Tinkering w/ my Uberti 58 Army

SFT · January 27, 2008, 07:32:20 PM

Cool! This thread just gets better and better, and I really like the way you rounded over the grip frame edge.

What type of finish, if any, are you planning on putting on the metal after you get finished with all the modifications?

Just a suggestion, but I know of one person who stripped the blueing and then refinished the frame and cylinder in Plum Brown, which is more the color that the single shot muzzle loading handguns had their barrels done in. It quickly wears to a very rustic but protective finish and really set the Remington apart from the regular blued models.

Thanks for keeping us posted along with pics; this is a very interesting thread.

Tommy tornado · January 29, 2008, 09:36:19 PM

Once it is done you are going to need a holster for it. Got any ideas as to what you would want?

Wolfgang · January 30, 2008, 03:57:21 AM

Nice project. I've been feelin' the need for a belt / pocket pistol. Had been craving an early model Webley with birdshead grips, . . but then started leaning more towards a "Bull Dog", . . . but converting a '58 Remington could be another option. I want ta see how you secure your cylinder pin. That lower pistol pictured on the cover of that gun magazine posted earlier in the thread was interesting. I'd probably stick to a cap & ball cylinder in a short pistol as the cost of the conversion cylinder would make the project more expesive then buying some antique pocket pistol. Keep workin' and postin', . . watch out for them "Uberti Twins", . . they could distract you from your work, . . .

Hoof Hearted · January 30, 2008, 04:22:47 PM

Quote from: Barbarosa on January 30, 2008, 07:50:02 AM

The Uberti twins left last weekend. I hear they headed to Texas >>>>>

Should I be expecting another package from Kev

Let me know so I can start "warming" the wife up to the idea

All I think it would take is some Cap'n Morgan

Wolfgang · January 31, 2008, 08:32:51 AM

Nice sight. Re modifying a '58. Saw an article a while back from "Bottom Dealin' Mike" where he went thru such a project. Shortened barrel and modified the grip to a "birds head". Seemed to me kind of "clunky" as the frame and cylinder are so big. The "Bull Dogs" that are .44 cal. are 5 shot and seem more of a balance between the size of frame / cylinder and the short barrel and small grip. Don't have an extra '58 to play with. Have a mached pair of brass ones and a nice pair of steel framed ( one Pietta and one Armi San Marco). I really like the old Webley birds head models also. Maybe one of them will show up with a decent price ? ( I can hope, . . but not real likely. )

Good shootin', . . .

Oldelm · February 01, 2008, 12:24:52 PM

Howdy Barbarosa,
This has been a good thread,...from start to finish. Once you put your mind to something , you stick with it and "git 'er dun"....

Thanks for posting this whole procedure, especially the "in-process" pictures. It'll really help out others who want to do similar projects.

How do you like that Kirst cylinder pin retainer? I've never seen one up close.

... BTW,..those nice looking combustible paper cartridge boxes look great in the photos with the gun.

Wolfgang · February 01, 2008, 08:04:10 PM

Interesting "gadget" for retaining the cylinder pin. Nice project.

Good shootin', . . . .

Tommy tornado · February 01, 2008, 08:14:45 PM

So in order to load it you release the spring on the latch and pull out the cylinder as normal, correct? Then use a loading stand of some kind? Just curious and really interested as to how it will stand up to firing.

Hoof Hearted · February 01, 2008, 08:23:22 PM

Kev

I have nothing but praise for you and the entertainment you provided during this project..........well I really appreciate you sending them down here

Thanks!!!

Hoof Hearted · February 05, 2008, 08:20:18 AM

Alright Kev

Didja shoot that thing yet

Inquiring minds wanna know

willyboy · February 07, 2008, 10:36:38 PM

You know that else works well? Pizza sauce.seriously. coat liberally ,leave for a day and a half,remove with hot soapy water,and that gun will look a hunnert years old.

Skinny Preacher 66418 · February 08, 2008, 08:00:35 AM

Quote from: willyboy on February 07, 2008, 10:36:38 PM
You know that else works well? Pizza sauce.seriously. coat liberally ,leave for a day and a half,remove with hot soapy water,and that gun will look a hunnert years old.

Post some pics...

sundance44`s · February 17, 2008, 02:48:10 PM

Nice work there Barbarosa .....I`ve got an old Remmie 44 , I`m wanting to do much of the same work on ..after reading your post , I`m ready to start looking for the hacksaw and file set ..I know there around here somewhere ..The One thing that is really holding me up is I really don`t like the looks of the cylinder pin holder , it`s simple ..I keep thinking there`s got to be a better way with the left over parts at hand too ..But I keep drawing a blank $:-\$ ..I`m planning on cutting my barrel off at about 2 inches , to make a bulldog 45 out of it with conversion cylinder .. I know you had to have other thoughts on it yourself ,it just shouldn`t be that hard to come up with an idea ...any sugestions ??

Evil One · February 17, 2008, 04:34:12 PM

What makes the pin retainer look strange is that it juts out on the bottom.
Look at the pistol in profile... everything flows from muzzle to grip.
If the retainer was reformed... rounded maybe, so it didnt poke out like a wart... it would look a LOT better.
I am sitting here looking at my remmy... and at the pics of the stubby... and thats the only thing I can think of.
Maybe have it sloping up, with a protrusion on the sides for finger purchase.
Just my $.02

Evil

The General · February 17, 2008, 04:45:35 PM

I very fine article indeed. Thank you for sharing your project RedBeard.

sundance44`s · February 18, 2008, 06:38:03 AM

That was my first thoughts on it , was to reshape it , maybe sloped up like said or squared off in the front ...the way it is it looks like a holster grabber ....there would be enough material in left over parts to make one , if I could figure out how to keep it up .

Evil One · February 18, 2008, 08:27:37 AM

I would use a trap spring like the one on the pointy catch.
After I get my conversion cyls... I may have to look into doing something like this.
Heck... I may have to look into it if I get a stand alone reloader...

Evil

sundance44`s · February 25, 2008, 06:46:18 AM

Barbarosa I`ve never handled one of these catches , only seen the pictures ..If you reshape it smaller would there be any problem still being able to release it ? I don`t know how much tension is on the spring , it doesn`t look very stout in the pics.

sundance44`s · February 25, 2008, 09:03:52 AM

I was thinking if I just had the spring I could take the ball plunger off and trim the web on the existing loading lever to look more fitting to the gun ...and fit the spring to it ...this is just my thinking out loud ...but , for 2 years now I`ve been wanting to do this and the pin catch keeps holding me back .

sharps54 · February 25, 2008, 09:14:58 AM

Barbarosa,
Thank you for putting this up, I really enjoyed reading it! Some great information. Seems to me if someone is looking to do this the Kirst Cylinder Pin Retaining Clip is only $29.95, cheap enough to buy and modify to something you like. Now I can understand wanting to do it with exisiting parts on principle and there is nothing wrong with that, but I'll probably just get 2 of the Kirst clips and be done with it if I do this.
Mild Myles