First, a Caveat. From the standpoint of a CAS gunsmith for over 16 years.
I don't think the Open Top should have ever been chambered in 45 Colt. The chamber walls are just too thin. The guns have passed
proof so they should stay together with SAAMI and Cowboy ammunition. I even have a Pair, in which I shoot Cowboy 45 Special cases
with BP.
The cracked barrel thing is from a long way back. I haven't heard of cracking barrel breaches in a long, long, long time. I wouldn't get
my knickers in a twist over the barrel cracking. Not an issue.
The Open Top is a fine, well machined, good looking KIT!! It requires attention before it goes into service. The Arbor to Barrel fit is normally ...... poor. Before any other set-up work is done to an Open Top, the barrel/arbor fit needs addressed. Properly set up, the
Uberti Open Top will run right along with anything else.
Go for It.
Coffinmaker
PS: Depending on your shooting style, I'd dump the 45 Colt and go with a pair of Open Tops is 44 Special and run 44 Russian cases in em.
('cause I use to do just that
)