Rebarrling a Uberti 73's

Pappy Myles · October 05, 2011, 10:25:07 AM

Gents,
I have a uberti '73 24 inch barrel that I've made several mods with after market parts, (slipxsprings, short stroke kits, alum carrier, etc, etc, even put in the coil spring main spring) in 45 colt, shoots just the way I want it too.

I do occasionally get some blowby. I load lymans 250 RNFP with 5.8 grains of titegroup. I'vs shot someones 44-40 and really like the cartridge. though can be a pain in the neck reloading.

Has anyone rebarreled their rifle? Yeah yeah, I know....I'm a tinkerer and can't leave well enough alone.

w44wcf · October 08, 2011, 07:49:17 AM

Pappy,
You will find that if you anneal the case necks that will pretty much eliminate the blowby.

I also just partially size the case to just below (1/16") where the base of the bullet will rest.
That gives it a bit of a 44-40 appearance.

I just can't see resizing the whole case if
it will be used in the same gun.

w44wcf

Grizzly Adams · October 08, 2011, 10:53:24 PM

I started out with a Uberti 73 in 45LC. PITA in terms of blowback. NOTHING I did helped. In any case, I swapped the barrel out for a 44-40 barrel, and have been a happy camper since. To change, all you need is a 44WCF barrel. ALL other parts are the same.

Pappy Myles · October 11, 2011, 09:55:35 AM

Thanks for the advice w44. I've done some anealing, and it does seam to work.

Hadnt though about partially sizing. hmmmmmmmm guess I'll have to try that too

Hay Grizzly, where can I get a barrel and what can I expect to pay?

Grizzly Adams · October 11, 2011, 10:06:37 AM

Quote from: Pappy Myles on October 11, 2011, 09:55:35 AM
Thanks for the advice w44. I've done some anealing, and it does seam to work.

Hadnt though about partially sizing. hmmmmmmmm guess I'll have to try that too

Hay Grizzly, where can I get a barrel and what can I expect to pay?

VTI Gunparts has them. http://www.vtigunparts.com/store/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=42&cat=Uberti+1873+Rifle

I got mine off of ebay! Go figure!

Uberti dumped a load of half round, half octagon barrels on the market after their 73 with the button mag failed to sell. Wish I had bought two or three of them at the $80.00 they were going for.

Pappy Myles · October 12, 2011, 12:30:49 PM

Griz,
Did you rebarrel yourself?

Grizzly Adams · October 12, 2011, 02:16:42 PM

Quote from: Pappy Myles on October 12, 2011, 12:30:49 PM
Griz,
Did you rebarrel yourself?

I took it to my local gun guy. I hang out there for the coffee and BS, so I watched him do it.

Pretty undramatic! He screwed the old 45LC one off, and screwed on the new 44WCF. Indexed up perfect! Headspace checked spot on.

Cost me lunch.

Pappy Myles · October 13, 2011, 01:58:16 PM

Ok then. A while back I picked up a barrel vice and action wrench. Fount it on a table at a gun show for a song and a dance. I could't carry a tune in a bucket, but the guy gave it to me anyway. Think I'll put it to use then. I have a barrel on the way from VTI. When I get it all done, I'll post pictures of the whole affair. I'm kind of a tinkerer, that and my gunsmith loves it when I screw up!!!!!!!!!.

Montana Slim · October 24, 2011, 10:25:40 PM

If you restrict yourself to loading 44-40 for your long-guns, I think you'll find the journey very easy.. My beef with 44-40 is that different revolver manufacturers use a variety of specs for their 44-40 chamber & barrels vary, too. Stick with Uberti rifles/carbines and you'll find them to be relatively easy to please.

Slim

Grapeshot · March 01, 2012, 07:08:21 AM

Quote from: Pappy Myles on October 05, 2011, 10:25:07 AM
Has anyone rebarreled their rifle? Yeah yeah, I know....I'm a tinkerer and can't leave well enough alone.

I had a Navy Arms/Uberti 1873 carbine rebarreled from .44 WCF to .45 Colt in 1982. Had my Gunsmith put a Douglas barrel on it with a 1:16 twist and chambered it for .45 Colt. It is the most accurate carbine I've ever owned. Took it to the '84 End of Trail and it performed flawlessly.

The chamber is tight and I don't experience an excessive blowby when shooting it.