Uberti 1866 Yellowboy problems

ArtyMan

ArtyMan

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
92   0   0
Location
Ontario
Hey guys,

Today I was out shooting my Uberti 1866 Yellowboy lever action rifle, and after about 10 or so rounds, the lever became locked (after the round chambered had been fired). I tried to open the lever and it would not budge at all. Seeing as how there was no more noticable recoil or noise then normal, or catastrophic KB I figured the brass must have swelled or cracked etc... I lifted up the extractor to try and rack the lever, to allow to action to open, with a spent casing still in the chamber... no luck. I figured if this happened I could use a cleaning rod to knock out the casing.

Anyway, that did not work - even after the extractor lifted up the bolt/lever would not budge. So I tried again to work the lever. This time however I could feel the metal lever bend. I immediately stopped what I was doing and noticed that I had completely bent the lever :eek:

So essentially now I have a rifle that is completely locked solid with a bent up lever, with a chambered SPENT casing to top it off. Has anyone else experienced any sort of issues like this? This is my first and only lever rifle - its killing me to look at it. I have fired probably 2-300 rounds through it, factory and reloads all with 0 issues. If pictures are needed I can take a few.
 
One of the few weak points of the Uberti 66 repros is the design of the loading gate.There is a tab on the gate that breaks causing a similar mishap like yours.If you hadn t of bent the lever the solution would of been simple, just replace the loading gate with the after market stronger gate made to correct this problem.Not to armchair quaterback but when you have a jam like this never apply undo pressure on any part.The 66 disassembles very easliy by removing the sideplates.The only problem you will find with a Uberti is that the srews are on real tight and care has to be taken removing them as the soft steel screw heads burr real easy.Contact VTI in the states for replacement Uberti parts.They do ship to Canada.
 
When you have the side plates off, clean it thoroughly and use a teflon based grease to lightly coat the side plates and links, as well as all pivot points on the links as well. I initially used a wheel bearing grease and it worked fine, though I recently changed to teflon "Super Lube"...works even better.
Cheers
 
You actually don t have to take both plates off completely if you don t want to.You can remove one sideplate screw and back off the other so that one plate comes off and the other hangs down.You then remove the links(they just about fall out on their own)The breechbolt is two piece held together with a pin ,remove the pin and with the hammer at full #### you can slide the rear piece out of the frame.If you want to remove both plates you should back off the tension screws at the bottom of the frame.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom