Parts for an Uberti 1875 Remington

[Jake C]

Howdy all,

Got a question for you all. I'm looking to get a few spare parts for my Remington '75 clone. Basically, I was curious which parts on this particular model are more prone to breakage. Basically, what would you stock up on if you were in my shoes?

Thank you kindly for your time!

Best wishes,
Trum

[Abilene]

Trigger/bolt spring.  And a hand spring, or perhaps a new hand with spring attached (would need some fitting).  I have Colts and Uberti conversions with leaf hand springs that have been fine for years and I don't carry spares, but have heard of a lot of the Remmies  breaking the hand spring.

[Jake C]

Thank you kindly for the response, it's much appreciated!

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[Coffinmaker]

I'm in complete agreement with Abilene.  Weakest link in any of the "period" reproductions (I absolutely hate the work "clone.") is/are the Hand/Paul spring and the Trigger/Bolt spring.  Hands down (wow, a pun), the absolute worst spring in any of the reproductions is the
Remington hand spring from Uberti.  Absolute crap. 
At one time I had a customer with a Uberti Remington.  It came in for a broken hand spring SIX times in three months.  I was sick of seeing that gun.  My customer always brought a new hand w/spring.  After number six, I had had enough.  I cut the swerve curvy part
off of an Open Top hand spring and used that for a new hand spring in the Remington.  Haven't seen it since.
I'd also recommend you replace the Main Spring with a lighter After-Market Main Spring.  Contact VTI Gunparts.  Fix you right up.

Coffinmaker

[Sod Buster]

My 1875s in 44/40 were also CONSTANTLY breaking hand springs.  After replacing them about six times as well (in both guns), the guy I took took them to used a handspring from an 1858 New Army (or at least he claimed he did).  I haven't had any more problems.

[45 Dragoon]

If you will re-contour the hand spring (I do on ALL the guns I work on), it won't break. The hand spring, across the board, is way over tensioned. The hand has two jobs- 1. To rotate the cylinder and 2. To apply the brakes on the revolving cylinder!!  Contoured correctly, it will do its job very well and very reliably. I haven't had anybody contact me with any hand problems.
I'll try and post a pic of the "correct" contour.

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com

[Montana Slim]

The flat hand spring is the #1 repair part needed. Being a bit on the thrifty side, I've been known to refit a broken spring and keep getting service until it really goes to pot. A broken hand spring won't prevent function, providing you keep the muzzle lowered while cocking - fine until you finish a match/shooting session, so I don't fret over a failure. For spares, I've bought assorted parts from Dixie Gun Works and other sources over the years. No problem at all to use Colt hand springs from C&B 1851-1860 models (re-form as needed), or trimmed-down cartridge hand springs for the Remington. In fact I have a box filled with partially completed Colt-style hands (another do-it-your-self project) and find they can be shaped by grinding to nicely fit the Remington in a pinch. (A coincidence that Remington's design used a sub component of the Colt gun-works?).

Come to mind, I do tweak the sharp bend on the Remington hand spring into more of a round. Seems too sharp to me, suppose I remodel to look more like a Colt...but then, I've been know to substitute a Colt part anyway. Also, look int the hand channel to see if there is casting debris or sharp edges.

As far as mainsprings, I prefer to reshape/regrind existing mainsprings before dropping $$ on a more expensive "lighter" mainspring. The trick is knowing not to overheat (too hot to hold = dunk in cold water), & when to stop... as too-light just ain't gonna work. If this job is botched, a new replacement can be placed with the next order for spares. Remington is easier than Colt due to the adjustment screw.

Many have a hard time believing I own cartridge guns....but I do...honest

Slim

[Jake C]

Thank you all very much! I appreciate the info. So far mine is holding up okay, as my shooting is fairly restricted, but I figure it's better to have a cache of spares and not need them than need them and not have them.

Mike, any luck with pictures? Or heck, if you'd be able to, could you PM a step-by-step on how to re-contour a handspring, the tools I'd need, etcetera et cetera? I haven't yet had occasion to do any 'at home gunsmithing' and so I'm woefully unprepared in terms of tools and experience.

Slim, thank you kindly for the advice. Are the Colt hand springs that much more reliable than Remington hand-springs?

[Montana Slim]

Are the Colt hand springs that much more reliable than Remington hand-springs?

Can't say for sure if it's the shape or just thickness/quality of the material.
The spring is still going strong..Think it's the last spring that went in...I ran the gun pretty hard back in the mid-late '90's firing 500 rds or more per month. I ran out of Uberti (1875) hand springs at some point and pulled a Colt type & trimmed to roughly match. An automatic center-punch is handy to help stake the replacement.

My current parts bag for the 1875 has a hand/spring assembly, bolt & trigger/bolt spring, & ejector housing screw, all Uberti. I've only replaced the hand spring on this gun (far as I recall).

Slim

[Jake C]

Well, I've had my first part break on my '75. Oddly enough, it was the base pin screw/nut. I had noticed they were loose, so I tried to tighten them and they snapped. Shoot.

Oh well, that happens. It gave me an excuse to get new parts, so I bought a spare handspring and a lightened mainspring from VTI. They were out of the base pin/nut, so I ordered those from Taylor's & Co, hopefully that'll get here soon so I can keep shooting.

Now I do have a question. Would the part below fit a Remington? I'm assuming so, given how similar the internals are, but didn't want to buy it only to find out it won't, you know?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/199334/wolff-reduced-power-sear-bolt-spring-colt-saa-emf-uberti-and-clones-wire-type?cm_vc=ProductFinding

[Cliff Fendley]

As the others have said hand spring is the weakness on a Remington clone.

[Montana Slim]

Personally, I avoid wire springs in Colts' & Remingtons' revolvers...and do not recommend.
I much prefer a well executed flat spring. Better "feel" to me. I don't lighten these springs in my actions, just debur. I also hand grind/sand mainsprings to hit my desired feel. I do recommend having a couple of the flat-type replacement bolt/trigger springs, though.  Should be a lifetime supply.

Slim

[Jake C]

Thanks for the recommendation Slim. Got another question. Does anyone know if the Ruger base pin nut/screw will interchange with an Uberti? Just idle curiosity.