Replacing Cylinder Base Pins for Uberti, Pietta, ASM 1873 replicas

[CatBacker88]

I've finally concluded I can no longer live with the goofy extra-long base pins that come with Italian replica Colt revolvers.  What are the good sources for replacing them with original design length versions?  TIA!

[45 Dragoon]

Ummmmmm .  .  .  grind um shorter  ?  Seems to work for me.

Mike

[Niederlander]

You can find them on eBay or Peacemaker Specialists.

[Abilene]

If you don't want to cut or grind off a little of the rear of the pin, you can replace it with a Colt base pin (pricey) or just order a standard length Uberti pin (this is what goes into all the new Ubertis the last half-dozen years.  When they came up with their retractable firing pin safety design it eliminated the need for the two-position base pins).  VTIgunparts.com or Cimarron or Taylors or Dixie.

[Crossdrawnj]

Belt Mountain Enterprises.

[CatBacker88]

Many thanks for all the thoughtful recommendations.  I've checked every recommended source and all were either out of stock or thought their products worth $40 a piece. My inclination at this point is to go ahead and grind one back and go from there.  I figure if I fail, I can always backorder a replacement. 

[Professor Marvel]

Not sure if it fits but its $15

https://www.emf-company.com/store/pc/-2-1873-GWII-Cylinder-Base-Pin-p1759.htm

Numrich has the uberti, for $23 ... made for the 1873 cattleman BP"
But, having several of those I can attest that the parts are interchangeable with the cartridge 1873 SA

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/2042930

And if one needs video halp with a diy here ya go



Yhs
Prof mumbles

[Abilene]

The GWII (Pietta) base pins are double groove as well (hard to tell from the parts drawing).  And I hate Pietta pins anyway, because the groove(s) are only on one side of the pin, not all the way around, so they have to be perfectly aligned when you insert it or it can get jammed.

[CatBacker88]

The GWII (Pietta) base pins are double groove as well (hard to tell from the parts drawing).  And I hate Pietta pins anyway, because the groove(s) are only on one side of the pin, not all the way around, so they have to be perfectly aligned when you insert it or it can get jammed.

Understood, one of my revolvers is a Pietta, and that pin will be the one I practice on, but it'll have to go whether I'm successful or not.

[Tronicst1]

Have you tried these guys yet ?

https://www.vtigunparts.com/store/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=23&cat=Uberti+1873+Cattleman+SAA+and+Target

[CatBacker88]

Have you tried these guys yet ?

https://www.vtigunparts.com/store/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=23&cat=Uberti+1873+Cattleman+SAA+and+Target

Yes, out of stock. I expect I'll order from them eventually, though, if the DIY scheme goes poorly.

[Abilene]

DIY is pretty easy, just grind or saw off 1/8 to 3/16" and round the end a little then polish. 

I have one Pietta and changed the base pin to Uberti.

[CatBacker88]

DIY is pretty easy, just grind or saw off 1/8 to 3/16" and round the end a little then polish. 

I have one Pietta and changed the base pin to Uberti.

After tiring of trying to find these things in stock at non-ridiculous prices I undertook the DIY approach.  I can report it's indeed pretty easy.   

[45 Dragoon]

After tiring of trying to find these things in stock at non-ridiculous prices I undertook the DIY approach.  I can report it's indeed pretty easy.   

Toad ya!!!  ( almost 2 months ago!! )

[CatBacker88]

Toad ya!!!  ( almost 2 months ago!! )

You sure did!  Problem with those things is so many vendors list them, but all are either not (as in never) in stock, or they're upwards of $30-$40 apiece.  Aside from the one Pietta with the goofy flat-sided version, that's really not justifiable for what's just a cosmetic tweak.  I'd at first thought it better to buy replacements and use them while the originals could sit in the box and then go with the gun if I ever parted with it.  That plan lasted two months before I just flipped on the grinder and got it over with.  The world belongs to the bold, I guess! 

[Coffinmaker]

:)CatBacker88 

Nah.  It's not just a "cosmetic" tweak.  Removing the last 32nd and dressing the Cylinder Base Pin eliminates the embarrassment of Shoving the Base Pin all the way in by mistake and finding one's gun WILL NOT fire.  Whether for play or serious social work, the OEM two position Base Pins need to be shortened to eliminate the stupid "Drop Test" safety.

[Professor Marvel]

You sure did!  Problem with those things is so many vendors list them, but all are either not (as in never) in stock, or they're upwards of $30-$40 apiece.  Aside from the one Pietta with the goofy flat-sided version, that's really not justifiable for what's just a cosmetic tweak.  I'd at first thought it better to buy replacements and use them while the originals could sit in the box and then go with the gun if I ever parted with it.  That plan lasted two months before I just flipped on the grinder and got it over with.  The world belongs to the bold, I guess! 

My 1873 SAA cylinder pins measure  .249 to .250 inches using a HF dial caliper

My Pietta 1858 remington NMA C&B cylinder pins measure .275 ish

.250 and .275 drill rod is readily available and quite cheap.

https://www.google.com/search?q=.250+drill+rod

Those individuals with ordinary electric handrills and/or  small drill presses ,  hacksaws,
and 220 grit paper might take notes.

I could forsee a thriving cottage industry in simple replacement cylinder pins.....



Yhs
Prof amravel

[Major 2]

I think I order a few lengths at those prices, to play with on my lathe. 

[Crossdrawnj]

This thread is a few months old, but VTI has these base pins in stock (Uberti).  I just ordered four.