Been thinking about a Walker.......

[Texas Moon]

Been cypherin' about Walkers. Looks like there might be one in me future.
Whats your opinions about the new ones on the market today?
An actual re-pop Colt seems kinda steep price wise but it is what it is.
I'd prefer to go with an actual Colt if I can find one for a reasonable price.
Used ones seem to be as rare as Unicorn teeth.
The Uberti's look real nice. How are the new ones holding up for you guys?
I've heard the Eye-tralians don't hold up to good to extended shooting.
I plan on shooting the gun a moderate amount so durability is important to me. I'm not looking for the most power as most all shooting will be plinking/field work.
Whats your opinion on a Walker vs. Dragoon in a field gun?
What about leather to carry one in? Any recommendations on good quality leather for Mr.Walkers horse pistol?

Thanks

 

[mec]

mine is just about perfect if you discount the lever dropping down. The thing about not holding up well seems to be more true of the replicas from a few years ago. The current ones are much better. ( we also have a couple of Colt re-issues from the 70s which seem to be up to the quality of the current Ubertis and have not had any parts wear or breakage. You would still be well advised to have spare springs on hand as these are prone to metal fatigue and breakage. This is true even of the best quality single actions such as the USFA. The biggest offender is the hand spring.

I spread my shooting out over a number of revolvers so that none of them have been pounded by a great many loads. I've only broken two springs- both hand springs in a 61 navy and a 60 army. The hand and spring on these relatively small revolvers are usually sold as a unit because it is hard to replace a new spring in the small slotted hand. The spares come oversized and require fitting. Once fitted, they are interchangeable in both of the above revolvers and I have several pre fitted ones on hand.

On my Dragoon, which uses the same internals as the Walker, I found that the spare hand/ hand springs I ordered area drop-in fit-no stoning required. You can also find the springs separate as they are less tedious to fit in the large walker hand.

Dragoons are a bit handier-shorter and weigh a bit less and the lever is designed not to drop under recoil. sometimes they do anyway as the lever catch isn't perfectly effective. the third model dragoon has a single-plain mainspring that is a bit easier to get in and out than the u-spring on the Walker. The large size of these revovers make them a bit nicer to dismount and clean than the army/navy revolvers just because of the larger screws and other parts.

 

[K.A.T.]

Colt Walker

I don't know how much you want to spend,or how bad you want a Colt,but there is a Colt Signature Series on GunBroker.Com.I think the high bid right now is $525. I just bought a Colt 2nd generation Walker,it should arrive first of next week.Auction Arms sold a Signature Series a couple of days ago for $609,I think that was the price.My wife tells me I'm done buying pistols or the next thing I'll be paying for is a divorce,I'm probally going to miss her.

 

[Snaggletooth]

Ive found a place to buy that ios small. I live in Missouri but bought a Walker from thrm. A member of another forum put me on to this place.WWW.kitterytradingpost.com. They have an ASM and a Colt Colt priced right. I paid $250 for my Uberti Walker. You might contact Deer Creek Products They hande ASM, Pietta and Uberti plus alot of others. I know from experience that they are riliable . 765-525 6181

 

[Blasterbear]

Walker

I bought one, shot three cylinders and got disgusted. Now it's a nice expensive wall hanger. There is a good reason Sam C. only made 1100 of them. The loading lever falls every shot. The oval bolt holes sometimes doesn't catch the bolt so it doesn't lock up right, and it's too damn heavy. Get yourself a Uberti Dragoon #3. It has the same lock up as the modern Colt. The loading lever stays where it is supposed to, the cylinder behaves, you can shoot it with one hand, and you still get all the noise, smoke, fire belch, and dust cloud when that .44 ball hits the berm. Everyone on the range will stop to see what you just let loose. If you want more recoil and a bigger dust cloud shoot the conical bullets.

 

[DixieTexian]

I'm calling dibs on his ^ Walker if he ever wants to sell!

 

[Desert Scorpion]

Wow Blasterbear im sorry your that way about the walker. I own one and love it, it is a reproduction from Uberti, works perfect except for that dam lever falling. I would recommend a Uberti Dragoon 3rd model though, fixes all the problems the walker had and still has the look and punch. Just buy both

 

[Texas Moon]

Thanks for the responses.
Looks like I may change me thinkin'.
The Dragoon models are looking better.

