Uberti Navy Arms 1866...

flatapple · September 03, 2021, 05:22:47 PM

I have a chance to purchase a Uberti Navy Arms 1866 manufactured in 1971. My question is this older Uberti as good or better than the Ubertis made today? The 1866 is a saddle ring carbine, 44-40 in excellent shape and asking $500.00.

Tuolumne Lawman · September 03, 2021, 07:58:09 PM

Are you sure it is a Uberti, or is it a Navy Arms? Navy Arms made their own 1866s and 1860 Henry rifles in the 1870s. IIRC, it was not until around 1978-1979 that Uberti started making them. Unless it says Uberti, it was made in New Jersey. I had one of the Navy Arms Henries (pre-Uberti) and it was a great gun. The problem is there are NO parts for them! Their .38 Special 1866s were very close in size to originals. I heard of one being canabalised to repair an original.

Abilene · September 03, 2021, 08:11:26 PM

Most folks will advise you to steer clear. There are zero parts available for that gun.

But, if the price is GREAT, and it is in excellent shape, and you have no intention of short-stroking it or slicking it up, and you want it for plinking or light duty, well, it might be okay. On the other hand, I've shot my 2000-vintage '66 almost ten thousand times (all stock parts) in CAS and never had a failed part, so maybe the old carbine has some life in it?

Personally, if it was in good shape I would buy it only if it was cheap enough that I wouldn't be too upset if it became a wall-hanger.

flatapple · September 03, 2021, 11:06:36 PM

Pics added.

Major 2 · September 03, 2021, 11:37:03 PM

Obviously , a Uberti as it is so roll stamped ....

The parts issue pertains primary with Lifter & bolt internals , if the gun is in good working order and the price is
under 7 or $750
I believe I'd move on it .... from what can be seen it looks in good cond. Don't plan to race it , just shoot and enjoy it

King Medallion · September 04, 2021, 09:22:18 AM

mmhhmm, say Uberti, and Made in Italy in the same pic. $500? I'd say jump on it if it funtions correclty.

Pettifogger · September 04, 2021, 10:30:22 AM

If there is a notch in the front of the receiver it is the old original 66. There is a reason it is only $500.00. Having had one in the past I would not buy another one for CAS shooting. A toy for occassional plinking OK, but steady use no.

Pettifogger · September 04, 2021, 12:35:51 PM

This is not a very good photo but if it has this notch I would pass.

DeaconKC · September 04, 2021, 03:10:45 PM

What is the significance of the notch?

Abilene · September 04, 2021, 03:40:40 PM

Quote from: DeaconKC on September 04, 2021, 03:10:45 PM
What is the significance of the notch?

The first repro '66's had a short carrier, 1.5" length versus 1.6" for later (and current) guns. They were in .38 spcl and so 1.5" was long enough. When they started making them in 44-40 they put that notch in the frame to make it so you could eject a live 44-40 round which are almost 1.6" long.

Coffinmaker · September 04, 2021, 05:26:17 PM

PLUS ONE for "ALL" above.

Specially for Pettifogger. I worked on a lot of Uberti rifles. In the Hundreds actually, and the Old Build guns are a Crap Shoot. If in really really GREAT condition, and at or under $500 bucks, maybe. Only if you just wanna plink or fool around with it. For CAS . . . . NO WAY.

If you break it, instant "Wall Hanger" as there are Absolutely NO parts for it.

Fox Creek Kid · September 14, 2021, 12:04:13 AM

This is why these old coots, Pettifogger & Coffinmaker, should go in a 3D metal printer and start shuckin' out parts for these old ones!

The good news is that the old Ubertis have the original rifling ROT and not the new 1 in 20" for the .44-40.

Pettifogger · September 20, 2021, 05:45:22 PM

This is what I know about 3D. I don't like wearing the funky red and blue glasses.

Niederlander · October 08, 2021, 04:50:41 PM

If you actually sat through that entire movie, you may be entitled to compensation............

Cliff Fendley · October 10, 2021, 05:05:12 PM

Quote from: Fox Creek Kid on September 14, 2021, 12:04:13 AM
This is why these old coots, Pettifogger & Coffinmaker, should go in a 3D metal printer and start shuckin' out parts for these old ones!

The good news is that the old Ubertis have the original rifling ROT and not the new 1 in 20" for the .44-40.

That is correct, for down right shooting, if the bore and crown are still good it will most likely out shoot a current production 44-40 at longer distance. Especially shooting black powder. The old ones chambered in 44wcf have 1-36 twist like original Winchester 73.