Uberti range report

[5-Shot]

I have been a S&W fan since the early 60’s, when a friend of mine bought a 6 inch model 19. It was love at first shot. During the years that followed I managed to accumulate most of the Smith revolvers that I coveted. Around 2000 I became interested in carry guns and acquired a number of auto’s. Then a few years ago Ruger offered a 44 special Bisley. I figured that was as close as I’d ever come to Elmer Keith’s modified Colt and ordered one. It was hooked. That purchase led to a host of other Ruger Bisley’s. I finally had ‘em all and decided to try a birds head Ruger. That worked out so well that when I stumbled onto a Uberti 45 long Colt birds head, I couldn’t resist. Especially since someone had just given me 1000 pieces of tumbled 45 brass.

I’m an absolute novice when it comes to Ubertis. I’ve never even touched a Uberti before this one, so I was pretty apprehensive. (I was, after all, a confirmed S&W-Ruger man.) I should not have worried. As the picture confirms, It’s an absolute beauty. Lockup is tight and precise. The trigger pull, after a couple of lengthy dry fire sessions, is a fairly crisp 2 1/2 pounds. (Totally unexpected.)

My first shots were in the back yard into my trusty Oak log. The groups were OK but, as expected, pretty low and also a bit to the left. I tapped the front sight over as much as I dared, filed the front sight down an appropriate amount, and cast up a bunch of Lee 255ish grain round nose/flat point bullets. Powder coated those bullets and loaded them ahead of 6 grains of HP 38 powder. The included target is my first target when I finally took the Uberti to our local indoor range. That’s at 15 yards by an 80 year old shooter (me) with 80 year old eyes and body. I’m obviously pleased.


A note on recoil with a birds head. To watch someone shooting a birds head would leave you with the impression that it really kicks. The muzzle always ends up pointed at the ceiling. Surprisingly, the felt recoil is minimal. I’ve talked a couple of 22 shooters into shooting it and they are invariably surprised.


Ed

 

[brucev]

That is a .45 SAA. Uberti is producing some wonderful revolvers. Yours is strikingly remarkably beautiful. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[serger]

Talking about the minimum recoil of the birds head,
I've got an old Vaquero birds head and the rolling
recoil it has in your hand really cuts down felt recoil.

And that Uberti is beautiful. Very, very nice.

 

[Bill Lear]

Uberti quality is so good you wonder if they're supplying the raw parts for Colt to assemble finished single actions from!
I have several Cattleman revolvers that are gorgeous specimens with correct serial numbers, all marked "BP only" under the barrel. I bought them mail order from Cabelas and promptly converted them to shoot the .45 Colt by installing a Colt cylinder, and creating a centerfire breech face.
Absolutely beautiful revolvers!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have that same Uberti 3" 45 Colt Birds head, marketed as a Thunderer (yes, the extra "er" tells you it isn't an old Colt double action). When I bought mine used in the 90's, I bought a 20-round box of Winchester Silver Tip Hollow Points for SD use. They have a little less recoil than the load you are using and group great also.

The smooth gripped guns have a slow second shot compared to SAA's and Ruger's; Checkering really helps! My favorite load is 6.7 grains od HP-38/WW231 with a 200 grain RNFP. Still in the lower 45ACP power range, but mild recoil and good accuracy.

Ivan

 

[.357magger]

Thanks for sharing your new Birdshead. Very nice looking popper.

I've been enormously pleased with the quality of my Uberti 1875 Remington clone. It's a very well made revolver and a lot of fun.

Pretty darn accurate too.

 

[erikpolcrack]

I've had and have several Uberti's, various calibers, grips, and barrel lengths. Never been disappointed. Recently got a Taylor's modeled on an original Army model, and I'd swear I'm in a time warp when I compare it with the real thing passed down to me through two generations.

 

[dsf]

I have a few Ubertis (and Colt SAA and a few USFA) and like them fine. The open top conversions are a nice departure from the SAA types. They're all a great value.

I recently picked up this entry level SAA type in 9mm -



My only gripe is Uberti going to that darned "3 click" action. Works fine and feels pretty much the same, but all that overtravel (required to actuate the "transfer rod") just bugs me. I always replace the hammer, clip the dogleg on the trigger and go with "load 5" instead.