Go West Posted August 20 Share Posted August 20 I recently acquired a used 1866 that is unmodified. Would the addition of Slix Springs lever and carrier springs or equivalent be a worthwhile addition using the stock brass carrier? I'm not interested in a short stroke kit, new aluminum carrier or hiring a smith to slick it up. Some say yes to the springs with the stock carrier and some say no, so I don't know what to think. This is in .45 Colt that I will shoot occasionally. Thanks in advance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted August 20 Share Posted August 20 Go West Yep. About 30% of the lever effort is caused by the OEM Lever Side Springs which are quite heavy. The change to Slix springs will reduce the lever effort somewhat. The Slix Springs DO require minor fitting of the horizontal leg to insure the spring doesn't drag on the side plates. Along with the Slix Springs, I also recommend you source a reduced after-market Main Spring. The OEM Main Spring belongs under a RAM Pickup. Also, with those changes, a reduced Firing Pin Return Spring will be helpful. These changes, will make a Toggle Link rifle much more user friendly. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted August 20 Share Posted August 20 Make sure you don't have a real old Uberti 66, because if it is, likely the current springs will not fit. Measure the length of the carrier block opening. If it is 1.600", you have the newer design (starting maybe 1985?) and would be fine with current parts. A shorter action length (like 1.500") is the original design, but if I remember right, that was only made chambered for .38 Special. Since you have a .45 Colt gun, it will almost certainly be the newer receiver design. good luck with it! GJ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go West Posted August 20 Author Share Posted August 20 I've shot it twice using 1.6" rounds. Thanks for your input. Regarding a lighter main spring, I use whatever LPP I can find so it needs to be able to set any of them off. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyatt Earp SASS#1628L Posted August 20 Share Posted August 20 I've got two '66's a 73 and a Henry all using Happy Trails Whisper Springs and reduced power main springs and all with the stock carrier. No problems except one one the 66's started getting light hammer strikes. At the advise of the Wire, I clipped one coil off the firing pin spring and that resolved the issue. All are in 45Colt and using Winchester primers. I don't believe these springs are available now since Happy retired a few years ago, but the concept still applies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted August 20 Share Posted August 20 Spring Grinding 101 and the end user reduce the Main Spring. Care should be taken to prevent over-heating the spring. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster Ron Wayne Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 Yes ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 I just remembered!! (Memory of a Gnat). If one isn't conversant in "Spring Grinding 101" reduced Main Springs for Uberti 1873/1866/Henry rifles can be found at "Online Outpost." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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