Uberti 1872 Open Top 45colt barrel cracks

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Stovepipe

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Hi
I have a Uberti 1872 Open Top late model in 45 Colt. Shot approx 150 rounds of cowboy and regular factory load ammo. It developed a crack in the barrel at the cylinder end where the barrel is milled quite thin to fit the cylinder.

The gun shop I got it from has been quite helpfull, they have offered to replace the barrel (with a long wait for delivery from Uberti) or replace it with a slightly different (early model) one that they have in stock.

Since this happened I have run across quite a bit of info on the internet that says this pistol in 45 cal leaves the barrel too thin and is prone to cracking. I'm trying to figure out how big this problem is.

Does anyone out there have the open top in 45 colt ?
Has yours cracked, or given you years of trouble free shooting?

Any info about good or bad experience with this pistol is appreciated!
Thanks
 
Can you ask them to replace with a 38spl model, if open top is what you are looking at sticking with?
If you are planning to do CAS or frequent plinking at the range, I would suggest looking at getting an 1873, 1875 or the like. Open top is an inherently weak design. (but very nice looking!)

Good luck and it looks like you have a great store to deal with. What is the shop?
 
Thanks for the reply
I'm not really interested in the 38sp version (45 colt is a blast to shoot).
Not planning on CAS but frequent range use for sure ( I didn't mention in the first post it is only one mo th old so I've put 150 rounds through it in about 3 weeks).
Thanks for the advice on the 1873, I am thinking that I might ask the shop to replace it with a cattleman but I really like the looks of the OT.
I'd rather not mention the name of he store until this is figured out , I'll be in a better position to comment on the customer service once this is resolved. If they go above and beyond then I will definitely post with details
 
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The original open top was only chambered in 38 rimfire. Metallurgy has come a long way since then, but you might want to consider reduced loads if you plan to have an open top in 45 Colt. It just isn't designed for smokeless pressures, metallurgy aside.

What weight bullet are you using? It may be a matter of a lighter weight bullet putting added stress on the forcing cone area.
 
rosebute said:
I believe the 1872 open top was chambered in 44 colt.
Click to expand...

I stand corrected. It appears also to have been chambered in 44 Henry.

My point still stands, however. These cartridges are lower-pressure, black powder rounds. The 45 Colt of 1873 was a significant increase in pressure (I'm not saying anything new here). I simply feel that the open-top design isn't a great candidate for 45 Colt factory loads.
 
I know this is an ancient thread but... I just got a 1872 open top SAA 7.5" in 44 special/colt/russian. I've only put 50 rounds through it so far but it's going strong so far. Its a Cimarron which is Pietta I believe.
 
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