Doc Coles SASS 1188 Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 I bought a used 1873 Uberti a while back and have been tuning it up to replace the one I have been shooting for cas since the late 1980s. The new gun is very nice and of recent production but I noticed that there is considerable side to side play in the lever when it is fully extended (when the action is open). Much more than is present on any of the five other Uberti rifles I have. An inspection of the parts shows no visible wear, it just appears that the hole in the lever is oversized, allowing the lever to wobble from side to side. I see several options. I could just live with it, but it does not seem like a good idea as the play has to have some effect on the gun's operation and may lead to strange or early wear. I could order a new factory lever but I don't want to order a new one at $95 from VTI if it's going to come with the same problem. I could drill it out slightly, insert a bronze bushing and fit it perfectly to the lever bolt and the window in the frame, which would take out all excess movement. Probably a good solution but time consuming since I would have to borrow a lathe. I could order one of the shortstroke kits that comes with a replacement lever (at more than $300, which seems a bit excessive). Has anyone had this problem and if you did, how did you handle it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokestack SASS#87384 Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 Contact Jim Bowie at the Cowboys and Indian store and order one of his hardened levers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Coles SASS 1188 Posted May 19, 2016 Author Share Posted May 19, 2016 I saw the C&I lever at $125 or with the shortstroke kit for $310. Thanks for the suggestion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furious Fritz Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 My 2 year old Uberti 1873 has also a little play (about 1mm) to both sides at the lever.It was wobbling from the beginning.I just got used to it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee Trapper Tom Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 I have a uberti 73 in 45 that I've shot for nearly ten years, and it was used when I bought. Has about 1mm of side to side play as well. The play has always been there and has never gotten worse. Just got used to it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ya Big Tree Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 I shimmed mine with a shim stock washer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 Oh God!! Something else to worry about! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G W Wade Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 My lever is loose enough that if you left the lever lock engaged when you start shooting, you can slip it around the lock. Tried shimming, but mating parts are uneven enough that lever will bind if your shim is thick enough to make any difference. Have though about bushing the lever to correct (maybe a carb throttle shaft bushing) but truthfully has never given any problem except mental ones!!. New lever screw does not help so problem does seem to be the pivot hole in the lever. This rifle is one of the post -08 models with the key instead of roll pin in firing pin extention but do not remember what year I got it. Let me hear what you decide,....GW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt McCloud, SASS #65003L Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 Shim it using a washer from a Ruger Vaquero! Works great no problem. Try one or two washers to eliminate the wobble without causing a bind! Edit: put washer between the lever and the lifter arm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 I cut shims from feeler gauges, and reduce that play for folks who WORRY about it down to nothing. Don't think it helps running the rifle any faster, though. Stick washer and lever into place while you are reassembling with a little wheel bearing grease. Good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Meadows,SASS#28485L Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 I keep sheets of brass shim stock in my shop. I use whatever size it takes to take up the play. Simple and fast solution. I fixed a lot of guns and have never fixed my own, if that tells you something. Johnny Meadows Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lead Ringer Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 I keep sheets of brass shim stock in my shop. I use whatever size it takes to take up the play. Simple and fast solution. I fixed a lot of guns and have never fixed my own, if that tells you something. Johnny Meadows Haha...isn't that the way it always is😋 Mine also has play and no plans to fixit😉 Regards, Ringer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Coles SASS 1188 Posted May 19, 2016 Author Share Posted May 19, 2016 It sounds like mine is on the larger side of the wobble spectrum. With a little effort I can slip the lever past the lever lock but it seems to be even worse when the lever is extended. Thanks for all the suggestions and information. Not sure what I will do yet. The only reason I am thinking about it is because I am tuning this one up with all the race bits (short stroke, coil springs, etc.), something I have never done on any of my other guns. Since I am going to the effort, I would like to do it right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 Plus One to Garrison Joe. Side slop (wobble) at the lever pivot screw is quite common. Depending on how bad, it may push the link sideways enough to drag on the side plates. Drop my your local Auto Parts store or Hardware store and pick up a cheap set of feeler gauges. Check the clearance between the lever and the Lifter Arm Boss. Cut a shim out of the correct feeler gauge and stick it in. Same same GJ, little grease to hold it in place. Coffinmaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 Shim it using a washer from a Ruger Vaquero! Works great no problem. Try one or two washers to eliminate the wobble without causing a bind! Edit: put washer between the lever and the lifter arm. Ruger Vaqueros don't have washers in them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Church Key, SASS # 33713 Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 You can get washers for Ruger .357 Match Champion hammers that should fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Duncan Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 I shimmed mine with a shim stock washer. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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