Uberti SAA Cylinder Play

[Indiana Jones]

I grabbed my SAA clone out of the safe today since I handed messed with it in a few weeks. (haven't shot nearly enough this year). And I noticed the cylinder has some significant play in it when the hammer is down. Upon locking the hammer all the way back, the action is tight and normal, but after dropping the hammer the cylinder retains play. It almost wiggles as I handle the pistol. What the heck? Last time it was fired was on Independence day and I put maybe 15 rounds through it.

 

[hodgepodge]

Front to back or side to side?

Did you remember to install the front base pin/gas bushing?

The bolt spring may need to be replaced.

 

[Indiana Jones]

Front to back or side to side?

Did you remember to install the front base pin/gas bushing?

The bolt spring may need to be replaced.

Side to side, the cylinder will rotate. The front to back lock up is tight.

 

[GNLaFrance]

Side to side, the cylinder will rotate. The front to back lock up is tight.

As long as it returns to a "rest" position when you let it go, there shouldn't be any problem.

 

[Indiana Jones]

Whatever direction you move it, it will just stay where you left it. No return.

 

[hodgepodge]

Whatever direction you move it, it will just stay where you left it. No return.

Do you mean whan you rotate the cylinder?

Guy's right. Lock up is a key factor. When I get home, I'll take a look at the "play" in mine.

 

[smores]

Do you have a range rod to check cylinder-to-bore alignment? PM inbound...

 

[GNLaFrance]

Whatever direction you move it, it will just stay where you left it. No return.

The last time you "messed with it", did you break it down and then reassemble it? I'm thinking the spring on the cylinder pawl might be broken or out of place. Also check if the cylinder bolt stop is staying in place as the hammer comes down - most likely it is, but looking can't hurt.

 

[hodgepodge]

Also check if the cylinder bolt stop is staying in place as the hammer comes down - most likely it is, but looking can't hurt.

In the first position, with the hammer down, there may be play is side to side movement, but the cylinder should not rotate. Nor should it rotate when the hammer is all the way back.

 

[hodgepodge]

Lightbulb moment: Is the base pin all the way in?

 

[Indiana Jones]

Yea I've been taking it down and putting it back together and it's still goofy.

The cylinder now actually rotates when the hammer is all the way back. Uh oh

 

[GNLaFrance]

Yea I've been taking it down and putting it back together and it's still goofy.

The cylinder now actually rotates when the hammer is all the way back. Uh oh

You mean it rotates all the way around? You have cylinder stop bolt problems. Make sure the two finger spring is right side up and the end of the bolt isn't caught on something inside the frame.

 

[Indiana Jones]

Ok thanks. I've never taken the trigger assembly and grips apart.

 

[hodgepodge]

You mean it rotates all the way around? You have cylinder stop bolt problems. Make sure the two finger spring is right side up and the end of the bolt isn't caught on something inside the frame.

Easy to replace. Take the grips and the grip frame off. Take off the bottom trigger guard.

One screw to remove the stop bolt spring.


You likely need this part:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/19...ring-colt-saa-emf-uberti-and-clones-wire-type

or

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...ring-colt-saa-emf-uberti-and-clones-flat-type

 

[Indiana Jones]

im so irritated. uberti uses the shittiest quality screws ive ever seen. they are so SOFT. im working on this pistol right now to see what i need to order to fix it. im highly pissed

DEFINITELY the last uberti product ill ever purchase. the screws SHRED themselvs under the tiniest bit of pressure. next time ill be getting a Colt...seriously. these screws are like soft lead. can i get repacement screws made in the USA or soemthing for it?

 

[hodgepodge]

VTI has hardened screws:
http://www.vtigunparts.com/store/sh...d=23&cat=Uberti+1873+Cattleman+SAA+and+Target

Replacement screws are $4-5 at either MidwayUSA or Brownell's.

The first suggestion is to use a good quality flat-ground screwdriver.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/894156/peacemaker-parts-screwdriver-set-colt-single-action

I'm still betting on the bolt spring:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/19...ring-colt-saa-emf-uberti-and-clones-wire-type

or
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...ring-colt-saa-emf-uberti-and-clones-flat-type

 

[Indiana Jones]

VTI has hardened screws:
http://www.vtigunparts.com/store/sh...d=23&cat=Uberti+1873+Cattleman+SAA+and+Target

Replacement screws are $4-5 at either MidwayUSA or Brownell's.

The first suggestion is to use a good quality flat-ground screwdriver.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/894156/peacemaker-parts-screwdriver-set-colt-single-action

I'm still betting on the bolt spring:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/19...ring-colt-saa-emf-uberti-and-clones-wire-type

or
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...ring-colt-saa-emf-uberti-and-clones-flat-type

im using the same tools ive used my whole life and ive never had screws this shitty. i guess im SCREWED because i cant get them out, the metal just flakes off like pie crust. any solution for getting them out?

im ready to just take this thing to a pro to fix. i used to love this gun..

 

[Indiana Jones]

VTI has hardened screws:
http://www.vtigunparts.com/store/sh...d=23&cat=Uberti+1873+Cattleman+SAA+and+Target

Replacement screws are $4-5 at either MidwayUSA or Brownell's.

The first suggestion is to use a good quality flat-ground screwdriver.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/894156/peacemaker-parts-screwdriver-set-colt-single-action

I'm still betting on the bolt spring:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/19...ring-colt-saa-emf-uberti-and-clones-wire-type

or
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...ring-colt-saa-emf-uberti-and-clones-flat-type

im using the same tools ive used my whole life and ive never had screws this shitty. i guess im SCREWED because i cant get them out, the metal just flakes off like pie crust. any solution for getting them out?

im ready to just take this thing to a pro to fix. i used to love this gun..

Best I can do for pics...

 

[Indiana Jones]

ordered Uberti hardened screw set, and a new power sear/bolt spring, and hammer spring. both of the latter by Wolff. Lets hope that it will solve the problem. this thing has MAYBE 5-6 boxes of .45LC through it.

if its not a Colt, its a copy (with shitty screws). sorry, just PISSED

 

[Boom Boom]

Slight side to side play (rotation) isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's often intentional so that the bullet can self align on the forcing cone as it enters the barrel. Otherwise, if the cylinder is locked tight and the timing is even slightly off, bullets will get shaved and wear on the cone.