Dragoon Frustration

[jjsemperfi]

I've had a Uberti 3rd model Dragoon for a bit now and really enjoy it over all. Never had a misfire, failure to fire, chain fire, nothing. Always goes boom. However the loading lever is driving me crazy. Anything more than 30 grains of 777 will cause the loading lever to drop. It's ridiculous. It shoots SO much better with 35-40 grains. I've already filed the latch holder, replaced the spring, not sure what else to do.....other than a damn rubber band.

 

[Alden]

Make a new latch? It's not quite long enough!?

 

[FishDFly]

HC, rubber bands, twist ties or bailing wire.

Geez.

 

[cynthialee]

HC, rubber bands, twist ties or bailing wire.

Geez.

yep

Or you can have it modified with a new loading lever with a proper latch that works like the later models had. Not the cheapest option...

 

[Heelerau]

Mate,
I have the same problem, less with the 28grs of fffg Goex, with double greased felt wads. If I use a heavier load, I am afraid it is the rubber band. Have tried much of what you have with no luck.

cheers

Heelerau

 

[Zonie]

The Third Model Dragoon used a loading lever latch that was very similar to the Colt 1851 Navy.

The only real difference is rather than having protrusions on both sides of the latch, it has one that is located on the bottom of the lever at the latch end.

The only "fix" I can think of is to remove the spring loaded catch and use a narrow Dremel cut off wheel to increase the depth of the slot that the cross pin fits into.
That would allow the hook on the latch to extend further out and do a better job of engaging the fixed post notch.

The biggest problem will be holding the catch while grinding the slot deeper. I would recommend using some Vise-Grips or similar pliers.

 

[F.G. Ford]

Rope!

 

[F.G. Ford]

HC rope of course!

 

[F.G. Ford]

:stir:

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

IMHO I think part of your problem is the use of the hotter 777 powder with its' inherent higher pressure spike. Plain & simple, 777 wasn't around in 1848. And compressing 777 creates an even higher spike.

That all being said, I use 3Fg Goex in my 3rd Model Dragoon: with 45 grains, a lubed wonder-wad & .454 Hornady ball WITHOUT the need for the blue rubber band I need for the Walker.

Just sumthin' to consider....

Dave

 

[jjsemperfi]

Ooooh ahhhh, I'll give the goex a try. Thanks!

 

[mooman76]

The Walker is even worse than that. It falls on any shot. That's why they did a design change in other models of revolvers.

 

[FishDFly]

If you could find a very petite lady and talk her out of her garter strap, it might work, if the front sight was tall enough.

 

[Chowmif16]

I had the same problem with that very same gun. I have had good results with my fix. I simply filed the detent in the fixed post (that part below the muzzle of the barrel) in order to allow the catch to seat a bit deeper under the pressure of the spring.
Zonie may also have a point in that the catch may not be able to extend far enough due to the length of the slot for the retaining pin.
My gun now works just fine. I have not re-blued the post, but that would probably be prudent.
Cheers,
Chowmi

 

[pargent]

+ 1 I can load my 2nd model to the max with 3f real black and have never had an issue at all (max load is far from the most acc. btw )

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

YEP, on BOTH counts! My 3rd Model likes 45 grains even though 50 will fit. Groups nice with 45 grains & a wonder-wad!

 

[Mike 56]

Here's my fix for my Walker.

 

[rwiliff]

My first model sometimes drops the lever if the linkage screws are not real tight.

Warmest Regards,
Robert

 

[aeatwood]

Goex 2F. Dragoons used the same musket powder as the carbines. Lower pressure, and you can use the heavier, more accurate loads.