Did some trading for a Uberti 3rd Dragoon this week

[Pitchfork]

I must say, I had no idea the Dragoon was so huge!  For those that have never seen just what a mammoth this thing is (and the Walker is even bigger!), here's a picture of it compared to a reproduction 1873 (which i'm sure you all know by heart).  Weighs at least twice as much at the SAA.  The top pic's color is off = bad phone camera... but you get the idea.

[hellgate]

The original balloon head cartridge load for the '73 SAA was the Dragoon load of 40grs powder (can't remember bullet weight) but the soldiers had trouble handling the recoil so it was reduced to somewhere in the 30gr range. The Dragoon can absorb a lot of recoil due to it's weight but one handed shooting can get tiresome. The SAA had stronger steels and so could be made much lighter.

[Drayton Calhoun]

Love my old Dragoon and my Walker with a full load. All that weight tames the recoil and with a good hold is still accurate.

[Montana Slim]

Yup, they have some "heft" all right! ... I  :)have one just like it!

Enjoy!
Slim

[Fox Creek Kid]

Prepare yourself for tennis elbow. 

[Pitchfork]

I had the opportunity to take it out and test it this weekend, including introducing several people to both it and shooting in general. 

I was using .454 round balls through it and they were easy to load without a stand and gave just enough resistance and lead shaving to be securely seated against the powder.

Though I prefered using 30 grains of pyrodex (pellet form) I did use loose powder in varying charges all the way up to 50.  50 was fun, but I didn't gain anything as a shooter other than a marginal cool factor. 

Unfortunately, because all of us were out there to handle various kinds of guns and try them out, I didn't get to do any accuracy tests - everyone was shooting the same 3 targets so I couldn't even see where my shots were landing.  However, shooting the Uberti was a joy pure and simple.

It functioned flawlessly for everyone of all experience types that loaded and fired it.

I used #11 magnum CCI caps and they all performed like champions.  They didn't slip off unless they were supposed to and they didn't bind up in the mechanisms, even when completely 'flowered out' after being fired.

Of about 40 shots, I only had 2 shots where the loading lever dropped.  The first was I think a fluke because it was during a 30 grain pyrodex pellet. And of course, the other was a 50 grain load - no suprise there.

I give the Uberti 3rd Model Dragoon a 5 out of 5 stars because its action was smooth and I didn't have any problems at all out of 8 different shooters handling it.

I did notice that around the last few loads of the day, that there was so much fouling on it that the wedge wouldn't fit properly, but again, I think that's expected when firing a LOT.  No suprises and had a great day!

Pics below just for fun.  Note the last one, caught some flame!  Nope, I'm not in the pictures.

[Crow Choker]

The Dragoon models I think are my favorite. I have a Uberti/Cimarron 2nd Model that I enjoy shooting over other Colt types, even though a '51 model Navy in 44 caliber was my first. If I had to 'nail' a cap an ball to only one, it would be a Dragoon. Don't mind the weight, ususally have it on left side in a cross draw and some other model c&b or cartridge revolver on my right. Even sometimes when shooting along my favorite pasture/wooded/river area I'll have as some call them 'a heathen smokeless' hogleg in a shoulder holster or my '72 Open Top loaded with black loaded 44 Colt or 44 Spec carridges(loaded with the'heathen SM). With them and all the various items needed for shooting the black and a bandolier or two of cartridge ammo-if I'd step into deep water, I'd sink like the proverbial rock. I know weight issue is to some a problem, but as long as I can still do it(pushin thee ol six-two this fall), I'll hang em on my belt. Quess maybe a couple decades of wearing a Sam Browne, two yrs. wearing a double-construction belt, five yrs. slinging sides and quarters of beef in a packing house, and thirteen yrs. as a heavey equipment operator has made me tolerable and use to the weight.  Will admitt when walking in knee deep snow(North Iowa) with all that I do cut down some, but what the 'hey', it's a good time.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I have a 1st model, 2nd gen Colt.  It draws a LOT of attention!   If you shoot it full (around 50 grs.) it is akin to a cannon, but with surprisingly little recoil, due to the massive size/weight of this behemoth.  As Pitchfork mentioned, the lever can/will drop, and I have found that as many as 4 of 5 shots with a full 50 grs load will drop.  But ... 45 grs. seldom causes the dropped lever, so my normal load is between 42-45 grs. - if measured with a scale.  I use either a Walker flask with the adjustable charge drop feature (VERY authentic as the Dragoons followed the Walkers, but NOT always consistant) or a Stand-of-Flags flask with a 40 gr. spout.  I LOVE shooting it!

I'm not sure about the 40 gr. load from a Dragoon being the original inspiration for the 45 Colt round; I've heard other similar tales, but it makes a LOT of sense.  Originally, the Walker could shoot as much as a 60 gr. charge, the general load of a single shot rifle - which it was intended to replace - but there were numerous cracked & blown Walker cylinders due to the use of iron for the cylinders, not steel, so when the Dragoon was made, Colt shortened the cyl. to where it would hold only 50 grs.  ONLY  50!   

I have tried a combo load and had great results:  15 grs. of loose 3F powder then a 30 gr. Pyrodex pellet over the loose powder.   The onlookers will sit up and take notice!  It COULD actually serve as a decent hunting load, but that is ONLY my opinion as I'm NOT much of a hunter and I certainly don't recommend it from personal experience, since I have none!  LoL!  I say this only as a "Maybe" scenario, if an emergency arose in a camp area, NOT the normal yearly hunt for deer!   

Yes - this load is wasteful and certainly NOT needed for CAS matches ... but it's WAAAAAY  fun!

[Montana Slim]

The lever used to drop on my 3rd model as well....then I fixed it 

I removed the retainer spring (inside the latch) and replaced it with a similar sping that was longer and a bit stronger. I suppose one could also slightly strectch the factory spring as well. Anyway...this repair was an instant sucess, the rod stays up with my favorite load.... 40 gr of 3F & a soft-cast 200 gr SWC (for 45 ACP). I add my lube over the bullet & fire away. BTW, mine fits CCI #10 caps perfectly.
Would make a nice hunting pistol, if one had the notion & it were legal.

Lotsa fun,
Slim