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Does every one of these drop their loading bar with hefty loads? Light loads? All loads?
Dragoons
- Thread starter Marc Adamchek
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DOUBLEDEUCE 1
69 Cal.
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The Walker is known for dropping the loading lever. The Dragoons have catches on the end of the loading lever. They would be far less prone to dropping. My Walker does not always drop the lever. That problem can be fixed with a little bit of reshaping the catch. It doesn't drop or bother me enough to fiddle with it. You can always secure it with a rubber band or something.
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To compare the two, can only speak from experiences.
Uberti Walker dropped the lever with round ball and not with conicals. The 2ndDragoon dropped the lever with conicals but not with round ball.
And, that made perfect sense to me once I thought about it. The reason the Walker dropped its lever was the sharp fast karate chop recoil that the round ball created. The conical produced a more elongated impulse that never overcame the Walker lever retainer.
With the Dragoon style retainer the conical overcame the latch but the round ball didn't.
Lesson learned. Walker conical, Dragoon round ball.
Uberti Walker dropped the lever with round ball and not with conicals. The 2ndDragoon dropped the lever with conicals but not with round ball.
And, that made perfect sense to me once I thought about it. The reason the Walker dropped its lever was the sharp fast karate chop recoil that the round ball created. The conical produced a more elongated impulse that never overcame the Walker lever retainer.
With the Dragoon style retainer the conical overcame the latch but the round ball didn't.
Lesson learned. Walker conical, Dragoon round ball.
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Double Deuce - Rubber bands ain't PC(!). Seriously, I'm just one of those guys who wants his guns to not need "home remedies".
Good Cheer - That sounds interesting, I guess I'll take your word for it. If that's true, then it's no sweat - PRB's have been proven to be more accurate than conicals in these guns (I can FEEL the flames already!)
Now the obvious; if it took 3 versions (4 if you count the Whitneyville) to get the gun right, wouldn't it make sense to get the third? I'm really curious as to any advantages, perceived and real, in any version.
And I'd still love to hear more regarding shooting these without having to lift the lever every other time.
I should say that duelist's videoes got me questioning this in the first place. Whether with the Walker or Dragoon, seeing that bar drop after a shot as he shoots through the cylinder just seems like such a pita drag.
Good Cheer - That sounds interesting, I guess I'll take your word for it. If that's true, then it's no sweat - PRB's have been proven to be more accurate than conicals in these guns (I can FEEL the flames already!)
Now the obvious; if it took 3 versions (4 if you count the Whitneyville) to get the gun right, wouldn't it make sense to get the third? I'm really curious as to any advantages, perceived and real, in any version.
And I'd still love to hear more regarding shooting these without having to lift the lever every other time.
I should say that duelist's videoes got me questioning this in the first place. Whether with the Walker or Dragoon, seeing that bar drop after a shot as he shoots through the cylinder just seems like such a pita drag.
The falling loading lever was one of the first things that was identified as something that needed to be redesigned.
Each of the following 3 dragoons used a slightly different latch to hold the retaining lever up during recoil.
The main differences between these dragoon loading levers is the way the release tab was designed with each version being easier to operate and a little more reliable than the previous one.
The effort to design the loading lever latch was continued after the dragoon designs with the final design being used on the Colt 1851 Navy and the later 1860, 1861 and 1862 model revolvers.
Each of the following 3 dragoons used a slightly different latch to hold the retaining lever up during recoil.
The main differences between these dragoon loading levers is the way the release tab was designed with each version being easier to operate and a little more reliable than the previous one.
The effort to design the loading lever latch was continued after the dragoon designs with the final design being used on the Colt 1851 Navy and the later 1860, 1861 and 1862 model revolvers.
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2F probably helps a bit too. My Dragoons almost NEVER drop the lever. (it's only happened 2 or 3 times). Old Uberti 2nd Models imported by Western Arms.
rafterob
62 Cal.
They are absolutely PC. Patented in 1845.
I haven't tried it yet, but I am going to try a piece of rawhide lace tied around the barrel to hold the lever. I think I will be able to slide it forward off the lever when I want to reload, and then slide it back in place to hold the lever. Sounds good in theory at least :grin:
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Thanks for the added input, guys.
Alan and Shoeless - You both mention owning the 2nd model dragoon(s). Is there a reason you prefer that version to the 3rd model?
Following the logic outlined by Zonie (one that appeals to common sense), each model was a bit better than the one before. And Samuel Colt's personal favorite revolver is said to have been the 3rd model Dragoon.
I'm not tryhing to bust your chops here, I'm just interested in the reasoning behind your choice, especially if I see myself having to choose one down the line (uh-oh)and shelling out the $$.
As always, members' thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated.
Alan and Shoeless - You both mention owning the 2nd model dragoon(s). Is there a reason you prefer that version to the 3rd model?
Following the logic outlined by Zonie (one that appeals to common sense), each model was a bit better than the one before. And Samuel Colt's personal favorite revolver is said to have been the 3rd model Dragoon.
I'm not tryhing to bust your chops here, I'm just interested in the reasoning behind your choice, especially if I see myself having to choose one down the line (uh-oh)and shelling out the $$.
As always, members' thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated.
Marc, I have 2nd models because the first one I bought was a screaming deal from MidwayUSA @ $299.99 and just purchased another to have a pair. I originally purchaesd a 3rd model but sent it back because of damaged to the arbor during manufacture and they could not replace it due to severe backorder. I believe the 2nd model has all the updates that the third model has such a mainspring and rectangular cylinder stops but 3rd model had round trigger guard verses squareback. Don't walk away from the Walker due to loading lever issues because some mods can be made to the catch but most of all it's a piece of history and comes with all the quirkiness of the originals except exploding cylinders. The Walker just has a certain "cool" factor. Revist Outlaw Josey Wales and you will see. My lever never drops below 50 grs but what a show.......
