uberti 1858

[Lightning Ross]

I recently purchased a used new in the box unfired 58 uberti 51/2 inch off the sass classified's. It came and was better than I could believe. fit finnish and lock up were better than any hand gun I have ever purchased. My first firing was quite dismal. Caps kept falling off I only had 2f black powder on hand.So off to the internet to read and learn. I got some new nipples and wrench from track of the wolf Mutton tallow, bees wax, from dixie gun works.Parifin from the grocery store mixed up some lube .Pyrodex was all I could come up with. with # 11 caps went to wring out the 58. By golly I was gonna make this thing work. I shot 50 rounds.  At first couldn't hit a bull in the hiney if it was tied up to a tree. As I shot it got better and better. The last 5 rounds were all 1 ragged hole at 15 yards. Now were talking. I then took the gun into the house to clean The wife was gone for the weekend.I went to pull the hammer back to half cock and the cylinder would not turn. Okay dont panic go back to the internet. After searching I have a broken hand spring.
I have found Vti and will order parts.After tearing the gun down and looking at the hand spring. Do any of you have any tips on replacing that little ity bitty spring. And what other parts should I order to keep on hand? Other than more than one spring. I will be saving up my mad money and will be finding another. Just way to much fun

[Abilene]

Howdy Lightning Ross, welcome to CasCity.  I would order an extra hand spring or two as well.  That and the bolt spring are really the only parts that are "likely" to break.  After that, the bolt and hand are possible future failures, but those are often good for many years.

[Hoof Hearted]

Ross

I see MANY of these "58"s and while this is (as Abilene said) a part that fails, my experience in actually having one fail is maybe one in one hundred. I have heard of using a bobby pin to fashion one and that might get you by until VTI sends you another.

Springs fail for all the typical reasons and I would smooth the edges on the new one and make sure there is no burr in the hand channel.

Happy New Year
HHMB

[Advertising]

[Lightning Ross]

I read about smoothing the hand channel and will address that when I tear it back apart.The only way I can see to replace the spring is to lay it on top of the broken one and tap it in . Would that be the correct way to do it?

[Hoof Hearted]

I read about smoothing the hand channel and will address that when I tear it back apart.The only way I can see to replace the spring is to lay it on top of the broken one and tap it in . Would that be the correct way to do it?

Yes and be careful because if you try to "open up" the slot in the hand it will probably break off.

[Lightning Ross]

a couple of springs probably some extra screws so I dont have to move furniture when I drop one an extra hand just in case should fix me up for disasters and clumsiness. Thans for all the help. Hopefully it will be back up and running soon.

[Raven]

the replacement Pawl (Colts have Hands ) will come with a new spring installed. Many times the replacement will drop in with only minor adjustment.

Raven

[Hoof Hearted]

Raven is correct in the statement that the hand assembly should drop right in. This gives you an easy option over installing a new hand spring.........

It's a case of $15.00 vs $3.00 and your time!

http://www.vtigunparts.com/store/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=13&cat=Uberti+1858+New+Army

[Lightning Ross]

So here is the 12 dollar question . What is easier fitting the whole 15 dollar hand assembly, or tapping the 3 dollar spring in?

[Hoof Hearted]

So here is the 12 dollar question . What is easier fitting the whole 15 dollar hand assembly, or tapping the 3 dollar spring in?

I have replaced 5 or 6 hands..never had to fit one of them.
I have replaced hand springs.....about half the time I break the little tab off the hand, requiring complete replacement.

Raven and I fit Kirst cylinders into "58"s all the time with almost no hand adjustments and I think that if you ask the shooters who use multiple cylinders they have no issues with fitment either.

Buy a spring and a hand. Try the spring first.......15 bucks is just a 12 pack

[Lightning Ross]

Thats what I wanted to know." experience"  Thanks.

[The Swede]

I have replaced 5 or 6 hands..never had to fit one of them.
I have replaced hand springs.....about half the time I break the little tab off the hand, requiring complete replacement.

Raven and I fit Kirst cylinders into "58"s all the time with almost no hand adjustments and I think that if you ask the shooters who use multiple cylinders they have no issues with fitment either.

Buy a spring and a hand. Try the spring first.......15 bucks is just a 12 pack

I have a Uberti NMA conversion, and the hand spring just broke at a shoot. Ordered a replacement hand assembly, and installed it. The hammer will not go past half cock. Took the new part out, and compared with original. There are some differences in the width, and depth of the hand (pawl). I suppose I have some filing to do to get it to work?

Swede