my Uberti 73 cold hearted? 44-40

I

ironox

New member
I have a new Uberti Winchester 73' clone. We shot in 55 degree weather today and mine would not properly cycle. I failed to load a fresh cartridge into the camber on more than one occasion - more often than not. The cartridge would hang up and jam. The rifle is new with less than 1000 rounds down the barrel. All factory loads, so re-loads are not the issue. I haven't taken the rifle apart yet, so I don't know what to report. When I clean it - after every shoot, I swab the barrel and spray the chamber with cleaner and wipe dry. The cleaner I use is Ballistol. Some say I may have a weak cartridge spring in the tube. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated! Thanks.
 
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With less than 1000 rounds through it you're probably not working the action briskly enough.
 
I answered my own question. It's not cold blooded just broken. I cycled the action a dozen times to see what would happen and it locked up. I'll call
Uberti customer service tomorrow for a return number and send it in.
 
I would take the side plates off look at the links and see if either is of those long flat springs is out of place. I would never shoot a '73 with out oil and checking the action. Opening the plates won't void your warranty.
Keep us posted.
 
Dave

Yes, I found the courage to take the side plates off. I found the fastener that holds the "left side spring" attached to the housing completely sheared off. The side spring was clogged in the action. I'll pay a visit to my local smithy and purchase a couple of new fasteners - one for a spare. Perhaps my problem is solved.
 
44Dave

That was an interesting comment.

I am in the market for a 73 Winchester.

Wouldn't mind reading a little more of the care and feeding of same and you seem to be familiar with it.

Whats a good oil? (Rem Oil?)

Where to oil it?

How much?

What is a good technique for keeping the springs you spoke of in place?
 
I have been using Birchwood Casey synthetic for inside moving parts.
those flat springs stay put unless some one loosened them to lighten the action or screw breaks.
I am shooting a Winchester made in 1880, but not scene last Friday mostly shoot 5.5 gr.Trail Boss, but some times full black powder loads.
There are several You Tube videos on disassemble of the 1873, unless you think you want to get the entire trigger assembly apart they are simple and straight forward
 
Thanks Dave

I won't be shooting an original but either a Chaparral or and Uberti.

I was not away that ASP made one.

Any thoughts?

Tnx,
 
I won't be shooting an original but either a Chaparral or and Uberti.

I was not away that ASP made one.

Any thoughts?

Tnx,
Click to expand...
Stay away from the Chapparral guns. They are said to have problems (sometimes major ones) and the company has been out of business for years. They have a reputation as junk. Going on what little I have read, the ASP guns were supposed to be pretty good guns. But they are also out of business. I have owned six Uberti rifles (and a couple dozen revolvers) over the years. I currently own two. A 1866 rifle and a 1873 "short rifle", both in .44-40. I have had no problems with any of them. They are well made and accurate guns.
 
Doc, I have a '73 in .357 and the very similar '66 in .38 Special. Both are Ubertis' the '73 is a recently manufactured version and the '66 is probably 10-15 years old (I bought that one used).

As to "feeding", you need only stick to a bullet shape (I like the truncated cone flat point) and overall length that your rifle likes. It may take a bit of experimentation. I have seen brand new rifles choke on .38 Special roundnose lead factory loads.

I was advised by a cowboy gunsmith who makes a living working on these guns to avoid using grease on any of the internal workings. He recommended using a bit of light oil such as RemOil. The heavier lubes can gum up the action.

My friends who shoot black powder cartridges swear by Ballistol.

These guns are notoriously oversprung. Most cowboy shooters have the internal parts smoothed out and either change out the springs with aftermarket wire springs or have the stock springs thinned.
 
i shoot this special order 30" barreled 1876(73 on steroids) in 45-60 with 300gr cast lead bullets with 25grs imr 4198 and it works good with no signs of pressure. 2 inch groups at 50yds and 3-5 inch groups at 100yds,not to shabby for a rifle made in 1883. second rifle down in a win low wall in 38-40 and the third rifle down in a colt lightening in 32-20 eastbank.
 

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update and an observation

I called Uberti customer service and after describing my problem they were quick to send me new spring fastener screws. During re-assembly I observed that one spring appears to be longer than the other spring. For those that know, is this truly the case? Also, where may I purchased "lightened" springs? TIA!
 
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