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Pioneer Gun Works - Super Short Stroke Kit for Uberti 1866 YellowBoy?


A.J. McDraw, SASS #52088

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Posted

I recently purchased a Pioneer Gun Works Super Short Stroke Kit for my Uberti 1866 Yellowboy.

 

http://shop.pioneergunworks.com/product.sc;jsessionid=CBEA7AA07B7B4373ECB5E105FF024208.m1plqscsfapp03?productId=2&categoryId=7

 

I was wondering your thoughts on the SS Kit and any reviews, Pro or Con, installation advice, modifications,

additional parts purchased and overall feel of the lever action, and any time improvements

you recorded for getting your 66 ready for a match.

 

Thanks,

A.J. McDraw

Posted

When I had my Uberti 73 short stroked I was faster due to me not moving as much when levering and staying on target. One thing you have to keep in mind with the super short stroke is it takes more effort to lever the rifle so you really need to have a smooth rifle to start with and or get a action job

Posted

Don't know if you have had one done but Pioneer recommends an action job before the installation of a short stroke kit. If you have a '66 that was built after 2000 the short stroke kit should fit. If the rifle is older, a s/s kit may not fit as the link pins and internal dimensions may be too different to work around. Check the head space when you connect the links and the lever as, sometimes, the head space will extend if the links have to be pulled down to far to connect to the lever. That may also result in the loading gate hitting up against the right link and jamming so that rounds can't be loaded. That can be remedied by having longer links made by Pioneer. These are some of the things I have run up against. There is a pdf file available from Pioneeer's web site on s/s installation that is pretty good and Joe, can give you advice if you need it. He's very helpful.

 

The s/skit will definitely improve your times with the rifle. Remember though, that the '66 doesn't have a lever safety and the chance of an out of battery discharge is always present. Make sure you check the bolt face and firing pin hole for any burrs that may cause the firing pin to stick in the extended position.

 

Good luck.

Posted

I installed a PGW SS stroke kit in an 1866. The instructions were missing some information that I figured out. If you don't, I hear a phone call to PGW is very helpful. I sold it to Farmer Tom, he likes it a lot.

 

Fillmore

Posted

Everyone always says it takes more effort to run a super short stroke kit, I installed one in my 73 and to tell the truth once the timer goes off I don't notice a difference in effort.Like others said you should have an action job prior to installation,I also installed the coil spring main spring kit in mine which I thought helped a lot to make everything work smoother.

Posted

I've put a first Generation Short stroke kit in my 66's

Changed it out for the regular SS from Pioneer.. (I think this is what's called the 2nd. gen)

I've since went to the Super SS from Pioneer..

Probably just me but my times haven't improved yet over the Regular SS from Pioneer..

 

Rance ;)

Thinkin' it's probably just me gettin' older and slower :blush:

Posted

I installed a PGW SS stroke kit in an 1866. The instructions were missing some information that I figured out. If you don't, I hear a phone call to PGW is very helpful. I sold it to Farmer Tom, he likes it a lot.

 

Fillmore

 

I do, it wouldn't be a stretch to say I love the rifle!

 

I saw this thread earlier, and wasn't sure what to add, as neither of us knew what all was done to the rifle when he sold it to me other than the PGW super short stroke.

 

I still don't know for sure, but it shoots like a dream. Showing it to another '66 shooter, we've established that it's had the springs worked, at least.

 

With the springs worked, there is very little difference in levering the gun through a stage when loaded, and when practicing unloaded. Very nice action.

Posted

I have read about all the new short stroke kits I wonder do they really help ?? seems to be some trade offs with each . And after all you can only shoot as fast as you can acquire your target .when do you reach the point of deminishing return?

Posted

My 66s run the generation three and I have no desire to upgrade.

 

Personal opinion? I feel that the money I spent on the short stroke kits could have been used for practice ammunition for a more lasting benefit.

 

the whisper springs are a whole nother thing. Would not do without them.

Posted

I have also heard that there is a kit to replace the hammer flat spring with a coil spring to prevent stacking .Is there a benefit to this mod ?

Posted

If you want to run your rifle in the mid 2's or better (seconds) on a dump style stage and in the mid 3's or better on a stage with movement you will need a good SS kit, a good action job, and good springs. Most winners of matches above the local level are running there rifles that fast or faster.

When the timer goes off a well tuned SS gun does not seem any harder to lever than one without a SS and is a pleasure to shoot.

So the answer to your question lies in the level of competition you want to achieve. The shortest legal kit in a well tuned rifle is faster for sure, you can learn fast target acquisition but a slow gun will hold you back.

I personally didn't like the coil mainspring and yanked it out of my match rifle, I can adjust a leaf spring that feels better to me. I have one I can sell for a good price. One of the benefits is said to be dependability, they never break or so they say.

Posted

I have seen what is called a speed sight on the 66 carbine it is a brass bead Is there anything bigger on the market the sight still seems small.This is a barrel band sight and I have not seen larger ones.

Posted

Tuning the mainspring differently to eliminate the stacking effect is the hardest part.

 

installation is straightforward but can be time consuming with just a file.

Posted

My short stroked 66 used to stack up, and I had to adjust constantly to run it. Changed to slickmagic mainspring, and it fixed it. His spring is lighter and longer. Changed the whole feel of the rifle. Shorter the stroke, the less your sights have a fit while cycling.

Posted

I have seen what is called a speed sight on the 66 carbine it is a brass bead Is there anything bigger on the market the sight still seems small.This is a barrel band sight and I have not seen larger ones.

Put one of Slick's Sure Hit sights on it.

http://www.surehitsights.com/

Posted

What is the "stacking effect" y'all are talking about?

Posted

Generally cycling a 66 or 73 is quite smooth. With the maximum short stroke kits, you loose just a little mechanical advantage, so any hindrance is amplified and you feel a little more resistance when cycling. Often time is is towards that latter part of the cycle.

 

That is why you need to have the action smoothed out about as much as you can when using these links. It shows up for the "supper short" links than the links that leave the action a little longer.

 

But with a good action job, you probably won't notice any read difference - especially after the Beep.

Posted

Pioneer offers a speed sight which is a barrel band type the brass bead is larger but I would like a larger one any ideas ?

 

Thanks

Posted

What these folks have said about the shorter stroke taking a bit more effort is true. And it might not even feel quite as smooth as a rifle with a longer stroke. Having said that, when the buzzer goes off, those rifles RUN! I have NEVER noticed the extra effort during a stage. NEVER With the shortest stroke kits, it is possible to lever the action without taking your hand off the stock. Just flick your fingers out and back, and you are ready to go. My 73s were done by the C&I shop, and they were Gen 4, I believe. They are slicker'n snot on a brass doorknob.

Posted

Roy B, that was a good tutorial. I installed the super short stroke kit, and polished the links and lifter arm with emery real fine grit paper, I had whisper springs on already. I noticed a shorter lever stroke, and what felt Like less side to side wobble from levering, but I am practicing holding my hand right at the end of the stock as well.

I didn't yet file down the lifter arm, because the action seems smooth after installing it...so once I get to test shoot The 66, and compare the action with some other cowpokes rifles, I'll make adjustments.

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