SBGW large 66 style loading gate

[John Barleycorn, SASS #76982]

Thinking about upgrading to the Shotgun Boogie large loading gate. How do you like it? Worth the money? Did you install it yourself? How did it go, can a novice install it?

thanks, JB

[The Revenuer]

I have them on all my rifles.  They are worth and a novice can install.   I hate to fit a couple of them because they would hang up.   A file and a little patience took care of it! 

[John Barleycorn, SASS #76982]

31 minutes ago, The Revenuer said:

I have them on all my rifles.  They are worth and a novice can install.   I hate to fit a couple of them because they would hang up.   A file and a little patience took care of it! 

Boogie Hints: I recommend fixing the loading gate with a center punch, then it can’t move, even when the screw is loose. 
Is he suggesting peening it? If so where on the part do you do this? 

[Fill Yer Hand]

Per the website

[Frontier Lone Rider]

The Achilles Heel of the 1866 is the OEM Loading Gate.  The older model had a smaller screw hole of .095, but if the Serial Number starts with a "W" the rifle takes a Loading Gate with a larger screw hole.  I have replaced several, eezy peezy, whatever that means.

 

If you have replaced the Lever Springs with after-market springs, sometimes a new Loading Gate will rub or hang-up on the springs.  A judicial amount of filing and they will fit just fine.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Hey Lone Rider!!  Barleypop be talking about the "66 Style" ladle (Loading Gate) for the 1873, NOT for the '66 itself.

 

BARLEYCORN.  Simple R&R until it isn't.  The Boogie loading gate may hang up on after-market links (Short Stroke) and need some judicious filing to clearance.  Part Two:  I have them on my '73s and like them a lot.  Much better than the Uberti OEM Ladle.  Worth the bucks they are.

Edited June 5 by Colorado Coffinmaker
Forgot a Wurd

[John Barleycorn, SASS #76982]

1 hour ago, Fill Yer Hand said:

Per the website

How did I miss that? Thank you

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

Two of my rifles have them and it does make loading easier but the last round loaded sits at an extreme angle on the carrier and I need to use another cartridge or a "pusher stick" to push the last round further forward to straighten it.  I also had to shave down some burrs inside the frame in the cut for the lifter arm as the cartridge stop on the gate was catching on those burrs.

[SnakeM]

My wife has a early 73 non W serial number...so is there a fix?

[SGT. ELI 35882 GUNFIGHTER]

On 6/6/2026 at 6:55 PM, SnakeM said:

My wife has a early 73 non W serial number...so is there a fix?

I have one in my non W serial number...I have a lot of parts in it that aren't for non W guns.

[High Spade Mikey Wilson]

I was having issues with my standard Uberti 73 loading gate sticking so I went to the Shotgun Boogie 66 style loading gate. Works like a charm and I couldn't be happier with it.

[Bladesmith, SASS 113085]

On 6/6/2026 at 7:55 PM, SnakeM said:

 

My wife has a early 73 non W serial number...so is there a fix?

 

As @SGT. ELI 35882 GUNFIGHTER said, I have one in a non-W model as well. I don’t recall if I had to do any filing to fit it, but if I did it was minimal enough not to recall. I’m sure Shotgun Boogie doesn’t warn they are for the newer models for no reason, so your mileage may vary, but it seems they do fit some other iterations at least. 

Edited June 14 by Bladesmith, SASS 113085

[SnakeM]

I'll give it try, will ask if it can be returned if not a fit. ...

Edited June 14 by SnakeM

[Preacherman]

I've used in a 25 year old '73 and non "W" models as well as 2 Winchesters (Miruku). It may need some minor fitting. This is one of the absolute best upgrades for a '73 in my opinion. It makes loading so much easier. 

[Dallas McBoomboom]

Hey JB, you've shot with me enough to know I jack a lot of rounds, and these guys are indispensable for me. I've never had to do more than a very little bit of work to fit them, usually just a bit of filing like @The Revenuer said. Worst issue I had was having to take a couple threads off a lever spring screw that was snagging it just a bit. Definitely recommend one.

 

Dallas 

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

It was only the 1866 loading gates that changed with the "W" serial numbers (both style and screw size changed).  None of this changed on the 1873.

[SnakeM]

On 6/16/2026 at 7:35 AM, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said:

It was only the 1866 loading gates that changed with the "W" serial numbers (both style and screw size changed).  None of this changed on the 1873.

Great to hear my wife is the non w 73 user. My 66 runs fine.