Navy Arms 1866 Questions

[Doc Altman SASS#74468]

A buddy just called me.  Apparently a local gun store has a Navy Arms imported Uberti 1866 in .38 Special at a reasonable price.

I know there are some problems with some of the early Uberti 66s as far as short-stroking and finding parts for them.

I haven't seen the gun yet, but I'd like to be a little more informed when I head over there later today.  Can anyone offer advice on which ones to avoid, which ones are okay, and how to tell the differences?

 

Thank you all!

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

If it has a lever safety on the bottom tang, like a '73, and a carrier shorter than the current 1.6" , then it is the old version.

[Major Hazzard, SASS #23254]

For what it's worth, I have a Navy Arms '66 in .45 Colt, purchased new in 1997 at Fort Hood.  It's a 24" octagon barreled specimen.  It's heavy and awkward and not terribly ergonomic and I absolutely love it.  Eight grains of Unique and 250 grain RNFP bullets is all it knows, but boy it really shoots.

[Sedalia Dave]

Parts for the early Navy Arms rifles are non-existent.

 

I was told to check the lever. If it is blued avoid it. If it is color cased it is of the later design.

[Doc Altman SASS#74468]

I went over and looked at the Yellowboy.  It was a carbine version with a 16" barrel, blued lever, lever safety, and 1.50" carrier, so I didn't buy it.

I was hopeful, especially since it was priced at $699.  But it'll give me something to keep looking for.

 

Thank you all for the help!

 

--Doc