I got a chance to take a look at uberti 73 .45lc at my local gun store. I'm just wondering about a thread I read about watch outs on the case hardening and need to know if this rifle falls under the category.
Here is the copy of the thread I read. I don't know if it holds water or if the guy is right about what he is saying.
Watch outs:
Some rifles have lesser quality color case hardening on the frames.
This looks like the Uberti revolvers which have a dull gray base color and some rather sparse blackish mottling.
The better color case hardening is magnificent, and looks very much like Colt colors.
The base color is a brownish color and almost full coverage with the brilliant blue and greenish colors that Colt revolvers have.
I don't know why some have the dull gray and black colors and some have the brilliant brown and blue colors, but if you can, either hand pick your rifle or ask for a hand pick.
Before you squelch a Case color job, you might want to consider....
there several methods to case color
Charcoal Color Case Hardening (Packing low carbon steel parts with a carbonaceous material) it can be with bone and charcoal, or leather, hooves, salt and even urine combination.
Cyanide Color Case Hardening ( Method used by Ruger and gets a varnish coat to set and bring out the color)
Hot Nitride Salt Case Hardening (
Method use by Uberti ) richness may vary if the quench liquid is varied in temperature.
Non color Case Hardening ( Tools , engine parts, lock shackels , drill bits , fasteners etc. )
Boronizing Case Hardening ( normally producing a grayish look )
and Carbonitriding, Nitrocarburizing ( blackish )