Uberti/Navy Arms Remington '75 trigger swap???

Started by Bangor Dan, August 12, 2008, 10:54:33 PM

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Bangor Dan

Just received a Uberti made (1977) Remington 1875 imported by Navy Arms. The 44-40 chambering and post front sight are what caught my eye, but I find that the trigger in this 31 year old import is noticably shorter, and somewhat uncomfortable on the trigger finger compared to a recent production Uberti.
I see that VTI sells the trigger version (nickeled) that I need, so I'm wondering out loud how much there is to swapping out the old trigger for a new production (longer) one. Any help appreciated.
Thanks,
Bangor Dan

As an aside, it's interesting to observe the subtle changes Uberti made over the years in their very early versus very new production Remington's.

Long Johns Wolf

As a side note: my Uberti 75 from 1972 got the short trigger and PC cylinder pin release. Does your 1977 production pistol have that "correct" cylinder pin too or already the later "Colt-type"?
Long Johns Wolf
BOSS 156, CRR 169 (Hon.), FROCS 2, Henry Board, SCORRS, STORM 229, SV Hofheim 1938, VDW, BDS, SASS

Bangor Dan

Hi LJF,
too bad that work has to get in the way of my hobbies. If I understand your question, you're refering to the push button that releases the long pin that holds the cylinder in place?!? If so, the push button is a different style that the current version, which looks like the SAA type.
Bangor Dan

Long Johns Wolf

I don't want to steel your thread but am wondering when Uberti changed the PC cylinder pin release to the Colt SAA type. If your pistol of 1977 still has the PC one we are getting closer to the truth. Below pic is the release of my 72 production in .45 Colt
Long Johns Wolf
BOSS 156, CRR 169 (Hon.), FROCS 2, Henry Board, SCORRS, STORM 229, SV Hofheim 1938, VDW, BDS, SASS

Steel Horse Bailey

Gruss Dich, Wolf!

I'm curious... I see that your 1972 era 1875 has A) a different front sight (and both types are correct, depending on the age) and, B) a pinned in spring-steel lever that I assume fits into the housing to hold the cylinder pin in place.

I have HEARD that Uberti changed to the Colt-type cross-pin release for manufacturing ease - I think I understand why  ::) BUT ... is your model true to the original Remingtons?  I thought a screw was what held the cylinder pin in place - I must have been mistaken.

I have been considering changing my 1875 (made in 1999) back to the original configuration, but - I sure see the reason WHY the Colt-type would be better - and easier on the fingernail  :o to use!
"May Your Powder always be Dry and Black; Your Smoke always White; and Your Flames Always Light the Way to Eternal Shooting Fulfillment !"

Flint

The original Remington cylinder pin release was a flat spring hook at the front of the under rib.  The did not use a screw retainer, as they probably didn't want to make it necessary to use a screwdriver or tool to release the cylinder.

The Hartford, and the USFA Remingtons have the original style release.

The Colt style crossbolt doesn't fit the frame as well as the Remington frame is much thinner in that area than a Colt frame is.  It works, but I wish my Uberti 75's had the original release instead.
The man who beats his sword into a plowshare shall farm for the man who did not.

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Alumnus of Hole in the Wall Gang, Piru, CA, Panorama Sportsman's Club, Sylmar, CA, Ojai Desperados, Ojai, CA, SWPL, Los Angeles, CA

Long Johns Wolf

Grüß Dich Steel Horse Bailey,
The front sight of this Uberti was a blade dove tailed into the barrel by one previous owner. That job was not Uberti original. My smith changed it to the post when he did the restauration.
This type of cylinder pin release was Uberti original for their early production 1875s. I do not yet know exactly when they changed to the cross-pin type. I believe one of their reasons was cost cutting but also function: during recoil even with my light .45 ammo, usually after some 15 to 20 rounds the cylinder pin moves forward. This eventually affects cylinder alignment. My smith worked on it and could improve it some but only to a point.
Long Johns Wolf
BOSS 156, CRR 169 (Hon.), FROCS 2, Henry Board, SCORRS, STORM 229, SV Hofheim 1938, VDW, BDS, SASS

Hoof Hearted

I too have a nickled later, early 1875 (cross pin, post sight) in 44-40.

I can't promise you it will work, but I have successfolly (yea I spelt it that way on porpois) transplanted an 1875 trigger in an "1858" and even cross swapped from maker to maker on the cap and ball remmies.

Parts are pretty cheap, give it a try (if you can do minor fitting work) and let us know!
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russ1943

Quote from: Steel Horse Bailey on August 14, 2008, 12:05:07 PM
Gruss Dich, Wolf!

I'm curious... I see that your 1972 era 1875 has A) a different front sight (and both types are correct, depending on the age) and, B) a pinned in spring-steel lever that I assume fits into the housing to hold the cylinder pin in place.

I have HEARD that Uberti changed to the Colt-type cross-pin release for manufacturing ease - I think I understand why  ::) BUT ... is your model true to the original Remingtons?  I thought a screw was what held the cylinder pin in place - I must have been mistaken.

I have been considering changing my 1875 (made in 1999) back to the original configuration, but - I sure see the reason WHY the Colt-type would be better - and easier on the fingernail  :o to use!



