Which way does an Uberti 1860 barrel catch usually fly?

[Petander]

Use a piece of rawhide like we have to do with a Walker.

I took a finger off a leather glove to keep on shooting yesterday -the catch fell off right down to my feet at the second shot. Loading lever just pulls it off,the soft metals have given up.

Things looked a bit suspicious when I tapped & locktited the part back in. It won't stay, no shim can help either. The catch pulls straight off,no need to push it to the side.

A gun that lasts for 200 rounds...

[square butte]

You can try high force low temp solder from Brownells to solder it in place - It's called "Hi-Force 44" - 14,000 to 28,000 psi tensile strength and will not crack under force - It flows at 475 degrees - Gun builder sometimes use it to solder in barrel under-lugs on muzzleloader barrels

[HWooldridge]

I took a finger off a leather glove to keep on shooting yesterday -the catch fell off right down to my feet at the second shot. Loading lever just pulls it off,the soft metals have given up.

Things looked a bit suspicious when I tapped & locktited the part back in. It won't stay, no shim can help either. The catch pulls straight off,no need to push it to the side.

A gun that lasts for 200 rounds...

You basically have a Colt Walker now, from a functional standpoint.

I have a Walker replica and made a figure eight clip from a piece of steel pallet banding. It’s open on top so doesn’t interfere with sighting, and slides forward to allow loading. However, I didn’t polish it enough so scratched the bluing on the barrel somewhat - but it does work to retain the lever.

[Petander]

Haha @ HWoolridge,Walker! Yes!

I bit the bullet and bought a mini gas/oxygen set. And a silver stick with flux on it.

This needs lots of cleanup & re-finishng but it held up shooting 150 220 grainers with chambers full of Swiss FFFg. Now it is both MIG-welded at the front,then silver soldered around.

My new blackpowder hobby really got me.



Gas heat created a sight constriction at the muzzle but 15 meters looks "normal" for now.

[Petander]

Ugly but functional,still working.

But I'm afraid I shoot too much to use italian revolvers as my main BP guns... a Vaquero may be in order. Yes this Uberti is just one sample -but I've had a few Rugers and never broke any. Got a Redhawk atm.

More food for Uberti. Notice the fixed Lee mold.

[HWooldridge]

You might be able to polish the barrel restriction, either by shooting with lapping compound over the projectiles or casting a lead slug around a brass brush near the forcing cone, then applying compound and running the plug through the tight spot until it’s gone.

[Gtrubicon]

Are you seeing a benefit to powder coating your conicals?

[Petander]

You might be able to polish the barrel restriction, either by shooting with lapping compound over the projectiles or casting a lead slug around a brass brush near the forcing cone, then applying compound and running the plug through the tight spot until it’s gone.

Thanks,yes I know that.

But I'm grouping RB:s okay now,as it is. POI is still "historically correct",means high & left... I may or may not correct that. It just feels wrong to have sights that much off, in any gun. K personally can compensate but if someone else needs the gun...

Are you seeing a benefit to powder coating your conicals?

Yes - except it is Hi Tek,not PC. PC may not handle blackpowder heat...? I like this,no lead fouling and coated conicals / RB:s are just nice to handle.

[HWooldridge]

I inherited an original 1860 Army, which we used to shoot back in the 1970’s. I was concerned about corrosion in the chambers so I quit. However, I remember that it would easily stay on a one gallon plastic bleach bottle at 50 yards all day long. The front sight was pretty worn from being carried and I always wondered if they were originally regulated a bit closer. I’ve frequently heard the explanation of aiming at a standing man’s belt area for any range up to 100 yards, but I don’t know for certain.