Uberti 1873 Cattleman

[MontanaBighorn]

My Uberti .44 Magnum arrived today and it is everything I expected it to be and more, but not quite what I had hoped that it would be.  It is a dang near perfect clone of the Colt SAA and I'm quite honestly impressed with the fit and finish of this gun overall.  In and of itself, it's a great gun and I understand why Uberti is so respected globally for their replica firearms.  If I didn't own a Colt SAA I would be absolutely thrilled with this gun.

...the problem (that isn't really even a "problem") is that I do own a Colt SAA (2016 manufacture) and while the Uberti is a dang near perfect clone, working the action on the two is like comparing the action of a 1957 Colt Python to a modern production S&W 686.  It's not that the 686 is "bad" in any way, but comparing action to action, it just ain't no Colt Python.  While the action on my Uberti is good, after working the action on my Colt SAA it just makes the Uberti seem rather crude.  I realize that it isn't fair at all to compare a $500 gun with a $2,500 gun.  It really isn't an expectation that the Uberti action perform equally with the Colt; I'm only wondering if there is anything I can do to clean it up and soften the unrefined feeling in the action and make it a little more comparable?

I also realize that the Cattleman isn't the top of the line Uberti.  There is no local stocking Uberti dealer so I cannot go test the El Patron model to see if it's any closer to the Colt.  I've been searching for a sequential pair of 5.5" Uberti El Patrons in .357 Magnum for cowboy action competition, but unless the action is notably more refined than the Cattleman, or unless the actions can be cleaned up, I'll likely hold out in hopes of finding a sequential pair of SAA Colts.

Thanks,

[Professor Marvel]

Greetings My Good Bighorn-

Congrats on your new purchase :-)

it sounds as tho you may benefit from what our Friend SteelHorse calls a "fluff-and-buff" .

try this recent thread
http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=42834.0

here's another opinion with picture
http://www.gunblast.com/JimTaylor_Uberti.htm

hope this helps
prf mvl

[45 Dragoon]

Congratulations Montana,
 You have the foundation for the making of an El Patron.  The cattleman is a fine S.A. and they all ( Colts too)  can be made to function perfectly!! Revolvers,  like cars, always have the ability to be "better", they are "works in progress " if you will. Of course,  you can get to a point where any "improvement " may or may not be detected or realized but, where is the stopping point?  My point is, you can make an Italian copy function so precisely,  a nicely tuned Colt would blush!! It'll never be a Colt but it can be made to function/ operate better than most folks will ever experience.  That's the great thing about S.A. revolvers because you can't make a Rolls out of a Vega, no matter how hard you try!!

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com
Follow me on Instagram @ goonsgunworks

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[MontanaBighorn]

Gentlemen,
Thank you sincerely for the responses.  I'm really pleased with my Cattleman until I pick up my Colt.  If I can smooth out the action I'll enjoy it more than the Colt because I'm more likely to use it.  Due to the cost of the Colt I find that I'm reluctant to use it as it was intended whereas a ding on the Cattleman wouldn't haunt me because there is no concern about diminishing the value of the gun.  I'd find great satisfaction in performing the work myself and in so doing building a relationship of sorts with my Cattleman.  I'll be researching the cited articles, and thank you both again.

[Abilene]

Most SAA clones (Ubertis, anyway) are over-sprung.  Put in a spring kit (main spring, plus trigger/bolt spring).  That should make it feel a lot better.  Then pick up your Colt and try the difference again.    Then you can continue with smoothing and polishing things up if you want, or let a pro do it if you prefer, or you might feel it is fine at that point.

[Cliff Fendley]

I'd be willing to bet a well tuned Uberti would also make your factory Colt seem a little less than perfect. Point is they both need tuning if you want them really nice.

I also own both and after adding a 23 dollar spring kit and a little tuning and polishing magic I'd just as soon shoot the Uberti considering I can buy and tune four of them for the cost of one Colt.

[Coffinmaker]

I agree completely with Cliff.  With a minimal investment in after-market goodies, that Cattleman can be hugely improved.  I particularly like the unfluted cylinder and the longer 1860 Army pattern Grip Set.  More and more competition guns are switching away from the Navy pattern grips.

With the appropriate rubbing-n-buffing and a change of springs, you would be amazed at the improvement.  Enjoy it.

Coffinmaker

[Virginia Gentleman]

What generation Colt SAA is it?  If it is a First or Second generation gun, then sure out of the box they are better than a non tuned Uberti.  The El Patron and other "tuned" Ubertis make an out of the box 3rd generation Colt seem like it has sand in the action by comparison.  The Italians use the best materials, CNC machining and lots of hand fitting on their out of the box guns and their tuned guns are amazing.

[Navy Six]

Virginia Gentleman is spot on describing some early 3rg gen Colts feeling like the action has sand in it. However the most recent guns, especially when they switched back to the removable base pin bushing, are pretty nice. My wife bought a pair a few years ago and they are a big improvement over the early 3rd gen guns.
Since I've got both Colts and Ubertis I finally stopped trying to compare them. All needed some attention and all shoot as well as I can hold them. Just shoot and enjoy.

[Virginia Gentleman]

Virginia Gentleman is spot on describing some early 3rg gen Colts feeling like the action has sand in it. However the most recent guns, especially when they switched back to the removable base pin bushing, are pretty nice. My wife bought a pair a few years ago and they are a big improvement over the early 3rd gen guns.
Since I've got both Colts and Ubertis I finally stopped trying to compare them. All needed some attention and all shoot as well as I can hold them. Just shoot and enjoy.

I think it can also come down to the individual gun, some are decent, some are good and some are excellent right out of the box.  Right now the quality of the Ubertis has probably never been better and Colt has finally realized people may actually want to shoot their guns so they should have a decent action.  Most guns can be improved with a good action job no matter who makes it.