Cowboy action gun tuning suggestions

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gatbrat

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I've ended up with some extra cash and am looking for some recommended work for getting my guns tuned nicely. I have an Uberti 1873 rifle, winchester 1897, and some colt SAAs.

The 1873 is pretty smooth but I thought it would be good to short stroke it anyway, plus whatever spring work is needed for it.

The 1897 I found in my grandfather's safe and I've replaced a few parts that were missing. Other than being cut down, I figure it should be checked over and get the chamber reaming and such done? It's 1907 manufacture I believe. Not the greatest looking shape but it shoots.

The Colts I figure just go right for tuning and spring work.

Is there anything I should stay away from without doing more shooting first? Regardless of making it to matches I'd just like some real nice operating units. Thanks for any input
 
Call Peter at Rusty Wood in Mission BC for the Colts. He may be able to help with the long guns, not sure.

I've got a pair of Ruger SAA's he did the triggers on. Very nice job.
 
Paul_T said:
Call Peter at Rusty Wood in Mission BC for the Colts. He may be able to help with the long guns, not sure.

I've got a pair of Ruger SAA's he did the triggers on. Very nice job.
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I'm already planning on sending them there and have done a cost breakdown for services. Mainly just wondering if there's anything that I should wait on. I've got 150 rounds through the colts (cimarron replicas) and 500 in the 1873.

I have seen some people talk about certain mods that should wait until you've used them a bunch but haven't found some "definitive" mod list anywhere. Gone through a lot of pages on the sass forums and searched through here.

Thanks for the recommendation though.
 
I would second the motion to send your guns to Peter.

Give him a call first and get an idea of the cost involved. If you can afford it send them all out together. I have a couple of Uberti 1873's and tuned them myself prior to the export restrictions in the USA. I short stroked one and super short stroked the other (all parts from Pioneer Gun Works). If Peter has one available, I would get the super short stroke. I really prefer it over the other. Not that it matters, but one of my 1873's is the carbine and the other the short rifle. Hands down the carbine is my favorite (yes, it is super short stroked) and the rifle is my back up. When I started shooting cowboy action I picked .45 because 1) it was "old west" and 2) it was easy to reload. When I started a box of Winchester Cowboy Action 45 was $24.00! However if I wanted to be a competitive shooter I would recommend getting .357 caliber shooting irons. Welcome to Cowboy Action, you wil have so much fun.
 
fingers284 said:
Wereabouts are you in Ab? If your close to central Ab an hour in my gunroom will enlighten a newby to Cowboy tools.
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I am around Edmonton. I've handled a few slicked up units but that was over a year ago. Being able to try side by side would be quite nice, as well as finding out more about what I can do by myself.

Depending on how far out you are it could be worth a drive if you are willing to meet. Cost of gas nowadays might just make it more cost effective just to send them all off.
 
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gatbrat said:
I am around Edmonton. I've handled a few slicked up units but that was over a year ago. Being able to try side by side would be quite nice, as well as finding out more about what I can do by myself.

Depending on how far out you are it could be worth a drive if you are willing to meet. Cost of gas nowadays might just make it more cost effective just to send them all off.
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I am about 2 hrs south of you, 35 min east of Red Deer. Home 99% of the time so visit anytime your ready.
 
Just make sure changing springs in your 1873 doesn't result in light primer strikes. I had a short stroke kit and lighter springs but changed back the spring. I find that just good technique and focus will beat most other competitors. I'm in for the bang and clang. I've found I don't need the mechanical advantage for max fun.

Others might advise but I doubt the 1897 would need chamber reaming. A double should have it though.

Can't go wrong with a trigger job in revolvers.
 
WilliamWallace said:
Just make sure changing springs in your 1873 doesn't result in light primer strikes. I had a short stroke kit and lighter springs but changed back the spring. I find that just good technique and focus will beat most other competitors. I'm in for the bang and clang. I've found I don't need the mechanical advantage for max fun.

Others might advise but I doubt the 1897 would need chamber reaming. A double should have it though.

