Uberti 1873 help

[Bowtie747]

Hi, I’ve seen several Uberti 1873’s over the last year or two in stores. Always get so excited and then attempt to pull the trigger and I’m immediately done. Hand the gun back over and say thank you. 
What’s the best way to get one of these guns triggers down a few pounds? Gun smith? springs? This one I held today had the best trigger of the few I’ve held and I love the gun. Love the sights but man that trigger is bad. I’m afraid this gun won’t last long and any advice is helpful. I’m from Ohio if that puts me close to a reputable gunsmith able to help

[Tex Jones, SASS 2263]

Plenty of good gunsmiths who can tune up a Uberti.  If you're in Ohio, then try contacting Lassiter (Tom Wildenauer) in New Lebanon:  Tom's Single Action Shop, New Lebanon OH- 937-687-1039.  Tom doesn't do much on the web; best to call him, usually in the afternoon. 

 

If you're handy, there are spring kits available for Ubertis from Pioneer Gun Works  (pioneergunworks.com) and Shotgun Boogie Gun Works (sbgwllc.com) among others.  Good luck.

Edited December 20, 2024 by Tex Jones, SASS 2263

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

45 minutes ago, Bowtie747 said:

I’m afraid this gun won’t last long

 

Uberti 73 clones can run for 20+ years of hard shooting when they get a tuneup before you start using them.  They can also have a VERY sweet trigger, but that is something few folks in cowboy shooting even worry too much about, since they are slapping the trigger real quick.

 

I have one I bought in 2005 and it still runs GREAT.  Probably 40K cowboy rounds through it now.  I maintain it carefully and replace a FEW parts over the years, I would not shoot anything else for cowboy matches.

 

Almost ALL of the guns used in cowboy shooting are machined and assembled with very little tuning and fitting.  They are kit guns, really - machined and assembled with minimum trained labor.

 

So, our cowboy guns at the store ALL feel rough and hard to run.  Let Lassiter work one over for you and you will think he substituted another firearm for yours - that much difference in speed, feel, and longevity.  The factory puts heavy springs in and does very little fitting and polishing.  A good tuneup replaces most of those springs  and fits and polishes the rough and tight spots.  

 

good luck, GJ

[Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903]

There are several good Cowboy Gunsmiths that sell a ‘73 already slicked up and ready to go. 
 

Randy

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

Howdy Bowtie, have you shot any CAS-type lever gun?  As mentioned, for this sport a light rifle trigger is not necessary.  Also, when you lighten the main spring tension, that will lighten the trigger pull as well.  

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

2 hours ago, Bowtie747 said:

Hi, I’ve seen several Uberti 1873’s over the last year or two in stores. Always get so excited and then attempt to pull the trigger and I’m immediately done. Hand the gun back over and say thank you. 
What’s the best way to get one of these guns triggers down a few pounds? Gun smith? springs? This one I held today had the best trigger of the few I’ve held and I love the gun. Love the sights but man that trigger is bad. I’m afraid this gun won’t last long and any advice is helpful. I’m from Ohio if that puts me close to a reputable gunsmith able to help

Are you wanting to shoot Cowboy Action with the 1873 or are you just wanting it to shoot casually?  What type of rifle trigger are you comparing it to?

[Bowtie747]

2 hours ago, Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L said:

Are you wanting to shoot Cowboy Action with the 1873 or are you just wanting it to shoot casually?  What type of rifle trigger are you comparing it to?

Yes sir, I wanna shoot cowboy action with it. For the money I’d I wouldn’t mind trying to get a deer with it. But mostly cowboy action. This coming year. 

[Bowtie747]

2 hours ago, Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L said:

Are you wanting to shoot Cowboy Action with the 1873 or are you just wanting it to shoot casually?  What type of rifle trigger are you comparing it to?

Well also really any gun I have. I have shotguns that have way better triggers than that. Maybe I’m a trigger snob but my ignorance of its importance or not in cowboy action shooting could be wrong! Just seems like u would want at least a decent trigger 

[Griff]

I have 3 Uberti rifles, mfr'd in 1986, 2008, & 2014.  Ain't any of them been to a gunsmith.  All have the stock mainspring, (except the 1986 rifle, it broke about 6-7 years ago, I simply replaced it with another stock spring);  all have lightened up on trigger pull with just use.  All have had all the other springs replaced with lighter units.  Cowboy action ain't in the least bit like precision shooting.

[Doc Moses]

6 hours ago, Bowtie747 said:

Hi, I’ve seen several Uberti 1873’s over the last year or two in stores. Always get so excited and then attempt to pull the trigger and I’m immediately done. Hand the gun back over and say thank you. 
What’s the best way to get one of these guns triggers down a few pounds? Gun smith? springs? This one I held today had the best trigger of the few I’ve held and I love the gun. Love the sights but man that trigger is bad. I’m afraid this gun won’t last long and any advice is helpful. I’m from Ohio if that puts me close to a reputable gunsmith able to help

I have a 20" 73 in 357 that was a basket case and went to a smith. Shoots great, smooth, accurate, etc.

I shoot 44s so when I saw an 18" at the LGS I bought it. I have done adjustments with the provided screws and it also runs great. (I took it apart and bent some springs like the lever trigger safty thing.  It was the worst.  The rest just adjusted.). The 357 is better but if my experience is universal, you can make a stock gun work well enough to get to the middle of the pack. After that you might need the mods.

 

BTW buying a basket case and fixing it up, (my 357), is a terrible way to do it. Buying off the wire or new and sending it to a smith would have been better and about the same money. Live and learn.

[Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903]

1 hour ago, Bowtie747 said:

Well also really any gun I have. I have shotguns that have way better triggers than that. Maybe I’m a trigger snob but my ignorance of its importance or not in cowboy action shooting could be wrong! Just seems like u would want at least a decent trigger 

All of my lever action ‘73’s for CAS have under a 3lb trigger, my main match rifle has an under 2lb trigger. I like a light trigger pull but you won’t find that on a factory stock rifle. Shotgun Boogie trigger has adjustable trigger pull (sear engagement) the #2 is what’s in my rifle.

 

https://sbgwllc.com/shop/uberti-73-trigger-kit-version-2/

 

Randy

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

1 hour ago, Bowtie747 said:

Yes sir, I wanna shoot cowboy action with it. For the money I’d I wouldn’t mind trying to get a deer with it. But mostly cowboy action. This coming year. 

 

1 hour ago, Bowtie747 said:

Well also really any gun I have. I have shotguns that have way better triggers than that. Maybe I’m a trigger snob but my ignorance of its importance or not in cowboy action shooting could be wrong! Just seems like u would want at least a decent trigger 

If you haven’t already done so you should visit some cowboy action matches and try some folks rifles to see how they feel. I know it’s the wrong time of the year for that in your area right now.

[Bowtie747]

15 minutes ago, Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L said:

 

If you haven’t already done so you should visit some cowboy action matches and try some folks rifles to see how they feel. I know it’s the wrong time of the year for that in your area right now.

You’re definitely right! I have two of the four guns I need and just well don’t wanna wait but you’re right I probably should. Would like to start shooting and practicing!