Marc,I will also add that these cap and ball pistols are pieces of history and we all have a passion relive it. If anyone is looking for the most effective,best performing weapon, nothing on this forum beats modern/smokeless Weatherby,Sig Saurer,Beretta and the list goes on but its the history most of us relive.The weapons of our forefathers whether cap and ball,wheelock,flintlock or percussion cap. All had their quirks and thats what lures me to them....
Poor Private
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I have a old Replica Arms 2nd modelDragoon. But it was new to me. Orginal from 1969, bought it used but new in box. I have all the original paperwork including the original bill of sale. It originally sold for $82.43 on Sept 28, 1969 in whittier Ca. It had a heck of a markup I bought it for $328.59 1/06/11. Why did I buy it? I like the look of a 2nd model, and I wanted a Horse Pistol, and this one came with all the history including the original box.
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Shoeless - I'm with you 100% re: our love of American history and its "tools of freedom", particularly the 18th and 19th centuries.
But as a newbie to these particular weapons, I'm traveling a slow, methodical path, albeit one that may make sense only to me. OK. I've already bought 3 replica Colt's - 1851 Navy (London), 1860 Army (Fluted cylinder) and 1861 Navy.
I haven't yet shot any of them. I've been laid up once again for months with my chronic sciatica, and have just begun PT for my right rotator cuff. That's right, the same arm I have to keep locked to shoot offhand.
But I'm sure I'll be getting them dirty by April -May. In the meantime I'm learning all I can. It didn't take me long to realize that yes, I will join the ranks of those who just can't stop acquiring examples of these revolvers.
I have a feeling that most of the bugs inherent in their maintenace and performance can be worked out, and if not so be it. To tell you the truth, my main reticence to the Walker and Dragoon dynasty is their sheer weight. I've already told you of my troubled shooting arm. What I neglected to say is that that arm is a twig! So I'm trying to be somewhat realistic (I know, I know) in my approach to building my battery.
I must say that I found it curious that so many here mentioned that they not only had some of these guns, they had PAIRS of these guns. Somehow this doesn't seem so strange to me now!
I will continue to badger everyone here, I'm sure. I just hope I don't become a nuisance (if I already haven't already, that is!).
But as a newbie to these particular weapons, I'm traveling a slow, methodical path, albeit one that may make sense only to me. OK. I've already bought 3 replica Colt's - 1851 Navy (London), 1860 Army (Fluted cylinder) and 1861 Navy.
I haven't yet shot any of them. I've been laid up once again for months with my chronic sciatica, and have just begun PT for my right rotator cuff. That's right, the same arm I have to keep locked to shoot offhand.
But I'm sure I'll be getting them dirty by April -May. In the meantime I'm learning all I can. It didn't take me long to realize that yes, I will join the ranks of those who just can't stop acquiring examples of these revolvers.
I have a feeling that most of the bugs inherent in their maintenace and performance can be worked out, and if not so be it. To tell you the truth, my main reticence to the Walker and Dragoon dynasty is their sheer weight. I've already told you of my troubled shooting arm. What I neglected to say is that that arm is a twig! So I'm trying to be somewhat realistic (I know, I know) in my approach to building my battery.
I must say that I found it curious that so many here mentioned that they not only had some of these guns, they had PAIRS of these guns. Somehow this doesn't seem so strange to me now!
I will continue to badger everyone here, I'm sure. I just hope I don't become a nuisance (if I already haven't already, that is!).
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I get your thinking on this, private - seems perfectly sensible.
You know, you mentioned something that I completely forgot. The 2nd model has a squared triggerguard and the 3rd is rounded. THAT in itself can be reason enough to get the 2nd model, as far as I'm concerned.
As I keep looking at pictures of these revolvers (over and over and over and....) I've developed an attraction to the look of a squared trigger guard myself.
So if I do end up buying a dragoon most likely I will join your ranks and pick up the 2nd model as well!
You know, you mentioned something that I completely forgot. The 2nd model has a squared triggerguard and the 3rd is rounded. THAT in itself can be reason enough to get the 2nd model, as far as I'm concerned.
As I keep looking at pictures of these revolvers (over and over and over and....) I've developed an attraction to the look of a squared trigger guard myself.
So if I do end up buying a dragoon most likely I will join your ranks and pick up the 2nd model as well!
Marc,It's difficult to take the slow road, I shoot once a month and still have 6 revolvers I have never fired but plan to this weekend at least use 2 of them. If you stopped now,I believe you have 2 of the finest in the 1860 Army and the 1861 Navy. I purchased 12 in the first year so I know the addiction well. The pairs will happen. I hope you get out soon to make smoke, then the fever really starts,just a warning.......
Robert is right here. Any of the Colt type pistols can be adjusted if they suffer from rod-drop. The Walker was a different animal and had to have the rod retainer or catch slightly filed to deepen the notch. I suppose that if deepening the notch didn't work, you could very slightly cold bend the retainer arm to give the rad a better purchase, though I've never had to do that personally. Slightly deepening the notch with a fine tooth file has always worked for me.
No Deer said:
That's basically what I do. I have some thin leather strip stuff that's useful for odds and ends like that. Works fine but it's maybe a little thicker than it should be and there's not a lot of front sight that sticks up above it. So I'd say do it, but you might have to fiddle with it a bit.