Can't go wrong with a trigger job in revolvers.
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Spring change & "trigger job in revolvers" are synonymous...Federal primers a necessity after each.
 
I would definitely have Rusty Wood tune your 73 and your handguns. Spring and action jobs on new firearms make them much more competitive. Peter at Rusty Wood trading is my go to gun mechanic. 97s are fun to shoot and I used them until about 3 years ago, then changed to a double. Most 97s have been used enough that they are already fairly smooth. If you can palm 4 shells at a time and feed over the top they will be competitive with all but the best double shooters.
 
I shoot Rugers and Uberti 73s, all have had action jobs and are incredibly smooth. I mainly use Federal primers, but all of my firearms have enough hammer spring tension to ignite any primer I have used.
 
fingers284 said:
I am about 2 hrs south of you, 35 min east of Red Deer. Home 99% of the time so visit anytime your ready.
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Not sure if I'll make it out there. Perhaps tomorrow depending on the weather if I can take the bike down if you are available.

WilliamWallace said:
Just make sure changing springs in your 1873 doesn't result in light primer strikes. I had a short stroke kit and lighter springs but changed back the spring. I find that just good technique and focus will beat most other competitors. I'm in for the bang and clang. I've found I don't need the mechanical advantage for max fun.

Others might advise but I doubt the 1897 would need chamber reaming. A double should have it though.

Can't go wrong with a trigger job in revolvers.
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I don't think I'll be changing out any springs oither than the lever safety and the lever springs. They have the Slixmain kit but I'll probably just see how smoothing everything out works so I should be good I think. Unless I should be doing the extended/hardened firing pin replacement? RW advised me to do the chambers at least to the proper length for modern shells. For the ~$100 bucks for all the reaming work I figure it might as well be done.

Cariboo Lefty said:
I would definitely have Rusty Wood tune your 73 and your handguns. Spring and action jobs on new firearms make them much more competitive. Peter at Rusty Wood trading is my go to gun mechanic. 97s are fun to shoot and I used them until about 3 years ago, then changed to a double. Most 97s have been used enough that they are already fairly smooth. If you can palm 4 shells at a time and feed over the top they will be competitive with all but the best double shooters.
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Cariboo Lefty said:
I shoot Rugers and Uberti 73s, all have had action jobs and are incredibly smooth. I mainly use Federal primers, but all of my firearms have enough hammer spring tension to ignite any primer I have used.
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Any opinions on Short vs Super Short stroke kits for the 1873? I'm leaning towards just the short as I've read that the super short is a bit rougher working? Not like I'm world class anyway, but it feels like removing that last inch or so would feel more natural. I just bought a bunch of federals, I didn't know about light strikes before and the the Campros (only ones I could find last year) I bought have light strikes sometimes even with stock springs.
 
Weather is about as good as its going to get for a bike ride this time of year and I will be home other than for 1/2 hr in the afternoon. I can be here anytime to fit your schedule. One thing I should tell you before you make the trip if you are planning on seeing a 73 all done up, I dont have one anymore but have done up a couple dozen for myself & freinds before so know what to tell you needs doing . Pistols and some super slick Marlins are here tho.

Spring changes will be the quickest and cheapest improvements that you can do, ( action spring changes are compulsory on a Uberti just for longevity of lever life). A short stroke kit will drop tenths of seconds off a scenario time ( super short=.3 sec, regular short- 1 tenth)...not much but enough to win or loose if you get into a competitive match with a friend or spouse.
 
Paul_T said:
Call Peter at Rusty Wood in Mission BC for the Colts. He may be able to help with the long guns, not sure.

I've got a pair of Ruger SAA's he did the triggers on. Very nice job.
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I have had a SAA ( Colt 1873 type) action job done by Rusty Wood & was completly satisfived.
 
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As always seems to happen I've gotten bogged down today. I definitely appreciate your openness but I think I'll just pack everything up and send off for work. Though I might have to take out the Wolff springs temporarily to shoot off the cci primer 45 colt I've already made.
 
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