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Drilling a Uberti 2nd model Dragoon for coil hand spring ?


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Was wondering if anyone knows dimensionally the location to drill a hole to accept a Ruger style hand spring on a Uberti 2nd Model Dragoon. Yes I know there is a fixture and yes I know some have gotten a kazillion rounds of use out of the flat springs. I wanna do and gonna do it just trying to cut the curve a bit. Any info appreciated. 

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As many Cap Guns as I have set up for CAS, I've never had the opportunity for a coil spring and plunger inna Dragoon.  I would refer ya to Pettifoggers tutorials for "how" to measure it though.

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Attached are some of @Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 tuning guides for Pietta's, and Uberti's with info on doing the coil type conversions.

 

I used these years back for my 1860s and they came out great, not sure how different a Dragoon would be.

 

 

Tuning_the_Pietta_Part_Two.pdf Tuning_the_Uberti_Open_Top_Revolvers_Part_2.pdf

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You want the plunger to remain below the curved portion of the hand, otherwise it will cause issues with cycling, and can allow plunger and spring will come out the top of the hand channel.

Measurements give by Larson are for his specific pistol and are only for locating the middle of the hand withing the channel, you’ll need to measure yours.

I’ve done this modification to most of my cap guns, and open tops. To be fair if the gun isn’t used a lot, it isn’t a needed modification, but I understand wanting to do it.

Tully

image.png.46809aa1f6fc701bb0eecb9d2b5e300f.png

 
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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18 minutes ago, Tully Mars said:

You want the plunger to remain below the curved portion of the hand, otherwise it will cause issues with cycling, and can allow plunger and spring will come out the top of the hand channel.

Measurements give by Larson are for his specific pistol and are only for locating the middle of the hand withing the channel, you’ll need to measure yours.

I’ve done this modification to most of my cap guns, and open tops. To be fair if the gun isn’t used a lot, it isn’t a needed modification, but I understand wanting to do it.

Tully

image.png.46809aa1f6fc701bb0eecb9d2b5e300f.png

 
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's the measurement I was looking for. I presume you'd need to mark it with the hammer and hand installed. But need to not get too close to the grip threads. I've got the parts, just been hesitant to do it without knowing how far down to drill the hole. Don't use mine much, but it seems a wise modification.

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21 minutes ago, Eyesa Horg said:

That's the measurement I was looking for. I presume you'd need to mark it with the hammer and hand installed. But need to not get too close to the grip threads. I've got the parts, just been hesitant to do it without knowing how far down to drill the hole. Don't use mine much, but it seems a wise modification.

You can measure the location of the bottom of the hand to the bottom portion of the frame with the hammer and hand installed, then figure out the location of your hole. Yes it will be close to the grip screw threads. Good thing about this modification, if the hole isn't perfect you can go back to using the flat spring, nothing is harmed.

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The method in the old articles still works and works with any Colt style revolver.  It is still half the width of the hand plus the thickness of any boss that might be present.  (Arrow.)  Even on Colt 51 and 60 frames the stock Ruger plunger will fall through the plunger hole on some guns.  Simple solution is to cut the end off the drill you used to make the hole and make a longer plunger.  Yeah, yeah the hand in the photo is a Ruger.  It was the first hand/pawl I found in my junk drawer but shows the boss quite nicely.

 

DSC_0002(2).thumb.jpeg.e2c0bcfd3b2b9ab7fc7b4894ff733a01.jpeg

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I first had this conversion done in 1987 by Rowdy Yates on an 1851.  1st ever spring break a week before EOT that year.   Got the pistol back the day before EOT started.    Since had him do 3 more (2 Colt 2nd Gen 1851s and a 3rd Gen 1851, plus 2 Colt SAAs.  The Plunger he used had a step on the rear with a tight fitting spring.  Every time I've disassembled this part of the gun, the plunger came out with the spring, separable, but must be pulled off the spring.  The hole is located approx ½ way between the grip frame screw & the top of the grip frame.  On the 4 I've had done, I've never had an issue with the plunger or spring.  I'd give you detailed measurements, but the guns are in TX & I'm in KS, and headed farther afield.  Not that it'd matter a whole bunch as I'd assume the frames and related action parts might be difference sizes between the Dragoon & 1851.  I have one Uberti SAA clone that has the plunger & spring located thru the backstrap screw hole from Uberti.   IStR that Russ told me if I EVER broke or lost (far more likely), the coil spring from a standard BIC retractable pen spring would serve as a replacement, (might need shortening).  If you want to call Boomstick, he has that 1851 to use as a guide for doing another 2nd Gen Colt 1851 for me.  

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Mike Brakett @ Goongunworks.com 

If you still have my phone number .

Call me and I can give you Mike's Number .

Mike is a great guy to deal with .

We talk often. 

Rooster 

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