Couple of Uberti/Cimmaron SAs and load results

[oscarflytyer]

My two Colt clones, 44 WCF and 45 Colt. Just beginning to ring these out and I def started in the right place on both! All at 10 yds (old eyes, etc...). 45 Colt is Lee 255 w/ 7.1 grns HP-38. 44 WCF is Lee 44-200 RNFP, but mine drops @ 215 grns. 8.0 & 8.5 grns Unique. The 44 WCF is a challenge. .430 throats, and have to get the case mouth within .001 to get them to chamber.

 

[35 shooter]

Nice looking handguns.

 

[oscarflytyer]

Thanx - got both of them on the semi-cheap. And because they are Colt clones and about the only way I can afford a 'Colt,' let alone 2! If I find a clone in 38-40 I will snatch it!

 

[shootnlead]

Nice!

I love my clones...although, they are all in .44Special as I sold all of my .45Colts, a while back.

 

[Ian]

I have a smattering of those and like them a lot, too. The Lee 255 is a great bullet, I crimp in the top lube groove. One thing I do to ALL of them right away is replace the trigger/cylinder bolt spring with a Wolf wire spring. This accomplishes two things: First it takes the harshness out of the cylinder bolt "snapping" against the cylinder and eliminates the peening of the top arch of the bolt and marring of the cylinder, and second it makes for a lighter, more linear trigger pull force. The flat springs load up badly at the end of their travel and are too light at the beginning.

Another mod is to replace the cylinder base pin cross bolt spring with a Wolf Extra Power spring, because the base pins on all of mine had a tendency to jump out after a few shots. Other than that, they've all been good to go after a teardown, cleaning of factory gunk from the innards, and a light lubing.

 

[Reed]

Thanx - got both of them on the semi-cheap. And because they are Colt clones and about the only way I can afford a 'Colt,' let alone 2! If I find a clone in 38-40 I will snatch it!

Back in the 80's a gunsmith I know of claimed that the Uberti, Hammerli, etc. clones had better workmanship than Colt's own product.

 

[quicksylver]

Back in the 80's a gunsmith I know of claimed that the Uberti, Hammerli, etc. clones had better workmanship than Colt's own product.

From 1970 on up that statement is correct...

 

[Ian]

Far better than Colt for the most part. Never had much issue with Colt small parts, but I hear Uberti has been producing those for Colt for a long time.

 

[Reed]

Speaking of parts, has anyone had experience replacing their SAA clone base pin with one that doesn't work its way out during firing? I see Midway has some kits that they advertise for Peacemaker.

 

[Ian]

After my Dad's Bisley worked out and peened the heck out of the base pin groove (we like to never got it apart) I replaced it with an oversize pin from Brownells. Not the super-oversize pin, but the one that's slightly over. Just a little work with a drill and some oiled sandpaper and it fit great. Replacing the cross bolt spring with a Wolf extra-power spring has been sufficient to keep the problem from recurring, so I went ahead and replaced the spring on all of mine and have never had a problem with the original base pins jumping ship.

 

[Reed]

After my Dad's Bisley worked out and peened the heck out of the base pin groove (we like to never got it apart) I replaced it with an oversize pin from Brownells. Not the super-oversize pin, but the one that's slightly over. Just a little work with a drill and some oiled sandpaper and it fit great. Replacing the cross bolt spring with a Wolf extra-power spring has been sufficient to keep the problem from recurring, so I went ahead and replaced the spring on all of mine and have never had a problem with the original base pins jumping ship.

Good information. Thanks. Mine rides past the cross bolt when recoil gets sufficient. Somewhere I saw a replacement base pin that had a more pronounced shoulder to stop it from slipping past the cross bolt.

 

[Ian]

It's been a long time since I researched this, but from what I remember there were kits that replaced the cross bolt with a fixed bolt which required a screwdriver to remove. Part of the problem is the cross bolt barely engages the groove due to it's limited plunge travel, so only the end of the large section of cross bolt engages the base pin groove. If the cross bolt went all the way across the base pin groove it would be much more secure.

 

[oscarflytyer]

I have a smattering of those and like them a lot, too. The Lee 255 is a great bullet, I crimp in the top lube groove. One thing I do to ALL of them right away is replace the trigger/cylinder bolt spring with a Wolf wire spring. This accomplishes two things: First it takes the harshness out of the cylinder bolt "snapping" against the cylinder and eliminates the peening of the top arch of the bolt and marring of the cylinder, and second it makes for a lighter, more linear trigger pull force. The flat springs load up badly at the end of their travel and are too light at the beginning.

Another mod is to replace the cylinder base pin cross bolt spring with a Wolf Extra Power spring, because the base pins on all of mine had a tendency to jump out after a few shots. Other than that, they've all been good to go after a teardown, cleaning of factory gunk from the innards, and a light lubing.

Ian - would you pls pm me details on spring upgrades one these? I have done them on my Ruger SAs and would def be interested in details on the Uberti/Cimarrons. They shoot great, but I know after-market springs can be a great improvement. Thanx

 

[Ian]

Others may want to know too. Here's the wire spring (along with an OE replacement flat spring option which I do not recommend): http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...sear-springs/sear-bolt-springs-prod25464.aspx Change this spring before the bolt arch gets peened and buggars the notches in your cylinder.

Base pin spring for a Ruger. I don't remember if I used one of these or if Wolf makes one for the 1873 specifically. http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...s/extra-power-base-pin-springs-prod83996.aspx Change this before the cross bolt peens the cylinder base pin and ruins it.

 

[freebullet]

Nice shooting. Without colt money in them you won't feel guilty about using the carp out of them.

 

[shootnlead]

Nice shooting. Without colt money in them you won't feel guilty about using the carp out of them.

BINGO!

That is the way I look at it, too. Believe me...I shoot the carp out of mine and enjoy them to the fullest. Great shooters!

Just change out that flat spring and rock and roll. Never had an issue with any of my base pins backing out.

 

[oscarflytyer]

Thanx Ian! And yes, I intend to shoot the snot out of these! And they will get carried in the woods too. And nope - won't feel bad at all!

 

[shootnlead]

oscar...x 2 on the woods carry...I use mine for that as well.

Just gonna put this out there...the Bianchi Lawman holster works very well for them. Matter of fact, it works well for any single action...I have them for almost every single action that I own. I much prefer it to the standard western style holster...it it the holster in the pic.

 

[oscarflytyer]

have one too! and yes works great!

 

[9.3X62AL]

I have had two of these Uberti SAA clones, both with 4-3/4" barrels--one each in 45 Colt and 44/40 WCF. The 45 Colt went down the road after the Bisley Blackhawk x 45 Colt arrived, and I sold off the wrong 45 Colt. In fairness to Ruger, they did leave enough metal in the throats to open them up to match the .452" grooves in the barrel. Some firearms are sold in kit form these days. Ahem......

The Pasta Coltas have been an unalloyed delight for me. I have shot them extensively, and have yet to experience the glitches referred to above. I will watch for same, and appreciate the "Heads up".

I would check with Cimarron Arms to obtain a Uberti-made SAA clone in one of the boutique calibers.