Cimarron/Uberti conversion dimensions

[Hank]

Hi. New here. Can any one tell me if the outside diameter barrel dimensions on the Cimarron 1860 Army Richards Transition model are the same for .45 Colt and .44 Colt. In other words does Uberti use the same barrel regardless of caliber?
I'm using an original Colt 1860 Army Richards 2nd model conversion now and I'm feeling guilty about shooting it so much. Time for an Uberti but I'm gonna try to make it as close to original specs as possible. Right down to the .450" bore/.460" groove, left hand, 7 groove gain twist.
Much obliged for any help.

Hank

[Hank]

I'll try to post a picture of the old gun.

[Coffinmaker]

Yup.  Same barrel.

Coffinmaker

[Hank]

Thanks, Coffinmaker. That's what I wanted to hear.

[Fox Creek Kid]

SWEET photo, you lucky dog!! 

[Hank]

Thanks, Fox Creek Kid. It's a wonderful gun. It had a loose base pin when I got it and I learned a lot more about it than I ever thought I would have to. The threads were perfect but the conversion plate had worn a little where the pin holds it against the frame. I hand filed an .011" steel shim (from a case back hoe injector washer) that would fit into the recess in the front of the plate (.011" being as small as I could go without it disintegrating in my hand) and I took about .0095" off the shoulder of the pin a little at a time until the staking pin hole just about lined up again. Then I tightened it down and pinned it and it's been solid ever since. The gun is all original but for the ejector head and a couple of screws. All matching numbers everywhere. Took a while to find a bullet that would be accurate in the percussion barrel and still look right. Here's pics of the bullet and the bore. Right hand bullet is a .430" hollow base that worked fine and bumped up enough to be accurate but didn't look like the early originals. Left hand bullet is a hollow base, heeled bullet I designed and had a mould made for. Looks right and is more accurate than I am.

[Fox Creek Kid]

I have some .44 heel based bullets I don't need if you want 'em. They are from an old Lyman mould and are cheap IMO.

Question: do you have to hand align the ejector before a ratchet engagement in order to get the rod into the chamber to eject a spent case?

[Hank]

Thanks for the offer of the bullets, Kid, but I'd probably just put 'em in the pot. I've still got 19 rounds of the original heeled bullets I first made up, that aren't hollow base, that I don't want to pull and really don't want to shoot. After the first couple shots they group about three feet at 20 yrds. And that's with a 1/8 lube cookie as well as outside lube. They don't bump up and let  much fouling, heat and lead into the grooves. These hollow base, heeled bullets get lube in the two inside-the-case grooves and the hollow gets filled and then a 1/16th cookie. I can pretty much keep shootin' till the fight's over so to speak. There's no gas shield on the originals but with all the lube flyin' around the cylinder stays workin'.
And yes indeed, I have to hand align the cylinder to get the rod into every spent case. Actually,getting the rod in is easy. Holding the cylinder so the case rim doesn't catch on the plate is trickier. I've gotten used to it so it's not a bother. It amazes me how they could take a used percussion gun (made in 1871) and make such a beautiful, smooth working, cartridge gun out of it. Truly amazing.

[Virginia Gentleman]

Man, that is a nice original and I am sure it is worth some serious coin.  I agree, it is probably time to oil that old Colt up and put it away or display it in a nice shadow box.  Shooting a Cimarron or Taylor's Uberti made reproduction is a great way to enjoy that type of gun and not worry about wearing it out.

[Coffinmaker]

THAT.   IS.   ONE.   SWEET.   GUN!!!!

Twer it mine, I'd shoot it too.  Man is that nice!!


Coffinmaker