Muchacho Viejo Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Another rifle, another jam condition I bought a used Uberti in .357/.38 from another Pard, who had installed short stroke toggle links, and flat springs. It worked like a charm for practice and two shoots, then began to hesitate when racking the lever. I thought it might be just dirty, and gave it a thorough cleaning. No help, the next shoot it jammed up while feeding cartridges, same ones I'd shot successfully before, so much I had to revert to my "old untrusty Marlin". I suppose I should bite the bullet and send my rifle(s) off to the experts for a re-due! But first I thought I would inquire if anyone is familiar with this Uberti 1873 scenario. Simply, the cartridges, almost every one of them, any length, jam, with the rim of cartridge catching under the lower claw of the bolt, preventing lever from completing its down-stroke, and preventing carrier from rising to "chambering" position. Jam can be alleviated by manually prying cartridge forward toward the chamber, or pushing the bolt head rearward, thus freeing the cartridge rim from under the lower bolt "claw". See photos & descriptions here http://rallred.smugmug.com/Other/Uberti-1873-rifle-in-357/15702830_KCJga Any advice before I pack it off the '73 hospital? Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Viejo, Your rifle is completely out of time. It wasn't timed correctly when the Short Stroke was installed. That it worked previously was just "dumb luck." Before we can tell you how to best fix the timing we need to know whose Short Stroke kit is in the gun. Got any Idea who made it?? Coffinmaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adirondack Jack, SASS #53440 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Somethin is outta time, causing it to trip over the bolt. I do think you should get a toggle link expert in there, because if it is out of time, it may also not be locking up properly, may essentially fire out of battery, etc. Don't mess with it. A good 73 doc can make er right and you'll be happy ya spent the dough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom trigger Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 My Uberti did the same thing all parts were factory the lifter would not drop that last 10mm on the down stroke I could find nothing wrong but i found out how to fix it.I dont know if I can tell you here saftey thing PM me.and I will tell you what I did to solve it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I. M. Crossdraw, SASS# 8321 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Yep. Out of time. Carrier rising too soon before the bolt is fully retracted. +1 on who made the short stroke kit? Easy fix for someone who knows 73 well. Better have an expert fix it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I. M. Crossdraw, SASS# 8321 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 My Uberti did the same thing all parts were factory the lifter would not drop that last 10mm on the down stroke I could find nothing wrong but i found out how to fix it.I dont know if I can tell you here saftey thing PM me.and I will tell you what I did to solve it. Tom, Viejo situation is quite different from yours. His has something to do with the short stroke kit. Timing between the carrier and the bolt is very important or else something will break. It is a fairly easy fix if someone knows how. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muchacho Viejo Posted February 4, 2011 Author Share Posted February 4, 2011 Thanks to all for the responses about the 1873 timing & short stroke kit. I have no idea of what brand or make the short stroke parts are. I think the best thing to do is ship it to an expert for repair and tuning. Who would be recommended? Anyone close to Utah? Thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Thanks to all for the responses about the 1873 timing & short stroke kit. I have no idea of what brand or make the short stroke parts are. I think the best thing to do is ship it to an expert for repair and tuning. Who would be recommended? Anyone close to Utah? Thanks, LongHunter's shop in Amarillo, TX Cowboys and Indian Store (Jim Bowie et al) in CA Pioneer Gunworks in OR all come to mind and would do a GREAT job. Beware that during Winter Range week coming up, all may be out of their shop) Good Luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiowa Kid, SASS #69870L Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Howdy, Are you going to winter range? If so bring it with you they can fix it on the spot real easy fix, but Johnny Meadows is the closes to you in AZ to send it but they are all going to Winter Range so it may be difficult to get ahold of anybody and if you do you maybe able to ship it to them but you will have a delay until they get back. KK LongHunter's shop in Amarillo, TX Cowboys and Indian Store (Jim Bowie et al) in CA Pioneer Gunworks in OR all come to mind and would do a GREAT job. Beware that during Winter Range week coming up, all may be out of their shop) Good Luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlicLee SASS #16638 Life Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Why not call the person you bought the rifle from, ask WHO DID WHAT? Did it work well with your ammo? If so get his specs and compare. You say, it worked fine for 2 shoots or something Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Billy Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Why not call the person you bought the rifle from, ask WHO DID WHAT? Did it work well with your ammo? If so get his specs and compare. You say, it worked fine for 2 shoots or something It's a relatively easy fix if you know what you are doing; but, as most of the guys said above, send it to a professional and it will get done right the first time. The lifter is coming up too soon and binding against the bottom of the bolt. If you retard the lifter and give the bolt time move rearward the problem will be solved. It can be done by filing away as needed the part of the lifter that contacts the lever when the lever is moved downward. This will allow the bolt to move rearward a little more before the lifter begins to raise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muchacho Viejo Posted February 6, 2011 Author Share Posted February 6, 2011 One more time....THANKS to everyone who replied. I ultimately decided to tackle the tuning/timing of the lifter arm/lever relationship in my Uberti 1873, myself. By removing a small amount of metal from the lifter arm's contact surface, which is lifted by the lever's lifting/contact surface, I have delayed the "lifting of the carrier" until after the bolt is more completely withdrawn, and as a result upon re-assembly, the rifle now will feed smoothly and reliably, all lengths of cartridges I normally load and shoot in it. I have many years of mechanical experience, including metal work & assembly to fine tolerances, so, once it was described to me where the problem likely existed, working out the relationship of the parts, and sequence of operation (timing), was pretty straight forward, and the removal of a few thousandths of metal quite easy to accomplish. I believe it is now ready to shoot another match or two now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Billy Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Glad you were able to fix your problem. The workings of these 66 and 73 rifles are fairly simple and with any amount of mechanical talent, you can usually figure out what's wrong and fix it if your willing to take a chance on screwing up and having to buy some new parts. The secret is to remove a little at a time and reassemble to see if it works.. then try again if it still jams. I had the same problem with my new '73 and an added short stroke kit. I had to retard the timing but I also had to change out the carrier because the rear of the carrier was coming up too high above the reciever, causing the cases to jam between the top of the rear part of the carrier and the top extractor in the bolt. I went back to the original carrier that came with the rifle and the rifle now runs great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quick Draw Granpaw #48525 Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I think I would check with the folks you shoot with, you might just get lucky. I know we have several who work on shootin Irons. Remember it never hurts to ask.... Happy trails QDG 48525 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubious Don #56333 Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Short strokes aren't exactly drop in! (but I suspect you suspected that) Pictures clearly show an out of time condition. Lifter arm is trying to push the carrier up BEFORE the bolt is fully retracted. Look on the bottom of the receiver by the lever pivot. There is a ledge at the front, and when you open the lever that surface pushed up on the lifter arm. (The surfaces should mate pretty close to flat and even.) This is what pushed the carrier up. To adjust, tale a bit of metal off the carrier lifter, keeping same angles. A little goes a long way. File and try. Eventually the bolt will be far enough back to clear the round. This part is important! Make sure the lower lug on the bolt DOES NOT SMACK THE RIM OF THE CARTRIDGE ON ITS WAY UP!!! Even a little contact will, over time, break this lug off. This is what holds the rim in position for the extractor to grab it. Now, if that part of the timing is off, the "other" direction might be too. Here's a link: http://www.pioneergunworks.com/page6.html Go to short stroke installation instructions. Read first then follow directions and check both up and down timing. Ok, so I answered before reading the rest of the posts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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