What kind of accuracy are you fellows getting out of your Dragoons?

 

[SWC Bonfire]

Not to change the previous change of subject, but to those of you with Walkers:

1. Does it have the cylinder pins like a 1851 that allow you to rest the hammer between cylinders?
2. Do conversion cylinders (R&D, KK, etc) also have a similar provision? In other words, can you carry 6 rounds without having the hammer/firing pin directly on a round?
3. What size and brand caps do the Uberti replicas like? (I am assuming the nipples are different than a later army model, but maybe not)
4. Does the walker require a different size nipple wrench, or is a walker-style wrench more of a preference vs. necessity?
5. Is the grip frame/"stock" different from that of later colt models?


I haven't really seen these issues addressed in other walker threads, or I missed them. Thanks for the info I have already gotten from this site. I have an el-cheapo Pietta .44 1851 that is a lot of fun to shoot, just looking for the next level of fun and maybe some more functionality in the future.

Also - if anyone has made the paper cartridges, is it hard to feed that long a cartridge in the loading gate of the walker? I know that it's tight even on my little .44/1851 with the minimum amount of powder and cornmeal required to seat the bullet.

 

[Tallship]

SWC-

1. the Walker only has one pin for a hammer rest.

2. the conversion cylinders only carry five rounds, but I'm not sure whether they have a pin or not.

3. My Walker likes Remington #10s.

4. The nipples don't need a special wrench, my generic wrench works just fine.

5. the grip and frame are different form the other Colts

 

[Peter M. Eick]

From your handle I would guess you are also from Texas. To me the Walker was and is a Texas thing. I bought one because I live here and love to shoot it at the range. It is a big uberti and so far no complaints.

I freely admit I go full charge nearly every time. Normally 55 to 60 grns of Pyrodex P. I got chastised once about that, but frankly the Walker is such a cheap gun if I beat the tar out of it, I really don't care. I will just buy another one because of the fun factor.

With that said, I have not noticed any significant wear in the last few years. It is a bit easier to break down, but I am starting to get miffed at all the sharp edges. Next time I break it down for a cleaning I may stone a few of the sharper edges to avoid getting cut so often.

They are just fun guns to shoot. They always draw a crowd at the range!

 

[mohctep]

How often does the lever come loose like that?

 

[Tommygunn]

On mine, most every shot. You can get a length of string or leather and tie it up, which was what they did way back when.
On mine, I discovered if you tighten the screw on the hinge -- where the plunger is attached to the lever -- it will help it stay up better. The downside is you have to loosen it when you reload.

 

[subgunner]

Got a Uberti Walker from Midway. It came with a broken handspring. Sent it back and got the same one back from them. So I ask from a refund. They are big and heavy. I think there are better black powder pistol models. I like the Colt 1860's . Also I have had good luck with Pietta. Just my 2 cents.

 

[ArmedBear]

I think ther are better black powder pistol models.

Absolutely. That's why they only made 1000 for the Army and 100 for miscellaneous other purposes. The several varieties of Dragoons were improved and lightened versions, and they were made right on the heels of the Walker.

I wouldn't recommend one as a first BP revolver. There's enough to learn, even shooting the improved, later guns like the Colt Navy or Remington New Model Army. You don't need any EXTRA frustration!

HOWEVER... Once you're comfortable with the others, you just get the itch to try the Walker. Can't help it.

The Rapid Evolution of the Dragoons...


1847


Early 1848

Late 1848/49


1850


1851

 

[mohctep]

Pretty Cool,those Dragoon Revolvers!

I've been interested in Dragoons since reading about the Revolutionary War's "Green Dragoons" led by Banistaire Tarleton,and the "Swamp Fox" Francis Marion as a child.

I wonder what kind of pistols they carried?

Good [and interesting] information on this thread-thanks to all of you!

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I agree that other BP colts may be better to start out on, but I started on my Walker and that is all I shoot. Yes the lever drops most of the times with 60 grns of Pyrodex, but what the heck. You just snap it back up before the next shot. I am not in a rush to shoot each round as they take some time to load up so whats the urgency.

Walker's are fun and they are so "Texas".

Next will be a "Patterson" and that will probably be it for my BP handguns. Then it will be a Henry 1860 and we will call it good.

