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Dirty 73 Issue ----Resolved


Rootin Tootin

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Posted

I have two identical 73's in 357. I shoot the same ammo in both with an OAL of 1.43, 38 spec.  Both have the alum carriers and super short stroke kits from the same manufacturer. Timing is correct and when clean the both can run 10 rounds in 4 sec's.  

 

The problem I'm having is the newer of the two, (brand new this year) fouls up after about 200 rounds causing the carrier to drag just enough to mess up the timing (even with a shot of break free ) and the other can run 600 to 700 before starting to slow down and needing a cleaning.. Any ideas on what may be the problem????

 

 I would like the newer rifle to be my main match gun but cant trust it for a big match without breaking it down each night.....Not a big problem but not ideal.......

 

Thanks   RT

Posted

The chamber in the dirty one maybe a tad bigger, allowing more blowback.

 

If you like it otherwise, get an aerosol can of Ballistol and spritz the carrier and bolt every 3 stages and go have fun.  Black powder shooters do this a lot.

 

Spritzing and keeping the fouling soft makes your eventual cleanup easier too.

Posted

I wonder what the chamber size is on both rifles.

IF the chamber is slightly larger, the case will not seal as well and you will get more blow back into the mechanism.

 

Do you lube the carrier?

 

You may want to try either a dry lube such as Seal 1 or clean it and run it dry.  That would help to reduce accumulation of carbon.

Posted

Unfortunately, there is no "Identical" rifles.  Even though it seems they are, there will be small differences in tolerances between moving parts.  I would say that the newer rifle has a tighter/smaller fit between parts than your older rifle.

Posted

I know I'll get flamed for saying this, but if you clean it every time you bring it home, it won't fail you when you take it out again. 

 

I had a .45 Colt carbine that had to have the sides removed and the carrier pulled every time I brought it home in order to keep it clean enough to run well.   OTOH, I now shoot a .44-40 Codymatic that I only have to clean with Q-Tips in places I can reach without opening up the sides.  I only take the sides off my Codymatic about once a year, but I still give it that minimum of cleaning every time and she runs slicker than snot on a brass doorknob.  Therefore, I'm not saying you have to do a full detail strip every time, but you have to find the level of care that will keep it running and then stick to it.

 

 

Posted

Lay the carrier on sandpaper and remove some off the sides. If you are shooting the same ammo, clean them the same and 1 acts different something is different. Check how free the carriers are in both, Good luck

Posted

I recommend cleaning it before a big match.  btw; what big matches are you going to where you will need to fire 200+ rnds with your rifle?

Posted

I cannot tolerate finiky guns.

 

Waimea

Posted

If your carrier slides easily in the frame when the gun is clean,

then I would Not recommend taking any material off the carrier, especially on an aluminum one

 

My GUESS is that your timing is ever so slightly off,

causing the carrier & bolt to interfere when there is a bit of gunk build up present.

The cure may be to file just a tiny bit off the bottom of the lifter where it meets the lever

But, without seeing the gun, its all just speculation........

Posted

I'm with Waimea. I make enough mistakes without my equipment letting me down. If I can't fix a problem in a couple of tries, I'm getting a new gun. Or, guns as the case may be.

Posted

I've had good luck when I didn't want to do a full cleaning, just hosing down the carrier and working the action several times with this.

 

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hornady-reg-One-Shot-Gun-Cleaner-and-Dry-Lube-with-Dyna-Glide-Plus/740053.uts?productVariantId=3085349

 

Randy

Posted

Carriers are $65 and I know of some really top levels smith's that thin them....brass or aluminum. No two Uberti's are the same........lol

Posted

An easy fix might be to step up the powder weight another 10-20% in your rifle loads.  Especially if you either feel gas blowback in your face or have dirty cases out of the more finicky rifle.  That way you have more chance of getting the chamber sealed when round fires, and reduce powder and lube fouling in the action.  

 

Powder coated slugs in your load will eliminate the lube part of the fouling, too.

 

Good luck, GJ

 

 

Posted

There is a really really simple solution to this problem that only takes about 10 - 15 minutes.

Posted

Thanks to all for there input..........

Posted
3 hours ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

There is a really really simple solution to this problem that only takes about 10 - 15 minutes.

 

If it is not a trade secret, the solution is?

Posted
On ‎5‎/‎29‎/‎2017 at 9:48 AM, Rootin Tootin said:

I have two identical 73's in 357. I shoot the same ammo in both with an OAL of 1.43, 38 spec.  Both have the alum carriers and super short stroke kits from the same manufacturer. Timing is correct and when clean the both can run 10 rounds in 4 sec's.  

 

The problem I'm having is the newer of the two, (brand new this year) fouls up after about 200 rounds causing the carrier to drag just enough to mess up the timing (even with a shot of break free ) and the other can run 600 to 700 before starting to slow down and needing a cleaning.. Any ideas on what may be the problem????

 

 I would like the newer rifle to be my main match gun but cant trust it for a big match without breaking it down each night.....Not a big problem but not ideal.......

 

Thanks   RT

Did you measure the OAL or did someone else tell you the measurement? I used 125 Grain for a long time and all of a sudden I started experiencing the same issue as you are now. I questioned the AMMO mfg and they had recently purchased a new set of dies. Both of my 73s require AMMO that has a Min of 1.424 OAL. I still use the same Mfg but now shoot 158 grains. No issues for years.

Posted

The shorter the round the dirtier it will be. If you ran 357 it will probably run clean. I got two identical rifles run the same round but one gets slightly dirtier than the other. You'll find the chamber in the dirtier one will be slightly bigger. 

 

Posted

I get teased A LOT because I clean my guns after every match - if I have time I'll remove stock (Marlin) and do a complete tear down and clean.... on a few occasions, I've just wiped them down... but when I go to clean them the next time, I do complete tear down. 

 

If you don't want to get teased by the "cool kids", :P I'd try 357 cases before I sanded or sold the gun. 

 

Happy trails!

Scarlett

 

 

Posted

Thanks to all.  Here is what I did to fix the dragging when dirty.........

 

Found a ever so slight timing issue on the very top rear corners of the carrier.  Adjusted timing slightly and also polished the front face of the carrier at the chamber end. It is a  more tolerant of build up..........I'll play around with it to determine when to tear down and clean. 

 

Also purchased some dry lube to help eliminate the gunk during a big match.....or extend intervals between cleaning.  

 

 

Posted

I do not mind cleaning my guns, plus also my fiancé's guns, after every match we shoot. That's 8 guns to clean twice a month. That is what I was taught to do after going shooting as a youngster, and rather enjoy sitting there cleaning them while listening to the radio. They get a cleaning and I check over the screws every other cleaning. Same way as I enjoy loading ammo. It's my quiet time......

Posted

More powder or a heavier bullet or both will reduce the blow-by and help with the problem.

Posted

Cleaning the guns is great but it still doesn't address the variations in the machining and fit of after market parts. Glad you get er' running.

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