1866 Loading Gate Tab

[SFC]

I bought a new Uberti 1866 last month and it's been cold, so I haven't had a chance to shoot it.  After reading forums on here about the loading gate tab breaking, I disassembled my 1866 to see what the fuss is all about.  I tried to bend the loading gate tab with my fingers, but it wouldn't bend.  Seemed pretty tough.  However, since I have it off, I reinforced it with a piece of metal and some JB Weld.  I read on here that's the best solution, minus buying a stronger one. 

[Ransom Gaer]

That is the generally prescribed method of fixing the problem.  I haven't done it yet and at this stage probably won't.  Mine hasn't broken yet, not to say that it won't.  I've been lucky so far.  I do have a spare however.  My method of fixing it was somewhat more expensive.  Just after Christmas I bought an 1860 Henry.  That will become my main match rifle and the '66 will be a backup gun.

Ransom Gaer

[Deadeye Don]

I bought a Cimarron (Uberti) 1866 with orginal finish a few months ago.  It arrived at my FFl.   We cycled the action a few times just to check it out and guess what?   The loading gate simply fell off.  My FFL called cimarron immediately and they seemed surprised this happened as if we were the first to report problems with the loading gate.  We sent the rifle back and asked them to send another one in standard finish.   So far the loading gate is good on this one. 

[Advertising]

[RRio]

Pic of a renforced gate:

[RB]

Just got my 1866 back from Uberti. After only 4 rounds through it the gun jammed. The gunshop could not fix it, so it went back to Uberti for 2 months.

They replaced the loading gate. The action is 100% smoother too. I was a little concerned at how stiff everything was out of the box, but assumed it would free up. I guess the good news is I feel like I got a very well tuned gun now. Only problem is, for that price they should be coming out of the factory like that in the first place.

I am a bit disappointed that almost every screw on the gun was stripped. You would think these guys would have been better crafstmen.

I guess $900 doesn't get you what it used to. So now I have owned this gun for 6 months, used it once, fired 4 shots, and it looks fairly used.

[Mako]

RB,
Who was it actually sent to?  I'm interested in who actually did the service work.
Regards,
Mako

[Captain Rob Page]

  Track of The Wolf has some replacement loading gates for 1866's. They are more like the original. Makes for easier loading. I just installed one on my 66 and sure like it.

[Fox Creek Kid]

The improved loading gate as sold by many vendors & made by a machinistin NE is the cure. It's less than $20 cost last I knew. Most of the gate problems seem to be in the .357 (.38 Spcl.) models from what I've read. Anyways, $20.00 is pretty cheap to make the gun perfect. Last time I looked it cost several hundred to make a Colt 1911 work right. 

[Frenchie]

Last time I looked it cost several hundred to make a Colt 1911 work right. 

Heretic! Blasphemer! 

[knucklehead]

The improved loading gate as sold by many vendors & made by a machinistin NE is the cure. It's less than $20 cost last I knew. Most of the gate problems seem to be in the .357 (.38 Spcl.) models from what I've read. Anyways, $20.00 is pretty cheap to make the gun perfect. Last time I looked it cost several hundred to make a Colt 1911 work right. 

Good thing I got a springfield 1911 it works right out of the box.

I second the aftermarket loading gate on the yellowboy. its sure easier to load the rifle with the aftermarket loading gate.
I can load my yellowboy on the clock much faster now.

[RB]

RB,
Who was it actually sent to?  I'm interested in who actually did the service work.
Regards,
Mako

Mako,
I bought the gun from the local shop (Imbert & Smithers). They were very good about the situation. First they looked at it to see if it was something minor. Once they realized they could not fix it without parts they sent it back to Uberti. I saw the repair sheet and it looks like it went all the way back to Italy!!!

At least that sends the message that they need to fix this problem out of the factory.

And mine is a .38 special, so seems consistent with others.

I finally got out to the range with my 18 year old son this weekend. We were so anxious to try it out we started at 50 yards with sandbags to sight in, but it was so fun we started shooting standing. We went through 100 rounds in very short order, and we both had huge grins on our faces. It is a blast to shoot. I must say the action is like butter, very different from the way it originally came from factory. So I feel like I got a very well tuned gun. Though loading is still a bit tough, but at least it didn't break.

Oh yeah, on the last few shots we decided to finally sight in. About 5in pattern at 50 yards. Kinda windy. Seem reasonable?