1860? I dont shot the cap n balls very much.

62415

[Alan]

They were pretty much all sighted in for 75 yards or so. That being said, my '61s shoot pretty close to "on" for elevation. Every fixed sighted pistol I own shoots betweend 1-4" left for me. I don't think it is flinch, I think it has something to do with my wrist bones. Wider grips seem to shoot farther left.

I like shooting my .36s as much or more than my .44's. Try .375's and .380's in it, and work up a good load. Try a mostly full charge of Goex 2F. These guns can be amazingly accurate if you find out what they like.

[Mike Brooks]

I have a pair of those, great guns. Have shot them a bunch in SASS matches. I don't recall exactly where they shoot. I do recall they are very accurate and fun to shoot.

[Bardo]

This one was made in 1976 there was a AB on the side of the frame. Im going to try .380 and .375. Hoping for .375 because I already have a mold. The 1861 is noticably smaller then the 1860 when I compared them, which supprised me.

Bardo

[Hellgate]

My first "real gun" was and is an 1861 Uberti Navy. It is still as tight as the day I bought it back in 1969. About 20 grs + a wad under the ball will serve you well. You got a steal. I did have to put a rear sight notch on the back of the barrel (like an 1872 Open top) because my gun shot way off to the left (and I am left handed so it wasn't jerking the trigger). I would suggest a dovetail front sight if it shoots way off to one side. I've shot rattlers, squirrels, nutria, jackrabbits and one duck with that gun. It has had at least a couple thousand rounds through it. Good job!

[Bardo]

Well I went and shot both guns today 1861 and 1860. And I perfer shooting the 44 cals. This kind of suprised me because I am a big 38 special 32 H&R mag fan. The 1861 shot point of aim pretty good. I just like the feel of the 1860 a little better. But now I know, that was my first 36 cal cap n ball.

Bardo

[Omnivore]

I like my Uberti '61 a lot, but it is substantially heavier than my 44s. Somehow the 44s (a Colt and a Remington)just feel better, but it may be because I've used them so much more than the newer '61. The '61's sight notch on the hammer was so tiny I could barely make out any space between it and the front blade, so I widened it using triangular files. It shoots pretty close to POA, but could use some minor tweaking-- nothing that can't be done with a file to the hammer. I have molds for .380" round ball and the Lee conical. The two projectiles, with about 21 grains Swiss 3F (IIRC) shoot to a slightly different POI at 25 yards, so I have to decide which load I want to optimize the sights for. These things take time. Experimenting is half the fun though.

By the way; great deal on that cased set.

[Bardo]

So I am going to sale this gun and maybe the 1860 as well. I am looking at getting a 1851 conversion that uberti makes. Anyone shoot one of these? Also are they cleaner to shoot if you use black powder in them then normal cap n ball? I just ordered 10lbs of black powder and like shooting the black powder. I will probably get the conversion in the shorter barrel.

Bardo

[Bardo]

Also did the 1851 conversions come in a 4 5/8" or 5 1/2" or just the 7 1/2". I now they didnt come in 38 special but I am fine with that.

[Mike Brooks]

I have a ubert '51 conversion. Great gun . Doesn't shoot any cleaner, but the cylinder is slightly easier to clean.