Recommended revolver parts to upgrade or have as spares?

Hello, I hope everyone is doing well.

I’ve got a Uberti 1858 Navy .36 that was made in 1978. It’s in excellent condition but nothing lasts forever and I’d like to have on hand some replacement parts; and perhaps some higher quality parts if possible.

I’m visiting family in the US soon and whilst I’m there I should take advantage of the lower prices and greater parts availability.

I’ve already got slix-shot nipples on my list, but what else?

Today I replaced a worn hand assembly for my Uberti 1860 army. I purchased it in 2005. I keep some extra trigger/bolt flat springs on hand. A spare bolt assembly wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Slixshot nipples would be my #1, and I see they're already on your list.

I have Pietta in the same revolver. I bought all the screws, trigger & bolt spring and cylinder hand off ebay in two purchases. The hand required minor fitting. But you probably have ebay down under. Welcome to the USA and good luck.

Thanks very much for the advice.

Does anyone know if the hand/trigger spring/bolt/screws etc. are the same as a .44 Army?

And a recommended vendor? I was thinking about Dixie Gun Works

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1973292517?pid=883599
One of these for if the loading lever catch pops off and a set of screws.

taylors is the best for replacement parts. better if you talk to someone on the phone though. I have accidently ordered Uberti parts for my Pietta and they are not interchangeable. last time I called and the person on the phone was very helpfull and I got the right parts.

Widows Son said:

Hello, I hope everyone is doing well.

I’ve got a Uberti 1858 Navy .36 that was made in 1978. It’s in excellent condition but nothing lasts forever and I’d like to have on hand some replacement parts; and perhaps some higher quality parts if possible.

I’m visiting family in the US soon and whilst I’m there I should take advantage of the lower prices and greater parts availability.

I’ve already got slix-shot nipples on my list, but what else?

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I have a Uberti 1860 made in 1979 and I replaced the bolt recently. The springs seemed a little higher quality during that era but spare bolt/trigger springs and spare hands as mentioned. Might be harder to find but a replacement hammer is probably next on the wear list, the little cam the bolt rides on wears if not properly hardened, properly lubed, or bolt leg properly tapered

Widows Son said:

Hello, I hope everyone is doing well.

I’ve got a Uberti 1858 Navy .36 that was made in 1978. It’s in excellent condition but nothing lasts forever and I’d like to have on hand some replacement parts; and perhaps some higher quality parts if possible.

I’m visiting family in the US soon and whilst I’m there I should take advantage of the lower prices and greater parts availability.

I’ve already got slix-shot nipples on my list, but what else?

Click to expand...

About the only thing that breaks on them is the trigger spring and even that is remote when you go to wire or stainless steel flat spring stock. Might want to get a set of slix shot nipples.

Deercreek Products is a good source for parts. I found parts for the Armi San Marco there. And of course ebay.
A hand, bolt and the bolt/trigger spring would be a good idea. Maybe a hammer and spring also. Sometimes the hammer cam can give problems.

Good advice given. With the OP's situation living a few water miles from the US, I'd obtain a like spring for every one in his revolver, plus an extra hand and bolt. Ya never know, IMO paying for something while here in the US even though it may lay around for awhile would be cheaper than having to pay high shipping costs for one or two items when needed, plus if needed, ya got it when needed. It's not that big of an investment. FWIW, I've found that Taylors and Cimarron usually are cheaper in price than Numrich Gun Parts and Dixie. *(Edit: Forgot to add VTI also, have had faster and better service with Taylors and Cimarron, VTI is good, but T and C beat them IMO)*. Easier to contact and t/w someone in the know, plus what I've found over the years seems to have in stock. I've priced all of them several times and Taylors and Cimarron's usually are cheaper.

One other thing to take into consideration is possibly getting the screws that hold everything together. Ya never know when needed esp if those sizes are hard to come by. I know Taylors for sure sell entire screw sets for various brands and models of 1800 era revolvers, believe Cimarron does also, can't say about other outfits. I keep spare springs and parts on hand even living here in the Good Ol USA so have when needed and don't have to wait and pay shipping on one or two small parts.

