Easy slicking up mods to to a new 73

[TheOtherLeft]

Hi pards,

I'm the owner of very schmick looking new .38s/357 Uberti 1873 Special Sporting Short (pistol grip).

It's unmodified as I wanted to get used to it prior to slicking it up. From playing with it I know some areas that need to be addressed to make it smoother running.

I'm looking at the Pioneer Gun Works parts and so far the Action Springs and Aluminium Carrier look like he first easy mods to do. Does anyone know if I install these parts do I then need additional finetuning/timing to get them to work properly, or are they drop in parts?

Thanks.

[Lefty Dude]

If you tell us your location we may be able to direct you to a 73 Gun Smith. I would suggest you not try and install the race components yourself. Timing issues are such when your replace the carrier block & SS kit. You could replace the two cam springs that ride on the lever cams.
There are very good CAS/SASS mechanics from one end of this great Country to the other.

If you are handy with the Tools & such, then DIY, Pard.

The Pioneer carrier block will not be of benefit unless you install it with the SS kit.
Call Joe at Pioneer and he will advise you. If it were my piece I would send it to Pioneer Gun Works for a complete job.

[TheOtherLeft]

I'm in Sydney Australia, so competent gunsmiths are a bit rare. I do know of at least 1 but I like to tinker...

Thanks for the tip about the carrier. I don't want to go down the SS route yet but I can see the Action Springs having a good effect as there's a definite hesitation/resistance when I work the lever and start to raise the carrier.

[Pettifogger]

The 73 action is about as simple a device as they come.   The easiest things to do that will make a noticeable difference in how the gun feels, and you can do them yourself if you can operate a screwdriver, are as follows:

1.  Replace the carrier and lifter springs.  I like the springs from the Smith Shop, although there are others that work as well.

2.  Replace or grind and polish the mainspring.  Most of the levering effort is overcoming the stiff mainspring.  Lighten it and you reduce the levering effort.

3.  Replace or grind and polish (a lot of work since it is so small) the safety spring on the trigger.  The stock spring is so stiff you have to squeeze the trigger guard to release the trigger.  This does not make for fast shooting.  After grinding a bunch or them, I now use one of the wire springs several after market suppliers sell.  Some people simply remove the spring.  The spring is intended to help eliminate out of battery discharges.  After you replace/lighten it, you won't know its there so I would leave it in.

A lot of people like the brass carriers even after they have installed short stroke links.  I have had an aluminum carrier in mine for over ten years and it is still purring along.  I am use to it and like it.  Try both and leave the one that feels the best to you in your gun.  Installing the short stroke kits is not rocket science.  I know Pioneer has instructions on how to install them and 90+ percent install with no problems.  It is the remaining 10 percent that cause problems and take a little knowledge to figure out and correct the problems.  That is when a gunsmith that KNOWS about 73s will earn their money.