Nice Job OD !
Mike: I have followed your trials and tribulations with the Italian guns "downuunder" and I sympathize. But
the Italians sell to a "price point", and if they exceed that price no one will buy it. For that price, we get "affordable"
replicas that work out of the box, but will "need work", but would not otherwise exist. Just look at the actual prices "in the day" of the Colt 2nd Gen BP guns vs the Italian replicas.
Let us compare the Genuine Colt 1851 NAVY "C" SERIES vs Italian replicas in 1975.
in 1975 while going to college, I was making $2.25 an hour as a janitor, $4 an hour in the oil refinery during the summer
when I could get the work. In 1975 the Colt made 2nd Gen 1851 sold for ~ $200 in 1975
an Italian Steel Frame 1851 from "Centennial Arms" in 1975 went for $75.
a 266% price difference for the "well fit & finished Colt"
That was almost a full weeks pay ( before payroll deductions) for the replica, almost 2 1/2 weeks pay for the Colt.
you could find them cheaper on sale from Dixie or EMF
You could also get a Remington 1858 "kit" (sand and blue it yourself) for ~ $50 from Dixie which is what I did.
It cost me ~ 1/2 of a week's wages.
The current MSRP of an 1866 Yellowboy in the U.S. starts at ~$1200 U.S.
SO, if one is willing to pay $3000 US ( ie 250% premium ) you could have what you desire for a well fit & finished Yellowboy.
But no company will stay in business long for that price.
Or one can pay less, and get a "modern gun" that sometimes works fine. but it's not an 1866.
ADDENDUM: guess what, it's not just Uberti - it seems Marlin cannot get a barrel rifled correctly even after several tries!
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?329568-No-lands-in-new-marlin-1895-barrelyhs
prof marvel