I have two Remingtons one in 45LC, purchased in 1972, from Navy Arms. It was ordered 1971, and was originally Stamped Replica Arms, S/N 1339 the for runner to Navy Arms purchasing them, it has the Colt Type bolt release, with Post Sight, It was only available in 45LC.  It took Navy Arms 4  years for them to make it in 44-40,  that had a Post Sight and Colt Style Release, purchase in 1976. I have never seen the type of release on any of the early 1875's. They sold for $200.00 back then. Both had a beautiful finish and deep case harden finish.  I had to send the 44-40 back to Navy and they replaced with one that had a Blade front sight. The finish is poor compared to the one I send back, and it was imported from by EMF.

I would guess that Uberti made the guns based on the import's specs.  I think the 1875's were the first cartridge revolvers Uberti made, since Navy Arms was the original importor for Uberti staritng with 1851 Navy's in 1959.  I had a Navy Arm's catalog for 1971 and they had the revolving carbine in 44-40, based on the 1875 remington but not the pistol.






russ1943

I have a 1875 marked Replica Arms and Navy Arms from 1971-1972, (ordered it in 1971 had wait for it about a year), one of the first imported and they all had the Push Release Base Pin, none were made with any other base pin release. It also has safety thing in the hammer.  According to Replica and Navy, it becasue of the 1968 hand gun import law that banned "Saturday Night Specials, certain safety meassures had to built into the gun.  Even Walther had to change and put a groved trigger on the PP, and invented the PPK/S.   I ordered 1875 thru Replica who was bought by Navy, and it was eventually shipped by Navy.  I was conccerned about parts, since the early guns were shipped with no instructions or parts list. The only instrustion was to leave the hammer on an empty chamber, shoot factory loaded ammo, no reloads, if you shot reloads that voided the warren. So all 44-40, had to used JSP Rifle ammo, the only round made then, hence the early guns were built for that round. Navy referred to their catalog, for the parts list. which you had to buy for $1.50.

Steel Horse Bailey

Great info, Russ.

Since my friend Long Johns Wolf HAS one, it may simply be a case of Uberti making the one HE has before they were imported into the US.  (LJW lives in Germany if you didn't know.)  He mentioned that the previous owner had changed the front sight, but I think a conversion from a cross-pin lock to the old style would be hard to hide, without welding the hole, polishing the metal then sending it off to be refinished  since the original's frame was blue and only the trigger & loading gate were case-hardened, unlike the Uberti version with the entire frame being color-case finished.

There are other examples of this happening, with a few Uberti & Pietta guns being offered in Europe, but not here.

It's the only thing I can think of that answers the "Why does yours have one and mine doesn't?" question.  I've never seen the USFA guns Flint mentioned, but I knew that the Hartford Armory ones were the same as an original.  Wolf's statement about his 'smith having to work on it certainly bears witness as to WHY Uberti may have changed their repro.

It's all good - they're very nice shooting guns and I love mine.

"May Your Powder always be Dry and Black; Your Smoke always White; and Your Flames Always Light the Way to Eternal Shooting Fulfillment !"

Hoof Hearted

They were here too..........

I had one in 357. Kinda wish I had it back but I never really liked that caliber for a "cowboy" gun ;)
I don't know the years in question (sorry LJW, I know you are trying to figure that out). I have always just told people the VERY FIRST ones had the Remington type factory retainer for the cylinder pin and the post front sight. Later issue was Colt style "cross pin" and post sight. Current production is Colt "cross pin" and "sail" type sight.

I have the middle type and the current type.
My 2 Post sighted guns are in 44/40 and one is factory nickle, the other is Color cased (not correct) and blued (but soon to be all blue and marked like a real Remington).
My third or curent type is getting a shorter barrel and post type dovetailed front sight. It was 45 Colt (actually still is) and I have a 357 cylinder that I reamed to 44 Colt Heel Base to simulate the original loading of 44 Remington.

HH
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Indian Outlaw

The originals feel great in the hand. The Ubertis not so much.  >:(


Steel Horse Bailey

Quote from: Indian Outlaw on February 03, 2012, 09:49:50 AM
The originals feel great in the hand. The Ubertis not so much.  >:(




That seems to be true with other guns, too.  Friends who have original Rem. NMA guns talk about how many of the repos are bigger and don't fit in their hands like the originals.  I'm sure Uberti & Pietta, and any others who make or used to make modern guns from old designs have felt it best to "beef up" their repros in view the potential legal issues that may arise from some schlub putting modern rounds into old designs.  (Not to  mention the occasional idjit who tries to shoot hot 44 loads in Grandpa's ORIGINAL Cowboy whatever __(fill in the blank with an original 1870s gun here)__ !

"May Your Powder always be Dry and Black; Your Smoke always White; and Your Flames Always Light the Way to Eternal Shooting Fulfillment !"

Earl Brasse

As to the "feel", there is a large difference in grip size on Uberti 1875's.  I have a couple & finally manage to find 2 of the same vintage grips.  It is a "fat or thin" grip thing.


Also worth mentioning is that the finished grips don't just "bolt-on" in most cases that I found.  Individual gripframes really seem to vary.

The Pathfinder

Russ1943, I also have an 1875 marked Replica Arms from that same time frame, I'll have to check the date code to say exactly when, but mine is a match for LJW's. It has the original style pin and has a ser. no of 222 in .45 Colt. I've also corresponded with cowboys who have the consecutive number guns, on either side of mine and they also have the original style pin release. So they were made and imported, when the changeover occured is anyones guess.

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