[66gt350]

I'm looking for some quick info on a used gun.

A local shop has a Uberti Walker, used, in the case. And it seems a little pricey. They want $450 out the door for it. I know that Dixie Gunworks has them for around $350, with a normal blued barrel. This local one has the charcoal finish...it looks greyish-blue. Does that make it that much more? It does not look like it was used very much, and the bluing is in excellant shape.

I'm wondering if I should go with this or order a normal one from Dixie.

thanks
Rob

[Jim K]

Sounds like your choice, but I will note that used percussion revolvers tend to have problems, usually because the previous owner played with them and then, when he got over his head, traded the gun in. I will also note that Dixie sells a Walker kit, with no finish, so unless you know that the "charcoal" finish is factory, you might be cautious on that score also.

Unless you are familiar enough with those guns to give it a good checkout, it might be better to buy new. (If you do buy from Dixie, buy the Uberti gun; they have other makes, but they will not be as good.)

Jim

[4v50 Gary]

What Jim says. I'd go to Dixie for a new one.

[blfuller]

One thing about that charcoal blue is that it doesn't last very long. Couple of times in and out of a holster and it is already wearing off.

[66gt350]

i found out a little bit more on the gun and the seller. One reason that the price is a little higher is that it comes with a leather rig (even my size!). I can't remember the maker, but it's made in El Paso. The person that is selling it, is a type of collector that buys them, puts em in a safe. And he gets bored or wants something new, he sells some. They doubt if this gun has ever been fired.

So it is sounding a bit more tempting...but I want to check it out more closely before any decision is made.

[4v50 Gary]

and they're asking $450, counter with $400 and see if they'll bite.

[Father Knows Best]

The leather is probably from El Paso Saddlery. El Paso is high quality stuff. A new lined belt (without cartridge loops) and a single standard holster would typically run about $160-180 in standard sizes. A holster for a Walker would typically have a premium or upcharge, because Walkers are huge. Figure an additional $20-50 for a Walker holster.

That brings me to another point -- the Walker was never intended to be carried on your belt. It is much too big. It weighs something like four pounds. It is in a class of firearms known as "horse pistols", because it was intended to be carried in a pommel holster on a cavalryman's horse. The reason for the pistol is that it could be fired with one hand while the cavalryman held the reins in his other hand. While some people do strap them to their belts, they look ridiculous and are very uncomfortable to carry that way for any amount of time. They are also so long and heavy that drawing them from a hip holster is very awkward and difficult.

They are sure fun, though. Nothings makes a statement (or boom or cloud of smoke) like 60 grains of black powder out of a handgun.

On the finish question -- I like charcoal blue. It's beautiful and authentic. It is true that it isn't particularly durable, but you're not really going to be handling this pistol all that much, and you certainly won't be leaving it exposed to the weather. If you take care of it, and shoot it a few times a year, the finish will last a lifetime. If it wears a little in a few places, it will just make the gun look more authentic.

[66gt350]

i went down and took a closer look at it...and i passed. It looks like the gun has been used quite a bit. That was no problem. but all of the pin surface rust was. a real close look at it and it seems to have been sitting in the case for a LONG, LONG time. And the "rig" was a POS. it was a normal belt with a bad holster....

So, I guess it's time to order one from Dixie or MidwayUSA...

thanks all
Rob