 

[Calibre44]

Hey ArmedBear

Beautiful pictures of those Dragoons man … really nice.

As you have to justify a reason to own every calibre over here, it’s can be difficult to convince the Police that you have good reason for two guns of the same calibre. Anyway I managed it and got permission for two .44s.

A Remmie,of course, is a most but I went through a lot of pain trying to decide between a Walker and a Dragoon. This forum has been invaluable in deciding. In the end I decided that I wouldn’t be disappointed with either! and after loads of soul searching just something about the Dragoon looked right so I ordered a Uberti 2nd model.

Still another month to wait and the pain gets worse every day waiting for it.

 

[barman]

I have 2 Uberti Walkers, they're damn nice and the lever NEVER drops if you don't load them with more than 45 grains of black powder. Most guys who complain about the lever dropping actually load them up to 55 or 60 grains of BP. That's just not reasonable.

BTW, Colt re-issues were actually made at the Uberti factory for Colt to put their stamp on them. They aren't better than the Italian versions, precisely because they are the same exact product!!! Only the markings differ. But the steel is the same!

 

[J.T. Gerrity]

BTW, Colt re-issues were actually made at the Uberti factory for Colt to put their stamp on them. They aren't better than the Italian versions, precisely because they are the same exact product!!! Only the markings differ. But the steel is the same!

Actually, only the rough castings for the Colt Blackpowder guns were made by Uberti. All final fit and finishing was done in New York and, yes, there are MAJOR differences in a Colt Blackpowder gun and your standard run-of-the-mill Uberti. The Colt BP guns are truly a work of art and function like a dream and are far superior to the Uberti.

With apologies to A. Walker, who originally took these pics, compare this to your Uberti:

However, I do agree with your assessment regarding the powder charges. I use 45 grains in my Colt third gen. Walker and do not have problems with lever drop.

 

[mykeal]

I own both a Uberti Second Model Dragoon and a Colt Signature (Third Generation) Third Model Dragoon.

BTW, Colt re-issues were actually made at the Uberti factory for Colt to put their stamp on them. They aren't better than the Italian versions, precisely because they are the same exact product!!! Only the markings differ. But the steel is the same!

That simply is not correct. They are absolutely not the same product. There is a significant difference between the two brands. In addition, all the published descriptions of the Colt Second and Third Generation guns clearly say they were made by Colt trained personnel using Colt tools, processes and inspection methods in the US. That difference shows.

 

[O.S.O.K.]

Uberti Walker

IMHO, the Uberti Walker is a very nicely finished revolver and worth every penny. Here is a pic of mine:

It functions and shoots great. Yes, with stout loads, the loading lever dropped as-issued. I've correct that now and it stays in place.

The Colt signature Walker is finished to a higher degree - look at the case hardening on the frame for example. They are nice and if you want that extra nice fit and finish then spend the extra and get it.

Ain't it nice to have options?

 

[mukluk]

I do like the case hardening of the Colt over the Uberti, but very much don't care for the way the barrel is finished on the Colt... the edges are broken too much and the flats appear to not be flat... the Colt barrel almost looks slightly melted.

 

[K.A.T.]

Colt Walker

Mukluk,maybe you should look at a 2nd gen. Colt Walker.If I remember correctly these pictures are of the 3rd gen.I own a 2nd gen. Walker and all the edges are sharp, and all the flats are flat,and the barrel does not seem to melt into the frame.The blueing is a darker color also.

I'm not trying to start the argument of the colt generations,I just notice a little difference in the two.If it says Colt,it is a Colt to me.I have a 3rd gen.1860,it is a great gun.

 

[A. Walker]

I don't know what you mean when you say "the flats aren't flat and the barrel looks melted(???)". I think what you're seeing in the photographs is just the result of the lighting and the angle of the camera. The gun is highly polished to a mirror finish, and is difficult to photograph (especially in the tight close-ups I used) without introducing artifacts that do not reflect the true state of the metal. Also, the bluing is quite dark, almost black but, once again, the lighting makes it look a lot lighter than it really is. Trust me when I say that this is one of the most beautiful handguns you have ever seen; in fact, I've decided not to shoot it, but to put it away unfired and am currently saving up for a Uberti that I will actually shoot. And I have compared it with a Uberti and, like they said, "there just ain't no comparison!"