Widows Son said:

Thanks very much for the advice.

Does anyone know if the hand/trigger spring/bolt/screws etc. are the same as a .44 Army?

And a recommended vendor? I was thinking about Dixie Gun Works

Click to expand...

Go to VTI gun parts web site <https://www.vtigunparts.com/store/>. Order what parts you need/want and send them to your family in the US that you are visiting - pick the parts up when you get there - you will save on shipping.

bpalbee said:

I have a Uberti 1860 made in 1979 and I replaced the bolt recently. The springs seemed a little higher quality during that era but spare bolt/trigger springs and spare hands as mentioned. Might be harder to find but a replacement hammer is probably next on the wear list, the little cam the bolt rides on wears if not properly hardened, properly lubed, or bolt leg properly tapered

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Bolts and cams usually take a lot of wear before they show problems and hands can be stretched quite easily to adjust them so all you will really most likely need eventually is a replacement trigger spring. You will probably loose the other spare parts before you use them. I speak from experience of lost parts.

M. De Land said:

Bolts and cams usually take a lot of wear before they show problems and hands can be stretched quite easily to adjust them so all you will really most likely need eventually is a replacement trigger spring. You will probably loose the other spare parts before you use them. I speak from experience of lost parts.

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Well I have parts that I've had since the 70's and haven't lost them. I keep everything in a small upright container with small plastic sliding drawers, all marked as to what's in them. I've lost my cell phone more in the last 2-3 years than any gun parts. Use the wife's phone to call my number repeatedly till I hear it ringing. Probably lost my mind a few times over the years too, but who's watching

I am no expert, but what I can say is what fit in 1978 may well not fit now. I tried to replace a bolt with an identical looking one (the gun was a 76 ASP) and it did not work. I had modified a bolt from another mfg, but it was the catch end not the end with the arms.

It sounds like Taylors is the way to go. What is a total non fit could be a fit or a fit with a bit of filing.

Now that's a thought Smokerr'!!! I have read where our Italian manufacturers have changed some things over the years but have also read the opposite that it is of no consequence. Others may chime in that have more knowledgeable on this. I know that a Euroarms 1851 Colt Navy (44 caliber) I bought in 1972 when I bought some of the internals to replace in and around 2006 everything fit with just minor filing/stoning. Doesn't mean will happen in every case. Be a good question to ask at some of the outlets that have been mentioned in this thread. Seems to me when on possibly VTI once I recall seeing a note in reference to whatever revolver parts I was looking at it had a noted reference that certain numbered parts were for revolver s made before X and others were for the same brand/model made after Y. Doesn't mean it's the case totally across the board.

Pietta sells parts kits containing all the screws you will need if you bugger them up or lose them. I would also suggest buying each and every spring the gun uses. Hammer cams are essentially part of the hammer so buy an extra hammer, and bolt legs wear/break so pick up a spare bolt as well. Be advised the newer CAM/CAD parts are not 'plug and play' on the pre-2004 Piettas so there may be some fit issues you will have to play with, but very doable with a set of needle files. Bear in mind also that you can use bobby pins to fab up replacement flat springs...OR...While here, have @45D replace all your springs with his coil spring setup. Top notch, will never need replacing, and one helluva BP 'smith. Not to mention he's a great guy on top of that!

I've got some spare parts that I bought ten or 15 years ago just in case for all of my BP revolvers. But, now that I have most of the guns I shoot the most Goonerized or Jackrabbited I'm not too worried!

Spare parts are expensive. I'd just buy another gun while you're here. If you can't take a whole gun with you for legal reasons, leave behind / sell the receiver and other parts you might not need.

I have 4 BP revolvers so if one is on its lips I have 3 others to shoot while I sort it out.

As noted, my ASP favored (Uberti I think) for the bolt appearance. I got one and it did not index on the CAM right.

The bolt I had ground down the latch end worked fine, I did not trust it so got the other one.

Yes I could have proably worked out the issue but it was, if this is working why mess with things more? Go shooting!