Uberti Arbor Lengthening?

[leadball]

Hello all,

I am new to this site and thought that I would introduce myself and begin with an inquiry to the forum. I look forward to learning what I can and to contribute to the forum topics.

Living near Boston, I am just getting started with black powder. BP firearms have facinated me from the age of 8 or so and finally at 46 I have decided to enter into the black art.

Does anyone have a link to the article(s) by Larsen Pettifogger on Uberti arbor tuning? I have not found any through internet searches. Just references to them. I have read two excellent articles by Larsen on tuning a Pietta Colt black powder revolver.  They were full of useful information. In these articles Larsen noted that his next write-up would cover the Uberti arbor and the modifications required to lengthen it.

I recently purchased a Uberti Colt Walker kit which is now finished. My first BP kit and still not fired (a permit is required to purchase the powder in this gun-shy state, LTC is in process). It was a fun project and I learned what not to do with my next BP revolver.  My Uberti suffers from exactly what Larsen mentions in his Pietta article. Uberti's can have poorly fitted arbors which effect the gap between the barrel breech and the cylinder. The gap is not uniform (barrel-cylinder contact on top and minimal gap at the bottom) and this is with the wedge pushed in place with moderate finger pressure only. This leaves the barrel-frame assembly a bit loose feeling. It makes sense to me that a slightly longer arbor would fix the binding, allow the wedge to be driven a bit deeper to tighen up the revolver and provide a consistent and even gap.

Any input from forum members is appreciated.

Best regards,

leadball

[Fox Creek Kid]

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,26447.0.html

[Noz]

I'd call SASS and see if they have back issues of the chronicle. the explanation there is complete and easy to follow. Kudos to Pettifogger for writing them.

[madcratebuilder]

Making a shim for the arbor hole seems to work out best for me.  I have done several now and I turn shims on my lathe out of brass stock for test fitting.  When I get the perfect fit I turn one the correct thickness from mild steel about a half thousandth(diameter) oversize and press it in.  I like to have .001- clearance at the frame/barrel lug.