Uberti Walker loading lever

[webghost]

Hi all,

I know it is typical of most walkers where the loading lever drops based on the high intensity recoil impact of the shot. To prevent that from happening, I heard some folks mention reusable zip ties but I was curious if anyone else has devised any methods in which the loading lever can stay steady during shooting. Any thoughts/ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks
web

 

[M. De Land]

If it were me I would use the same hook with an extremely strong latch spring and a means of depressing it manually as the only way for it to become unlatched.
My second idea would be to make a latch for the end of the lever wither it look traditional or not. Mike D.

 

[Zonie]

This has been a problem that was common even back when the first Walkers were new.

The problem stems from the spring not catching fully on the loading lever and on some Italian reproductions it is worse than the original Colts.

If you have a small fine toothed flat file, the notch in the retaining spring that catches the loading lever can be filed a little deeper.
Also, filing the small flat so the edges sharp improves things quite a lot.

 

[Joseph46804]

I use a cut down piece of boot lace leather on mine. I tie the leather with just enough tension that it will hold the lever up, but can slide off easily when needed for reloading. Basically the zip tie idea with a different material.

I might check out some of the ideas mentioned in this post for a more permenant fix.

 

[bpd303]

I have used a small tie of sinew and at times a rubber o-ring which can slide off the lever. Both work. I have also seen a small wire spring shaped like an s hook made out of a paper clip attached to the barrel which was flipped off the lever but have never tried that. The sinew & rawhide is more H/C.

 

[Joseph46804]

Thanks bpd.

Hoping to get the Walkers out this weekend. I'll have try some of these new ideas out.

It will also be the first time that I have fired Goex FFFG thru them, they have only seen Pyrodex P since I bought the pair new from Dixie Gun Works a few years ago.

Not sure why I got two, just one of those guys really weighs down the holster :wink: . Sorry, getting off topic.

Despite the loading lever issue the Walker is still one of my favorite cap-n-ball pistols.

 

[Paul_R]

Use a rubber band.

 

[Eljay]

I use boot lace leather as well. It's really no big deal to slide it on and off.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Use a rubber band.

I use a BLUE rubber band, so it blends-in with the blued gun. Using stout loads of 50+ grains of 3Fg Goex drops the lever every time, so after the clip finally broke, I never bothered replacing it--just use the rubber band, lol!

Dave

 

[TFoley]

Use a rubber band.

I use a BLUE rubber band, so it blends-in with the blued gun. Using stout loads of 50+ grains of 3Fg Goex drops the lever every time, so after the clip finally broke, I never bothered replacing it--just use the rubber band, lol!

Dave

You obviously copied my advice from about six years ago........ :thumbsup:

tac
Fake Walker #1816

 

[Paul_R]

Use a rubber band.

I use a BLUE rubber band, so it blends-in with the blued gun. Using stout loads of 50+ grains of 3Fg Goex drops the lever every time, so after the clip finally broke, I never bothered replacing it--just use the rubber band, lol!

Dave

On days when you're feeling patriotic you can add a red one and a white one :thumbsup:

 

[aeatwood]

Using 2F mitigates the problem as well.

 

[curator]

This is how I fixed my Walker loading lever

 

[Paul_R]

Good job curator! What tools did you use?

 

[laufer]

i have a leather bend around the barrle and loading lever, loose enough to slide over the bearrle for the loading, and tight enough that ehen i holster it it does not slide off. think braintanned leather, sawn with cotton thread, 1.4" wide.

 

[loco6725]

Nice work!!! Did you just do way with the original spring catch?

 

[curator]

I made the various parts from steel scrap laying around my shop. First I removed the loading lever and ground a flat-spot on the tip. I then drilled a hole to house a spring and the latch. I cut the latch from a piece of 1/8 steel flat stock copying the pattern from my 1851 Navy. I used a ball-point pen spring to provide tension. I made the lever catch from a 5/16" bolt head and filed the dove-tail in the barrel with a triangular file. The latch is pinned into the lever with a finishing brad, slightly riveted on both ends. The whole thing took about 4 hours. If I was to do it again, I would buy the parts rather than making them. This totally solves the problem of loading lever falling. It works better than the vertical latch on my Uberti 3rd Model Dragoon too.

 

[dano2467]

Nice work!!! Did you just do way with the original spring catch?

I thought walkers didn't have a catch on the loading lever. Was kind of a deal breaker in my opinion from getting one. re-thinking it after seeing what curator did.

 

[M. De Land]

There you go now that's what Sam Colt should have done from the get go! Mike D.

 

[bpd303]

Hindsight is 20-20, adding a front lever catch makes it a hybrid. :wink: