Laramie Report

[whopist]

This is a very handsome piece. Heavy hog leg in 6.5" barrel is an understatement. My short fat fingers have a hard time hanging on to those smooth grips. So I purchased some Vintage Gun Grips for a S&W New Model #3, .44 (Code S69) because  they have more texturing and I can hang on to them better.

My Laramie was produced in 2005 and has a 3 digit serial number. I have no information on its history, but it was no safe queen and has been used but not abused. In my first half box of 38Specials there was a misfire from a light primer strike. So a look inside the works was in order.

There has been much said as to the safety features on this "Uberti" top break family (Schofield, Russian, New Model #3 in Laramie and Frontier. The inside of my Laramie (BZ date code) has a rebounding hammer, a hammer block safety, and a coil (not leaf) spring for the hammer. It should be also noted that foreign loose bits and pieces of the manufacturing process were still in there. The hammer firing pin had impact signs of contact with the frame firing pin access channel.

Once cleaned with a little polishing of hammer inferences all seams well; in that, the rebound and hammer block seam to coexist and operate smoothly. No more light strikes either.

I really like this gun.

PS:
1 ½" to 2 ½" of barrel has got to go!

[yeti76620]

PS:
1 ½" to 2 ½" of barrel has got to go!

Somehow to me that would be just wrong....   

Yeti...

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

As you are obviously aware, the Laramie is a replica of the Smith and Wesson New Model Number Three. The standard configuration of the New Model Number Three was with a 6 1/2" barrel, chambered for 44 Russian.

Like this:



The New Model Number Three was the 'pinnacle of S&W large frame single action revolver design.'* In this configuration it is not a heavy gun and is quite pleasant to shoot. Of course chambered for 38 Special it is going to be much heavier because of the smaller holes in the cylinder and barrel.

The New Model Number Three was available in a variety of barrel lengths on custom order, from 3 1/2" to 8". It was also available in a variety of chamberings, including two target cartridges; 32-44 and 38-44. The latter is not to be confused with the high powered 38-44 ammo produce in the 1930s, this one was basically an elongated 38 S&W. I suspect with these chamberings a 6 1/2" gun was probably heavy too, but this was the preferred configuration for many target shooters at the end of the 19th Century and Mike Venturino says that records were set with this configuration that still stand today. The New Model Number Three was a very accurate revolver.


I am intrigued about the hammer block on the Laramie.

The original New Model Number Three featured a rebounding hammer and a 'safety cock' notch of sorts. I have included a few photos to illustrate how it worked.

In this photo, I am forcing the hammer forward with my thumb, to simulate the position of the hammer at the moment a cartridge is fired.







In this photo I have released the hammer and it has rebounded back. The tip of the sear has entered a small square cut in the base of the hammer just in front of the half cock notch. The sear is now wedged in this position and the hammer is blocked from going forward again.






Here are two more photos showing the half cock position, which frees the barrel latch to be opened, and full cock.






My point in showing these photos is although the New Model Number Three employed a rebounding hammer and 'safety cock' notch of sorts, I would never trust the design with a live round under the hammer. The tip of the sear is just too thin, and I don't think it would take much force to shear it off and fire a cartridge under the hammer. I never put six rounds in my New Model Number Three because of that, no different than a SAA.

So....................are the safety features inside the Laramie different than in the original? I suspect they would have to be in order to meet US import regulations. Does it have a separate hammer block that makes it safe to load six rounds?



* Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson, 3rd edition, pg 102.

[whopist]

OPPS!
Yeti76620 I didn't mean to upset you.

Does anyone want to swap their 5" for my 6.5" 38special Laramie?

[whopist]

Driftwood Johnson, thanks for info.

I choose the Laramie because of the action design. It may be all in my mind but I do believe I can load up all six and fire away. In the rebound, safety/load, and cocked positions the hammer is blocked. The block only drops to unblock the hammer as the revolver is actually being fired.

It should also be noted that the Laramie also has a coil spring for the hammer. Notice the funny double rocker. The top rocker is for firing and I think the bottom rocker is for rebounding.

This is the action in the rebound position after the revolver has fired. "Bolt up" locking cylinder rotation and hammer is blocked from striking primer.



This is cocked and ready to fire. The block does not lower until the hammer starts to fall.



This is the safety/load position. Hammer is blocked. The bolt is lowered allowing the cylinder to rotate. I will not carry my Laramie in this position just like you said. Does the old New Model lower the cylinder bolt also?



Hope this answers your questions about the Laramie.

[yeti76620]

OPPS!
Yeti76620 I didn't mean to upset you.

         

[whopist]

The Laramie has a different trigger spring also. The leaf spring is in front of the trigger, not behind.

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy whopist

Thanks for taking the side plate off and thanks for the excellent photos. What pulls the hammer block out of the way so the hammer can fall? The trigger?

With my original, the bolt remains up from full cock position all the way down to the 'firing position'. It remains up as the hammer rebounds. The bolt snaps down smartly as soon as the hammer is pulled back to the loading (half cock) position. It begins rising again as soon as the hammer starts to be cocked, so a turn ring is impossible to avoid. Part of the design.

Yes that is a very funky rocker on the hammer spring. It does appear that the lower lobe is what causes the hammer to rebound. With my original the geometry of the toggle on the hammer and the geometry of the spring is what causes the hammer to rebound.

The trigger spring is the heavy spring visible under the hammer.

Interesting how clever modern gun designers can be to fit in new mechanisms in old designs. It does appear that the hammer block on the Laramie is a bit sturdier than the 'safety notch' on my original.

By the way, look at the subtle difference in the shapes of the two firing pins.

[whopist]

Driftwood Johnson

The Laramie safety block is controlled by the hammer. As you noted, the one with the crocked nose!
All Uberti Top Breaks with a hammer safety block "appear" to work the same, (looking at exploded views). I only have hands on experience with the Laramie

The safety block floats in a recessed pocket in the frame. A spring raises it to block the hammer until the hammer pulls it down to unblock and fire the revolver.


This is the right side of the Laramie hammer. The green arrow points to a very small spring loaded pin that pulls the safety block down to unblock the hammer.




This is the Laramie safety block. The red arrow points to a pointed arm which engages the spring loaded pin of the hammer



Pictures came from Brownells.