New addition

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Well, still shooting the .44-40 Henry Repeating Arms "New Original Henry" (their copy of the 1860 Henry).  In the last 6 years, I don't remember ever dropping a shot with her.  However, at 73 with bad shoulders, she's a bit heavy when you use her at a multi-day annual match.

My second favorite "Old Westy" rifle is the 1866 Carbine. nI handled an original at a gunshow one time, and was amzed how light and handy it seemed top be.

I picked up a gently used Uberti made 1866 carbine in .44-40 for $775!  Way below what they cost new (north of $1300!).  Should arrive at the gun shop I work at by Friday to start its 10 day Commiefornia DROS jail.  It will nopt replace the 1860, but it will share the stage with it!  It has a patina, but I like BRASS, so I'll break it down, and buff it out with Brasso.  Ill post pics when it comes....

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Interesting.  Took apart the 1866 to clean and lube the inside of the receiver, and found an interesting setup on the back of the loading spoon.  It is an early EMF import (no warnings), and the back of the loading spoon has a 90 degree lateral (front to rear) piece of steel welded to the back of the spoon as a cartridge stop, instead of the folded tab that later ones havem (which tend to break!).

[Abilene]

Yep my 44 Spcl '66 also has the bulletproof ladle.  I believe they changed to the wimpy one when the serial numbers started over with a 'W' prefix.  I let mine patina, but I know you like shiny stuff. 

[Lucky R. K.]

3-Cut made that modification to my '66 several years ago. It is still going strong.
Lucky 

[Coffinmaker]

  YEPPER

Big PLUS ONE fer Abilene

Sum Lustrum ago when my shingle was still out, I couldn't believe Uberti went from their original Ladle (Proper term is "Ladle") that was bullet proof (literally) to the new and improved unit that was guaranteed to break.    Not an "if" proposition, "When."  I lost count of the number of them I reinforced for my customers.  Most I got done before they broke, some, not so much.  There were offerings of modified ladles in the aftermarket, however I don't know if they are still available.  Admit I haven't paid much attention since I took down my shingle.

Tl's and Abilene's '66s actually now qualify as "Vintage." 

[Tuolumne Lawman]

No one is making is making re-enforced ladles now.  even Track of the Wolf ceased sellingf them some time ago.  I was going to do the liquid steel epoxy re-enforcement of it when I discovered it didn't need it.  I have had a 1866 znd 1873 ladle break in the past 20 years or so.

[Abilene]

The first problematic ladles with the small tip stop tab were still fairly flat on the outside, about the same as the old heavy duty ladles.  Some of the aftermarket ladles that came out were the same design but were dished much deeper.  Later on Uberti copied that.  This design made it to where more of the cartridge base was supported by the curved front of the ladle rather than just by the small stop tab.  They are still not as reliable as the old original style but warranty calls for broken ladles went WAY down.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

IIRC, the original 1873 rifle I had, had a ladle like the one on my 1866.

[Coffinmaker]

  Hey TL 

Dunno.  Don't know how far back you are going.  In the 25+ years I had my shingle out, the 1873 ladle was always the full width of the item.  Never ever saw one with that stupid little "tab" on a '73.  Doesn't mean Uberti never did, I just never saw one.

As an addendum:  Shotgun Boogie offers a real nice modified ladle for the '73 that mimes the 1866 ladle.  Has a nice long trough rather than that stupid little "dent."

[Tuolumne Lawman]

I forgot to post a picture:



I pick it up out of 10 day Commiefornia jail tomorrow.  I had delayed doing the paperwork until my Springfield Armory Hellcat pistol I ordered came in, so I could save money by registering both at the same time.  Its one $37.19 fee for how ever many you register at the same time.  It is a low serial number with no letter prefix imported by EMF, Im guessing in the early 90s.  Nice brown walnut furniture, instead of the redish walnut that they used for years.

[Coffinmaker]

   Hey Hey Hey There TL

That be a right nice carabiner you gotz there.  Don't know if it's the light or if the fore stock is a funny different colour, but righteous nice rifle!!  I'm a Poster Kid for Brass Rifles.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

It's the light. The stock and forearm match nicely. Took it home tonight

[Tascosa Joe]

TL: I have the last TOW ladle, I purchased from them, I would be glad to send it to you to see if it would work for you.  It did not work on my last 66. PM me if you are interested.
T-Joe

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Thanks, but I am good.  Mine has a steel bar reinforcement welded laterally the length of the back of the ladle.  Its not going to break.

[Abilene]

And besides, the new one uses a larger screw. So they will not fit an older frame.

[Coffinmaker]

  HA! 

Yes They Will!!

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Yep, just need the bigger screw, IIRC.

[Coffinmaker]

Also, just need to ream the hole in the side plate to clearance the screw.

I forgot.  VTI does have an after-market ladle, it's nickel plated and uses the larger screw.  It seems to be a little more stout than OEM.  I had to replace the ladle in my .44 Special 1866.  It didn't break cleanly and rather than fix it, replacement seemed much simpler (easier).