Tuning Single-Actions

[Major Hazzard, SASS #23254]

A brief discussion last week regarding costs and sources for "tuning" a Uberti revolver got me to thinking, because that used to be a pretty common question here,  and now it seems a bit rare.  I'm a little surprised this topic didn't generate more discussion.  It seems to me an interesting one, so I'll see if maybe we can beat the horse a little more.  So, is sending a new revolver out to a specialist for $200-$300 worth of work (plus shipping costs) really a less  common thing than in years past, and why might that be?  My guesses, in no particular order,  would be availability of excellent replacement spring kits along with all the videos on Youtube lead more folks to DIY solutions.  Or are the Uberti and/or Pietta products just a lot better than in the past?  Improved warranty support?  Market saturation of already slicked up used guns?  Experienced local club members who can do comparable work?  A combination of all those?  I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts.

[Boggus Deal #64218]

The reason it’s less common is a lot less people needing new guns. A lot less new people coming into the sport and, unfortunately, more people leaving the sport, for various reasons.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

PLUS ONE for Boggus Deal.

[John Barleycorn, SASS #76982]

10 hours ago, Boggus Deal #64218 said:

The reason it’s less common is a lot less people needing new guns. A lot less new people coming into the sport and, unfortunately, more people leaving the sport, for various reasons.

Last two years have been my worst sales years ever. 

[Major Hazzard, SASS #23254]

On 2/2/2026 at 9:02 AM, Boggus Deal #64218 said:

The reason it’s less common is a lot less people needing new guns. A lot less new people coming into the sport and, unfortunately, more people leaving the sport, for various reasons.

Well, that's certainly ominous.  I guess there's a lot of reasons for that, too.

[Texas Jack Black]

 Said this back 10 years ago and was attacked by the anointed few .so be it. SAD

 

[watab kid]

ive gone by this topic a few times as i thought you were looking for someone to tune your SAA but i stopped as i was bored with the TV at the moment , 

 

my opinion is a lot fewer shooters and a lot fewer buyers , which equates to a lot fewer participants , i did buy two pair of revolvers of the uberti variant recently , not sure thats going to make a change in the landscape but im keeping and shooting the last pair this year - just because i want to before i cant shoot anymore , im not having them tuned , they will serve my purpose out of the box , im not fast - never have been , never will be , 

 

sorry to add to the bad news but im not spending more dollars to be faster when i cant be , im doing it bfor the fun and enjoyment of firearms i like shooting 

[Major Hazzard, SASS #23254]

On 2/4/2026 at 10:29 PM, watab kid said:

I've gone by this topic a few times as I thought you were looking for someone to tune your SAA but I stopped as ! was bored with the TV at the moment.  My opinion is a lot fewer shooters and a lot fewer buyers, which equates to a lot fewer participants.  I did buy two pair of revolvers of the Uberti variant recently, not sure that's going to make a change in the landscape but I'm keeping and shooting the last pair this year - just because I want to before I can't shoot anymore , I'm not having them tuned, they will serve my purpose out of the box.  I'm not fast - never have been, never will be.  Sorry to add to the bad news but i'm not spending more dollars to be faster when i can't be, i'm doing it for the fun and enjoyment of firearms i like shooting. 

I appreciate your thoughts.  I was not looking for someone to tune my guns, just wondering why the subject doesn't come up very often these days.  Twenty years ago it was pretty common.  Consensus opinion here (fewer shooters, fewer guns) seems to be sorta grim.  

[Badlands Bob #61228]

I agree with the theory that the tuned-up SASS guns are outlasting a lot of the shooters.  

[watab kid]

5 hours ago, Major Hazzard, SASS #23254 said:

I appreciate your thoughts.  I was not looking for someone to tune my guns, just wondering why the subject doesn't come up very often these days.  Twenty years ago it was pretty common.  Consensus opinion here (fewer shooters, fewer guns) seems to be sorta grim.  

as grim as that might sound i still see a fair turnout to the shoots i attend , im not sure how many have had their revolvers tuned but ill guess there are a fair number as well , i do have one tuned revolver that i bought used from a friend , ive never done it justice with my shooting but i really like it and have no intent to lo let it go , 

[Go West]

I would suggest a slicked up and short stroked rifle would be done more often than extensive and expensive revolver work.