Going outside my comfort level (Uberti Walker)

[cruddymutt]

My wife ordered me an Uberti Walker for my Bday. This will be my first BP gun but I have shot a few before(rifles only). Anything I need to know? Probably going to order the R&D conversion to 45lc as well and reload.

[Yugo]

thats one ugly gun but then again im a youngin and just dont get it.

[FeuerFrei]

there is a ton to learn on bp firearms.
use boiling hot water to wash barrel and cylinder so it won't corrode.
clean the same day you shoot it.
wife may not like you to clean it in the house. stinks REAL bad.
use good oil on all metal surfaces.
use anti seize grease on nipple threads and check regularly for any looseness.
the revolver should come with a manual w all the basics as far as loading etc..
buy a real good lead remover. (shooters choice or equivalent)
good luck and have fun. it should shoot really well if you load it consistantly.

[mls343]

Make sure you lube the end of the cylinder if you load all 6 chambers when shooting. I use crisco because it smells so good! This, btw, is just some added insurance to make sure you don't get any flash overs...

[Asphodel]

I can't speak to the current-production Italian pseudo-Colts, but I well remember the high quality ones built for a while in Belgium, in the 1960's.

A friend, who was a 'gun freak' and capable handloader, carried one for a while as an every day carry weapon, in a shoulder holster he'd had custom-made by a local leather-worker.

This was in the late '60's/early 70's, when we lived in an area which had been struck by an economic depression, the crime rate was way up, and there was very real danger from large dogs which had been abandoned by owners who moved away and left the dogs behind.

It seems probable that many big dogs, when abandoned by their humans, will lose their socialisation, and revert to a 'wolf' operating programme. For those, humans become just another potential prey animal.

The big Walker, clumsy as it may seem at first, was......back in those days, and for those who couldn't afford a nice new Smith 44 mag.......a life-saving close-range self-defence weapon, against feral big dogs (think 'pit bull' or 'bull mastiff' class, close enough to the capability of a real wolf as makes no practical difference)

(I suppose I should mention that, at that time and place, one was theoretically required to have a concealed weapons permit........this wasn't enforced much, except against obvious hoodlums, and, in any event, meant simply going to the relevant City office, solemnly swearing that you had never committed a felony, were over 21, and willing to pay (I forget the $ figure, not very much, anyway) for an official permit)

He worked up a loading for the pseudo-Walker, a full cyl of 3F, with a little bit of Unique to keep the carbon level down, and a flat-nose wad-cutter of hardened lead with multiple grease grooves. I forget the alloy, but it was a tough one, as lead goes, and sized so as to just barely shave the tiniest bit when loading.. The idea was to completely fill that large cylinder with powder and ball, for the hottest charge possible.

I could not fire that weapon in 'traditional' style, 'one-handed', it was just too heavy for me. Test firing at close range, on various objects, showed it to be very nearly the equivalent of a hot 44 mag load, capable of bringing down a dangerous animal 'in its tracks'.

Accuracy, past 25yds, was very different matter, compared to a modern 44 mag Smith.....the Walker, presumably, was never meant to be other than a very close-range weapon.

I vaguely remember reading some stories of the War between the States, in which the Cavalrymen who had to fight a real war with that class of revolver, referred to them as the 'wrist-breaker'.

I can tell you, from first-hand experience, that full-charge recoil is a serious matter, with one of those, and you'd do well to practice with light loadings first, till you develop the instinct to allow the revolver to 'roll up' in your hand, as it was designed to do.

(I can also tell you that this same friend later replaced the replica Walker with a real Smith 44 mag, when he was able to save up the $$$ to do so)

(on edit........forgot to mention.......there is a potentially deadly flaw in the Walker design, which the Colt company changed in its later models......if you carry one for self-defence, understand that you have only six rounds, no practical reload, and the loading lever can drop under recoil and tie up the cylinder.........after loading, wrap several turns of fine copper wire around the barrel and loading lever, and twist the wire tight, to ensure this won't happen to you)

cheers

Carla

[pmcgugin]

The Colt-Walker was developed and designed by the Texas ranger Samuel Walker. The gun was made to ride in a holster that draped over the horn of the saddle. Capt. Walker approached Colt in designing this gun because the Patterson revolvers just didnt pack enough punch to take a horse out from under a rider, enter the huge Colt-Walker. The gun is not made to hit anything accurately after 25-30 yards, it was an up close and personal weapon.
I myself have the Uberti copy and it is perhaps one of the most well-made guns in Uberti's line. I have loaded "Hot" loads in this thing and the muzzle barely moves due to the weight of the gun. I have considered getting the conversion cylinder but the removal of the barrel and such just seems too cumbersome.
I would very much like to meet anybody that could carry one of these concealed everyday....he would have to shaped like Paul Bunyan.
You'll be very happy with your Uberti walker, I know I am with mine.

[Dutch3]

I think the 45LC conversion would be somewhat underwhelming for a Walker, although would speed up reloading times for those with short attention spans.

I don't own a Walker replica, although one is on my list. My lowly Pietta 1858 in .44 is a great stress reliever. A few minutes spent loading powder and balls, smearing some lard over the chambers and carefully setting the caps is a nearly religious experience.

Squeeze the trigger, "click-BOOM" and a cloud of smoke. You'll be hooked.

I can actually hit the target with it, now that I am learning to "point" it instead of "aiming". There is a difference. Load and shoot that Walker as it was meant to be and you will not be disappointed.

[bplvr]

You may also want to consider the 3rd Dragoon {military} Almost the same size with most bad issues resolved AND they will accept a shoulder stock.

[Rem222]

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-223515.html

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=341028

[cruddymutt]

Thanks everyone. Im figuring cleaning a BP revolver cant be worse than cleaning an SVT40!
I just ordered a brass capper and leather pouch for the capper. The powder measure I think I want was out of stock. Didnt get to the bank today in time to deposit my "allowance" so hopefully tomorrow then I can place the order for the Walker.
I think I am going to enjoy BP. My friend is giving me an RCBS die set for 45lc and I think I am going to look into one of those Remington 1858 revolving carbines with a 45lc conversion cylinder. Reloading BP 45lc seems really easy, almost too easy.

[Tallship]

I don't get all this business with conversion cylinders and Walkers/Dragoons. If you want to shoot 45LC, just go and buy a SAA. Buying a Walker is to experience loading 60 grains of FFF and ramming down a .459 ball on top of it. Put on some caps, and enjoy the BOOM. For even more fun, shoot it in the dark and watch the sparks go ten yards down the range.

[Latigo]

You're not going to use Pyrodex? I remember my Father talking to me as he reloaded his Walker on day and the third shot was a double boom! It seems its not hard to load two balls into a chamber if you're not paying attention. It doesn't hurt anything it seems, but the double rapport was sure a surprise.

[Alan Block]

I have the slightly smaller 3rd model Dragoon

Revolver. I have shot up to 40 gr of pyrodex behind a .451 round ball and the recoil is minor. In Calif it requires powder, ball and cap to be considered loaded.

[orangeusa]

Man that's a big gun. (I have a Stampede...)

[MMA]

I have an Uberti Walker. Lots of fun. It takes some time to load, and you may find that you only shoot 20-30 rounds at the range, but each smokey shot will put a smile on your face.

I'd skip the pyrodex, and use Goex 3F; afterall, it's a period piece and it's fun to have the full experience.

Recoil is pretty light, more like a 38 special, since the gun weighs 4 1/2 pounds. And be prepared for spectators gathering around to watch.

Have fun!

(don't forget to cover the end of each chamber with BoreButter to avoid chain fires)